QUEST 3 Headstrap and interface. Help please

[BOO]

My lad went and defied all my expectations in passing his GCSE's. Damn it!. In doing this he has forced me to make good on my promise of a Quest 3. I should stress that this unit isnt for me or Flight sims, its for him to mash zombies and thwack things. 

 

Looking around it appears that there are 3 issues with the quest those being the Headstrap, the facial interface and audio. Audio is sorted - Koss Kcs75s cos he'll only end up losing or sitting on them.  

 

Where Im sturggling is the headstrap and interface. Bobo VR and AMVR seem to be the general recommendations but I also see lots of comments about the incompatabilty between the S3 and the interface. Kiwi also seem popular but there are so many options I lost. 

 

Has anyone got either experience of these or, alternatively, what do you use on your Q3? I also dont really understand the whole batery charging thing. Do I need a separate charging station? Does the thing cut off charge to avoid my lad burning down the house? 

 

All and any advice gratefully received.  

[Aapje]

Regarding the headstrap, there are basically two styles, the Halo type that is looser on your head and the Elite style, that is tighter, which means that there is less unwanted movement, but there is also more pressure on your face.

 

Unfortunately, it is pretty much impossible to know which one your son would prefer, and it depends in part on the head shape and in part on what feels better to your son. So you have to gamble, unless you know someone that allows you to test it out. I have both (Halo on the Quest 2 and Elite style on the Quest 3) and prefer the Elite style. In any case, any third party headstrap is 10 billion times better than the stock strap.

I'm probably going to get the AMVR facial interface. They just released a new version and I have no clue how it compared to the old one. Perhaps that is the near-perfect one, because their initial version was still not optimal.

 

And charging is generally just through USB-C and it's of course secure against overcharging.

 

PS. For thwacking things you should definitely get handstraps, so the controllers don't go flying through the room. I got the cloth type from AliExpress, which are very cheap and good:

 

 

I have rubber ones for my Quest 2, which flex more, which on the whole worse more than it is good. And the Quest 3 has had issues with the controllers slipping out of rubber handstraps. These ones are fully secure.

[BOO]

Thanks @Aapje.  The overcharging did concern me a little (cos he's 16 and stoopid) so Im going to go belt and braces and shove the plug on a timer socket so it isnt on all night. 

 

I did start to lean towards the Bobo for its hot swap batteries but as you start to add on the accessories so you add on the price. Im not convined at this point that a simple powerbank or Link cable with external power would be enough even over an battery strap. 

[Aapje]

If you are in the US, I would jump on this right now: https://www.amazon.com/Aubika-Head-Strap-Battery-Replacement/dp/B0CKYX43LB

 

They have a big discount on it, probably because they are replacing it. I have the non-battery version and am quite happy with it. For that money, it is a steal.

 

My experience is that hot-swappable batteries are not needed. If you run out of both the built-in and the 8000mAh battery, it is definitely time to go do something else.

[BOO]

2 hours ago, Aapje said:

If you are in the US, I would jump on this right now: https://www.amazon.com/Aubika-Head-Strap-Battery-Replacement/dp/B0CKYX43LB

 

They have a big discount on it, probably because they are replacing it. I have the non-battery version and am quite happy with it. For that money, it is a steal.

 

My experience is that hot-swappable batteries are not needed. If you run out of both the built-in and the 8000mAh battery, it is definitely time to go do something else.

UK sadly - Home of "this product is unavailable"

[dryheat94]

This is the one I ended up with. It has a gear drive so you can move the facial interface away from your face. Worth every penny.

 

https://www.amazon.com/KKCOBVR-Compatible-Playtime-Replacement-Accessories/dp/B0CPLSMPGZ/

[=MERCS=JenkemJunkie]

I have the BoboVR M3 with the Quest 3, and the AMVR facial interface fits, but it does block the forehead pads full travel, but your son may or may not want that range any ways. He might be OK with the stock interface, or no interface (which you can do with that Halo strap), so I would just not order an interface at first and have him try the stock/no interface first, then maybe order something later. I never settle on anything, I always flip around between stock, AMVR and no interface.

