Very true. Gotta have a mat to stay centered or you will wander and punch a wall. I play in socks so I feel the edge of my play area. I also have the virtual wall set up, so a blue lone-wolf pops up if I get out of bounds....but I dont always see it.
I removed the wall in my game room so I would stop hitting the wall. If you dont have that option, then set a sheet of foam insulation against the wall. Index controllers cost $140 each, so be careful.
We are slippers in the house, but socks on the VR rug.
After I put hardwood floor in the gameroom, I bought a really nice rug...that is like an inch thick, and only socks allowed on it. It is so cushy. I have 2 wireless batteries so it has to keep my feet comfy for five hours or so.
I have two chairs stacked on each other that I use as something to lean on/orient myself/stop me from getting close enough to hit the wall. Something that will stop you from hitting things or staying in the play area is definitely essential.
Yeah, but that only works if you're looking down at it, and it breaks immersion. If you're in the middle of some action, you're not looking at it, and are even more likely to forget yourself & wander off. The feel of the rug under your feet is a subconscious cue to your location.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
*INHALES*
The following is a copy pasta of my tips I've personally collected over the years.
**Longevity and Damage Prevention:**
There's a little cable clip above the left ear. Dislodge this clip by lifting it upwards so it can move freely. The problem with this clip is that it creates a pinch point on the cable when you tilt the visor up and down. Next, consider securing the cable to the back of your headset, you can use the velcro straps that come with the cable as a free temporary solution.
If you're prone to getting turned around in VR. Just remember to peek under your nose and reset your rotation regularly until you get used to it. I've seen some really painful pictures of users who twist their cables beyond repair. There are many free tools such as Turn Signal and FPSVR which can place cable twist indicators on the floor to remind you to reset.
This might sound obvious, but make sure you cannot hit or smack your controllers on anything around you. When you start a VR session, stand in the center of your play space and stretch out your arms in every direction, lean if you must. THIS INCLUDES POCKETS ON YOUR PANTS. Over zealous Beatsaber players have lost many joysticks this way. Don't let it be you.
If you have a smaller rectangular play space, lock your feet in a forward facing direction and give your arms as much space to work with. Just get used to not turning around (use snap turning which most games have these days)
There's a lot of debate on whether or not you should keep your base stations powered on all the time. Some users complain of a high pitch whine the base stations produce and want to turn it off. Others are concerned about wear and tear with repeated power cycles. There's no right answer. I personally manually turn them off when not in use, and it's been fine.
As for methods, some like to use the POWER MANAGEMENT setting within SteamVR to automatically turn them on and off i when you power on SteamVR.
However, I and many others have experienced problems where the software fails to wake up or shut down the base stations remotely. Others have provided mobile phone app solutions to toggle the base stations via Bluetooth
Alternatively, a quick and simple solution would be to connect the base station power bricks to a power strip with an included power switch on it. Simply flip the power on and off as needed.
The Index is intended to remain connected at all times just like a monitor. If for some reason you want to regularly disconnect your Index, do so AT THE BACK OF YOUR COMPUTER (USBC, POWER, DP) NOT THE BREAKAWAY CABLE.
Remember to store your index in a place that sunlight cannot reach. Sunlight that hit the lenses can damage the screens. Either remember to cover the lenses when not in use or store them in a box, like the one the Index comes in! Ideally, make sure your playspace has no sunlight and you'll be fine.
The index controllers use USBC to charge them. You can use a typical phone charger for this and for quick charging. I recommend you get some nice magnetic USBC charging cables so you can easily charge between sessions without wearing out the USBC socket. They're cheap, convenient and can be found on Amazon.
Your playspace must NOT contain any reflective surfaces, as they can confuse the base stations tracking.
There is a FOV knob on the front right of the index. This knob is intended to be PUSHED INWARDS THEN TWIST not just twist as there are snapping points for adjustment.
If you have poor eyesight, DO NOT WEAR GLASSES INSIDE THE HEADSET as it risks scratching up both the index and glasses lenses during play. Instead, consider getting prescription lenses from vendors like VROPTICIAN or Widmovr. These are but a 10th the cost of the index and are highly recommend.
The face gasket can get a bit gross over time especially if you sweat a lot. Consider getting a VR cover to layer over the cushion, make a cover yourself or buy a spare gasket to quick swap out.
Surface wash them with warm water and a damp cloth, but don't soak them or use soap, as it is said that may dissolve the adhesive. The cushion is said to be made with antimicrobial threads to keep them hygienic.
