Rift S to Quest 3 in Elite Dangerous

[Acid Mayhem]

I am currently playing ED on a Rift S and have done for many years now. I love ED in VR, it is fantastic and really the only game I play in VR so being tethered doesn't bother me.
I am, however, thinking of upgrading to a Quest 3 (Rift S is starting to lose tracking more often nowadays, probably the age of the head set. Have had it since release) and am a bit confused with how it connects to my PC.
I currently plug my Rift S in via the Displayport on my GTX 1080TI and a USB socket. The Quest 3 doesn't connect directly to the graphics card, right, but via a USB C (my PC does have a USB C connector on the front panel). Is this as good as having a VR headset plugged directly into the graphics card? I can't believe it is but correct me if I'm wrong.
Is ED on Quest 3 wirelessly achievable? Is it as good as plugging it directly in to the PC?
So many questions, I just don't know what to do and if it is worth 'upgrading' to a Quest 3.
Any advice would be gratefully received!
Thanks.

 

[Arioch]

I am currently playing ED on a Rift S and have done for many years now. I love ED in VR, it is fantastic and really the only game I play in VR so being tethered doesn't bother me.
I am, however, thinking of upgrading to a Quest 3 (Rift S is starting to lose tracking more often nowadays, probably the age of the head set. Have had it since release) and am a bit confused with how it connects to my PC.
I currently plug my Rift S in via the Displayport on my GTX 1080TI and a USB socket. The Quest 3 doesn't connect directly to the graphics card, right, but via a USB C (my PC does have a USB C connector on the front panel). Is this as good as having a VR headset plugged directly into the graphics card? I can't believe it is but correct me if I'm wrong.
Is ED on Quest 3 wirelessly achievable? Is it as good as plugging it directly in to the PC?
So many questions, I just don't know what to do and if it is worth 'upgrading' to a Quest 3.
Any advice would be gratefully received!
Thanks.

I used my Rift S with a GTX 1080 before upgrading to a Quest 2 - the increase in resolution was very noticeable (and a big reduction in “screen door”) and I couldn’t discern any degradation in performance with the switch over to USB3 Link or wireless AirLink, probably due to the headset framerate drop from 80fps to 72fps.

I’ve since upgrade my PC twice before getting a Quest 3 so I can’t comment on how it would run with a 1080ti - but the headset itself is a huge upgrade over the Rift S, with the new pancake lenses providing almost edge-to-edge clarity, “god-rays” almost eliminated, and the resolution being a lot greater than the S.

Elite played wirelessly is fine on my system though I usually play via Link as that extends the headset battery life (there is a gradual discharge even while Linked, and I get about 2hrs with wireless AirLink).

I’ve seen users with Q3’s + 1080ti reporting decent performance in other games like Half Life: Alyx. When tethered I’ve bumped up to streaming rate beyond the normal 200mbps and the visuals are great, but whether this is achievable on your system is not something I can answer.

It’s definitely the best headset I’ve owned (previously Rift CV1, Rift S, Quest 1, Quest 2) and I’ve played a lot of VR games since 2017 - going wireless with the Q2 was a big surprise to me with how different games like SkyrimVR became.

Hopefully you’ll get better PC hardware performance info from players with similar spec systems

 

[heathenlamb]

I play ED on Quest 3 wirelessly. It is flawless. However there are a few things you need to consider. You should get a dedciated router, and I mean dedicated to the VR connection and nothing else. It needs to have a DIRECT(cabled CAT 6) connection to the PC via AT LEAST a 2.5gbs port, both on the PC(PCI-E card is fine) and Router. The Router HAS to have a 5ghz channel. The Quest 3 supports wifi 6. My wireless connection between my router and Quest 3 is 2400Mbps. If you set it up right. It will be glorious.