[BOO]

6 hours ago, dryheat94 said:

This is the one I ended up with. It has a gear drive so you can move the facial interface away from your face. Worth every penny.

 

https://www.amazon.com/KKCOBVR-Compatible-Playtime-Replacement-Accessories/dp/B0CPLSMPGZ/

 

4 hours ago, =MERCS=JenkemJunkie said:

I have the BoboVR M3 with the Quest 3, and the AMVR facial interface fits, but it does block the forehead pads full travel, but your son may or may not want that range any ways. He might be OK with the stock interface, or no interface (which you can do with that Halo strap), so I would just not order an interface at first and have him try the stock/no interface first, then maybe order something later. I never settle on anything, I always flip around between stock, AMVR and no interface.

 

We had a look at videos various and endless products on line last night. In the first instance the boy wants to try an elite style strap as this is, apparently, what his mates use (this is the FIRST mention of his mates having VR despite that fact that 4 of em were round yesterday and I could have damned well asked them!!). If that doesnt suit I'll look at a halo down the line. Thank for the suggestions. 

 

Next silly question. PC titles and wifi streaming. Seems I have a couple of options. Link cable suspended from his ceiling or Wifi 6e. I have already gotten a link cable for my own sneaky use to try out simming (Iniu) so thats kinda sorted. What Im less clear on is Wifi6e. As I understand it, I need 6e to benefit from the uncluttered 6G wireless band and acheive the throuhput required to reduce compression and the 5G wont cut it. Is that correct? I should add that your crurrent Wifi is not overly cluttered but does have a number of smart devices in the 2.4 bandwidth as well as a couple of laptops using the 5ghz band almost constantly.   So, are there any router recommendations? The usual google brings up tp TP-link AXE75 5400 and some more expensive Asus routers but thats a pretty heafty price to pay for what is essentially a dedicated access point for a single device. Currently Im leaning towards the TP link..

 

Again any pointers most welcome.

[Aapje]

I've always just ran with two cables. A shorter one for sitting games (race/flight simming) and a longer one for standing PCVR. Nothing suspended. The cable can irritate, but I cope.

 

And yes, a dedicated wifi 6e/7 router that is configured with a separate network just on the 6 GHz band works best. Although the question is how much PCVR is he going to do. Other than simming, I play standalone games most of the time.

[BOO]

17 minutes ago, Aapje said:

I've always just ran with two cables. A shorter one for sitting games (race/flight simming) and a longer one for standing PCVR. Nothing suspended. The cable can irritate, but I cope.

 

And yes, a dedicated wifi 6e/7 router that is configured with a separate network just on the 6 GHz band works best. Although the question is how much PCVR is he going to do. Other than simming, I play standalone games most of the time.

 

Half Life Alyx and Arizona Sunshire - hes a completist and can play a title for months on end repeating scenes. Id imagine that both titles would amount to hundreds of hours over a couple of years. 

[Aapje]

Alyx is extremely good and there are also some very good mods for it. I spend 25 hours on a single playthrough.

 

Lone Echo I & II are also very nice.

 

 

[BOO]

54 minutes ago, Aapje said:

Alyx is extremely good and there are also some very good mods for it. I spend 25 hours on a single playthrough.

 

Lone Echo I & II are also very nice.

 

 

 

It looks incredible. Half Life 2 was kicker to finally hook my PC to the internet rather than downloading patches onto dics at work!.  

 

Im hovering over the TP LInk AXE75 5400 but still trying to establish if the Meta/Qualcom wifi issues have been sorted. The last informaton I could find was 8 months ago stating it was fixed on V62 only to recieve a bunch of comments stating it wasnt. Equally the Kiwi K4 strap I was looking at has good reviewes followed by some stating it doesnt charge. It all very wild west. A £17 link cable seems to sort all that provided the boy dont step on it on go head-first through the wall. The entire reason behind getting the Q3 was I figured Meta and some of the more established brands might have sorted all this stuff out in the interviewing 2 years from launch but I guess Meta isnt really interested in what Meta really isnt interested in. . 