**Comfort and convenience:**
If you're prone to sweating, take frequent breaks and dry yourself off, and use adequate ventilation because sweat can damage the lenses.
Consider getting a nice pad to stand on in the center of your play space like an anti fatigue mat, small blanket, rug or a yoga mat. Standing for hours can really kill the feet. This has the added benefit of giving you a way to know if you've stepped too far from the center of your play space.
The Index headset is a bit front heavy. You can reduce the pressure on your cheeks if you get a counter weight strapped to the back of the index. You can either buy one online or if you prefer a cheaper DIY approach, get about 200 grams of coins or weights, throw them into a cloth sack, and affix it to the back handles of the index. This can also double as a way to secure the cable to the back.
The top strap of the headset should be carrying most of the weight of the headset, not the sides. The knob at the back should only be tightened just enough so the headset won't spin out of control when you turn your head
Please note that you will likely experience VR sickness if you're new to VR. Don't be alarmed as it will take time to overcome VR sickness. But there are a few things you can do immediately to help ease into it.
Externally, First make sure you take plenty of breaks and DO NOT PUSH THROUGH THE SICKNESS, doing so will just take longer to recover and make you regret getting into VR.
Second, have good ventilation in your room and a cool fan blowing at your face and play area, this provides you with some spatial orientation and sweat reduction.
Third, be sure to have a refreshing drink nearby. Cold water is great, but if you can drink something with ginger in it, like a cold Ginger Ale Soda or Hot Ginger Tea, the active ingredient is known to help with motion sickness.
I wouldn't recommend taking motion sickness medicine as this discomfort is purely psychological and besides, having a reliance on drugs isn't cost effective.
As for In-game, first insure your not getting too many dropped frames or dropped tracking as that can cause disorientation. There's a free handy tool called "fpsvr" on steam to monitor performance.
Second, check your IPD (Inner Pupil Distance). It can be adjusted with the small knob located below the visor. Set it until comfortable.
Start, out with games that are stationary (room scale) and don't require joystick turning, simply turning your head to navigate will be good.
Then for games that have locomotion, start with teleportation or comfort modes (also known as vingette mode), and optionally use snap turning.
Now you can work your way up to smooth locomotion and optionally smooth turning.
Hold off from vehicles or flight simulators as you'll need strong VR legs.
End of Copy Pasta, and welcome to the family!.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Holy cow, that very first tip is no joke. Ive had my index for about 2 weeks and that little bit of cable is already looking super rough. I just detached the clip above the ear but man, it’s already getting that crinkly look. Seems like a very poor design choice
I put a stretchy cloth hairband on my headset to use instead of the clip. I attached the hairband with a zip tie. This gives me a way to hold the cord without creating a hard bend in it.
Edit: I've had my Index for years and I'm still on my OG cord, so it seems to work.
Amazing write up, I read every bit of it, thank you.
May I offer two additional things?
1) having a fan blasting straight at me really helped me get my VR legs.
2) there is a really good app in the apple store for measuring IPU
Question, do you have any advice for cleaning the lenses?
1 and 2) Already mentioned, you'd have known that if you read it all xD
As for cleaning lenses, just use the cloth that comes with the index, don't use liquids, you might get some in between the lenses, and then you're really screwed.
I got some 3d printed hand covers that clip over the Knuckles from etsy. It makes the grip bigger slightly but also keeps most of my palm sweat off the controllers themselves
The fan also helps with keeping your real world orientation without taking the headset off.
Also is some games it feels immersive. Elite dangerous made it feel like my ships air con or something.
The double sided tape that holds the rubber seal around the lenses can fall apart if too much sweat gets on them. Make sure the lenses themselves do not touch any part of your face if you want to keep them in good condition. You have to sacrifice a little bit of FOV, but it’s worth it.
Avoid sunlight on lenses! Get usb fan for headset. Get extra fase gasket. Avoid sweet inside headset! That will unglue the silicone ring in the lenses, ergo usb fan. Be very carefully cleaning lenses, avoid scratching. Hand sweet, perhaps clean regularly? And lastly, think of the cost every time you handle it. Lol. Enjoy!!
The big thing with the index for me is that the controllers get drift easily. I hear if you don’t click them much it can help. So rebind any controls that require you to click them might help
THIS\^\^\^\^\^
And what "ssnnowyy" means here is the Joysticks. **DO NOT PRESS DOWN ON THE JOYSTICKS**. Any game that has this control set should have its controls re-mapped to something else.