 

[DeckerSolo]

I am currently playing ED on a Rift S and have done for many years now. I love ED in VR, it is fantastic and really the only game I play in VR so being tethered doesn't bother me.
I am, however, thinking of upgrading to a Quest 3 (Rift S is starting to lose tracking more often nowadays, probably the age of the head set. Have had it since release) and am a bit confused with how it connects to my PC.
I currently plug my Rift S in via the Displayport on my GTX 1080TI and a USB socket. The Quest 3 doesn't connect directly to the graphics card, right, but via a USB C (my PC does have a USB C connector on the front panel). Is this as good as having a VR headset plugged directly into the graphics card? I can't believe it is but correct me if I'm wrong.
Is ED on Quest 3 wirelessly achievable? Is it as good as plugging it directly in to the PC?
So many questions, I just don't know what to do and if it is worth 'upgrading' to a Quest 3.
Any advice would be gratefully received!
Thanks.

You are correct the Quest 3 does not use the display port. You have two options USB or WiFi.
If you opt for USB connection you will need a fast USB port (v3.2).
If you also want to keep you headset charging whist playing you will need a powered USB cable.
You can get about 2 hrs play from a full standard Q3 battery, but there are add on battery/headset options which will increase the play time.

I moved from HP Reverb G2 to Quest 3 and IMO the Q3 is better.

I opted for a WiFi connection, but not with AirLink or Steam VR. I use Virtual Desktop with "OpenComposite Runtime Switcher" and "Open XR ToolKit" and launch the game from my desktop, I found this method rather than Steam VR gave me better performance. With Virtual Desktop you must connect your PC to the router with an ethernet cable, and it is highly recommended to have a dedicated WiFi connection to the Quest 3 (but not essential) rather than sharing your main router WiFi. To achieve this I purchased a 5Ghz range extender which is ethernet cable connected to my main router, and this dedicated WiFi connection to the Quest 3 eliminated all game stutters for me.

You can have confidence that the Q3 is a very good option for ED.

 

[Acid Mayhem]

Thank you all very much for your replies - it is much appreciated.
I must admit I find it strange that a direct connection to a graphics card is not any better than a USB connection, but I guess you live and learn!
I will have to try out a Quest 3 and see how I get along and if it may be time to upgrade my graphics card.
My 1080ti has done me proud for a very long time and still performs well on all games I play even at 4K on some games!
I have heard that the comfort of the Quest 3 is a big step down from the Rift S, is that what you have found and have needed to get an aftermarket face gasket?
I guess I will need to get a link cable as well as I will be playing for longer sessions than 2 hours so battery life is an issue (not a problem on the Rift S obviously!) - does it have to be the official one?
Thanks for any further info.

 

[Arioch]

Thank you all very much for your replies - it is much appreciated.
I must admit I find it strange that a direct connection to a graphics card is not any better than a USB connection, but I guess you live and learn!
I will have to try out a Quest 3 and see how I get along and if it may be time to upgrade my graphics card.
My 1080ti has done me proud for a very long time and still performs well on all games I play even at 4K on some games!
I have heard that the comfort of the Quest 3 is a big step down from the Rift S, is that what you have found and have needed to get an aftermarket face gasket?
I guess I will need to get a link cable as well as I will be playing for longer sessions than 2 hours so battery life is an issue (not a problem on the Rift S obviously!) - does it have to be the official one?
Thanks for any further info.

I’ve not had a comfort problem with Q2/3 even with the standard fabric head straps but I think I’ve got an ideal average head shape

The Rift S halo head band was very comfortable, but the Q2/3 is more like the Rift CV1 with more pressure directly onto the face. I believe the Elite straps offset this somewhat - the ones with batteries also help alleviate the front-heavy nature of the HMDs.

I’ve got a silicone face gasket for the Q3 as it’s easier to clean than the default foam.

The official Link cable is expensive for what it is - I’ve been using this cheapo USB3 cable since getting the Quest 2 (and now with the 3) without any problems.

