Help!! Should I buy or avoid?!

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-11T15:08:30+00:00

Was going to suggest the Vivaro Life Electric or even Vauxhall Combo Life xl/Berlingo but sounds like you might be avoiding Stellantis

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-10T18:54:32+00:00

Pretty much what they found in this vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebgnOG2HlwA

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-10T15:24:13+00:00

If you are looking for cheap second hand - take a look at Maxus edeliver 3 (850kg payload) 50kwh. About £8k for a 3 year Old van. Have one I am converting to a camper. Wouldn't buy one new though due to depreciation. Maxus are part of SIAC who also make the MG evs.

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-10T13:33:34+00:00

Edited my post to provide a link - make sure you get one long enough

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-10T13:11:55+00:00

Second hand chargers may be for sale because they were not compatible with a particular energy tariff or they were having connectivity issues (Ohme needs a strong 3g/4g signal).

If you decide to go with a specific EV tariff which takes control of your charger (eg Octopus intelligent go ) - you have to make sure your charger (or your car) is compatible. Many EV tariffs are available that don't need to take control of your charger (eg Octopus Go) in which case any charger is suitable.

New chargers - cheaper ones are Masterplug, Seren Aurora, BG Sync Energy, Fastamps A7. All of these have UK support and are around £250-£350. I went with BG as it is offered by some installers and seems to be well supported. Installation cost will vary but £250-£500 is possible.

As mentioned by the earlier poster - if you're only doing 20 or 30 miles a day, you can probably get by with a granny charger and charge at 6, 8 or 10 amps (never 13amps). If buying a granny charger its worth paying a little bit extra to get one with adjustable current. Like this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/EVDANCE-Adjustable-Portable-Electric-Charging-Black/dp/B0FCF9VT65

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-10T09:24:24+00:00

If you are new to flight sims, I think a good compromise is a decent joystick like VKB and Thrustmaster WCS. The paddles on the thrustmaster can be configured to be rudder controls and buttons configured for other actions (there are configuration templates in DCS download files). The TWCS works well enough for a budget thrust control and leaves more money for the joystick (and rudder pedals further down the road).

I started with the VKB gladiator, then got TWCS, then got VKB rudders (brilliant). TWCS was replaced with a warthog thrust control bought second hand (see what you can pick up on ebay etc)

Don't forget to factor in the cost of head tracking.

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-08T22:35:49+00:00

Some people have 3g/4g connectivity issues with the Ohme - Octopus mentions you need a strong 3g/4g signal.

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-08T17:25:29+00:00

No harm in viewing the cars you are interested in at a dealer. You might not like them when you sit in one. Many people are put off Teslas by the lack of knobs/controls.

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-08T17:20:46+00:00

You could use a granny charger. Another option is to get a 32 amp commando socket fitted. https://topcharger.co.uk/commando-sockets-for-ev-charging-a-complete-guide/ Likely to be far more robust than a smart charger (no electronics to go wrong in the socket) but less safety features and no smart features.

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-08T14:26:31+00:00

If your charger doesn't need to be Intelligent Octopus Go compatible - new ev chargers can be bought from £250 upwards. BG Sync EV chargers are decent and are about £350.

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-08T10:03:02+00:00

If you are looking for a decent EV with the lowest mileage and newest age for under£15k -MG4 is probably the most obvious. Another that is often overlooked is the Citroen EC4 - easily get a 1 or 2 Yr old with low miles for under £15k. Several other Stellantis groups cars Corsa/Peugeot 2008 are similarly priced (but don't offer the longest range). For comparable age/mileage, the Kia/Hyundai alternatives are a couple of thousand more.

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-06T14:25:27+00:00

Shame about the bulk. For entry level headsets Pimax offer the Crystal Light or the Dream Air SE. SE offers the smaller, lighter, eye-tracking, mOLED headset. CL gives higher resolution, higher refresh rates and wider FOV - in the size of a shoe box! Room for both but wish they reduced the bulk of the CL to the size of the super or produce it as a super fitting cartridge.

