Can You Use Vr Controllers Without The Headset

In 2021, when the extended reality technology is already in the next level and professionals and enthusiasts can cull from a variety of headsets there's i component that is of equal importance as the visual chemical element — the way we interact and control ourselves and digital game objects in the virtual space. For years, virtual reality (VR) enthusiasts accept concerned themselves with the question: "What is the next best VR controller?"

No wonder the question is as relevant today as ever: VR controllers are nevertheless an integral role of almost every mod virtual reality system and its experience.

However, comparing various controllers becomes increasingly difficult. For starters, the number of available controllers multiplied over years as did the number of new VR caput-mounted displays (headsets).

Moreover, there are so many qualities to compare. From ergonomics and tracking precision to design and longevity, at that place are winners and flops in each category. A new VR headset doesn't necessarily come with better controllers as well. Each virtual reality system (headset, controllers and software that comes with it) should be evaluated as a whole and not as a sum of its parts.

Having extensive experience with a variety of VR headsets and controllers, in this article nosotros tried to explicate which controller to choose based on your unique requirements. We are also going to check the compatibility level for each VR controller.

What Are VR Controllers?

If a VR headset allows yous to run into the virtual world, controllers allow y'all to collaborate with it.

(Source)

Controllers assist yous register your hand and finger movements in a virtual surroundings. They turn your physical, kind of mechanic movements of your hands (and/or body) into a digital movements inside your chosen virtual world.

Although all VR controllers may look somewhat like, they are different based on a number of qualities, and even somewhat pocket-sized differences matter when you outset using them for long.

Here are the main qualities that you should expect at when comparing VR controllers with each other:

Tracking precision. Detecting your hand and finger movements in VR requires a great deal of accuracy, whether you lot are playing VR games where one mistake tin lead to a lost round or implement complex business organisation VR simulations where the precision of actions is frequently a grooming objective.Different controllers apply dissimilar tracking systems with varying degrees of accuracy and we'll be covering these in item later.
Build quality. VR simulations can last from several minutes to hours and this is where the build quality of a controller starts to make a difference. A cheap plastic comprehend leads to low durability. Worse however, poorly built slippery controllers can fall out of your hands, peculiarly during intensive VR experiences such as gaming or fitness.
Ergonomics. Equally you'll encounter some controllers are but more than pleasant to utilize. From the location of action buttons and form gene to the weight distribution, every minor detail defines whether your VR experience will be decent or exceptional.
Battery life. The capacity of controllers' batteries defines how long the controllers can exist used without you having to interrupt your VR experience and recharge them. Some controllers crave recharging subsequently a few hours of usage where others tin can provide tens of hours of gameplay before yous have to switch batteries.
Degree of Move. Wired headset that are connected with a desktop often allows ameliorate performance but restricts your movement around the room. The accidents when playing games and damaging VR controllers are known to almost VR gamers. Some virtual reality systems such as Sony's commencement Playstation VR accept wireless orb shaped controllers that permit for a high degree of freedom.

Before we dive into comparing the most popular/modern controllers based on these qualities, let's quickly figure out how controllers are actually able to register your movements and whether you lot can collaborate with a virtual reality environs without controllers altogether.

How Do VR Controllers Work?

Most VR controllers come with a set of buttons, triggers, and typically a thumb stick that allow you to take hold of, push button, throw, and motion around virtual objects. For case, pressing a trigger button on a controller translates into pulling a trigger of a virtual gun whereas using a thumb stick tin assist you walk in a virtual globe.

(Source)

But the real question is how controllers are able to track your hand move so precisely that it feels like you're really using your easily in VR, waving them, or fifty-fifty making gestures.

To reach that your virtual reality headset needs to know the position of controllers related to its own position.

The two well-nigh common tracking systems for controllers right now are lighthouse tracking and inside-out tracking.

Lighthouse tracking system

Lighthouse tracking is used by Valve Index and HTC Vive Pro headsets and it requires at to the lowest degree 2 base stations installed in your play area.

(Source)

These base stations serve as a reference indicate for a headset and controllers. Each base of operations station contains an IR beacon and 2 laser emitters, whereas each controller has multiple IR photosensors. The base station'south beacon emits a synchronization pulse lx times per 2nd, while i of its lasers sends a sweeping beam across the unabridged room. As presently as the controllers observe the pulse, they start counting until one of their sensors is hit past a laser beam. Based on the laser'southward time of flight the system detects where the controller is.

Within-out tracking organisation

Utilized past Oculus Quest 2 (now called Meta Quest two), inside-out tracking arrangement works quite differently. Every controller has a fix of infrared LEDs located on the controller'south rings. The cameras located on the headset detect said LEDs and continuously take images of them. Based on these images the so-called Constellation tracking organization then triangulates the position of controllers in infinite.

