https://pimax.com/blogs/highlights/the-3d-cockpit-era-is-here-things-you-need-to-know-about-x-plane-12s-vr-update

Just browsing this blog, with hand tracking, mixed reality and eye-tracked VRS, it feels like VR in X-Plane is becoming more than just a fun extra mode. Maybe it’s time to get a proper cockpit setup 🤔

Before you shell out $1000 on a VR headset, get a cheaper one like a used Pico or Quest and see if you like VR in the first place. These have neither VRS nor hand tracking or MR (at least in XP), but are good for getting a general impression how well VR in XP does or does not work for you.

Mind you that VR eats your hardware alive. The fun begins with a 4070 Ti or better, anything less capable won't do.

Edited May 19May 19 by Bjoern

A first "dipping of toes" can easily be made with getting a used headset, someone upgrading to a high-end one will likely let go of an older headset for a nominal price.

Keep in mind that with X-Plane´s current performance, buying that "8k per eye" headset is pearls before swines, as you won´t be able to run high-enough framerates to enjoy it, not even with a 5090.

I am running a Pimax Crystal Light and find that I need at least 40fps per eye (= 80fps natively) to "enjoy" VR, where its not laggy, framerate is even more important in VR because you will pan your head rapidly and if you are chugging along at 30fps, it is no fun.

A great feature is the ability to change your graphics preferences depending on whether you run VR or 2D - I can (significantly) dial down my VR settings to get me like 80fps (which splits to 40 in VR), but still enjoy almost "all sliders right" in 2D and get 40+ fps, which would be unplayable in VR. The only downside is an extended loading time when switching, because the scenery needs to reload for many rendering setting changes.

Edited May 19May 19 by Litjan

Before you shell out $1000 on a VR headset, get a cheaper one like a used Pico or Quest and see if you like VR in the first place. These have neither VRS nor hand tracking or MR (at least in XP), but are good for getting a general impression how well VR in XP does or does not work for you.

Mind you that VR eats your hardware alive. The fun begins with a 4070 Ti or better, anything less capable won't do.

Dont waste money buying a old second hand VR to see if you like VR you will quickly want to upgrade. Get a Pimax it includes a trial period where you can returrn for a full refund no Qustions asked.

Dont waste money buying a old second hand VR to see if you like VR you will quickly want to upgrade. Get a Pimax it includes a trial period where you can returrn for a full refund no Qustions asked.

Used Quests or Picos can be had for 250€ or less here. The Pimax stuff starts at 800€. That's quite a bit of a difference in invesstment, even if temporary.

Used Quests or Picos can be had for 250€ or less here. The Pimax stuff starts at 800€. That's quite a bit of a difference in invesstment, even if temporary.

The Pimax end up costing is $0 if you dont like VR and decide to return within the time frame, Sure you do pay the cost upfront but get a full refund