Oculus Rift DK2 or Consumer Version?

Ashslayer · Mar 4, 2015

I've decided that I want an Oculus Rift for use in Elite Dangerous and some other games.

Does anyone with some experience using the DK2 in Elite Dangerous have any opinions on wether it's worth waiting for the consumer version that comes out in november? If the DK2 works perfectly fine I don't see that much of a reason to wait, but I'd prefer getting the better experience.

BigDuke6ixx · Mar 4, 2015

Ashslayer said:
I've decided that I want an Oculus Rift for use in Elite Dangerous and some other games.

Does anyone with some experience using the DK2 in Elite Dangerous have any opinions on wether it's worth waiting for the consumer version that comes out in november? If the DK2 works perfectly fine I don't see that much of a reason to wait, but I'd prefer getting the better experience.

Everyone has an opinion. The internet is peppered with opinions on this. I say get a DK2, but it's all dependant on what opinion you actually want to hear.

drkaii · Mar 4, 2015

There's no correct answer to this, but here is some information that might help you decide:

The experience with Elite using the DK2 is absolutely amazing. Just because it's a dev kit, it's still really incredible. If you set it up right, the low resolution won't hamper you too much at all, you'll still get a dream-like experience.

That being said, you DO notice the low res, and it does detract from the beauty of the game. Compared to playing it on a monitor, you'll notice a big difference. Still, it looks amazing on the rift, just not AS amazing.

Also, you need a very good computer to have it decent on the DK2. You'll need an exponentially better computer to run it on the CV1. So you decide. If you wait for the CV1, you had better be ready to upgrade your computer to top-end and then some.

Ashslayer · Mar 4, 2015

drkaii said:
There's no correct answer to this, but here is some information that might help you decide:

The experience with Elite using the DK2 is absolutely amazing. Just because it's a dev kit, it's still really incredible. If you set it up right, the low resolution won't hamper you too much at all, you'll still get a dream-like experience.

That being said, you DO notice the low res, and it does detract from the beauty of the game. Compared to playing it on a monitor, you'll notice a big difference. Still, it looks amazing on the rift, just not AS amazing.

Also, you need a very good computer to have it decent on the DK2. You'll need an exponentially better computer to run it on the CV1. So you decide. If you wait for the CV1, you had better be ready to upgrade your computer to top-end and then some.

Yeah I guess I will wait then. My PC is powerful enough after what I know, with an i5 2500k and a gtx 760. I will just wait until the CV1 comes out then. It kinda sucks since I want VR now, but if I buy the DK2 I will probably just replace it with the CV1 and spending twice the money doesn't sound too neat. I'm glad the DK2 works for you, and I thank you for letting me know it has a bit of a low res issue. Well that is a small issue to me anyway, since I prefer high graphics.

drkaii · Mar 4, 2015

Ashslayer said:
Yeah I guess I will wait then. My PC is powerful enough after what I know, with an i5 2500k and a gtx 760. I will just wait until the CV1 comes out then. It kinda sucks since I want VR now, but if I buy the DK2 I will probably just replace it with the CV1 and spending twice the money doesn't sound too neat. I'm glad the DK2 works for you, and I thank you for letting me know it has a bit of a low res issue. Well that is a small issue to me anyway, since I prefer high graphics.

I really don't think that rig will handle the CV1. Even a GTX 970 only just handles the rift, and you still have to turn shadows and AA off inside stations etc.

Oh, and the CV1 will have a better res, but not THAT much better.

Ashslayer · Mar 4, 2015

drkaii said:
I really don't think that rig will handle the CV1. Even a GTX 970 only just handles the rift, and you still have to turn shadows and AA off inside stations etc.

Oh, and the CV1 will have a better res, but not THAT much better.

I still have the option to go dual 760 or even triple. I rebuild my computer every few years to suit my needs. I could also skip the 760s and go straight for a card in the 900 series.

CMDR Holycow · Mar 4, 2015

Ashslayer said:
I still have the option to go dual 760 or even triple. I rebuild my computer every few years to suit my needs. I could also skip the 760s and go straight for a card in the 900 series.

Even twin 760s won't run the CV1 on really high settings... but you might get medium. Also, nobody knows the CV1 is coming out in Nov. We haven't even seen the input device dev kits yet. I would bet good money it will be 2016.