[=MERCS=JenkemJunkie]

I have the AXE75 5400 with virtual desktop in a wifi infested apartment and it's stable with no network latency. I wouldn't be tempted to get a more expensive model. Since you get compression and latency anyways with a USB cable, I've never been tempted to use the USB cable unless I'm in a seated sim like IL2 and I need to min max spotting settings by going quest link with the cable. A display port would be tempting, but not USB compression. 

[BOO]

@=MERCS=JenkemJunkie Thanks mate - thats good to know. currently the cost of this venture is rising quite alarmingly so knowing the AXE75 gives me a fighting chance is really helpful. 

[dryheat94]

TP-link AXE5400 with Virtual Desktop for me and never looked back.

 

With this combo you have no need to install the Meta software on your PC, which seems to break something with every update. The dirty usb port error went on for far too long. Using VD/AXE5400 you are free of the Meta nonsense. Meta really doesn't care much for PCVR and it seems to be an afterthought to their dev team. They want you buying games in their store.

 

I tried a cable for a test just last week and within 10 minutes I got hit with that error. Plenty of info about it online. For reference I used the INIU charging cable that many others use. (INIU Oculus Link Cable with Charging [16ft] for Meta Quest 3)

 

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=meta+dirty+usb+port+error+q3&atb=v344-1&ia=web

 

Finally... VD has the VDXR codec, which they developed themselves. It is far superior to any other OpenXR codec when running games with OpenXR or OpenComposite.

 

Edited October 24, 2024 by dryheat94
added additonal dirty port info and link

[BOO]

32 minutes ago, dryheat94 said:

TP-link AXE5400 with Virtual Desktop for me and never looked back.

 

With this combo you have no need to install the Meta software on your PC, which seems to break something with every update. The dirty usb port error went on for far too long. Using VD/AXE5400 you are free of the Meta nonsense. Meta really doesn't care much for PCVR and it seems to be an afterthought to their dev team. They want you buying games in their store.

 

I tried a cable for a test just last week and within 10 minutes I got hit with that error. Plenty of info about it online. For reference I used the INIU charging cable that many others use. (INIU Oculus Link Cable with Charging [16ft] for Meta Quest 3)

 

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=meta+dirty+usb+port+error+q3&atb=v344-1&ia=web

 

Finally... VD has the VDXR codec, which they developed themselves. It is far superior to any other OpenXR codec when running games with OpenXR or OpenComposite.

 

 

I have bought the Iniu cable also  - more as "well its only £15 if its crap" purchase more than anything else. 

 

For now Im up to over just over £600 spent (Headset, mask, battery strap, lens protectors/blue light filter thingy, link cable)........I think the 5400 might have to wait until next payday as Im also down into the 40s on the waitlist for my Rhino ( a rapidly evaporating list. I was 140 5 days ago)

 

Its reassuring to know others are using theTP-link and its working well for them. I may see if Black friday brings any discount (uk so probably not) but it seems Im already now emotionally invested in the purchase! 🙂  

 

Im happy enough with the Headset price of £469 (arrived today) for the 512Gb version (couldnt find a new 128Gb version) and the Kiwi K4 battery strap/AMVR (Mk1) interface combo for just under £90 as a starting point. 

 

I imagine it'll be a very sweary christmas day....

 

Thanks everyone.

 

 

[dryheat94]

If you go the wireless route with Virtual Desktop you can still connect the cable to keep the headset charged if doing a long sit down session, so it won't be a throw away. Can't say enough good things about the AXE 5400 router and I paid full price for it. Also paid $500 plus tax for the Q3 with 128GB, so you're doing just fine on pricing.

 

For me, no longer needing the Meta software and all the headaches that come with it every new update was worth the price of the router.

 

Have fun!

 

 

Edited October 24, 2024 by dryheat94

[BOO]

15 minutes ago, dryheat94 said:

For me, no longer needing the Meta software and all the headaches that come with it every new update was worth the price of the router.

 

Have fun!