(Source)

While the benefits of the lighthouse organization are enhanced tracking accurateness and lightweight data transfer, the Constellation tracking organisation is cheaper to implement and doesn't require purchasing and setting upward any external base of operations stations.

VR Without Controllers: Is It Possible?

It's worth mentioning that several modernistic virtual reality systems support the ability to interact with a VR world without controllers altogether.

For example, Oculus Quest ii comes with native hand tracking support. The built-in headset cameras detect hand'due south natural gestures that you lot can apply to interact with objects and interfaces in VR. Despite the recent tracking rate update from 30 Hz to lx Hz, the tracking latency is even so far from perfect while not many VR applications fully support hand controls.

Some other option for controller-less feel is a Leap Motion Controller. With a toll of around $100, the device maps the front space using two cameras and three infrared LEDs. Spring motility can be used to enable hand tracking for headsets such as Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and even Valve Index, every bit well as traditional PC desktop systems.

The current downside of hand-tracking VR is the lack of haptic feedback, lower latency, and the limited number of VR applications that fully support the technology, although these issues can be resolved every bit the VR innovation spreads out.

Modern VR Controllers: Ultimate Comparison

Valve Index "Knuckles" Overview

(Source)

Price: $279 for a pair
Battery type: lithium-ion battery
Battery fourth dimension: half-dozen-eight hours (rechargeable via USB 2.0)
Weight: 196 grams
Compatible headsets: Valve Alphabetize, Pimax, HP Reverb G2, HTC Vive Cosmos Elite

From the outside, Valve Index "knuckles" seem similar to Oculus Touch and HTC Vive controllers, featuring a wide handle, a front trigger, a circular control surface with two confront buttons on height, and an analog stick with a system push.

Merely in that location's a drastic difference under the hood. Index controllers are laced with sensors ⁠— there are 87 proximity, optical, force, bear upon, grip, and motion sensors that allow authentic and comprehensive tracking of your hand and finger movements.

Using this rich sensory data Valve Index controllers can, for case, detect when your fingers are loosely curled around the strap hilt without touching information technology and provide realistic grabbing mechanics instead of relying on abstruse trigger buttons.

Another quality that sets Valve Alphabetize controllers apart is that yous don't really have to agree them ⁠— a material strap between the handle and the plastic arc curves over your knuckles and keeps controllers in your hand even when yous let loose all your fingers.

Being a part of a well-known Valve'southward Lighthouse 2.0 tracking system, Index controllers boast a high degree of tracking accuracy. With at least three base stations positioned in your play surface area, controller motions can be easily detected even when your easily are backside the headset with no occlusion issues that inside-out tracking systems may have.

Oculus Quest 2 Controllers Overview

(Source)

Price: $69 per one
Bombardment type: AA
Battery fourth dimension: 60+ hours
Weight: 147 grams
Compatible headsets: Oculus Quest 2

Information technology would exist unfair to compare Oculus Quest ii controllers with other high-finish options as the controllers were designed with pretty much the aforementioned mindset as the whole Oculus Quest two headset: cheap, tetherless, and casual feel.

Agreement this mindset leads united states of america to understand all their best and biting bits. As their hallmark, Oculus controllers offer unparalleled battery life. Whereas Valve Index knuckles have to be recharged every 7 hours or so, Oculus controllers offer sixty+ hours of gameplay before y'all accept to supersede or recharge ii AA batteries they operate with.

In terms of blueprint, controllers are a slight variation of the original Oculus bear on controllers with rounded handles, two triggers for index and centre fingers, and constellation tracking rings on meridian. As a result of the new blueprint, the controller feels thicker in the hand and is easier to hold, while the battery door is less likely to fall off during intense gameplay sessions.

Oculus Quest ii utilizes within-out tracking which means that in social club to track controller movements the frontal headset cameras have to e'er "meet" controllers or at least detect part of them in their line of sight. Such an approach leads to certain limitations: there tin can be a tracking standoff when 1 controller is in forepart of the other. Additionally, Oculus controllers can't exist effectively tracked with your hands backside your back.

On a side note, Oculus Quest 2 supports hand tracking and then you can use the headset without controllers altogether. All the same, due to the high latency and less than platonic accuracy, mitt tracking is mostly used with system apps.

