This is one of the biggest questions for a long time from the community that inhabits the different simulators that surround us in the market. VR has meant for most people, a quantum leap in terms of immersion, leaving monitors in second place. And there is a lot of truth in this, if you make the leap to VR, there is no turning back.
On the other hand, if we watch the live broadcasts of the best drivers in the world, we realize that practically 90% of them don’t use VR. Why? Isn’t it supposed to be more immersive? Does VR hurt lap times? Are there performance issues with VR?
Many are the questions that have been put on the table and we have turned to the most experts to give answers to a subject that really does not seem so complicated.
Performance
Believe it or not, not everyone has the best hardware on the market. VR demands minimum requirements and for that you have to make a big investment in hardware. Most of the community that goes into simulation thinks that the best racers have the best hardware and that’s really not the case.
Many of the top international names race with a mid/low end computer, a small monitor, and a fairly humble steering wheel. Many times it is preferable to race with good performance and fluidity than to experience more immersion with FPS issues if you are racing at the highest level.
FOV and resolution
VR is a true achievement, and in terms of immersion, there’s nothing else quite like it. But this is where one of the most compromising factors comes out, the FOV. For many it is uncomfortable to be continuously turning your head to see the cars around you, especially in drag racing. For this reason, triple monitors are chosen.
In terms of resolution, although VR is on the right track, it is still a few years away from being able to compete with the high resolution that monitors on the market offer today. Having the maximum visual detail of the circuits is one of the priorities for most drivers.
- If you want the maximum FOV and resolution, you can opt for the Pimax Crystal VR
Tiredness and sweat
If you are a VR user you will have noticed the first few days, after a couple of hours the sweat and fatigue become more and more pronounced. Let alone in summer, where many people even choose to park the simulator for a few months.
Having a visor on your head for a long time is exhausting, so monitors are still very comfortable for many people, as many users find it tiring to have something on their heads all the time.
Overlays and retransmissions
Although overlays have been improving and adapting to emerging technologies over time, most of them do not have VR compatibility. Therefore, many prefer to continue to have these on-screen aids in order to show all the information in their broadcasts.
Competition at the highest level
This is the differentiating element today. As we mentioned in the introduction, if you make the leap to VR, there is no turning back. This means that it will be very difficult to go back to the screens. For the best drivers in the world this is a problem, as they have to attend in-person events where VR doesn’t seem to exist. That’s why most of them still prefer to opt for monitors to keep their skills up to speed.
See you on the track!d
The writer has not tried newer high resolution headsets. Pimax Crystal, Varjo Aero and Varjo XR4 or the upcoming Somnium VR1 have nothing to envy when it comes to pixel density and resolution. I would go as far as saying that Quest 3 with a 4090 might suffice.
Well…first of all, VR performance has greatly improved with much better resolution and even fov on some headsets. Tired and sweating from something on your head? You mean like a helmet? As far as cost goes, I find it hard to believe a top tier sim Racer can’t afford a decent pc to drive vr. Performance has greatly improved with this like dlss and foveated rendering. Personally, I’m way faster and more consistent in VR than flat. VR simulates real racing like nothing else…especially with a motion rig. Only thing missing are real g forces.
Author needs to try good VR instead of poor VR. Varjo and Pimax come to mind as really the only 2 at this point. I run a 8k-x myself and while, yes, it needs a lot of GPU the FOV and clarity are extraordinary. I’ve been Sim racing for a very, very long time now, including stereoscopic gaming when even that was ‘fringe’ and no other setup I’ve seen or experienced, including 3D projectors and the like, come anywhere close to what you get with a good, high-resolution, wide FOV HMD. It’s breathtaking. Let us all hope that other manufacturers finally jump on the wide FOV bandwagon; because the unacceptable FOV of all mainstream HMDs at this point creates the false-impression that VR isn’t as good as it actually is.
Racers aren’t concerned with graphics. As long as we can make out reference points (like a crack in the pavement) resolution isn’t important. Further, I’d much rather be able to turn my head to find an apex (turn 11 at COTA comes to mind) than monkey around with small screens.
A good wheel and the best pedals (like the Ricmotech GT3) will give you everything you need to have deadly accurate practice sessions.
Sorry, but I am. I’ll tube down my graphics when I race competitively just to avoid problems but visual fidelity is just another element that contributes to immersion. Just like sounds, physics etc. If I had to pick, I’d choose to prioritize physics and FfB but you don’t have to anymore.
Clearly not written by a sim racer who is up on the latest equipment; probabaly hasnt yet realised there are direct drive wheelbases available like the Simcube, still thinkng that the LogitechG29 is the best because “its the one that everybody uses!”.
This is a debate that has come up on many a forum over the last few years. Surpsing then there is no mention of the large number of sim racers who wont even look at a new sim racing title if it doesnt have VR; “No VR, No buy”.
As a reuslt of these debates it is normally accepted that given VR actually puts you in the racing seat, it gives you a proper representation in terms of perception, allowing for a greater view and insight into braking distances, providing a clear advantage to hittng those braking zones, not to mention being able to turn your head and actually look through corners and even see lines you wouldnt be able to with triples, due to VR’s dynamic, drivers viewpoint.
The crux of the argument for triples against VR usually centers around “i get hot and sweat too much” through to “i get slightly better resoultion on my monitor/FOV on my triples”, all of which offer little real advantage in terms of simulation and can be overcome by a good fan/wind machine or one of the latest headsets.
The racing events ara a bit if a joke in all honesty, being restricted to simialr rigs using the middle of the road equiptment for the masses, being provided by the sponsors to try and sell their kit.
Personally I want to be racing in my motion rig, with a full tactile setup, DD custom wheel, hydrallic tactile pedala with the option of a proper manual shifter, as well as paddle shifter, even if it gives me a slight disadvantage (motion rigs usually impact lap times for example), for an authentix experience.
Overall this article to me feels like its trying to say “its ok not to have VR”, with a list of weak overcomable reasons.
The one thing that is right here is that once you use/see the advantags VR provides for sim racing, it becomes obvious it cant be ignored or even lived without. Unless of course you are one of the unlucky few who get sick from VR and cant push through it, then triples are your only option!
I haven’t used my 77in Oled monitor since buying the Quest 3. Downsides are the 4090 maxed at 90 fps still looks like 1080p. Plus the other compromises of wearing the heavy-ish headset. I’ve ordered the Bigscreen VR, should be a big leap.
Wow,seems like Alberto hasn’t tried any new VR. I’ve been doing hard research on all the new VR and it seems like I think the complete opposite of the Author of this article.
Alberto comes off as a hater of anything VR because he just spent a ton buying 3 monitors
I have the Varjo XR4 which is using two 4k screens a few centimeters from my face. I’m not sure how that can be any worse than flat screens. And even without spending that much, varjo aero and crystal have 3k screens and provide outstanding visual fidelity.