 

 

 

Now Im being very "dad" and needy but can you expand on this?  I read much about the various wifi problems but assumed this was firmware related. Is the meta software a seperate and additonal buggeration to that or one and the same? 

 

I dont think Im even close to touching the surface of an understanding of all the other black magic 3rd party software that seems to be needed (opencomposite, openxr etc). Having hovered on the edge of the pool for years , it feels like Im jumped off and am reading the "my first book of swimming" on the way down. 🙂  

 

 

[dryheat94]

The Meta/Oculus software is a separate installation for their "Link" options for PCVR, by Air or Cable. It includes software like the Oculus Debug tool, again, unneeded if using Virtual Desktop. You may need to install it initially for setup of the headset, I can't recall. If you use Virtual Desktop, you can then uninstall the Meta/Oculus software as it isn't used any longer, or just leave it installed, but it no longer serves a purpose. There is also firmware updates, but those are unavoidable.

 

This is the software I'm referring to. https://www.meta.com/en-gb/help/quest/articles/headsets-and-accessories/oculus-rift-s/install-app-for-link/

 

It's overwhelming at first, but in no time that passes and you'll have a better grasp of things. I can say using Virtual Desktop removes much of the "drama" of PCVR, as long as you have the necessary requirements like the AXE75/5400 router and it is connected to the PC by cable. Be sure to buy Virtual Desktop through the Meta store, as the one on Steam is for older headsets and won't work on the Q3. I highly recommend spending a couple days in their Discord. You'll quickly learn everything you need to know about Virtual Desktop and can have your system ready to go with little to no "drama".

 

https://www.vrdesktop.net/

 

https://discord.com/invite/BAfs2yQf

 

 

Edited October 24, 2024 by dryheat94

[BOO]

@dryheat94 Thanks so much. Im kinda there with the apps though I've not connected the Quest as, apart from checking it arrived in one piece, I want it to be untouched for my son. I've seen a lot of references to the OpenXR toolkit but I dont seem to be able to get this installed as it just throws up a 2503 error. I dunno if thats becaue Ive not set up the headset or its a windows thing. One for another day and a tame IT guy possibly. 

[dryheat94]

OpenXR Toolkit is a deprecated software and I'd stay away from it. Once you get a grasp on all this you may want to play with the Toolkit, but for now just erase that one from your thoughts as it will only confuse you.

 

OpenComposite is for using OpenXR in games that don't support OpenXR natively, like IL-2.

 

I made this post awhile back on how to setup IL-2 standalone using OpenComposite and VD.

 

 

Edited October 24, 2024 by dryheat94

[chiliwili69]

On 10/23/2024 at 12:14 PM, BOO said:

what do you use on your Q3?

 

to add more choices, and be more dificult to decide, this is what I use for my Quest3 since Oct-2023:

 

https://destek.us/products/qh3-pressure-free-head-strap-for-meta-quest-3

 

It is the model without battery, but the model with battery is better since it also compensate the weight.

[BOO]

1 hour ago, chiliwili69 said:

 

to add more choices, and be more dificult to decide, this is what I use for my Quest3 since Oct-2023:

 

https://destek.us/products/qh3-pressure-free-head-strap-for-meta-quest-3

 

It is the model without battery, but the model with battery is better since it also compensate the weight.

 

Thanks @chiliwili69.  I put the Quest on for the fisrt time tomday to get it all set up for when my son comes to use. Its painful out of the box. Literally could stand the pressure on my cheeks for more than just a few minutes. 

 

@dryheat94 and Chillwilli Im also suggling with concepts. I've already put XR Toolkit out of my thoughts as it wont even install. Next is what the opencompoiste does, and thirs is why I dont have any steam games showing up in my Virtual Desktop now when I did initally.  The Quest is currently in the kitchen on charge and in disgrace so troubleshooting will have to wait but does Virtual desktop require an unmolested Steam VR (ie one that has not had its mind taken over by Open composite?

 

The biggest plus side so far is the amusement of Mrs Boo who has compared my actions from where she is stood to that of a confused resident of a care home, reaching out into thin air, grabbing imaginary things that are not there.. 