HP Reverb G2 Controllers Overview

reverb g2 controllers

(Source)

Price: $179 for a pair
Battery type: ane.5V AA batteries
Battery fourth dimension: five hours
Weight: 196 grams
Compatible headsets: HP Reverb G2, WMR Headsets (e.g. Samsung Odyssey, Reverb G1)

HP Reverb G2 is praised for the astonishing quality of its visuals, just non for its controllers. Surely they are a footstep up compared to the previous generation of Windows Mixed Reality controllers, only they lack in both ergonomics and accurateness when compared to both Index and Oculus Touch controls.

The gamepad is non particularly responsive and the build quality seems cheaper than you would expect for a price. The controllers sport inside-out tracking which means you don't demand to buy external base of operations stations to use them.

One particular highlight of the built-in tracking arrangement is motion gyro sensors (IMU) that help predict fluid controller movements when your paw leaves an immediate line of the headset's side. All the same, the issues of colliding controllers and the bullheaded zone when y'all motion your hands an inch close to the headset are nonetheless present.

HTC Vive "Wand" Controllers Overview

Cost: $129.99 per one
Battery type: 960 mAh (rechargeable via USB cable)
Bombardment time: vi-9 hours
Weight: 210 grams
Uniform headsets: HTC VIVE, VIVE Pro Series, VIVE Cosmos Elite

At the time of their release in 2016, HTC Vive controllers embodied the tiptop of ergonomics and build quality and set somewhat of an industry standard earlier the Valve Index came out.

Made out of durable high-quality plastic, Vive controllers are called "wands" and feature 24 sensors, a dual-phase trigger, a multi-functional trackpad. Although Wands provide pleasant haptic feedback, the experience is less rich compared to Alphabetize knuckles which are obvious when you compare the number of sensors in each. Another minor outcome users report is a small options push button.

Bluntly, the iconic blueprint of the controllers have outlived themselves and their price no longer reflects the level of quality you'd look. What makes matters worse is that Vive is not rushing to release the newer version and even the latest Vive Pro 2 headset comes out with a pair of old controllers. Vive controllers work with Lighthouse tracking, but merely with its 1.0 iteration which makes them incompatible with newer Valve Index Base 2.0 stations.

HTC Vive Cosmos Controllers Overview

cosmos vr controller
Price: $99.00 per ane
Battery type: 2 AA batteries for each controller
Battery time: ii-3 hours
Weight: 211 grams
Compatible headsets: HTC Vive Cosmos but

When the Vive Cosmos headset first came out, a huge portion of criticism was aimed at its sub-par tracking accuracy. Being office of the tracking rig, controllers shared the criticism. You would be immediately familiarized with the bow (similar to Oculus Quest) around the controllers.

The inside tracking that the Cosmos arrangement employed ended upwardly existence worse than that of Oculus Quest two and far inferior to the lighthouse tracking that both Valve Index and original Vive Pro sport.

HTC Vive actually released the Aristocracy Cosmos version with a traditional Lighthouse tracking to partially address the problems of inaccurate tracking, but the Cosmo controllers don't work with Lighthouse tracking stations, so Cosmo Elite users also take to buy original wand controllers or Index knuckles in order to employ track their movements.

PlayStation VR Controllers Overview

ps5 vr controllers
(Source)
Coming out: 2022 or later
Compatible headsets: Playstation 5

Although the newest Playstation ii VR (PSVR 2) controllers are rumored to be released in 2022 or subsequently, nosotros already have a wealth of information thanks to the official Sony PlayStation blog.

Amidst the prominent features are immersive haptic feedback, finger bear upon detection similar to Valve'southward touchless feel, and an adaptive trigger button that adds palpable tension similar to that in DualSense controllers.

Judging by the company's demos the PSVR ii is a substantial comeback from the kickoff generation move controllers introduced in 2016 together with the release of Playstation 4. The finger tracking depth in the PS5 VR new controller might really surpass that of Valve Index knuckles as tests showed that prototypes can runway when fingers move apart -- something that Valve Alphabetize duke tin't accurately observe.

Since Playstation five is a gaming console where players need highly responsive controllers particularly for melee combat games the tracking and fourth dimension lag would have to be number one priority. Imagine trading blows on the triple A ps5 game with an abrasive fourth dimension filibuster?

The controllers volition exist tracked by the headset using a tracking band beyond the lower section of the controllers.

Pimax Controllers

(Source)

So far there are no Pimax VR controllers available on the market, although Pimax has been promising to deliver its own set of Sword and Sword Sense controllers since 2017 after a successful $4M Kickstarter campaign.

There is currently no specific release engagement for the project that has undergone several redesigns and iterations since 2017during the last four years. Amongst the promised features is the ability to switch controllers batteries in the eye of the gameplay.

According to the company'south forum posting, Pimax Sword controllers entered the production testing phase in June 2021.