Having said that, I have been in the DK2 for the last 3 weeks...and it is the best money I have ever spent on anything computer or gaming related. Even if the CV1 were to come out this summer (it wont), it would still be worth it, to me. It all depends on your level of disposable income.

Karnath · Mar 5, 2015

Seize the moment now, CV1 may not even be out this year

If you want a game changing experience and i do mean completely game changing go for a DK2, the level of immersion out-ways the picture quality of a flat screen monitor any day if the week for me

Trust me you will be giggling like a little school boy for the first hour of owning a Rift

Raptoyd · Mar 5, 2015

Ashslayer said:
I've decided that I want an Oculus Rift for use in Elite Dangerous and some other games.

Does anyone with some experience using the DK2 in Elite Dangerous have any opinions on wether it's worth waiting for the consumer version that comes out in november? If the DK2 works perfectly fine I don't see that much of a reason to wait, but I'd prefer getting the better experience.

Buy it with the intention of resale to anyone that does not want a CV1 due to price. You can always sell it 1/2 price and still have 175 applied toward next purchase all while enjoying it now, cheers!

Ashslayer · Mar 5, 2015

You know what, guys? karnath and Raptoid are right. I was just thinking about possibly reselling the DK2 before release, and besides ED could only become better with VR. I'll go for it!

Screw waiting!

CMDR Holycow · Mar 5, 2015

Ashslayer said:
You know what, guys? karnath and Raptoid are right. I was just thinking about possibly reselling the DK2 before release, and besides ED could only become better with VR. I'll go for it!
Screw waiting!

You have made the right decision. My estimates that a used D2K will be worth about $100 when the CV1 comes out. Even if I only had 3 months of use with the D2K before the CV1 is released.. it would still be worth EVERY penny. Buy it new, don't buy used.

Ashslayer · Mar 5, 2015

Cpt.America said:
You have made the right decision. My estimates that a used D2K will be worth about $100 when the CV1 comes out. Even if I only had 3 months of use with the D2K before the CV1 is released.. it would still be worth EVERY penny. Buy it new, don't buy used.

Yeah I'm going with new. I couldn't find any retailers here in Norway carrying it, and importing new or used would require me to pay tax, so I just ordered it from their main website.
It's gonna be pretty sweet. I am moving right now and my new PC parts are waiting for me at my new local postal office and my headphones and extra things are on the way. After I build a new computer and get my Oculus Rift, there will be nothing stopping me from raiding pirates until there is none left in the entirety of cosmos!

gapper4 · Mar 5, 2015

Ashslayer said:
Yeah I'm going with new. I couldn't find any retailers here in Norway carrying it, and importing new or used would require me to pay tax, so I just ordered it from their main website.
It's gonna be pretty sweet. I am moving right now and my new PC parts are waiting for me at my new local postal office and my headphones and extra things are on the way. After I build a new computer and get my Oculus Rift, there will be nothing stopping me from raiding pirates until there is none left in the entirety of cosmos!

Unless you have some condition that would prevent you from enjoying VR, even a DK2 will change ED forever for you. I have a pretty large, high-end monitor and there's absolutely no way I could ever go back to it. The couple of times I tried, ED seemed like a flat, boring, moving screensaver.

It's really not possible to convey in words what a game-changer the DK2 is. Forget complaints about resolution; you won't even notice after a couple of minutes. A few things though. Make sure to change your HUD color to green in order to get much sharper text and buy yourself, if you don't have one already, a decent HOTAS. Some people swear by the X52 but you can spend 35 Euros on a Thrustmaster T-Flight and get 95% of the functionality. Also get Voice Attack. Without the latter two, controlling your ship will be a pain in the butt. With a HOTAS and VA, you'll be, literally, in space...

My guess is you'll get a good year's worth of entertainment out of it. The CV1 increasingly looks like it will be released in 2016 and there's no indication that the HTC Vive will be supported at release (although it's almost certain that it will be at some point). In any case, if you already love ED, a DK2 will make you want to marry it

Beavis Tingleball · Mar 5, 2015

dude, yer gonna dig it! if ED were the ONLY game that ever worked on the rift it would still be worth buying it. glad you have one comming.

drkaii · Mar 5, 2015

I've put together a thread that has absolutely all the important tweaks for the rift found in this forum: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=121355

Beware, rift and ED is EXTREMELY addictive.