[chiliwili69]

I also have a son on the 17 and a daugther on the 13. And they also enjoy the Quest3.

 

There is many ways to use the Quest3 for PCVR (IL-2, Alyx, Maestro, etc).

 

I like simplicity.  (who not?)

If something works OK and it is simple, it doesn´t need to be complicated without a good reason. 3% increase on graphics or performance, etc is not engouh good reason.

 

So for Quest3 my advices are:

 

1.- Forget cable: Better for scale room games (Alyx, Arizona, etc). Any of the three methods to stream from PC (AirLink, SteamLink, VD) are good enough. The Q3 battery will give you 90-120 minutes and the extra battery another 90-120 minutes. So, 3-4 hours of VR should be enough for a day. In fact, this is the best way to control VR time during weekends...  😉

 

2.- Wifi6 is more than enough: In the past, with the Pico4 I tested a variety of dedicated routers in addition to my internet provider router but ended up with asking to my internet provider (Masmovil) to put me a Wifi6 router without extra cost (https://drinia.tech/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ZTE-F6640-Datasheet.pdf) and currently I use the Quest3 with Wifi6, setting a dedicated SSID network&password just for Quest3.  It works fine, not latency problems or bandwidth limits. You should take into account that using H265 the real limit is in the XR2Gen2 chip which is 200Mbps. So this bandwidth is perfectly handled by the Wifi6 router (just 15€ on market) with the 802.11ax 4x4 @5GHz the theoretical bandwidth is 3750Mbps, in real world this is around 800 to 1500Mbps. In fact, it works even going to other rooms of the house where the router is.

 

3.- Test SteamLink: I used VD in the past with Pico4 and also with Quest3. I realized that I don´t need it. Many people will tell you that it is better than Airlink or SteamLink, but in practical terms it just complicates the things even more (many options, hard to measure the benefits). Initially I used the QuestLink, but then went to VD, but 8 months ago I went to Airlink which works well and it is the one I use with IL-2. Some months ago I tested SteamLink (which uses fixed foveated rendering to reduce GPU load) and I didn´t like it. But just yesterday I was playing the awesome "Maestro" (orchestra director game from Steam) using SteamLink and It worked perfectly. So I have to try again SteamLink with IL-2.

 

4.- Forget OpenComposite, OpenXR Toolkit, OpenXR Tools (for now): I have never used them since I have never needed them. I understand other people need them to try to reduce GPU load for large resolution devices, but the Quest3, with that nice pancake lenses, doesn´t need a high internal supersampling ratio, so you don´t need a top GPU to have good enough graphics. Just go with the standard things, then if you are not satisfied you can enter into the never ending rabbit hole of tools for tweaking.

 

BTW, Do you play IL-2 in VR?

[BOO]

1 hour ago, chiliwili69 said:

I also have a son on the 17 and a daugther on the 13. And they also enjoy the Quest3.

 

There is many ways to use the Quest3 for PCVR (IL-2, Alyx, Maestro, etc).

 

I like simplicity.  (who not?)

If something works OK and it is simple, it doesn´t need to be complicated without a good reason. 3% increase on graphics or performance, etc is not engouh good reason.

 

So for Quest3 my advices are:

 

1.- Forget cable: Better for scale room games (Alyx, Arizona, etc). Any of the three methods to stream from PC (AirLink, SteamLink, VD) are good enough. The Q3 battery will give you 90-120 minutes and the extra battery another 90-120 minutes. So, 3-4 hours of VR should be enough for a day. In fact, this is the best way to control VR time during weekends...  😉

 

2.- Wifi6 is more than enough: In the past, with the Pico4 I tested a variety of dedicated routers in addition to my internet provider router but ended up with asking to my internet provider (Masmovil) to put me a Wifi6 router without extra cost (https://drinia.tech/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ZTE-F6640-Datasheet.pdf) and currently I use the Quest3 with Wifi6, setting a dedicated SSID network&password just for Quest3.  It works fine, not latency problems or bandwidth limits. You should take into account that using H265 the real limit is in the XR2Gen2 chip which is 200Mbps. So this bandwidth is perfectly handled by the Wifi6 router (just 15€ on market) with the 802.11ax 4x4 @5GHz the theoretical bandwidth is 3750Mbps, in real world this is around 800 to 1500Mbps. In fact, it works even going to other rooms of the house where the router is.

