While the mid-range Meta Quest 3 and budget Quest 3S are already some of the best VR headsets, there are plenty of ways to expand their capabilities.
I tried out three amazing new hardware gadgets that make VR games and apps even better – and I found myself having more fun in VR than ever before.
RotoVR Explorer
RotoVR Explorer is simulation hardware that physically moves your body to synchronize what you feel with what you see in a VR game. It’s a perfect choice for games that work well while seated.
VR simulations have been around for decades. The US Air Force trains its pilots with flight simulators that safely recreate the flying experience. Pilots can practice top speeds and dangerous maneuvers without risk to themselves or the multimillion-dollar jets. For flight simulations at home, The Pimax Crystal Light is an inexpensive alternative.
Although RotoVR Explorer has a single axis of rotation, that is all that is needed to simulate heavy construction in DigVR. I learned to operate multiple excavators with added realism thanks to my motorized Explorer seat.
DigVR pairs directly with the RotoVR Explorer, so when I spin my excavator or rotate the cab, the seat rotates to match what’s happening in VR. The base has a powerful built-in vibration generator, so if I crash into a tree or hit a rock, I feel that impact as a strong vibration. If you are interested in DigVRthe RotoVR Explorer enhances the experience. Since there’s no lag, it really feels like you’re sitting behind the controls of an excavator.
The RotoVR Explorer kit is large and heavy but easy to assemble. I hooked the Explorer’s motion sensor to my Quest 3S’s headband and plugged in its USB-C port so the sound could trigger the rumble function. Once seated, the chair turned in the direction I was looking. This clever design works with almost any game.
While driving and flying games are a good combination, I found it worked well with games I would normally use while standing. I turned my head to turn between the attackers when I confronted a gang of thugs in Batman: Shadow of Arkham. My inner ear was happy that what I saw matched what I felt. RotoVR Explorer could help you if you suffer from motion sickness in VR.
The RotoVR Explorer is a sturdy piece of hardware that costs $799 and includes the DigVR game/excavator simulation. You can learn more about the Explorer at The RotoVR website.
Logitech MX ink
With Logitech’s MX Ink, VR artwork is easier and drawing looks more natural than with a Meta Quest controller. If you like to be creative or are interested in painting but have never started, it’s easy to explore art with apps like OpenBrush and PaintVR.
You can paint on a canvas or create three-dimensional shapes that you can move around and around. MX Ink looks like a thick pen, pencil, or marker, and it’s easy to use like that. I didn’t need to know about brushes to enjoy them.
When I pressed the tip of MX Ink on my desk or table in mixed reality mode, a virtual line was left. Some apps, like Gravity Sketch and Gesture VR, support pressure sensitivity so I can press harder to get a thicker line. I wrote notes with a calligraphic touch and drew doodles in seconds.
A drawing surface is optional since it works just as well for painting in the air. Logitech has equipped the MX Ink motion sensors with six degrees of freedom (6DoF). A fingertip button allows me to control the pressure. There are a total of four buttons and a drawing nib, allowing me to interact with Horizon OS as if I were holding a Quest 3 controller.
The Logitech MX Ink is a unique and affordable accessory that will catch the attention of anyone interested in drawing or painting. A USB-C port on the MX Ink allows for charging and lasts up to seven hours. I also tried the Inkwell dock which keeps the MX Ink charged and ready to use. When I’m finished drawing, painting or sculpting, I simply drop the pen into the dock to charge it wirelessly. I found my desk worked well, but the optional MX Mat will extend the life of the pen tip. Logitech includes two replacement tips: a thin one and a wide one.
Logitech’s MX Ink costs $130, or $170 with the Inkwell dock. The MX Mat costs $50. You can learn more about The Logitech website.
Kobotix Real Runner
There are plenty of VR racing games out there, but few put you behind the wheel of a real radio-controlled car. Kobotix Real Racer XR comes with an RC car that I can control with my Quest 3.
I ran into my kitchen and rolled between the legs of the bar stools. Accidents are an inevitable part of learning and the Real Racer XR is tough. The controls are intuitive. I grab a virtual steering wheel, then press the right trigger to move forward or the left trigger to move backward.
A camera built into the top of the RC car, just above the windshield, provides a first-person view and motor rumbles as I zoom across my floor, dodging furniture and obstacles. It’s as if I had been miniaturized and could move around my home in a small electric car.
The RC car is 5.5 inches long, 2.9 inches wide and 2.5 inches high, small enough to fit through narrow spaces and short openings. Moving objects pose the greatest threat. If you get too close to a moving person, they risk being stepped on. The wheels have shock absorbers and it feels sturdy, but I wouldn’t want to risk stepping on them on the Real Race XR car. It’s too fun and too expensive.
It works best on smooth floors, but can be effective on some low-pile carpets and ridges. It’s possible to free the RC car if it gets stuck, but sometimes I’ve had to rescue it or call for help.
I could imagine spending some time building an obstacle course out of household items or racing against another RC car. Kobotix includes a basic headset that works with a phone and a regular RC controller. Although a Meta Quest VR headset is not required, it makes the driving experience much more immersive and fun.
You can learn more about the $150 Real Racer XR at Kobotix website.
Meta Quest 3 Accessories
If you want to get serious about VR flight or racing simulations, you’ll need a high-performance PC VR headset with better resolution than a Quest and a gaming PC with a powerful GPU to quickly render images. sharp, realistic images for every eye. pace.