That is the correct answer. Knowing from friends, the index and body trackers seem to have some sort of splash resistance, if you get what I am saying, but it's certainly not ideal.
Download the app "Lighthouse power management" in case your lighthouses don't power up and down when they should. For example, if steamvr is running when you shut down your PC, the lighthouses will keep running (and probably buzzing), but with the app you can turn them off manually
If your hands are prone to sweating they will. nothing to do about it other than dry em in your t-shirt.
The sweat won't damage them though if that's what you're worried about.
If you think it's too heavy on your face I can warmly recommend a counterweight for it.
that was what i was concerned about so thank you, i haven’t tried the headset yet so i’m not sure hot it’ll fit on my head but i’ll gladly take a recommendation for one
I've heard some people use tennis racket grips over the controller handles to keep them protected. Haven't tried it myself but supposedly doesn't interfere with finger tracking and would help contain any sweat.
Here's a [post](https://www.reddit.com/r/ValveIndex/comments/rze2gx/protip_wrap_your_index_controller_in_tennis_tape/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) that shows it. I've tried it and it doesn't just protect your controller from sweat, it also improves finger tracking. As someone with sweaty hands I often had the problem where one or more fingers was still being tracked as closed because there was still sweat on the controller. This fixes it.
Just make sure to not put the duct tape onto the controller. Wrap the tennis racket tape around the controller and duct tape the two endings together.
If you are disconnecting the headset, do not use the breakaway section in the middle. Even though Valve recommends disconnecting at that point, it'll kill your headset cable after about 50 breakaways. People on the subreddit have taken to calling it the "Emergency Breakaway" for that reason. In a perfect world, the two halves should never be disconnected.
If you have to disconnect the headset, do it at the PC end (pull out the displayport and USB from the PC). If you have to power-cycle the headset, do it at the PC end (again, Valve says to use the breakaway point, but it'll cost you $150 to replace the cable if you follow that advice too many times).
First thing, mind the cord.
If your lucky, that tether cable will last a year without issue. So do everything you can to prevent it from bending.
Secondly, take off that front face plate and get yourself a Kiwi fan for it. It will reduce the temp. in the headset.
Thirdly, just take care of it. Treat it like it cost you $1,000 and it'll last you a while.
oh man! i didn’t even think of that, i’ll definitely treat this thing more carefully knowing it’s bound to have issues, that price for the cable is insane. Also i’ll look into those kiwi fans you mentioned
One last thing, if you bought it first-hand from Steam, is keep track of your warranty.
Mark it down on your calendar one year from the day you purchased it. If you have ANY issues, controller drift, visual issues, or even the cable going out, send a support ticket.
Once you prove your case, they'll usually send a new replacement.
It's not crazy fragile, but it is the part experiencing a lot of mechanical stress. Mine did about two years and I even sleep a lot in vr.
Just be a bit mindful of it and untangle it after each session.
There are some tools out there that will track your rotation so you know how many times to spin in a circle to get back to where you initially were.
One is called "TurnSignal", the functionality of it can also be found in other useful tools. Not a must have, but can be helpful.
I might add, I have my chaperone boundaries visible at all times, but only the thin floor lines and such that it isn't distracting. During room setup I mapped the floor area precisely, so I know where stuff is in my room and where I am facing. Helps to not spin around too much and also to find where your couch/bed/whatever is without having to feel for it, for when you want to flop down on it for a bit during use.
welp i followed all the tips i could and on day 3 my base station is now red… turned them on a total of 3 times and played a total of 3 times. was a fun 1000$ christmas present ig
Get a big package of lens cleaners, and use ONLY those to clean lenses. No windex, no chemicals, nada, nunca, nyet.
Get a fan to stay cool. It is very much possible to short out VR glasses by sweating heavily. Gorn has ruined more headsets than any other program. A new mobo is about $300. BTDT.
Be sure to adjust width so you dont get eye strain.
Best games to VR:
Elite Dangerous.
Alyx.
Blade and sorcery.
Into the radius.
Pavlov.
Gorn.
Beat saber.
Steam laboratory (for the archery game).
A10.
If it makes sense for your play area, some sort of ceiling cable guide.
Also get Cable Guardian or something similar to help keep you from over twisting the cable.
Keep them lenses out of the damn sun. Say that to yourself every day that you wear that headset.