 

3.- Test SteamLink: I used VD in the past with Pico4 and also with Quest3. I realized that I don´t need it. Many people will tell you that it is better than Airlink or SteamLink, but in practical terms it just complicates the things even more (many options, hard to measure the benefits). Initially I used the QuestLink, but then went to VD, but 8 months ago I went to Airlink which works well and it is the one I use with IL-2. Some months ago I tested SteamLink (which uses fixed foveated rendering to reduce GPU load) and I didn´t like it. But just yesterday I was playing the awesome "Maestro" (orchestra director game from Steam) using SteamLink and It worked perfectly. So I have to try again SteamLink with IL-2.

 

4.- Forget OpenComposite, OpenXR Toolkit, OpenXR Tools (for now): I have never used them since I have never needed them. I understand other people need them to try to reduce GPU load for large resolution devices, but the Quest3, with that nice pancake lenses, doesn´t need a high internal supersampling ratio, so you don´t need a top GPU to have good enough graphics. Just go with the standard things, then if you are not satisfied you can enter into the never ending rabbit hole of tools for tweaking.

 

BTW, Do you play IL-2 in VR?

 

Thanks Chilliwilli. So far I ended up in a trailer lab in  "First Contact" dunno how, it wasnt even in my library and I dont think I pressed anything. That took some effort to actually close or even understand what the heck happened..  And it seems Virtual Desktop is a little finicky in pulling through games and needs restarting now and then, but it all other aspects Its something I'll certainly experiement with. Airlink, Id never heard of that before your post. I'll have a look into it. Is it an app or the thing I intinally set the Quest up with using my phone? Also are there settings in Steam link I need to play with or is it got a start and go app?  Sorry lots of (quest)ions. 

 

For now the VR is soley for my son (and an introduction for me to see its something I might use in the future. I see his primary use of it as a standalone once he's played Alyx and Arizona to death.  Since the middle of last year all my sim stuff has been packed away (initally out of need but now becuase I just cannot be bothered to drag it all out as its bulky and messy). Come December/Jan I'll be rebuilding a new rig and PC to return based around a monstertech MFC chair. Thats the point I'll try the Quest in IL2.  

 

For the price. I'll look into a WiFi 6 router in the first instance. Im not sure how saturated 5Ghz band is though as we have quite a few always on devices and our neighbours are the same. Given what Im like, ill likey start looking for a 6 and buy a 6e though!

 

The XR Tool kit is kinda moot as it wont even install (2503 error which is apparently somtehing to do with the Temp file) - beyond me so before any of that the PC would be off to a specialist to see what I've messed up at some point in the past 2 years. 

 

So far I have mixed feelings about VR- on one level Im very aware of the goggle effect at times but on the other I was gobsmacked at the envonment "first Contact" put me in (to the point I leaned on the virtual counter and fell over in my living room. A few hours in IL2 for MSFS when Im able will likely be enough to make my mind up one way or the other. 

[FTC_ChilliBalls]

On 10/24/2024 at 2:03 PM, BOO said:

@=MERCS=JenkemJunkie Thanks mate - thats good to know. currently the cost of this venture is rising quite alarmingly so knowing the AXE75 gives me a fighting chance is really helpful. 

The AXE75 or WiFi 6E as a whole is overkill. Just get any WiFi 6 router with 3000 in the name, it usually means the 5GHz connection is able to keep up a 2400 Mbps connection.

 

i.e. the Mercusys AX3000 is a cheap one and works perfectly fine and costs 40€ in Germany

Edited October 25, 2024 by FTC_ChilliBalls

[BOO]

2 minutes ago, FTC_ChilliBalls said:

The AXE75 or WiFi 6E as a whole is overkill. Just get any WiFi 6 router with 3000 in the name, as long as the 5GHz connection is able to keep up a 2400 Mbps connection you’re good to go.

