Originally Posted by
K5083
Welcome aboard the VR train. I use VR about 50% of the time in MSFS and near 100% of the time in P3D, IL2, and other sims.
1. What VR headset do you use and how is the resolution/crispness of the instrument panel? Does your set have fresnel lenses or pancake lenses?
HP Reverb G2. Fresnel lenses. Resolution is much less than my 1440p screen in all areas, as with any VR unit, but sharpness is good in the center. Sweet spot is relatively small, but sharpness outside the sweet spot is not terrible. Experientially, the 3D effect makes up for a lot of lost resolution, but you will always find it harder to read small print on instruments, discern detail in the environment, etc. with VR than you would with a good screen.
2. Can you look straight up, over the shoulder etc. with VR as one would if flying a fighter plane or jet? These are my main type of aircraft although I do fly other types.
Yes. You can even stand up and look behind you or walk out onto the wing and look around if you want. You will get a sore neck if you keep looking behind you, just like in real life. This is actually an advantage of TrackIR, you can look directly behind you without turning your head as much. But the VR is 1:1 actual and virtual movement and you can look anywhere, so a lot of people like that.
Note that with VR there is very little ability to zoom. There is a limited zoom-in view, but no zoom-out, and no ability to adjust the zoom a little at a time as on a screen. One of the nicest things when I go back to the screen is the ability to widen the view so I can see things in peripheral vision when taxiing, zoom in as much as I need to find an airport in the distance, etc.
3. How easy is it to use peripheral switches on Hotas?
Using your stick and throttle HOTAS controls is fine, but you can't see them, so must memorize switch locations and sometimes grope to find them.
4. How easy is it to use the mouse for switches in the cockpit?
Very easy. You get a clear mouse pointer, tooltips, etc.
You didn't ask how easy it is to use the keyboard, which is sometimes needed to enter text or do functions that can't be mapped to mouse or HOTAS. This is quite hard. I keep a mini wireless keyboard on the desk between the throttle and stick that I can use without too much groping for the keys.
5. Last year I had my cataracts removed and my implants allow me to see at a distance. Haven't had this luxury since 3rd grade. So I must wear bifocals or readers for close vision. Will I need to wear my glasses or not?
No. You only need distance vision to use a VR headset.
If you are considering the Reverb, I would say it delivers a good experience and is currently the best value for money, but you can do better for more money. You have to pay at least twice as much to do any better at all, though.
August
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