I have read numerous posts on this forum seeking guidance regarding how to eliminate various issues with the HP Reverb G2 (G2) headset (plus all other brands of headsets, for that matter). I acquired my G2 five weeks ago. It has been a steep learning curve to get it to perform smoothly and consistently. I finally identified a ‘start-up’ procedure that provides smooth and consistent operation.
When I fly in VR in MSFS2020 (FS20) the hardware I use is: i9 cpu, 3080 gpu, 32 gb ram, 3440 x 1440 G-Sync monitor, G2 headset. The software: FS20, Steam (I purchased MS20 on Steam), Windows Mixed Reality Portal (MRP), and Open XR Developers Tools (OXR). Although OXR is set-up it is not open while loading or running VR. I do not use SteamVR.
Here are the steps I take to start VR:
'1. no open applications on the task bar (MRP, OXR, Steam, and FS20 are closed);
2. no power to the headset;
3. open Steam;
4. start FS20;
5. minimize Steam to the task bar;
6. wait patiently for FS20 to load to it’s main Welcome page (big world is in the upper left).
There is no visible choice to open VR by clicking Ctrl + Tab only “Quit to Desktop” is displayed;
7. plug the headset cable into the power plug;
8. wait for MRP to load (MRP is sent a signal from the headset that the headset has power); a
VR image of the interior of the MRP ‘home’ becomes visible in the headset, a monocular image of
the ‘home’ becomes visible in the MRP app window on the monitor screen. The app is overlaying
the FS20 Welcome page;
9. minimize the MRP app to the taskbar;
10. observe the option Ctrl + Tab becomes visible on the Welcome screen;
11. press Ctrl + Tab (or click on the highlighted Ctrl + Tab region) and slip on the headset:
12. observe MRP transition from the ‘house’ screen via exploding graphics to a grayed out screen of
the FS20 Welcome page with an overlaid instruction screen prompting a click of the space bar to
center the image (this is displayed in 3d VR in the headset and double vision on the monitor);
13. the Welcome page centers, and becomes colorful, and it is displayed against a graph paper
background. The smaller FS20 app page shown against the graph paper background will be true
till all flight choices are made and the “Go Fly” box is clicked;
14. make all flight sim choices, click “Go Fly” and the entire headset screen is filled with the 3d VR
image. The monitor image is a full screen double vision image;
15. the setup is complete and flying should be smooth, crisp and sharp. To engage in another activity,
like a landing challenge, for example, conduct the necessary set-up in VR with the headset on
while peeking out to find the keystrokes that may be necessary.
Until I began following this procedure, I suffered many of the issues described by numerous ‘posters’ to this forum. The issues varied from time to time depending on my actions leading up to attempting to fly (my start-up procedures were inconsistent).
I now follow this procedure as a routine and have ~ 13 successive instances of successful loading with no bad outcomes. I went through this procedure again, in detail, to validate the steps as I wrote this post.
By the way, when I quit flying (clicking on Return to Desktop, and closing Steam), the Mixed Reality Portal program will still be running and is persistent in refusing to close. I discovered this is because my headset was still plugged into power. When I unplug the headset, the program will wind down and close in about 5 seconds.
It is now my belief that VR for FS20 is an Add-On application (this makes sense to me since it was introduced ~ 6 months after the original release of FS20). In order for it to work well with headsets, all of the core elements of FS20 need to be loaded first, then the VR headset program loads, latching to all the underlying FS20 hooks required for the headset to function properly. I don’t know this for a fact. However, my 30 years as a manufacturing engineer guided my problem solving. I am now enjoying all aspects of FS20 and my G2 headset.
I hope this can help many of those who have been suffering similar issues with their equipment.