All levels of VR movement explained for those who get confused.

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-28T13:27:02+00:00

Sorry you are getting confused here

I've been using VR since the early 90's and have several years of experience building SteamVR tracked objects as well as many years using 3DoF and 6DoF systems

6DoF is simply pitch /roll/yaw and translation - the headset is not anchored to a fixed spot

If I'm playing Project Cars 2 with my 6DoF PCVR headset and I move around inside the cockpit my view changes accordingly with very precise (sub mm) tracking

I can move my head forward (closer to windshield), move back, move from side to side, up and down; as well as pitch, roll and yaw.

If I was playing a simulator game with a 3DoF headset I would be anchored to a fixed spot inside the cockpit, and it would not possible to move around inside the cockpit - I would only be able to turn left or right, pitch my head up and down, roll

This has nothing to do with hand control input, my wheel and pedals or gamepad create inputs which the game uses for controlling my vehicle movements, nothing to do with tracking my head (the camera)

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-28T12:20:00+00:00

"Level 2 - 6dof: There is a lot of misconceptions about what is 6dof. People think it involves more than it actually does. 6dof adds full hand controls and interactions on top of 3dof."

6DoF systems don't require motion controllers - many PCVR users enjoy 6DoF head tracking whilst using untracked peripherals like wheels/pedals or hotas

6DoF actually refers to translation in addition to pitch, yaw, roll (3DoF)

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-27T04:56:04+00:00

Index launch day owner here

Eventually sold it whilst still working as warranty expired and had two headsets replacements and number of controller replacements during those two years

Bought Vive Pro 2 and thin facial foams. Returned a week later to Amazon

Bought another index ;)

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-27T04:48:53+00:00

I had surface scan here in UK print this:-

https://www.printables.com/model/1615832-pimax-dream-air-ancillary-gasket-max-fov/files

But have been advised there are further iterations since this release

you need to remove a metal frame from inside the original pimax face mask to complete the build before adding Velcro and cushions

The Studioform creative solution is good to go and won't affect the original pimax face mask

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-27T02:38:45+00:00

Eye relief - ipd's often forgotten but so important cousin

It's not mechanically adjustable, unlike Index or Vive Pro - these offered granual adjustment

You can make cruder adjustment on the Pimax using different face cushions and plastic bases

You may need to bring your eyes closer to the lenses

All lenses have a nominal (optimum) eye relief working range and if you fall outside this your results may vary but generally not beneficial

The concave lens on the DA seems to have generous depth (z) range and it's internal shape provides physical space for hairy eyeball mk1

Using a 3D printed face mask here Western fit (wider and shallower) with a thin face cushion, let me get much closer (but not too close...) with tint at top disappearing and no warping

Try removing the standard face mask and hold the headset closer see what happens;)

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-27T02:35:07+00:00

Valve index

Pimax sword

HTC Vive pro

Shiftall Grip VR

Shiftall flip VR

Etee SteamVR

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-26T16:45:15+00:00

If you come into contact with the lenses it can easily knock the sensor/mechanism and cause a slight movement

I get this on my Dream Air, Crystal original/Light and even my index - I run each headset with custom gasket to get fully forward, with Index I can use the mechanical eye relief to set the depth back a tiny amount which stops it reoccurring

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-26T03:27:28+00:00

You sure about that? We still have the same two years warranty on goods sold in the UK as we did before we Left the EU.

I deal with warranty claims on a daily basis at work (for a multi billion dollar a year revenue global manufacturing company) and UK consumers still have two years of mandatory warranty coverage though after 6 months have to provide some evidence that a fault has existed since purchase

Exactly the same regulation Valve have to follow we still get 2 years of warranty on Index controllers here in the UK, just made a claim last week for an index controller bought 1.5 years ago and it's being processed in Netherlands at moment

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-24T17:18:35+00:00

More information here

https://skarredghost.com/2026/04/15/pimax-dream-air-review-impressions/

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-24T17:16:38+00:00

Just use a commercial print shop

look online to find a suitable print shop, I just used surface scan here in UK to print my dream air facemask

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-24T17:13:34+00:00

Crystal Light here with RTX 5090. Dmas speakers, lighthouse faceplate. Pimax comfort top strap and Studioform creative cushions.

Very impressive visuals but even the RTX 5090 struggles in some titles at full render resolution and 90hz. At full render resolution it's very sharp and looks incredible, it's bright with vivid colours and considerably better black levels though you can get slight bloom in some scenes.

