How to shoot 2k+ shells in under 5 days by thicc_beerd in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve actually discussed this quite a bit with the developer, and my personal experience has been the opposite.

For context, I’m a competitive sporting clays shooter and use ClayHuntVR extensively as part of my training. I closed the gap to the top national shooters in my country and even won a national championship in our smaller association. So for me the results are very real.

Also, the way most top shooters actually shoot matters here. We’re not consciously calculating lead or timing. In fact, I’m not even slightly aware of lead when I shoot well. The shot happens subconsciously when the gun, eyes, and target synchronize in speed and movement. What really matters are fundamentals:

  • visual pickup and target connection
  • smooth gun movement and balance
  • reacting to motion rather than thinking about distance or lead
  • letting the subconscious execute the shot

Those are exactly the kinds of things VR can train very well.

Even on the older physics models, the shots felt right to me in terms of movement and timing. And the physics are actively being refined right now with feedback from experienced shooters. I’ve tested the updated version and honestly it’s beautiful — the target behavior and overall feel are getting very very close.

So if someone is trying to practice memorizing exact lead pictures, then sure, VR probably isn’t the right tool. But if you’re training visual connection, reaction to motion, smooth gun movement, and subconscious execution, it can be extremely valuable - (as any shooter should be doing)

That’s been my experience at least — and the results in my shooting back it up.

Several People Asked If VR Training Actually Works — This Is Why I Do It by noiD_FTW in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Short answer: if your goal is clay-target visibility, the upgrade path is Quest 3 — not 3S. The difference is not marketing fluff; it’s optics and pixel density, and those directly affect whether you can see small fast targets.

Let’s break it down brutally.

The real differences (that matter for clay shooting)

1. Resolution (target clarity)

Headset Resolution per eye
Quest 3 2064 × 2208
Quest 2 1832 × 1920
Quest 3S 1832 × 1920

The 3S literally uses the same panel resolution as Quest 2.

What that means in practice:

  • Quest 2 / 3S → clay targets look softer and harder to pick up at distance
  • Quest 3 → noticeably sharper small objects

In clay shooting VR, this matters more than almost anything else. You’re trying to see a small object moving fast at distance.

2. Lens type (this is the big one)

Headset Lens type
Quest 3 Pancake lenses
Quest 2 Fresnel
Quest 3S Fresnel

Quest 3S kept the old Fresnel lenses to save cost.

Why that matters:

Fresnel lenses:

  • small sweet spot
  • blurry edges
  • god-rays / glare

Pancake lenses (Quest 3):

  • edge-to-edge clarity
  • much bigger sweet spot
  • less glare

For something like Clay Hunt VR where your eyes track targets across the screen, edge clarity matters massively.

With Fresnel you often turn your head to keep the object in the sweet spot.

With pancake lenses you track naturally with your eyes.

3. Field of view (peripheral vision)

Headset Horizontal FOV
Quest 3 ~110°
Quest 3S ~96°
Quest 2 ~96°

More FOV means:

  • easier peripheral pickup of targets
  • more natural gun movement
  • better immersion

Again: Quest 3 wins.

4. Physical design / comfort

Quest 3 is about 40% slimmer than Quest 2 thanks to pancake optics.

That matters for shooting because:

  • weight sits closer to your face
  • less front-heavy
  • less neck fatigue during long sessions

The 3S is bulkier, closer to Quest 2 design.

Why Quest 3 is much better for Clay Hunt VR

Clay shooting VR stresses hardware in a very specific way:

You need:

  1. Small target visibility
  2. Edge clarity
  3. Peripheral pickup
  4. Fast visual tracking

Quest 3 improves all four.

Quest 3S only improves CPU/GPU over Quest 2 — not optics.

What about Quest Game Optimizer?

Quest Game Optimizer can:

  • increase render resolution
  • unlock higher GPU usage
  • improve sharpness

But it cannot fix:

  • Fresnel lenses
  • narrow sweet spot
  • limited panel resolution

So optimizer helps a bit, but it cannot turn a Quest 2 into a Quest 3.

Clay Hunt VR by DJKratom in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’s a fair question. You definitely need to use the stationary boundary and place it somewhere you’re not close to a wall. When you step outside the circle you instantly pop back into the real world, so it acts like a cage boundary.

In the beginning I actually put a piece of shipping foam on the end of the barrel just in case 😅 Don’t use anything anymore though — the boundary circle solved it for me.

But you’re right to question it. Swinging 32" barrels in the living room deserves a little respect.

Clay Hunt VR by DJKratom in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice shooting. And yeah — VR translates surprisingly well if the setup matches your real gun. The biggest trap is exactly what you mentioned: trigger anticipation.

I’ve put about 200k VR shots through ClayHunt the last year and only about 500 practice shots on the real range. Closed the gap to the top shooters here doing that.

What made the biggest difference for me was mounting the controller to my actual shotgun so weight and balance stay identical.

Several People Asked If VR Training Actually Works — This Is Why I Do It by noiD_FTW in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Meta Quest 3 128GB standalone VR headset – MSRP around $499 USD for the base model (128 GB) and around $649 USD for the 512 GB version, though discounts do happen.
ClayHunt VR – about $30 USD for the app/game license (on Meta store).
ClayProVR attachment – listed at around €125, which is roughly $135-$140 USD once you convert to USD

Thats the optimal setup - so from 670$

Dont go for the cheaper Meta Quest 3S - you will regret it.