 

[DeckerSolo]

Thank you all very much for your replies - it is much appreciated.
I must admit I find it strange that a direct connection to a graphics card is not any better than a USB connection, but I guess you live and learn!
I will have to try out a Quest 3 and see how I get along and if it may be time to upgrade my graphics card.
My 1080ti has done me proud for a very long time and still performs well on all games I play even at 4K on some games!
I have heard that the comfort of the Quest 3 is a big step down from the Rift S, is that what you have found and have needed to get an aftermarket face gasket?
I guess I will need to get a link cable as well as I will be playing for longer sessions than 2 hours so battery life is an issue (not a problem on the Rift S obviously!) - does it have to be the official one?
Thanks for any further info.

Certainly a direct DP is best, but the Q3 does a very good job despite the fact the image is compressed.
ED is very demanding on both GPU & CPU, its just a case of finding a balance of what you can accept with image quality.
I did find the Q3 comfort an issue over the Reverb G2, but I'm use to it now, and didn't have the need for an aftermarket face gasket.
You will need a better head strap, the standard strap is not good. I went for the over priced Elite Strap.
Although I now use WiFi I did start with the "INIU Link Cable 5m with Separate Charging Port, VR Cable for Oculus Meta Quest 3"

 

[VR andysonofbob]

Thank you all very much for your replies - it is much appreciated.
I must admit I find it strange that a direct connection to a graphics card is not any better than a USB connection, but I guess you live and learn!
I will have to try out a Quest 3 and see how I get along and if it may be time to upgrade my graphics card.
My 1080ti has done me proud for a very long time and still performs well on all games I play even at 4K on some games!
I have heard that the comfort of the Quest 3 is a big step down from the Rift S, is that what you have found and have needed to get an aftermarket face gasket?
I guess I will need to get a link cable as well as I will be playing for longer sessions than 2 hours so battery life is an issue (not a problem on the Rift S obviously!) - does it have to be the official one?
Thanks for any further info.

You can adjust the resolution so it is the same as the RiftS. It will still look better, with less screen door. It will have a wider FoV and will a good deal louder than the RiftS. Even using the same resolution, the Q3 is an upgrade in every way.
If you do go tethered make sure to increase the bitrate in the Oculus Debug Tool to at least 500mbs in order to minimise compression artifacts.

Edit: I find the basic head strap perfectly comfy. I guess I must have a funny shaped head.

 

[Doctor Dread]

I guess I will need to get a link cable as well as I will be playing for longer sessions than 2 hours so battery life is an issue (not a problem on the Rift S obviously!) - does it have to be the official one?

I've found a way to beat 2 hours or so battery life via Link connection problem. Too short for prolonged late-night Elite, or 3D movies.

I connect my Q3 exclusively via WiFi router, and the C input on the headset is for Samsung SFC 2.0 (45W) charger, via C-to-C data/power cable, 2 meters. Cheapo far-East order, "we good bestest fat soft data/power cable". It does the work. Charges while playing. Whenever the headset signals "your battery is low" I simply plug in the charger mid-game, and at the end of 2-3 hours session it's 75-80% full, sometimes 100%.

 

[Acid Mayhem]

Thanks again for all your helpful advice.
I have seen these head straps with an attached battery - how do these work? Do they have to be plugged into the mains while your playing?
I need to find someone with a Quest 3 and have a go - see if it's worth the upgrade from a Rift S.

 

[pppet]

Hello
I am using the Quest 3 with the BOBOVR S3 Pro Super Strap and am very satisfied. The Bobovr's battery lasts about 4 hours at 72Hz with the lowest backlight (still bright enough) and the fan switched on (max. 25%). If the headset was full before playing, there is another 1.5 hours. That's more than enough for me.


translated with Google translator

 

[pFVD]

Kuject and Iniu both make a cable that can charge your Quest at high amps and provide data. The two Quest 2's in my house both have Kuject cables, they never drop below 78% even after hours (12 is the max I've tried) of use.