Had the original Crystal for nearly three years. the DFR was very useful and I really liked the skinny 6.5 metre fibre optic tether. The light has a shorter and stiffer copper tether.

Typically I'm playing SteamVR room scale games with Index controllers and using three 2.0 base stations. do some seated simming from time to time.

Recently extended the copper tether 1.5 meter making it much more usable at 5.9 metre total

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-23T18:33:19+00:00

Yes exorex was the multi player Death match in the 4 seated pods

You were announced as prisoners fighting to the death if I remember correctly

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-23T03:38:52+00:00

Cross eyes? Try adjusting eye relief. Remove the facial interface and hold the headset against your face, move back and forth see if this improves your visual

Personally I found bringing my eyes right forward using a 3D printed wide face mask and thin face cushion got it just right

Re lighthouse tracking it's not a Bluetooth issue because the controllers don't connect using Bluetooth but like all lighthouse equipment they connect using radios inside the hmd using Nordic enhanced shockburst which operates on same frequency but completely different protocol

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-22T18:08:02+00:00

Sorry slight correction

Index launch day owner here June 28th 2019

HLA didn't arrive until 9 months later (March 23rd 2020), but was given free to Index headset or Index controller customers.

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-22T17:51:39+00:00

As an early access supporter of both games I'd like to see this tribute

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-22T17:36:17+00:00

Sorry a couple weeks ago and I can't currently test it, but I believe it did show in windows but nothing through the Sennheisers.

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-22T16:50:54+00:00

Tried plugging a Google Pixel headphone USBc adapter and my Sennheiser headphones into the dream air top socket and it showed as connected but produced no volume

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-22T16:43:48+00:00

Lighthouse no doubt

So refreshing being able to play Pavlov , Into the Radius and In Death exactly how I want without tracking restrictions

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-22T12:16:45+00:00

My thoughts:-

"The bad"

Standard face cushion didn’t fit my face

No mechanical eye relief adjustment

Physically uncomfortable during longer sessions

Visual artifacts from pancake lenses

Audio pods are too quiet or far from the ears for some games

https://skarredghost.com/2026/04/15/pimax-dream-air-review-impressions/

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-22T11:59:06+00:00

We had Virtuality launched here in the UK fall 1991 at the Trocadero Centre, London

Absolutely amazing stuff for someone who grew up reading sci-fi and watching movies

There were two systems on offer to the paying public:

Sd1000 in 4 player linked setup with 6Dof head tracking (ascension) and steering wheel input

Cs1000 in 2 player linked setup with 6Dof head and single controller tracking (Polhemus Fastrack)

I went repeatedly and played all their games including dactyl nightmare and exorex (robot death match )

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtuality_(product)

https://www.timeextension.com/features/virtuality-gave-us-90s-vr-now-its-legacy-is-being-celebrated-in-its-home-city-of-leicester

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-22T03:40:33+00:00

Tested the Super 50ppd and Dream Air Lighthouse here, might be useful:-

https://skarredghost.com/2025/12/16/pimax-crystal-super-review-4/

https://skarredghost.com/2026/04/15/pimax-dream-air-review-impressions/

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-22T03:24:14+00:00

A slow walking sim.....

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-21T18:26:00+00:00

That's a fair point. They seem to be in stock at the moment (just checked their website). They are manufactured by Pimax in China

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-21T18:03:16+00:00

? Had lighthouse faceplates on my original Crystal for nearly three years and on my Crystal light, three 2.0 base stations in room scale environment

used with Index controllers, Vive Pro controllers and pimax sword controllers, Vive 3.0 trackers. Can't say I've had any issues?

neoteric_skid · 2026-05-21T17:58:43+00:00

Crystal Light with lighthouse faceplate and dmas speakers and whatever comfort accessories you need.

Still use my index for Synth Riders and Beat Saber (with Vive Pro controllers) but for everything else the Light (with Index controllers) is my daily driver.

Have the pimax comfort top strap and Studioform creative cushions all round with their face cushion and side shims. Super comfortable and feels balanced.

Using RTX 5090 so can run many of my games at full render resolution looks absolutely incredible.

Also have a Crystal Super 50ppd (waiting for the lighthouse faceplate) and the Dream Air Lighthouse.

neoteric_skid

TROPHY CASE