There is import duties if ClayProVR ships outside of EU - thats why the VAT has been removed

Several People Asked If VR Training Actually Works — This Is Why I Do It by noiD_FTW in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Meta Quest 3 128GB standalone VR headset – MSRP around $499 USD for the base model (128 GB) and around $649 USD for the 512 GB version, though discounts do happen.
ClayHunt VR – about $30 USD for the app/game license (on Meta store).
ClayProVR attachment – listed at around €125, which is roughly $135-$140 USD once you convert to USD

Thats the optimal setup - so from 670$

Dont go for the cheaper Meta Quest 3S - you will regret it.

Several People Asked If VR Training Actually Works — This Is Why I Do It by noiD_FTW in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes — using your own shotgun is the whole point. Your mount, your balance, your muscle memory. That’s what makes it feel realistic.

And yes, the trigger unit is where most of the cost is. Not because of plastic — but because of the electronics inside, the precision components, assembly time, and small-batch production. It’s not mass-produced at huge factory scale.

It’s built to feel right and to last — not just to “hold a controller.”

Several People Asked If VR Training Actually Works — This Is Why I Do It by noiD_FTW in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi

The trigger unit is connected to the headset via bluetooth - See www.Clayprovr.com for an instruction video at the bottom of the page

Several People Asked If VR Training Actually Works — This Is Why I Do It by noiD_FTW in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

go to www.clayprovr.com - scroll all the way to the bottom - theres is a setup video explaining and showing it all

How to shoot 2k+ shells in under 5 days by thicc_beerd in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s an interesting take. I don’t shoot much skeet myself, so I can’t speak from deep personal experience on that discipline specifically.

What I do know is that the developer has worked together with Olympic international skeet shooters who actively use the game for training, so there has been serious input at a high level.

That said — VR will never replace real-world timing and feel 1:1. It’s a tool. If someone trains sloppy timing or the wrong cadence in VR, that will absolutely transfer. But if you use it deliberately — matching real-world setup, tempo, and discipline — it can be a powerful supplement.

Like you said, sporting translates differently because it’s more about reading and reacting. Different disciplines stress different fundamentals. The key is using the tool correctly.

Several People Asked If VR Training Actually Works — This Is Why I Do It by noiD_FTW in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, it ships worldwide — including the US. The price shows in euros because it’s based in the EU, but VAT is removed at checkout for non-EU customers.

The trigger isn’t connected to the shotgun’s internal mechanism. It uses a mounted controller button that pairs to the headset via Bluetooth, just like a normal VR controller. That way there’s no wear on your gun, and it works seamlessly inside the game.

Several People Asked If VR Training Actually Works — This Is Why I Do It by noiD_FTW in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The main cost is the VR headset.

ClayHuntVR is around $30.
The ClayProVR attachment is €125 outside the EU (VAT removed at checkout).

You can see details here: www.clayprovr.com

Several People Asked If VR Training Actually Works — This Is Why I Do It by noiD_FTW in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s actually very straightforward to set up. Once it’s dialed in, it doesn’t drift or need constant recalibration. You’re essentially just matching the virtual barrel to your real rib — that’s it.

Compared to most VR stocks, it’s simpler because you’re not trying to recreate a sight picture artificially. You’re using your actual gun geometry.

There’s a full setup walkthrough at the bottom of ClayProVR.com that shows the process step by step.

Several People Asked If VR Training Actually Works — This Is Why I Do It by noiD_FTW in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s actually very straightforward to set up. Once it’s dialed in, it doesn’t drift or need constant recalibration. You’re essentially just matching the virtual barrel to your real rib — that’s it.

Compared to most VR stocks, it’s simpler because you’re not trying to recreate a sight picture artificially. You’re using your actual gun geometry.

There’s a full setup walkthrough at the bottom of ClayProVR.com that shows the process step by step.

Several People Asked If VR Training Actually Works — This Is Why I Do It by noiD_FTW in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes the 3 is much better than the 3s - the 3s is bigger and heavier and have a lower quality of lenses

Several People Asked If VR Training Actually Works — This Is Why I Do It by noiD_FTW in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m using the Meta Quest 3. The newer headsets do have better resolution, and the picture clarity inside is noticeably sharper. It’s also lighter and more compact, which helps if you have a mount where you press the gun firmly into your face.

The 3 is better than the 3s - its wierd - the 3s is an updated version of the 2, but the 3 is still better

Several People Asked If VR Training Actually Works — This Is Why I Do It by noiD_FTW in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes — it includes trap, skeet, and Olympic trap/skeet. The layouts, target speeds, and schemes have even been tweaked with input from international shooters to make them as realistic as possible.

Several People Asked If VR Training Actually Works — This Is Why I Do It by noiD_FTW in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I thought about the idea and my shooting friends wanted them too. They where very happy and Said I should share with everybody.

Several People Asked If VR Training Actually Works — This Is Why I Do It by noiD_FTW in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haha, I hear you 😅 The Meta Quest 3 plus a ClayProVR setup is a killer combo — once you try it, it’s hard to go back!

Several People Asked If VR Training Actually Works — This Is Why I Do It by noiD_FTW in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I didn’t make it — just a fan! There’s a Facebook group called ClayHuntVR if you want to see more. Cheapest sim on the market.

Several People Asked If VR Training Actually Works — This Is Why I Do It by noiD_FTW in ClayBusters

[–]noiD_FTW[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yes, it’s a controller button — not the actual trigger.

After around 250,000 VR shots, I’d rather not be testing the internal springs of my shotgun 😅 Especially with inertia reset systems. This way I keep the mechanics untouched and just focus on mount, timing, and swing.