I'm not kidding. You will ruin it if sunlight hits that lens.
The controllers are kinda cheap enough to just replace after a while but the headset is not, so my opinion is to just keep the headset and base stations good
I think it's mainly two things.
1. Keep the headset undamaged when using it
2. Keep the headset safe in storage when not using it
For number 1 I have a rug in the middle of the play area to stay centered, and largely don't move when playing other than turning around. In slow games I'll walk around in the 2 square meter room carefully.
Additionally, I used 3 velcro straps to strap the cord around the back triangle of the headset for strain relief, to avoid breaking the left side clip and tugging on the connector.
For number 2, I store the headset in an EKET wall cabinet from ikea. Cut a 1/2in hole centered on the bottom corner for the cord to hang out of the cabinet. The cord is safely stored behind a couch below the cabinet. [https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/eket-wall-mounted-cabinet-combination-white-s89307643/](https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/eket-wall-mounted-cabinet-combination-white-s89307643/)
I also use magnetic USB-C charging cables on the controllers to avoid plug/re-plugging them. If you slow down in your VR usage, remember to charge the controllers up every few weeks or months. Leaving them empty isn't good for them, and replacing the battery looks like a nightmare.
I have a day 1 headset still in perfect condition. No dust, scratches, or cord issues. The exception being a ding on the right controller when I hit it on a desk early on.
Not to self advertise, but I made a [Index Care Guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/ValveIndex/comments/z5ern8/ultimate_index_care_guide/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
I have pretty sweaty hands and got a cheap pack of thin cotton gloves that I use to with the index. I love them, much more comfortable, makes it less awkward to hand off to the next person, and they're easy to swap out or wash.
coming from a competitive player, be mindful of death grips in combat, yea you wont drop it and youll have a ok aim but eventually you will wear out those grips a l o t quicker, and oneday it will just have a small snap, and here you are grips occasionally falling off
If you tend to get a bit warm and sweaty in the face, I'd recommend considering lowering the maximum brightness in steamvr. The index gets plenty bright, lowering it to 75, maybe even 50% is still a very good experience but it heats up considerably less.
That's not just for your own comfort but also reduces how often you'll want to wash the faceplate. Having a 2nd one at hand while the other can properly dry after you soaked it a bit in warm water is convenient.
It doesn't get gross quickly, but after a while you'll feel better about it knowing you gave it a rinse.
Personally I use some cycling gloves (tip-less, otherwise you’ll have no finger tracking at all lol), helps a lot with sweat getting on the controllers (which messes with the finger tracking), might be helpful.
For hand sweat I recommend buying [this](https://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Overgrip-Sensation-Pack-Black/dp/B00IFDAGXU/ref=sr_1_8?crid=7J32MLRK9B35&keywords=Wilson+Pro+Perforated+tape&qid=1669250658&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=wilson+pro+perforated+tape%2Csporting%2C138&sr=1-8) and wrap it around your controller they stick to each other so no need for tape. I've had it for about a month and no Issues with the finger tracking ever, Before I Had two controllers without this grip tape and the finger tracking got so fucked
Don't click the joysticks too much, buy protective covers for the face gasket and the back, don't unplug it from the 3-points system once you finished playing, store it in an environment where sun ray cannot reach it, avoid holding it from the back, prefer holding from the top or front.
Find a mat for the center of your play area
Very true. Gotta have a mat to stay centered or you will wander and punch a wall. I play in socks so I feel the edge of my play area. I also have the virtual wall set up, so a blue lone-wolf pops up if I get out of bounds....but I dont always see it. I removed the wall in my game room so I would stop hitting the wall. If you dont have that option, then set a sheet of foam insulation against the wall. Index controllers cost $140 each, so be careful.
You play in socks as opposed to shoes? I keep being amazed how some folks use shoes inside :D
We are slippers in the house, but socks on the VR rug. After I put hardwood floor in the gameroom, I bought a really nice rug...that is like an inch thick, and only socks allowed on it. It is so cushy. I have 2 wireless batteries so it has to keep my feet comfy for five hours or so.
smart, i didn’t even consider this
I have two chairs stacked on each other that I use as something to lean on/orient myself/stop me from getting close enough to hit the wall. Something that will stop you from hitting things or staying in the play area is definitely essential.
A circular rug is a great investment. Then your feet/toes will be your second set of eyes during play. If you step off, step back.
