Have you ever thought about taking part in racing simulation events in the first person where you have full control of the avatar’s body movements inside the racing simulation?
Let us establish what VR devices for sim racing you need and will suit you the best.
The Oculus Rift and HTC Vive have been propelled the growth of virtual reality, however it has been in existence for quite some time already.
Different producers have made the products meant for vr sim racing, however the more sought after question is, What VR headset is best for sim racing?
In this article we are going to cover 5 of the most popular virtual reality headsets, as well as their parameters that makes them the best fit for sim racing.
No matter it is the costliest you are looking for or the cheapest sim racing vr headsets, we have all you’ve been looking for!
So without wasting anymore time, let’s commence!
Table of Contents
- Here’s the list of VR headsets we’re gonna cover in this guide:
- Which VR is best for sim racing?
- Is a VR headset worth it for sim racing?
- What’s the difference between virtual reality and augmented reality?
- Is Sim Racing easier in VR?
- Is VR better for iRacing?
- How do I start VR with iRacing?
- How long can you race in VR?
- Is VR bad for your eyes?
- Is VR the future of sim racing?
- Does f1 2021 support VR?
- Valve Index
- HTC Vive Pro 2
- Oculus Rift S
- Samsung HMD Odyssey+
- HP Reverb
- Sony PlayStation VR
- Time to wrap up
- Looking to get faster in ACC? Try now our GT3 Setup Bundles!
- Sim Racing VR Headsets – Related Articles
Here’s the list of VR headsets we’re gonna cover in this guide:
- Valve Index
- HTC Vive Pro 2
- Oculus Rift S
- Samsung HMD Odyssey+
- HP Reverb
- Sony PlayStation VR
All of these might be already be familiar to you, and we are later going to break down each one of them.
Which VR is best for sim racing?
When it comes to racing games, it would be unjust not to consider VR technology to enhance these games. We cannot ignore the ability to augment your vision.
For those who wish to enjoy the game realistically, a Valve Index, HTC Vive Pro, Oculus Rift S, Samsung HMD Odyssey+, HP Reverb, or a Sony PlayStation VR can make a massive difference.
The advantage is one can easily choose based on their needs and age group. Kids will benefit more from a Samsung HMD Odyssey+, while adults looking to dominate the game will benefit with a Valve Index.
For flyers using wakerboards or looking for something more cost friendly, an Oculus Rift S would get the job done.
Is a VR headset worth it for sim racing?
Given the benefits, the cost of a proper VR headset well justifies itself. One must consider the added cost of using a proper compatible simulator.
With the ideal combination of both these devices, one can expect to come one step closer to real-life racing without being disqualified.
Having a comfortable ending to this statement, all you need is practice.
What’s the difference between virtual reality and augmented reality?
This specifically suggests that AR does extend reality but only to a degree since it adds computer generated content, while on the other hand VR changes entirely the reality that you see and turns it into a digital format only.
For instance, when you shoot the AR game, google glass, the device projects information onto the screen without blocking your view through the lens.
In contrast, VR headsets provide a completely different experience as they virtually delude you of your external environment and place you in one digital world.
Is Sim Racing easier in VR?
In particular, certain instances for sim racers VR is argued to be better, for one, it does allow for a greater degree of immersion.
However, the opposite can be said about sim racing in VR as it does require some adjusting for the controls to be comfortable.
In the end, it would be dependent on exactly what you wish to simulate in VR, but it is apparent that irrespective of your settings, as the simulation becomes more true to life and immersive, it only gets better.
Remember the points above while we consider the following five best headsets in this guide.
Is VR better for iRacing?
As you might know, iRacing is compatible with the most popular VR headsets and provides an excellent experience in virtual reality.
iRacing is also going to support Valve Index and we are looking forward to trying it out.
If you have never raced on iRacing in VR, you are in for a real surprise.
It is true that iRacing when first using a VR headset is quite tough, but the experience of controlling the car with track grip and the ability to pull off beautiful overtakes is great.
How do I start VR with iRacing?
To get virtual reality started on iRacing you simply have to own a VR headset and go to the display settings
Then in the options which appear choose your Virtual reality device as your preferred device.
Lastly, make sure to tick the box which says “Enable VR” if you wish to start iRacing in this mode.
However, if you wish to use an Oculus Rift you will have to use the extended mode meaning you would require an extra screen.
Also, depending on the resolution you may be using, it too will impact the performance of your VR so be sure to check your VR settings and change them up as required.
How long can you race in VR?
As previously mentioned, we recommend that you avoid extended use of VR headsets in order to prevent any possible negative impact on your eyesight.
It’s been advised by GOV.UK “to take breaks of 10 to 15 minutes while using VR” and they “should be taken after 15 to 30 minutes of use”.
That said, the actual limit will depend on how comfortable you feel and on the type of VR headset you’re using but please make sure you stick to that.
Is VR bad for your eyes?
From what has been mentioned we advise you to steer clear from using VR headsets for extended periods of time as it might have a negative effect on your eyesight.
