How to control using an Oculus Rift Headset

Guys and Girls,

I am half wondering if i should be buying into the Oculus by going DK2 or waiting for the release of the public version in early/mid/late/anytime 2016, but one question that is quite bugging me and i wander if you Oculus user can answer.....

I own a x55 joystick and throttle with all the controls mapped to functions in the game. If i have the headset on how do i know what switch button i need to press without grouping around on the throttle body part of the setup.......?

Having never worn a rift i have no idea how keyboard, and joystick/throttle controls are operated?

Appreciate advice please?
 
If you're using HOTAS and need to look at which buttons you're pressing you are doing it very wrong. The whole entire point is that the functions are under your fingers and you know where they are.

Best way is HOTAS plus voice attack with rift... unless you have custom buttons mounted on panels but you basically won't be able to see what you're doing if you need the keyboard.
 
I'll assume that you don't look at your HOTAS when playing. Nothing changes with a Rift on :) As for the keyboard, being able to type blind really helps if you want to text-chat, and for extra commands not mapped to your X55 I highly recommend a voice control system (voice attack being the one I personally use).

Whether you should buy a DK2 or not is hard to tell. I bought mine a couple of months ago second hand (the CV1 had just been announced) and haven't regretted it. Elite in particular is (and this is not an hyperbole) amazing in VR. On the other hand the drivers are still beta and you can check the VR forum here for "0.7" to learn about the repercussion on the players. So .. up to you ;)
 
Guys and Girls,

I am half wondering if i should be buying into the Oculus by going DK2 or waiting for the release of the public version in early/mid/late/anytime 2016, but one question that is quite bugging me and i wander if you Oculus user can answer.....

I own a x55 joystick and throttle with all the controls mapped to functions in the game. If i have the headset on how do i know what switch button i need to press without grouping around on the throttle body part of the setup.......?

Having never worn a rift i have no idea how keyboard, and joystick/throttle controls are operated?

Appreciate advice please?

I'm not sure I quite understand what you mean so forgive me. You will know the controls you have mapped as you mapped them. Yes you cannot see the controls when you have the VR headset on but that is ok because you will quickly learn to know where they are without looking at them.

You should avoid having any functions mapped only to the keyboard. You can use Voice controls (Voice Attack) for some (I have quite elaborate voice commands for requesting docking, enabling disabling modules, etc, etc along with the more mundane ones of landing gear and cargo scoop).

Your fingers will soon know where everything is.

Again apologies if I have misunderstood what you are asking.

As for whether to get a Rift now (DK2) or wait or CV1? Since there is still no firm release date for CV1 other than Q1 2016 that means either January or end of March. If it is nearer the latter (which I think it will be) then getting a DK2 now might be worth it. January, maybe less so. One thing though is that once you start playing ED with the Rift your perceptions will forever be changed. I for one now cannot play ED without it. It feels all wrong.
 
Thanks for the reply guys, i am getting the picture that you defo need Voice attack (Or similar). If you know the X55 HOTAS setup you will know that the throttle body side of things has loads of controls both switches, rotaries, mini hats etc. I have these currently mapped to provide certain functions. I initially labeled these so i knew what did what as i learnt the controls and game. I have introduced VA and am slowly shifting some of these controls to voice commands but still use the controls for certain inputs.

I still need to look sometimes as the toggle switches are quite close, but i see from your answer already using the rift headset and using a Hotas must really be done either blind or having VA do more.!

Thanks for your response. I am going to wait before diving into a Rift unless a good one comes up for sale. The fleabay ones seem to be going for silly prices.
 

Sir.Tj

The Moderator who shall not be Blamed....
Volunteer Moderator
Moved to the VR Forum.

I've a x55 and Rift and I've found a couple of things.

1) You very quickly get used to knowing where the switches are.
2) Where your nose goes there is enough of a gap (Well for my small and adorable nose anyway) to see down and out of if needed.
3) I'm considering Voice attack and seeing how I get on with that.

But, trust me VR is one heckety flip of a great experience.
 
Dont buy the DK2 in general. Its fun, but not sharp enough. I have played a lot with it and although strategicly and atmosphericly its great, the resolution is way to low, so low that you have to get up close to read any smaller fonts. Wait for the consumer release.
 
Can someone explain what they use voice attack for? I never understood the need, I have everything mapped to the X55.

Text input is the only thing that is impossible in the rift, anyone have a viable solution? how about the Windows built in voice recognition?
 