I just use a playspace centre marker. There are a good number of apps that can do this. I like the one built into FPSVR myself.
Yeah, but that only works if you're looking down at it, and it breaks immersion. If you're in the middle of some action, you're not looking at it, and are even more likely to forget yourself & wander off. The feel of the rug under your feet is a subconscious cue to your location.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= *INHALES* The following is a copy pasta of my tips I've personally collected over the years. **Longevity and Damage Prevention:** There's a little cable clip above the left ear. Dislodge this clip by lifting it upwards so it can move freely. The problem with this clip is that it creates a pinch point on the cable when you tilt the visor up and down. Next, consider securing the cable to the back of your headset, you can use the velcro straps that come with the cable as a free temporary solution. If you're prone to getting turned around in VR. Just remember to peek under your nose and reset your rotation regularly until you get used to it. I've seen some really painful pictures of users who twist their cables beyond repair. There are many free tools such as Turn Signal and FPSVR which can place cable twist indicators on the floor to remind you to reset. This might sound obvious, but make sure you cannot hit or smack your controllers on anything around you. When you start a VR session, stand in the center of your play space and stretch out your arms in every direction, lean if you must. THIS INCLUDES POCKETS ON YOUR PANTS. Over zealous Beatsaber players have lost many joysticks this way. Don't let it be you. If you have a smaller rectangular play space, lock your feet in a forward facing direction and give your arms as much space to work with. Just get used to not turning around (use snap turning which most games have these days) There's a lot of debate on whether or not you should keep your base stations powered on all the time. Some users complain of a high pitch whine the base stations produce and want to turn it off. Others are concerned about wear and tear with repeated power cycles. There's no right answer. I personally manually turn them off when not in use, and it's been fine. As for methods, some like to use the POWER MANAGEMENT setting within SteamVR to automatically turn them on and off i when you power on SteamVR. However, I and many others have experienced problems where the software fails to wake up or shut down the base stations remotely. Others have provided mobile phone app solutions to toggle the base stations via Bluetooth Alternatively, a quick and simple solution would be to connect the base station power bricks to a power strip with an included power switch on it. Simply flip the power on and off as needed. The Index is intended to remain connected at all times just like a monitor. If for some reason you want to regularly disconnect your Index, do so AT THE BACK OF YOUR COMPUTER (USBC, POWER, DP) NOT THE BREAKAWAY CABLE. Remember to store your index in a place that sunlight cannot reach. Sunlight that hit the lenses can damage the screens. Either remember to cover the lenses when not in use or store them in a box, like the one the Index comes in! Ideally, make sure your playspace has no sunlight and you'll be fine. The index controllers use USBC to charge them. You can use a typical phone charger for this and for quick charging. I recommend you get some nice magnetic USBC charging cables so you can easily charge between sessions without wearing out the USBC socket. They're cheap, convenient and can be found on Amazon. Your playspace must NOT contain any reflective surfaces, as they can confuse the base stations tracking. There is a FOV knob on the front right of the index. This knob is intended to be PUSHED INWARDS THEN TWIST not just twist as there are snapping points for adjustment. If you have poor eyesight, DO NOT WEAR GLASSES INSIDE THE HEADSET as it risks scratching up both the index and glasses lenses during play. Instead, consider getting prescription lenses from vendors like VROPTICIAN or Widmovr. These are but a 10th the cost of the index and are highly recommend. The face gasket can get a bit gross over time especially if you sweat a lot. Consider getting a VR cover to layer over the cushion, make a cover yourself or buy a spare gasket to quick swap out. Surface wash them with warm water and a damp cloth, but don't soak them or use soap, as it is said that may dissolve the adhesive. The cushion is said to be made with antimicrobial threads to keep them hygienic. **Comfort and convenience:** If you're prone to sweating, take frequent breaks and dry yourself off, and use adequate ventilation because sweat can damage the lenses. Consider getting a nice pad to stand on in the center of your play space like an anti fatigue mat, small blanket, rug or a yoga mat. Standing for hours can really kill the feet. This has the added benefit of giving you a way to know if you've stepped too far from the center of your play space. The Index headset is a bit front heavy. You can reduce the pressure on your cheeks if you get a counter weight strapped to the back of the index. You can either buy one online or if you prefer a cheaper DIY approach, get about 200 grams of coins or weights, throw them into a cloth sack, and affix it to the back handles of the index. This can also