GOV.UK’s guideline states “to take breaks of 10 to 15 minutes while using VR” and “they should be taken after 15 to 30 minutes of use” It is advisable to abide by such rules.
With that said, however, the actual limit will depend on how comfortable you feel, and on the type of VR headset you’re using, but please make sure you stick to that.
Is VR the future of sim racing?
It’s hard to determine something with such confidence but what is more than sure is that VR will definitely be the future of sim racing and esports.
As stated above, some VR headsets make a huge difference in the realism and immersion that you can feel while sim racing.
It could take some time for people to adjust to VR headsets but looking into the future, we don’t see it as impossible for it to become mainstream in a couple of years.
Does f1 2021 support VR?
If you have an interest in VR, then The Formula 1 2021 game will surely provide an experience that would enhance your sim racing skills because the game supports virtual reality.
As for those who want to enhance their VR gaming experience, we recommend starting with Formula 1 2021 iRacing and Assetto Corsa games as they have a lot to offer.
So, this time around our aim is to further elaborate on the best VR headsets currently available out there in the market
Valve Index
The overall experience that the Valve Index offers, is perfect blend of cost efficiency and quality as it’s safe to say that this headset likely is among the best headsets for gaming on PC with VR support.
Due to having inbuilt headphones, this particular VR set offers a more captivating sound when in use to immerse oneself in more than just what you see while the motion controllers really stood out to us as some of the finest we have used.
The expectations may be high due to the cost but one hundred percent of the time if one aims to use iRacing then it’s recommended to invest in Valve Index as it truly is an a class gaming headset.
You can check its current prices and reviews directly here on Amazon.
HTC Vive Pro 2
The headline here the second best VR headset is HTC Vive Pro 2. This is arguably one of the best options in the market today.
We would recommend this product for evaluation even though it is not as good as Valve Index. But it does come with some great features for a lower price.
This is because the headset has built-in headphones and along with the two base stations that come included, Vive Pro has perhaps the best room-scale tracking in the world.
You will also be able to use the controllers comfortably and accurately too.
For sim racing, the added immersion of being in the game is provided to you by the control itself making everything feel real making the HTC Vive Pro a great option.
If they’re of interest, current prices and reviews may be found directly here on Amazon.
Oculus Rift S
Next on the list comes the very well known Oculus Rift S.
Unlike the HTC Vive Pro and Valve Index, this headset is considerably less expensive, though it is unfortunate that it does not come equipped with built-in earphones.
In any case, this headset is still adequate for VR gaming and, likewise, for sim racing.
Oculus Rift S comes equipped with built-in sensors which allow for basic room-scale tracking, similar to that offered by the HTC Vive Pro.
The controllers are also comfortable and sufficiently accurate to allow for an engaging experience when operating a car.
Here on Amazon, you can view its recent prices and rates. Amazon.
Samsung HMD Odyssey+
In my opinion, the Samsung HMD Odyssey+ is undoubtedly one of the best contenders if you are searching for a reasonably priced VR headset.
If sufficient spatial region is available in the room, it does provide a good amount of tracking as well as a good deal of depth sensation.
The headset has built in headphones and good motion controllers.
It comes in a classic and elegantly black color scheme and due to its very good overall quality, this is one of the most common types of VR glasses on the market.
This option is therefore very popular among budget-conscious sim racers who want to have the experience of VR without actually paying a lot.
Do not forget to go directly to Amazon where you can see its current prices and reviews. Amazon.
HP Reverb
Previously we’ve got the HP Reverb headset which is another lovely VR headset for those who love sim racing.
This particular headset works with a comfortable design as others on this list do, as well as with motion controllers that are fairly accurate.
The platform it runs on is Windows and has got a 114 degrees of field of view.
With this headset you also get a good 4K stereo camera which will be excellent for photographing your racing simulator sessions and footage.
To do that just find the page where it is posted and see its actual reviews on Amazon.
Sony PlayStation VR
The last option in our list of best racing vr headset is Sony PlayStation VR and this is probably the most common option available in most of the stores looking for headset to be used for sim racing games on console.
This headset relies on a play station 4 and it really makes you feel as if you are doing sim racing.
Additionally, the built-in stereovision sound enriches the overall experience while racing.
The only downside is that it’s not the highest of resolutions and it can be pretty uncomfortable to start with and after using it for too long as well dirtying it with long race periods compared to other more comfortable wear.
However, considering the price it is, it is still a good option for people who want to try vr gaming and do some sim racing.
You can check its current prices and reviews directly here on Amazon.
Time to wrap up
For our compilation of the best VR headsets for sim racing, this is it!
This article has something for everyone as it’s more of an explanatory piece, focusing on matching people with the right headset for their purposes.
It’s a matter of using a budget, integrated headphones requirements and how far you want to adopt room-scale VR since these headsets are top of the line manufacturers.
Don’t forget that, in order to run these products, it’s required to have a compatible VR ready PC or console, so do your research before purchasing.
So let’s now hope that this piece has covered all the essentials if simulation racing and VR gaming is your thing
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