VR headset for sim racing?

EddScott · 13 Dec 2020 at 11:54

Thinking of getting a VR headset for sim racing.

Top of my shortlist is a G2 but availability is an issue. Wondering whether to wait for the G2 to become more widely available or purchase an alternative just to try out VR.

Budget is G2 or 2nd hand index money. Pimax 8Kx is out of budget.

Ravenger · 13 Dec 2020 at 13:00

G2, Quest 2, or Index are the only worthwhile options.

Note that with an Index, if you only want it for sim racing then you only need one lighthouse, which drops the cost down a bit.

andy_mk3 · 13 Dec 2020 at 13:07

G2 is totally worth it for sim racing.

lokiss · 13 Dec 2020 at 14:28

G2 is as good as it gets currently for sim racing.

Comfortable above all else, and obviously the native res. Even older games like the original AC look light years beyond what they've done before in other hmd's. The index is very good, add another very with the G2.

EddScott · 13 Dec 2020 at 16:16

Thanks guys. I was thinking to buy the index for now just try out VR.

If I like it I can always swap out for the G2 when it easier to get hold of.

Unseul · 13 Dec 2020 at 16:17

EddScott said:
Thanks guys. I was thinking to buy the index for now just try out VR.

If I like it I can always swap out for the G2 when it easier to get hold of.

Would it not be more sensible to get a quest 2 to test it? Cheaper than an Index I'd have thought, more similar to the g2 as well in terms of FOV and resolution, but the G2 will be a better headset for sims.

rossiboy001 · 13 Dec 2020 at 18:53

Iv got a major headache choosing which one for the next iracing season out of my G2 and Index. The index i think has the extra FOV to make more competative but would have to trade off the clarity of the G2. Perhaps Index for competative esports, G2 for driving pleasure like ATS and Euro truck sim.

lokiss · 13 Dec 2020 at 20:11

rossiboy001 said:
Iv got a major headache choosing which one for the next iracing season out of my G2 and Index.

Heh, it's not like anyone will know.

Aside from the blur at the edge obscuring the timings board on the G2, it's the only real problem i have with it.

zero71 · 24 Dec 2020 at 16:15

I bought my G2 primarily for Sim racing. Returned it a couple of days later and bought a Q2. The G2 was definitely a little bit clearer, but the Q2 does really well. You’ll struggle to run either card at native res no matter the graphics card, so both will end up a little soft. The Q2 is close enough to the G2 for sim racing and much better for everything else. The G2 was lighter and more comfy though.

lokiss · 24 Dec 2020 at 19:08

zero71 said:
You’ll struggle to run either card at native res no matter the graphics card,

Runs fine on my 3090 mate.

zero71 · 25 Dec 2020 at 00:37

lokiss said:
Runs fine on my 3090 mate.

I’m impressed that you can get 90fps at native res in a sim racer. I run effectively 60% ish on the Oculus on Med to Low settings on AC and AMS2 with a Max of 5 cars using the 2070S. I was about the same with the G2. Would be nice to run at native res with 20 cars when our 3080 is available, but I just can’t see it.

danswan · 25 Dec 2020 at 09:17

3080 & 5900x here and you're right, not a hope of 90fps in newer sims, unless undersampling and turning details all the way down. AC is doable though, and I guess so too will rFactor and iRacing - I've no active iRacing sub at the min and not tried rFactor yet. For me, AMS2 and ACC are all about trying to get a smooth reprojected 45fps, which is certainly achievable, if you can get on with it. For me AMS2 in particular suffers from artefacting when using Steam's motion smoothing, especially around the two front wheels in open wheelers, I find it massively distracting. So I end up dropping detail right down.

ACC actually behaves a bit better when reprojecting, and also you can change more stuff on the fly (AMS2 needs the game to restart for almost every graphical change). So I've been playing more of that than anything. However all of my tests are just me hotlapping, so going to need more adjustment later.

Despite all of the above, I tried going back to the Quest with link and that seems an absolute horror show having experienced the clarity of the G2 - even and low detail. So definitely worth the faffing about.

zero71 · 25 Dec 2020 at 09:20

@danswan I just play AMS2 and Assetto with less cars and sub native to get 90fps. 45fps with reprojection makes me feel sick quickly. I love hot lapping so mostly just play like that but I can maintain 90 with 5 cars. I’ve not tried ACC though. I expect that will be a **** show.

I love AMS 2 in VR. Particularly the Metalmoro MRX P2 car on Imola.