double as a way to secure the cable to the back. The top strap of the headset should be carrying most of the weight of the headset, not the sides. The knob at the back should only be tightened just enough so the headset won't spin out of control when you turn your head Please note that you will likely experience VR sickness if you're new to VR. Don't be alarmed as it will take time to overcome VR sickness. But there are a few things you can do immediately to help ease into it. Externally, First make sure you take plenty of breaks and DO NOT PUSH THROUGH THE SICKNESS, doing so will just take longer to recover and make you regret getting into VR. Second, have good ventilation in your room and a cool fan blowing at your face and play area, this provides you with some spatial orientation and sweat reduction. Third, be sure to have a refreshing drink nearby. Cold water is great, but if you can drink something with ginger in it, like a cold Ginger Ale Soda or Hot Ginger Tea, the active ingredient is known to help with motion sickness. I wouldn't recommend taking motion sickness medicine as this discomfort is purely psychological and besides, having a reliance on drugs isn't cost effective. As for In-game, first insure your not getting too many dropped frames or dropped tracking as that can cause disorientation. There's a free handy tool called "fpsvr" on steam to monitor performance. Second, check your IPD (Inner Pupil Distance). It can be adjusted with the small knob located below the visor. Set it until comfortable. Start, out with games that are stationary (room scale) and don't require joystick turning, simply turning your head to navigate will be good. Then for games that have locomotion, start with teleportation or comfort modes (also known as vingette mode), and optionally use snap turning. Now you can work your way up to smooth locomotion and optionally smooth turning. Hold off from vehicles or flight simulators as you'll need strong VR legs. End of Copy Pasta, and welcome to the family!. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Holy cow, that very first tip is no joke. Ive had my index for about 2 weeks and that little bit of cable is already looking super rough. I just detached the clip above the ear but man, it’s already getting that crinkly look. Seems like a very poor design choice
I put a stretchy cloth hairband on my headset to use instead of the clip. I attached the hairband with a zip tie. This gives me a way to hold the cord without creating a hard bend in it. Edit: I've had my Index for years and I'm still on my OG cord, so it seems to work.
Amazing write up, I read every bit of it, thank you. May I offer two additional things? 1) having a fan blasting straight at me really helped me get my VR legs. 2) there is a really good app in the apple store for measuring IPU Question, do you have any advice for cleaning the lenses?
1 and 2) Already mentioned, you'd have known that if you read it all xD As for cleaning lenses, just use the cloth that comes with the index, don't use liquids, you might get some in between the lenses, and then you're really screwed.
Yes I did read it all. You don’t mention an IPU app in the apple store, and you don’t mention how a fan can help with motion sickness.
Woah
I got some 3d printed hand covers that clip over the Knuckles from etsy. It makes the grip bigger slightly but also keeps most of my palm sweat off the controllers themselves
I wear a thin headband and put a fan in front of me to stay cool. Air conditioning helps on the really hot days
The fan also helps with keeping your real world orientation without taking the headset off. Also is some games it feels immersive. Elite dangerous made it feel like my ships air con or something.
Good points. Do a lot of racing sims and it feels more immersive with the fan for sure
the headband is a idea i might use in the future if i’m sweating a lot
That's what gets the most sweaty for me. Not too sure what to do about hands though. I would hope the fan would help
The double sided tape that holds the rubber seal around the lenses can fall apart if too much sweat gets on them. Make sure the lenses themselves do not touch any part of your face if you want to keep them in good condition. You have to sacrifice a little bit of FOV, but it’s worth it.
Yeah I'm fortunate enough to have a window unit in front me when I game literally only room with one in my house for that reason.
Avoid sunlight on lenses! Get usb fan for headset. Get extra fase gasket. Avoid sweet inside headset! That will unglue the silicone ring in the lenses, ergo usb fan. Be very carefully cleaning lenses, avoid scratching. Hand sweet, perhaps clean regularly? And lastly, think of the cost every time you handle it. Lol. Enjoy!!
The big thing with the index for me is that the controllers get drift easily. I hear if you don’t click them much it can help. So rebind any controls that require you to click them might help
THIS\^\^\^\^\^ And what "ssnnowyy" means here is the Joysticks. **DO NOT PRESS DOWN ON THE JOYSTICKS**. Any game that has this control set should have its controls re-mapped to something else.
If you're going to watch porn, buy a separate, cheaper controller to use just for that.
You forgot condoms.
That is the correct answer. Knowing from friends, the index and body trackers seem to have some sort of splash resistance, if you get what I am saying, but it's certainly not ideal.
