1. Do not share user accounts! Any account that is shared by another person will be blocked and closed. This means: we will close not only the account that is shared, but also the main account of the user who uses another person's account. We have the ability to detect account sharing, so please do not try to cheat the system. This action will take place on 04/18/2023. Read all forum rules.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. For downloading SimTools plugins you need a Download Package. Get it with virtual coins that you receive for forum activity or Buy Download Package - We have a zero Spam tolerance so read our forum rules first.

    Buy Now a Download Plan!
  3. Do not try to cheat our system and do not post an unnecessary amount of useless posts only to earn credits here. We have a zero spam tolerance policy and this will cause a ban of your user account. Otherwise we wish you a pleasant stay here! Read the forum rules
  4. We have a few rules which you need to read and accept before posting anything here! Following these rules will keep the forum clean and your stay pleasant. Do not follow these rules can lead to permanent exclusion from this website: Read the forum rules.
    Are you a company? Read our company rules

Tips and mods for the Vive

Discussion in 'VR Headsets and Sim Gaming - Virtual Reality' started by noorbeast, May 3, 2016.

  1. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,462
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,608Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    I thought it would be useful to have a thread where we collect tips and mods for the Vive, as in some ways it is very much a device that will appeal to the VR hacker and devs. Here are some online resources followed by my own experiments and suggestions: https://www.reddit.com/r/Vive/wiki/modifications

    Before you start messing with your brand new Vive do mod or replace the control straps, the standard ones can snap! I have used original Wii straps I had lying about, but others have simply tied cord to the original straps. You can see how thin the HTC straps are here, compared to the Wii:

    StrapMod.jpg

    Equally important is to make sure that both base station nuts and its mounts are very tight and secure, the slightest movement will result in tracking issues:

    Base Stations.jpg

    The Vive cord is prone to tangling, make sure you lay it flat before starting and lean to do a proper figure 8 over/under coil if you roll it up for storage:

    Cable.jpg



    You also want to ensure it is not pulling on the break out box, I use a cable tie to make sure that can't happen:

    Cord fixed.jpg

    I have mentioned this little hack before but it is really worth it, you can create a simple easily adjustable cable belt clip using a large keyring and clip, I used a clip from a conference lanyard. It stops the cable pulling at the back of your head and makes the cable easier to step around, and hence prevents tangle:

    BeltClip.jpg

    Adjusting and putting the Vive on is an art. When putting the Vive on you want to make sure you have slack in the top cords and grip the cable and elastic like you are pulling back an arrow. The Vive goes on from the back like a baseball cap and the weight should be on the back of you head, not the bridge of your nose:

    Fitting HMD.jpg



    Once on you need to make sure you correctly adjust the IPD with the knob located on the front right of the Vive. Use this handy app, I have added it to steam to make it easy to launch from SteamVR: https://www.reddit.com/r/Vive/comments/4g7ggi/ipd_and_vive_placement_test_app/

    Once I have adjusted my IPD I go into The Lab and pick up a clipboard to check the text focus, though any small text will do. Make sure the Vive is sitting properly in your vision sweet spot and does not move ehn looking down at the ground, adjust if needed.

    I have experimented a bit with the face foam to increase comfort and FOV. The Vive foam is held by Velcro and you can angle the foam down at an angle at the bottom, which brings the lenses closer to your eyes, increasing FOV, while spreading the contact area:

    Angle foam.jpg

    I also tried a thin foam hack using other padding I had lying around. It did increase FOV a small amount, but at the cost of comfort and I have since gone back to the original foam, but your mileage will vary depending on the shape of your face and the replacement foam chosen:

    Original Foam.jpg Slim Foam.jpg Slim Foam Mod.jpg

    You also need to think about how you lay out your play space, both in practical terms and aesthetically. My play space is 5.5M X 3.7M in my lounge. Do leave an arms length at least from windows, walls and delicate objects, like the surfboard I have in one corner, when setting the Chaperone boundaries. Trust me you will likely go over at some stage in the heat of the moment and you don't want to damage something. I am not as conservative on one long side and kitchen end of my play space, where the most likely harm is to myself from a roof support pole and the end of the kitchen bench. I have about half an arm gap there.