CMDR Holycow · Mar 5, 2015

A couple more pieces of advice.

1) It requires double the video card you run with a monitor. My GTX470, I couldn't even run rock-bottom settings. I had to upgrade, even if just for the interim.

2) DON'T unpack your DK2, and jump right into ED. Spend the hour, or two, or three it takes to set it up RIGHT... before you go into ED even for the first time. Take the time to accurately set up your IPD, setup SweetFX (I just fined tuned a SWEEET settings file for sweetFX), do all the tricks listed in DrKaii's DK2 setup thread to maximise your experience. Even do all the demos first. Once it is fully set up, THEN hop into ED. My only warning, is that once you go in... it will ruin non VR for you, forever. Nothing else will come close to comparing.

3) If you have the cash, don't neglect your sound and your input device. The last thing you want to do is run a game controller or Mouse/keybaord, while in the rift. Run a HOTAS in the same position the model in the cockpit has them, and be prepared for a whole new level of immersion.

Ashslayer · Mar 5, 2015

gapper4 said:
Unless you have some condition that would prevent you from enjoying VR, even a DK2 will change ED forever for you. I have a pretty large, high-end monitor and there's absolutely no way I could ever go back to it. The couple of times I tried, ED seemed like a flat, boring, moving screensaver.

It's really not possible to convey in words what a game-changer the DK2 is. Forget complaints about resolution; you won't even notice after a couple of minutes. A few things though. Make sure to change your HUD color to green in order to get much sharper text and buy yourself, if you don't have one already, a decent HOTAS. Some people swear by the X52 but you can spend 35 Euros on a Thrustmaster T-Flight and get 95% of the functionality. Also get Voice Attack. Without the latter two, controlling your ship will be a pain in the butt. With a HOTAS and VA, you'll be, literally, in space...

My guess is you'll get a good year's worth of entertainment out of it. The CV1 increasingly looks like it will be released in 2016 and there's no indication that the HTC Vive will be supported at release (although it's almost certain that it will be at some point). In any case, if you already love ED, a DK2 will make you want to marry it

JESUS CHRIST! Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog Flightstick is fancy but oh jesus christ that is expensive as hell. Then there is the Saitek X52 PRO Digital Joystick, much better at 187 euros but still really pricy. However Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas X Joystick was just 53 euros. Much much better. Now that is affordable.

bonsek · Mar 5, 2015

Better get the DK2 as the first consumer version coming out this year is not a Rift unfortunately.
http://gizmodo.com/the-first-real-oculus-headset-is-samsungs-next-smartpho-1689442332

Raptoyd · Mar 5, 2015

VA is a must best 8 dollars US I have ever spent. Just simplifies everything and ASTRA has a pleasant sounding voice. If you don't feel like listening to her just say Astra go to sleep and she will obey. Astra get me drink, ha.

CMDR Holycow · Mar 5, 2015

bonsek said:
Better get the DK2 as the first consumer version coming out this year is not a Rift unfortunately.
http://gizmodo.com/the-first-real-oculus-headset-is-samsungs-next-smartpho-1689442332

Gear VR and the Oculus Rift are not competitors or different iterations of each other. They are two totally different products, and both have been in development in tandem for a long time. Even at the show demos, they have both been on display to try side by side for a long time. GearVR isn't news and has nothing to do with the Rift's release date.

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Ashslayer said:
JESUS CHRIST! Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog Flightstick is fancy but oh jesus christ that is expensive as hell. Then there is the Saitek X52 PRO Digital Joystick, much better at 187 euros but still really pricy. However Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas X Joystick was just 53 euros. Much much better. Now that is affordable.

Yes it is expensive... by I LOVE my warthog. Worth every penny. You will be 4 joysticks in 4 years for $100 each, or you can just get the warthog up front. Buy right, or buy twice. The wartjog is an amazing piece of equipment. It actually feels kind of out-of-place as a PC controller. What other kind of PC input device weighs 25 pounds and is made of solid metal?