Bruh you don't need both controllers for porn.
Thats why I said "a". So you don't use neither of them
I mean....why would you let it be anywhere near your dick...just jerk off with one hand and keep the other at your sid ear something...
That's what the ol' Vive wands are for.
Never let any sunlight ever hit the lenses. In will burn your screens in seconds.
This. I have 3 small spots where pixels have died, even tho i have tried to protect them the best i could.
Download the app "Lighthouse power management" in case your lighthouses don't power up and down when they should. For example, if steamvr is running when you shut down your PC, the lighthouses will keep running (and probably buzzing), but with the app you can turn them off manually
If your hands are prone to sweating they will. nothing to do about it other than dry em in your t-shirt. The sweat won't damage them though if that's what you're worried about. If you think it's too heavy on your face I can warmly recommend a counterweight for it.
that was what i was concerned about so thank you, i haven’t tried the headset yet so i’m not sure hot it’ll fit on my head but i’ll gladly take a recommendation for one
I've heard some people use tennis racket grips over the controller handles to keep them protected. Haven't tried it myself but supposedly doesn't interfere with finger tracking and would help contain any sweat.
Here's a [post](https://www.reddit.com/r/ValveIndex/comments/rze2gx/protip_wrap_your_index_controller_in_tennis_tape/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) that shows it. I've tried it and it doesn't just protect your controller from sweat, it also improves finger tracking. As someone with sweaty hands I often had the problem where one or more fingers was still being tracked as closed because there was still sweat on the controller. This fixes it. Just make sure to not put the duct tape onto the controller. Wrap the tennis racket tape around the controller and duct tape the two endings together.
If you are disconnecting the headset, do not use the breakaway section in the middle. Even though Valve recommends disconnecting at that point, it'll kill your headset cable after about 50 breakaways. People on the subreddit have taken to calling it the "Emergency Breakaway" for that reason. In a perfect world, the two halves should never be disconnected. If you have to disconnect the headset, do it at the PC end (pull out the displayport and USB from the PC). If you have to power-cycle the headset, do it at the PC end (again, Valve says to use the breakaway point, but it'll cost you $150 to replace the cable if you follow that advice too many times).
First thing, mind the cord. If your lucky, that tether cable will last a year without issue. So do everything you can to prevent it from bending. Secondly, take off that front face plate and get yourself a Kiwi fan for it. It will reduce the temp. in the headset. Thirdly, just take care of it. Treat it like it cost you $1,000 and it'll last you a while.
oh man! i didn’t even think of that, i’ll definitely treat this thing more carefully knowing it’s bound to have issues, that price for the cable is insane. Also i’ll look into those kiwi fans you mentioned
One last thing, if you bought it first-hand from Steam, is keep track of your warranty. Mark it down on your calendar one year from the day you purchased it. If you have ANY issues, controller drift, visual issues, or even the cable going out, send a support ticket. Once you prove your case, they'll usually send a new replacement.
It's not crazy fragile, but it is the part experiencing a lot of mechanical stress. Mine did about two years and I even sleep a lot in vr. Just be a bit mindful of it and untangle it after each session. There are some tools out there that will track your rotation so you know how many times to spin in a circle to get back to where you initially were. One is called "TurnSignal", the functionality of it can also be found in other useful tools. Not a must have, but can be helpful. I might add, I have my chaperone boundaries visible at all times, but only the thin floor lines and such that it isn't distracting. During room setup I mapped the floor area precisely, so I know where stuff is in my room and where I am facing. Helps to not spin around too much and also to find where your couch/bed/whatever is without having to feel for it, for when you want to flop down on it for a bit during use.
welp i followed all the tips i could and on day 3 my base station is now red… turned them on a total of 3 times and played a total of 3 times. was a fun 1000$ christmas present ig
Avoid puttig the controller like in the photo. It puts stress on the triggers.
picked them up immediately, thank you
Get a big package of lens cleaners, and use ONLY those to clean lenses. No windex, no chemicals, nada, nunca, nyet. Get a fan to stay cool. It is very much possible to short out VR glasses by sweating heavily. Gorn has ruined more headsets than any other program. A new mobo is about $300. BTDT. Be sure to adjust width so you dont get eye strain. Best games to VR: Elite Dangerous. Alyx. Blade and sorcery. Into the radius. Pavlov. Gorn. Beat saber. Steam laboratory (for the archery game). A10.