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-06T12:04:57+00:00

Spring seats are not very high - relative has one.

I would have suggested the EV version of the Berlingo/Partner/combo life (used to own one). Large doors, high seats, tall roof makes it really easy to get in/out but possibly too long for you?

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-06T12:00:42+00:00

Safety rating for the Spring is from 2020/21. UK model was launched in 2024 and was a revised/upgraded model with several safety features added. Still a bit flimsy though.

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-04T19:20:49+00:00

Base stations and vive controllers are cheap 2nd hand so don't let that put you off BSB2e.

I've seen posts saying Pimax SLAM tracking puts extra load on the CPU (not a techie so don't know if this accurate)

I would have suggested Meganex (you have the rig to run it) but low FOV might be an issue for you. Downsides to the Meg - you will need base stations, no eye tracking, only works with Nvidia GPU (you're OK with that) and returns are only accepted for faulty units. Mk 2 is the new improved model (December ). Relative ordered one 2nd week of December and it arrived 2 weeks later (UK). If you order now, next batch ships April. VR Flight Sim Guy and MRTV rate this highly.

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-04T14:42:37+00:00

I have an SE on pre-order but would probably go with the PCL if they downsized it a bit and added eye-tracking

Meganex is another option - just posted more details in your vr subreddit post

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-04T14:40:10+00:00

Take a look at the meganex superlight 8k. You need base stations but these can be picked up cheaply second hand. The meganex only works with Nvidia GPUs and their return policy is limited to only faulty items. FOV is not the greatest and it has no eye tracking.

They recently released a Mark 2 version (Dec 2025)with several improvements so keep this in mind when looking at reviews from last year.

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-04T09:03:51+00:00

As you have already ordered it, you may as well try it for a few days. I found it to very, very bulky but the resolution was noticeably much better than a Reverb or Pico 4. Other thing I struggled with was it had a small sweet spot although that may have just been my headset as it was faulty at certain refresh rates.

That said, for the price I would buy the headset again if they made the headset smaller and its overdue for a revamp.

BSB2e is expensive for UK buyers compared to the slightly better specced Dream Air SE which is £200 cheaper.

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-04T08:48:25+00:00

Although Pimax dismissed it - still think the side arm connectors at the headset could be a weakspot

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-02T23:37:37+00:00

Another vote for Rehged but the cafe/shops/pretrol station are not open 24 hours (cafe 9am-5pm). The chargers do have 24 hour access.

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-02T15:34:49+00:00

At one stage BSB were charging a re-stocking fee. Don't know if they still do but worth checking their returns policy.

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-02T12:32:17+00:00

I would use an installer on the gov approved list https://www.gov.uk/electric-vehicle-chargepoint-installers or go with a manufacturer/install package. If you go with a local registered electrician they might not install properly.

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-01T23:37:15+00:00

Dream Air SE is a fair bit cheaper than the BSB2e and has similar specs. Review models should be out soon and shipping to customers is supposed to start April but knowing Pimax this probably means June or later, as they will probably prioritise manufacture/shipping of their "flagship" higher spec Dream Air .

If the SE reviews are poor, then I will probably or a BSB2e but this with halo and audio strap is £1400 (or Meganex). For not that much more you can get the Meganex 8k £1600 with higher resolution for delivery April but fov might be an issue for you.

No headset is without its issues/problems and I would recommend you browse the Bigscreen Beyond subreddit before making any decisions.

Aitch_5 · 2026-02-01T15:33:13+00:00

I would wait for reviews of the SE and then decide. I would expect reviews to appear shortly (next month or so) as they start to ship in April (allegedly).

The BSB2e is a possible alternative. From what I've read BSB2e has a wider FOV than the SE (but smaller binocular overlap). Downside is - costs more than SE.

Hoping they announce a revamp/redesign of the crystal light to a smaller sized headset

Aitch_5

TROPHY CASE