Varjo Controllers

Varjo company currently doesn't take its own controllers. Varjo headset, however, supports Steam VR tracking and thus can work with both Valve Index knuckles and HTC Vive wands depending on what version of Lighthouse tracking base stations you lot use.

The latest Varjo VR3 headset features a congenital-in Ultraleap hand tracking platform to accurately capture hand movements. Given this extensive focus of a company on a hand-controlled VR, it'south safe to speculate we won't be seeing any Varjo-designed VR controllers soon.

Overview of The Most Useful VR Controller Accessories

Here are the most common accessories to meliorate comfort and immersion when using your VR controllers.

Note: you might notice variations of these for unlike controllers' models or at least their 3D-printed replicas.

Controller Grips for Oculus Quest ii

If you lot dropped your Quest controllers once or twice, this grip solves the problem of slippery or e'er missing Quest two controllers for skillful equally now they'll be comfortably strapped to your hands knuckles'-style.

(Source)

Anker Charging Dock for Oculus Quest ii

Although Quest 2 controllers already boast infrequent battery life, this Anker Charging will solve the problem of expressionless batteries until you purchase the side by side headset.

anker quest 2 charging dock

SINWEVR VR Controller Gun for Quest 2

If yous're an gorging fan of VR shooters, bank check out this case that will plough your Quest 2 controllers into a gun.

Magni Stock Carbon Cobweb for Valve Index

This product is for rifle fans who also happen to be Valve Index owners. Made out of light weather materials, this adjustable stock vividly improves immersion and aim in VR shooters. An accompaniment of choice for upcoming Doom VR game?

And lastly, did yous know that you can turn your Android phone into a VR controller via bluetooth?

The Future Of VR Controllers

The future of controlling your movements in VR is quite certain: our movements will exist tracked more accurately while VR experience itself will become fluid and natural. But the exact path we'll take there is unknown as many companies offer different solutions when it comes to the future of VR controls.

Plain, we could take the path of optimizing existing controllers, making them more lightweight and authentic, only more innovative solutions are already popping upwards.

With all the detrimental features of controllers, something seems quite obvious: the best controllers are our hands. At that place's no left or right buttons and our fleshy tools can take hold of throw and squeeze objects efficiently and we take our lifetime to use them. But we might have to wait for a while for proper tracking.

Just a couple of years ago Facebook acquired CTRL-labs, a startup that develops a brain-controlled interface. A wrist-wrapped gadget decodes electrical signals in manus muscles, allowing a VR headset or other calculating devices to understand exactly what your hand is trying to do.

(Source)

Although using this device y'all tin can interact with a virtual environment without any physical controllers, the lack of haptic feedback from bodily physical sensation (imagine trying to squeeze a virtual ball, simply instead just squeezing the air) somewhat delays VR immersion.

To address the lack of haptic feedback in a VR surroundings, several companies offering haptic gloves. A haptic glove from Dexmo is a mechanical system that connects with your fingers and palms. It can, for case, mimic the concrete feedback by preventing your fingers from connecting when squeezing virtual objects.

(Source)

Ultraleap, on the other hand, uses an array of small ultrasound speakers that emit non-perceivable audio waves, creating a tiny dent in the peel that feels like a concrete bear on.

Lastly, Valve registered encephalon interface patents, aiming to create a system where you tin can control VR environments solely with your encephalon impulses, skipping hand controls altogether. Such a system might be able to detect player emotional responses and adjust the virtual environment accordingly.

Although directly brain interfaces are years away in terms of consumer-ready product, this scenario of VR controlled surroundings using direct brain impulses seems like the nearly promising and effortless as they come.

Last Thoughts

In terms of accuracy, interactivity, and ergonomics, Valve Index controllers are still way alee of the competition. With the arrival and hope of Valve Alphabetize 2 being wireless, most of VR enthusiast is looking at them.

However, to realize the total potential of Valve knuckles you have to weigh-in the overall costs of buying at least two base stations the controllers require to operate.

In this aspect, nothing comes close to Oculus Quest ii controllers in terms of cost-efficiency as currently Oculus Quest two offers the cheapest tetherless VR experience on the market.

But let's expect and see merely how good the upcoming PlayStation VR 5 and Pimax controllers will turn out. Perhaps the status quo of the VR controllers scene will change the very side by side year.

Note: It goes without proverb, but accept special care of your controllers. Nigh of them are fabricated from plastic of variable quality. Since you won't pay attending to the physical earth while playing, you tin can smash your controllers with ease. Although you can buy VR controllers separately on the official manufacturer website or through Amazon or eBay, those purchases are going to be quite expensive.

Interested in XR Unity development or learning about AR and VR?

Take a look at our course content and syllabus.