What a mature response.
I use the trackir with the pro clip since 2 years ago and find it fantastc, no problem with room lighting and enerithing is always under your eyes being it on-screen instruments or hardware mudules…
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TrackIR is definitely recommended if you have or plan on investing into other peripheral controllers, like Logitech switch panel or flight instrument panels. The added gear with actual physical knobs and screens add a lot to the immersion, but they are terrible in conjunction with a VR headset. VR is a great for immersion as well, but it is up to your personal preference which immersion trade off you are more willing to make.
I have it all so I would call myself an expert: I have the Oculus Rift with hand motion gear (Leap Motion), Track IR, Honeycomb Yoke and throttle quadrant, Logitech FIP panels, the Radio Panel and triple 27" screens. I’ve tried everything with X-Plane and all current and previous MS FS versions, but after all these investments I’ve found the best combination to be 3 screens with a spanned forward view, Track IR and all the physical controllers. Unfortunately VR is only a gimmick at this point, even with fancy hand tracking cameras.
I’ve just finished my 2nd IFR VR flight, and I agree with both sides. For my setup (Rift), I can’t quite comfortably make out the G1000 text even with the zoom. But I’m already spoiled by VR when it comes to positional awareness, especially on landings. If I were a hard-core commercial IFR simmer, yeah, VR probably wouldn’t do it for me (at least, not with my headset). As more of a recreational GA simmer, though, I’m sure both my TrackIR and my VR headset will get plenty of use, probably even within the same flights. And I love having that flexibility.
How about if you were only flying VFR? Would you recommend VR?
In my case, if I had to choose between my 2-year old rift and my single monitor with head tracking, I’d take the monitor. It just gives me more flexibility. But I can’t speak to the new VR headsets. Or to a 3-monitor setup - both would be nice, but that’s not in the cards any time soon.
TrackIR is definitely a benefit for flying the pattern and landing - it’s not as immersive as VR but it does help me to gauge my position.
If navigation is purely by pilotage – probably. Provided fps is high enough to not get motion sickness, the immersion factor seems impressive.
But if flying VFR using a navlog and dead reckoning together with pilotage, the way I was taught to fly VFR – I don’t see it. Except maybe if you consider the in-game navlog and the in-game VFR map to be good enough to work. Me I have an actual physical kneeboard with a paper navlog on my lap when flying VFR, because that is how I was trained and that is what I prefer, even after having used all-computerized Foreflight-type flight plans. So VR is not for me, even when flying VFR.
For me it will be a supplement to my IRL training so I will be using it mostly for pattern work, ground reference maneuvers and other basics. I want to be able to practice looking around and moving my head between outside the plane and instruments.
Anyway, I ended up ordering the Oculus 2 and since it is so far back ordered, I can change my mind between now and 1/21 when it ships.
A good quality Ultrawide monitor + TrackIR is the best setup for Sim’ing IMO, VR is still no quite there yet.
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If you’re talking PPL training, VR may be okay. I’ve never used it and have no interest. But TrackIR makes pattern work as realistic as need be. And don’t let anyone tell you that practicing pattern work in a sim is not helpful. Just be precise about airspeeds, altitudes and headings. It will engrain it into you.
Yes, PPL training. I am getting the Oculus Quest 2 VR anyway and if it doesn’t work well for me then I will just use it for other non-flying entertainment.
Just wanted to provide some updates on my VR experience with the Oculus Quest 2. First 1 - 2 days was frustrating. Quality is glitchy, buggy but I fully expect that MS will address these and Oculus Link, which is still in beta, will improve.
- When you have a headset on, you cannot write down notes, use ForeFlight or other aids, etc.(already raised by some users above)
- When you’re using a throttle quadrant, you cannot see those devices. Based in my my few hours of using VR in my setup, muscle memory helped me a bit.
My opinion after about 2 - 3 hrs in VR over the past 1 - 2 days. This is still a process of discovery for me:
- VR has so much potential. I immediately appreciated being ‘actually looking around’ and the depth perspective was so much better than on a flat screen. My landings and patterns were way better using VR.
- I am going to try and use a mouse instead of the throttle quadrant. Haven’t tried that yet.
- This will not replace my using the sim on my widescreen, mostly because I rely on Foreflight (which I am able to use thanks to fs2ff
- No idea what the future holds yet, but let’s see