 

i.e. the Mercusys AX3000 is a cheap one and works perfectly fine 

 

Thanks for the recommendation Chilliballs. 

 

@chiliwili69 @dryheat94 @FTC_ChilliBalls. Sorry chaps, last question (guaranteed as Its now been put away for Christmas), when I launched Virtual Desktop and then IL2 what I got was a large screen showing the game, not actually a VR view (and yes it took me about a minute to stop going "ooo" before I realised all i was looking at was the same but bigger) - is there a setting or a key combo I have to action to switch from sceen in 3D space to VR itself? Launch times were very slow too compaired to the airlink but I think thats likely down to the lack of dedicated router. 

 

I did use Airlink to play it briefly and it is a "wow" the first time you load into the hangar I have to say. Took a quick, autopiloted flight in a Rata and, again, its very striking albeit heavily compromised with my creaking PC (5600X and a 3080) at the 2D settings I left it on and the fact its not using its own access point just yet. 

 

Everything ended with Steam VR going bottom up but I'll put that down to EBKAC. 

 

 

[chiliwili69]

4 hours ago, BOO said:

Airlink, Id never heard of that before your post. I'll have a look into it. Is it an app or the thing I intinally set the Quest up with using my phone? Also are there settings in Steam link I need to play with or is it got a start and go app?  Sorry lots of (quest)ions. 

 

 

AirLink is an option that you always have in your Quest3 settings when you put it in your head. It streams the PCVR game from your PC to your Quest via Wifi. It requires to download and install in the PC the "Meta Quest Link" application (it is a Meta app). It uses the Oculus XR Runtime. There are many videos explaining that in youtube.

 

SteamLink is an app from the Meta Store that you new to download/install in the Quest3 device.

https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/steam-link/5841245619310585/

When you launch it, then it directly talks with SteamVR in your PC via Wifi , so you can play any Steam PCVR game. It uses the SteamVR XR Runtime.

 

 

14 minutes ago, BOO said:

is there a setting or a key combo I have to action to switch from sceen in 3D space to VR itself?

This is because you launched the game as a 2D PC game inside VR. You need to activate in-game VR checkbox in the IL-2 settings.

[chiliwili69]

17 minutes ago, BOO said:

PC (5600X and a 3080)

You don´t need more than a 3080 for the Quest3. It is the same card that I have, and I use SteamVR 150% custom resolution and still with margin.

The 5600X is also a good CPU for IL-2 VR. There are better CPUs, but the 5600X is quite valid with the right settings.

[Aapje]

28 minutes ago, chiliwili69 said:

This is because you launched the game as a 2D PC game inside VR. You need to activate in-game VR checkbox in the IL-2 settings.

[BOO]

27 minutes ago, chiliwili69 said:

You don´t need more than a 3080 for the Quest3. It is the same card that I have, and I use SteamVR 150% custom resolution and still with margin.

The 5600X is also a good CPU for IL-2 VR. There are better CPUs, but the 5600X is quite valid with the right settings.

 

I'll have a look at your settings and posts. It would be a good introduction to see if VR sticks with me.  The Airlink thing still confuses me though. But that may have something to do with the fact Im tied to steam for IL2 and was trying to launch IL2 in VR mode....losts to learn

 

18 minutes ago, Aapje said:

 

Yeah....dont have that option Im afraid. I bought it on steam years ago before I even realised it had it own store.  🙂 

[Aapje]

3 minutes ago, BOO said:

Yeah....dont have that option Im afraid. I bought it on steam years ago before I even realised it had it own store.  🙂 

 

You can also turn it on in game, in the Graphics settings:

[BOO]

6 minutes ago, Aapje said:

 

You can also turn it on in game, in the Graphics settings:

 

Ah - yes I did that (at some point after the fact). 

 

So, launch it in steam as a non VR game and use airlink or virtual desktop but dont launch steam VR?  