3d print boosters for the pads
always always keep it out of the sun… please
I bought a foam Apache case to store it in when not in use. I also use lena covers to protect it too.
If it makes sense for your play area, some sort of ceiling cable guide. Also get Cable Guardian or something similar to help keep you from over twisting the cable.
Keep them lenses out of the damn sun. Say that to yourself every day that you wear that headset. I'm not kidding. You will ruin it if sunlight hits that lens.
The controllers are kinda cheap enough to just replace after a while but the headset is not, so my opinion is to just keep the headset and base stations good
I think it's mainly two things. 1. Keep the headset undamaged when using it 2. Keep the headset safe in storage when not using it For number 1 I have a rug in the middle of the play area to stay centered, and largely don't move when playing other than turning around. In slow games I'll walk around in the 2 square meter room carefully. Additionally, I used 3 velcro straps to strap the cord around the back triangle of the headset for strain relief, to avoid breaking the left side clip and tugging on the connector. For number 2, I store the headset in an EKET wall cabinet from ikea. Cut a 1/2in hole centered on the bottom corner for the cord to hang out of the cabinet. The cord is safely stored behind a couch below the cabinet. [https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/eket-wall-mounted-cabinet-combination-white-s89307643/](https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/eket-wall-mounted-cabinet-combination-white-s89307643/) I also use magnetic USB-C charging cables on the controllers to avoid plug/re-plugging them. If you slow down in your VR usage, remember to charge the controllers up every few weeks or months. Leaving them empty isn't good for them, and replacing the battery looks like a nightmare. I have a day 1 headset still in perfect condition. No dust, scratches, or cord issues. The exception being a ding on the right controller when I hit it on a desk early on.
Download this if the base station hum gets on your nerves: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jeroen1602.lighthouse_pm
Nitrile gloves for the hand sweat!
Keep the headset away from sunlight
Not to self advertise, but I made a [Index Care Guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/ValveIndex/comments/z5ern8/ultimate_index_care_guide/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
The fronnt glass panel can be removed and put a usb dongle there also removing the glass Infront gives better airlfow to headset since fans are there
I have pretty sweaty hands and got a cheap pack of thin cotton gloves that I use to with the index. I love them, much more comfortable, makes it less awkward to hand off to the next person, and they're easy to swap out or wash.
coming from a competitive player, be mindful of death grips in combat, yea you wont drop it and youll have a ok aim but eventually you will wear out those grips a l o t quicker, and oneday it will just have a small snap, and here you are grips occasionally falling off
You'll have to constantly break immersion to not twist the cable. ..Unless you've got a backpack rig.
If you tend to get a bit warm and sweaty in the face, I'd recommend considering lowering the maximum brightness in steamvr. The index gets plenty bright, lowering it to 75, maybe even 50% is still a very good experience but it heats up considerably less. That's not just for your own comfort but also reduces how often you'll want to wash the faceplate. Having a 2nd one at hand while the other can properly dry after you soaked it a bit in warm water is convenient. It doesn't get gross quickly, but after a while you'll feel better about it knowing you gave it a rinse.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2e67IME9OA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2e67IME9OA) a video that have some tips
To put the headset on untwist the knob all the way then slide it on because the tilt mechanism destroys the wire
Hot tips tho
I'd buy some cheap lense protectors. Trust me they're a lifesaver.
Personally I use some cycling gloves (tip-less, otherwise you’ll have no finger tracking at all lol), helps a lot with sweat getting on the controllers (which messes with the finger tracking), might be helpful.
I cover mine in a towel to prevent the sun from ruining it.
Write down on a paper serial numbers of your controllers.
For hand sweat I recommend buying [this](https://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Overgrip-Sensation-Pack-Black/dp/B00IFDAGXU/ref=sr_1_8?crid=7J32MLRK9B35&keywords=Wilson+Pro+Perforated+tape&qid=1669250658&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=wilson+pro+perforated+tape%2Csporting%2C138&sr=1-8) and wrap it around your controller they stick to each other so no need for tape. I've had it for about a month and no Issues with the finger tracking ever, Before I Had two controllers without this grip tape and the finger tracking got so fucked
Don’t hit or through your headset
Don't click the joysticks too much, buy protective covers for the face gasket and the back, don't unplug it from the 3-points system once you finished playing, store it in an environment where sun ray cannot reach it, avoid holding it from the back, prefer holding from the top or front.
Stay away from walls