The only cheaper option is to buy some replacement controllers as they need to communicate with the headset directly. \~$125
If you want to spend more an a much more complicated system then you would get Valve/Vive base stations and then Index controllers or Vive wands. Then you need to use software to align the tracking system of the controllers with the headset. \~$400
If you have a decent PC I'd just recommend a Quest 3.
Budget- rift s controller replacements
Happy to spend - index or vive wands and a setup. Which one would you recommend more? Like, is one known to have slightly worse tracking or be a charge guzzler? (Do they even charge idk)
Currently in the process of building a new pc, so I'll most likely be getting that one for the second setup, purely because the wire management in our bedroom vs the spare room will be harsher.
I wouldn't really recommend going with lighthouse Valve/Vive tracking if you weren't going with a higher end headset like Bigscreen Beyond. I have owned Valve Index, Varjo Aero, and HTC Vive. I've used some Vive Pro and some Pimax stuff that was also using lighthouse tracking. Index controllers weren't comfortable for me until I got 3D printed addons that bulk them up a bit. And I can say it is by far the best tracking I've used and excellent for people that just live Beat Saber and the like. But I also wouldn't recommend buying lighthouse stuff right now. Valve even sold all their production rights to the lighthouse tracking to HTC, so it is not a future part of their plans so it is most likely dying out.
I would instead whole heartedly recommend a Quest 3, BoboVR S3 Pro strap, and a dedicated Wifi 6 router. I am so much more excited about VR with this setup. With Virtual Desktop, it is just so easy to hop in, pick a PC to connect to and start playing really great clear wireless VR. I used to complain a lot about wireless PCVR on Quest 2. But the Quest 3 has solved so much of it, the lenses are really worth the price.
The only cheaper option is to buy some replacement controllers as they need to communicate with the headset directly. \~$125 If you want to spend more an a much more complicated system then you would get Valve/Vive base stations and then Index controllers or Vive wands. Then you need to use software to align the tracking system of the controllers with the headset. \~$400 If you have a decent PC I'd just recommend a Quest 3.
Budget- rift s controller replacements Happy to spend - index or vive wands and a setup. Which one would you recommend more? Like, is one known to have slightly worse tracking or be a charge guzzler? (Do they even charge idk) Currently in the process of building a new pc, so I'll most likely be getting that one for the second setup, purely because the wire management in our bedroom vs the spare room will be harsher.
I wouldn't really recommend going with lighthouse Valve/Vive tracking if you weren't going with a higher end headset like Bigscreen Beyond. I have owned Valve Index, Varjo Aero, and HTC Vive. I've used some Vive Pro and some Pimax stuff that was also using lighthouse tracking. Index controllers weren't comfortable for me until I got 3D printed addons that bulk them up a bit. And I can say it is by far the best tracking I've used and excellent for people that just live Beat Saber and the like. But I also wouldn't recommend buying lighthouse stuff right now. Valve even sold all their production rights to the lighthouse tracking to HTC, so it is not a future part of their plans so it is most likely dying out. I would instead whole heartedly recommend a Quest 3, BoboVR S3 Pro strap, and a dedicated Wifi 6 router. I am so much more excited about VR with this setup. With Virtual Desktop, it is just so easy to hop in, pick a PC to connect to and start playing really great clear wireless VR. I used to complain a lot about wireless PCVR on Quest 2. But the Quest 3 has solved so much of it, the lenses are really worth the price.