 

Sorry, its like getting grandad back in from the garden isnt it. After 30 year of flat screen, it a bit of a mindmelt. 

[FTC_ChilliBalls]

You should get the option to launch the game as VR title once you install SteamVR. 
 

Performance wise, SteamVR is about as performant with Virtual Desktop as with OpenComposite, however if you choose Air Link you‘ll get significantly better performance with OpenComposite.

 

Once you have SteamVR installed, just click the Launch Launch in VR in SteamVR Mode (I‘m not making the second Launch up, it says so for me).

 

If you do use VD, you want to ensure the SteamVR resolution scaler is set to 100%, as VD will take over that part for you. 
 

In VR, you then want to double press the left controller‘s Menu button, it‘ll open up the VD menu, there, go to the streaming tab on the left and choose Ultra, your GPU should be able to handle it.

 

You may also want to activate SnapDragon Game Super Resolution as this utilises the headsets own GPU to spatially upscale the image.

Edited October 25, 2024 by FTC_ChilliBalls

[BOO]

Thanks everyone -I think Ive manged to crawl out of the ignorance swamp thanks to all the advice. The final hurdle of getting the toolkit to install (for down the line tweaking) has been overcome, and , thanks to random google searches, I am now an IT command prompt god with icacls skills. 

 

For the record- here are my final choices and reasons

 

Kiwi K4 Battery strap - cos its pretty much like all the other battery straps around £50 but seems to be the orign and comes with a free lens protector pad insert -no other reason.

 

Inui Link cable with power - cos it was £15.00 and in stock

 

VR Wave Piano Lenses - so the boy dont get eyestrain even if he doesnt switch on night colours. Magnet attachment will help me swap in my percriptions if I use the set more.

 

AMVR Mk1 3in1 interface - Cos I aint seen no reviews on the Mk2 and it seems a little more adjustable plus, when its not attached to the HMD  it holds on my face when pushed onto me glasses so I can run around the house imprsonating a minion

 

TP link Archer AXE75 5400 - cos I got suckered by the hype, have no common sense and it was late. Do I need it?  I dunno, likely no.  Will it stop me thinking I should have bought it when Im chasing quality I'll never actually get in the images? - yes. 

 

Thanks again

[FTC_ChilliBalls]

You won‘t be able to use the link cable in conjunction with the battery strap unless you have a USB-C splitter. 
 

But then again, why even bother with the cable in the first place if you got a guaranteed dedicated WiFi 6E connection 😋

 

If we‘re talking common sense, I know the feeling, I at least was able to send mine back when it turned out WiFi6E has the same speeds as WiFi6

Edited October 26, 2024 by FTC_ChilliBalls

[BOO]

22 minutes ago, FTC_ChilliBalls said:

You won‘t be able to use the link cable in conjunction with the battery strap unless you have a USB-C splitter. 
 

But then again, why even bother with the cable in the first place if you got a guaranteed dedicated WiFi 6E connection 😋

 

If we‘re talking common sense, I know the feeling, I at least was able to send mine back when it turned out WiFi6E has the same speeds as WiFi6

 

The link cable is more of a back up. As its powered what I loose from the battery pack i may gain with the cable. Im not even sure if I cant plug it into the Kiwi and get some benefit if Im using Airlink or VD. At the end of the day it was £15 and may just come useful when all the other kit goes into his bedroom and a new PC arrives for me and my simming. 

[FTC_ChilliBalls]

Most of the manufacturers discourage simultaneous discharging and charging of their batteries.

[BOO]

4 hours ago, FTC_ChilliBalls said:

Most of the manufacturers discourage simultaneous discharging and charging of their batteries.

 

Damn them all - after 25th December it'll be the lads responsibilty to fix it if I break it 🙂.  Seiously, thanks. It not something id consider lightly given the battery is right in front of his eyes. 

[dryheat94]

You don't use both at the same time. Unplug the headstrap battery connection, plug in the charging cable. Works fine and keeps the headset charged for long stints. This is if you are using VD.

 

 

Edited October 26, 2024 by dryheat94