HP Reverb G2 - Do i need the controllers?

[lachris]

I am looking to upgrade from my Oculus Rift S to HP Reverb G2. Question is: Do I need the controllers? (I'll save 100 € buying the headset only. Second hand that is.) I will never use this headset for anything but sim racing.

 

[BrightCandle]

Maybe not. I still use them even for sim racing to switch games and deal with SteamVR, I tend to sit down and get into position before I launch the game from within SteamVR, but I don't have a monitor visible to the sim rig so doing this through SteamVR is my only practical option.

My only potential pause is that SteamVR has a tendency to launch itself and get in the way of a few games for some reason and I am not sure how to stop it, the only way I know how to remove it is with the controller. Potentially its a setting in SteamVR itself that can be changed to stop the interface loading.

 

[GeekyDeaks]

I have the G1, but I think the controllers are the same and it still uses WMR. I have used it for over two years now without the controllers (they are in the box, buried somewhere in my office). @BrightCandle 's comment about a steamvr setting rings a bell, but I did a complete fresh re-install about 2 months ago after upgrading my CPU and I haven't had any issues with steam VR popping up, so I'm wondering if that is a default setting now

 

[lachris]

Thank you for your feedback. So the need for the controllers boils down to SteamVR or not? I am currently playing 3-4 Games: AC, ACC, AMS2 and maybe PC2 (it's been a while), and I am probably going to do iRacing at something point. Would this trigger the need for SteamVR? And, if so, wouldn't it be possible to use a mouse, just to get the games launched?

 

[Rebel_488]

I bought it with controllers and have absolutely never used them. U can have a seating boundary or if u set one up u walk around the room using the headset itself to map it. As for steam vr interface launching on its own that’s rare but does happen and u just close steam vr and relaunch to solve it. Reshade by retrolux newer versions required controllers but I just stuck to an older build. Save the 100. U will prob be using open xr to bypass steam vr anyway lol

Edit to add u can launch games from steam via mouse yes. Honestly mine have been used exactly once. Purely sim racer vr user. Ac, acc, rf2, r3e

 

[cnhoff]

In my opinion the HP controllers are basic in terms of feel and funcionality, but for a small extra you have actually some controller, if you need them. I have played HL: Alyx with them and they work fine.

If you absolutely don't wanna do anything outside of simming territory i guess you could go without them.

 

[pihops]

last time I checked I could NOT start steam games without controller. I mean you can but you will always get stuck somewhere wehre you need a controller.. it is super annoyer but it is a mess to deal with the vr interface without ocntroller.. it is actually not possible, you can just try to star the games without the vr interface via steam... but you will get frustrated often.. I would pay for some kind of controller... even if you will only need them for 3 seconds to click a menu from time to time..

 

[blekenbleu]

SteamVR can be configured to use a joystick or other game controller;
WMR controllers are not required.

 

[lachris]

I ended up buying the headset WITH controllers. I tried using it without, and it sort of worked. But - I couldn't find a way to access settings in WMR and SteamVR. And adjusting settings is a must. I have a 2080 Super and need to decrease resolution for anything simracing related to be worth playing. So I had to bring out the controllers. (I have no joystick or game controllers and have no plans to buy any) Happy with the decision. Although I must say I am not overwhelmed by the improvement over the Rift S, but that's another story.

 

[Neilski]

Although I must say I am not overwhelmed by the improvement over the Rift S, but that's another story.

Oh wow, I would not have anticipated that