    4tIrnSA (1024 x 576).jpg

    For practical and aesthetic reasons I am modding a wooden chest to house my portable VR computer. For practical purposes it allows me to locate the computer half way down the long side of my over sized play space. That means I can still get away with the standard cord without having to use extensions. Aesthetically the wooden chest fits my lounge decor, my brother in-lay it making some stylish wooden vent motifs, for the moment I run the computer with the chest open and the computer fans turned up to increase ventilation, so it is a bit noisy:

    Chest Storage.jpg Chest.jpg

    At some stage I will bring my compact sim into the lounge to have a play with the Vive and room scale, which FlyInside already supports, and experiment with Lighthouse and motion cancellation, though I will predominantly use the Rift with my motion simulator.



    If you are a Vive owner please do add your own tips and mods to this thread.
    • Like Like x 4
    • Useful Useful x 2
    • Informative Informative x 1
  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,462
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,608Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    • Like Like x 2
    • Useful Useful x 1
  3. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,462
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,608Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    • Like Like x 1
    • Informative Informative x 1
    • Useful Useful x 1
  4. PaulMac000

    PaulMac000 Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2016
    Messages:
    31
    Balance:
    26Coins
    Ratings:
    +10 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    Motion platform
    Awesome, thank you for the share. I get my Vive in less than 14 hours.
  5. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,462
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,608Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Do yourself a favor @PaulMac000 and ditch the original Vive controller straps for those made for a Wii or a camera. I use Wii straps on mine.

    One of my best Vive upgrade investments has been mico usb magnetic charge cables.

    20160531_015429 (1328 x 747).jpg
    • Informative Informative x 1
  6. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,462
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,608Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    • Like Like x 1
    • Informative Informative x 1
  7. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2010
    Messages:
    2,158
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Michigan USA
    Balance:
    9,176Coins
    Ratings:
    +2,156 / 19 / -1
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform, 6DOF
    I am leaning heavily toward the Vive myself. I have a huge corner of the Man Cave (8'+ [2.5 meter] ceilings) to dedicate to the device. I am worried about tripping over the cables, etc. This solution looks very good. I do something very similar with the cables for my CNC router table. What is your opinion?

    • Like Like x 1
  8. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,462
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,608Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Most recommend against overhead @Historiker, it pulls upward as you move around and cable twist can be an issue. One guy did have 2 dog retractable leads for overhead that did look interesting as a possible solution, but I would have to go hunting to find it.

    On the floor the weight of the cable is supported and learning to step over the cord, like a rock star, is actually pretty easy. It is harder to teach yourself to turn equally to the left and right to avoid cable twist.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  9. teeds

    teeds Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2016
    Messages:
    22
    Location:
    UK
    Balance:
    590Coins
    Ratings:
    +48 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF
    I saw these but they seem bit expensive for the job @£20 +PnP. I had some unused helmet bags laying around, seems to do the same and protects the whole thing from dust etc - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycl...583134?hash=item20d4d37c1e:g:mBAAAOxyjP1R1GDp
  10. shannonb1

    shannonb1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2008
    Messages:
    1,107
    Occupation:
    Sales Intelligence
    Location:
    Virginia
    Balance:
    8,909Coins
    Ratings:
    +598 / 5 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, AC motor, Arduino, JRK, 4DOF
    Here is the dog leash one
    • Like Like x 1
  11. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,462
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,608Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    There are some really useful software additions that make using the Vive so much better with SteamVR, like Rivive for using Oculus games, and Advance Settings so you can adjust floor height and SuperSampling plus a bunch of other stuff on the go:

    Rivive: https://github.com/LibreVR/Revive

    Advanced Settings: https://github.com/matzman666/OpenVR-AdvancedSettings/releases

    You can also overlay other program windows inside your VR game: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/overlay-desktop-program-windows-in-vr.8868/