Can someone explain what they use voice attack for? I never understood the need, I have everything mapped to the X55.

Text input is the only thing that is impossible in the rift, anyone have a viable solution? how about the Windows built in voice recognition?

Complex macros, ships library, audio feedback.. With VA only your imagination is the limit. Voice attack also plots all my routes for me, has all the rare goods destinations (plots route, tells me cargo load and spawn rates) Also has all the major destinations - For example I say 'Sol' or 'Q1 Eridani' the AI opens the map and plots the route to the system. I also have macros that type quick chat phrases or any letter from the alphabet.

An example of some of the macros I use when hauling in my T9, also have a ton of Macros for combat and exploration, mining

- Approach checklist - requests docking, diverts power to shields, turns lights on & dumps the landing gear after 30 seconds.
- Departure checklist - Retracts gear, turns off lights, diverts power to engines, Timed boost 3x to escape station mass lock, charges FSD
- Emergency jump (after interdiction) - Dumps chaff, diverts power to shields, charges FSD
- Purchase & sale of Cargo Hands free.
- Stealth docking (illegal goods onboard) Enables silent running, shuts down non essential modules and dumps heat sinks automatically at timed intervals. I just focus on the flying

I still have the option to do things manually at any time through my HOTAS, or override VA and tell it to go offline or cancel an order, but I prefer hands free, Voice attack is like having a crew member onboard the ship.

Over 3000 commands for my ship (including the ship's library) Ships voice is a combination of A.S.T.R.A and Ivona Amy for the library
 
Last edited:
Complex macros, ships library, audio feedback.. With VA only your imagination is the limit. Voice attack also plots all my routes for me, has all the rare goods destinations (plots route, tells me cargo load and spawn rates) Also has all the major destinations - For example I say 'Sol' or 'Q1 Eridani' the AI opens the map and plots the route to the system. I also have macros that type quick chat phrases or any letter from the alphabet.

An example of some of the macros I use when hauling in my T9, also have a ton of Macros for combat and exploration, mining

- Approach checklist - requests docking, diverts power to shields, turns lights on & dumps the landing gear after 30 seconds.
- Departure checklist - Retracts gear, turns off lights, diverts power to engines, Timed boost 3x to escape station mass lock, charges FSD
- Emergency jump (after interdiction) - Dumps chaff, diverts power to shields, charges FSD
- Purchase & sale of Cargo Hands free.
- Stealth docking (illegal goods onboard) Enables silent running, shuts down non essential modules and dumps heat sinks automatically at timed intervals. I just focus on the flying

I still have the option to do things manually at any time through my HOTAS, or override VA and tell it to go offline or cancel an order, but I prefer hands free, Voice attack is like having a crew member onboard the ship.

Over 3000 commands for my ship (including the ship's library) Ships voice is a combination of A.S.T.R.A and Ivona Amy for the library

Wow, just WOW!!!

Would you be prepared to privately share some of your Macros? or some of them so i can see how you created them and build them myself, with a bit of hand holding. Always willing to offer some Beer tokens ;) ;)

Many Thanks
 
Wow, just WOW!!!

Would you be prepared to privately share some of your Macros? or some of them so i can see how you created them and build them myself, with a bit of hand holding. Always willing to offer some Beer tokens ;) ;)

Many Thanks

Sure no problem, the profile is a mixture of the default A.S.T.R.A profile, others shared on the this forum & my own profiles created over the last few months.

One slight issue, my profile is created around my personal key bindings and HOTAS setup, I don't think any keys are default in my setup. I can mail it to you anyway so you can take a look. PM a mailing address.

Btw, I good place to start with VA is to get the A.S.T.R.A voice pack, that is based on the default ED key bindings.

http://www.elitedangerousvoicepack.com/

Cheers
 
PM'ed already, but will follow up with another with mailing address.

Do you mean email or that old stuff we used to use....'Snail-Mail' :)

Much thanks and Repped
 
Whether you should buy a DK2 or wait for the CV1 depends on your own situation. If you are very eager to try, have a really decent gaming PC (not laptop!) and don't mind spending $350 for a device that probably will become useless in 1/2 year then go for it. Life is short so it's best to spend it with whatever you like to do if you can afford it.
But if you decide to get a DK2 better don't wait too long. I expect they will stop selling them eventually.

As for controls I managed so far with a X52 pro without voice attack. Blind operation is not a problem with that one.

For some strange reason I quite like all the repetitive manual stuff you need to do while docking/undocking so I have never bothered with macros.
 
Back
Top Bottom