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Generally disappointed

Cats_in_love
Protege

I received the Quest 2 as a gift.   I've had a chance to focus exclusively on it as my PC is out.  I am pretty much disappointed with it as a stand alone device.  It feel like a pre-beta demo, a proof of concept. 

 

The only value is in Echo VR.  If, and only if, Echo is what I were looking for, would the standalone unit have value.  That is not accurate.  If someone is willing to spend $300 on a childrens toy for their 8-10 year old, then it's worth keeping them busy. The remaining included software is little more than proof if concept.  The browser nicely connect to the internet, thankfully.  But I am better off just using a pc. YouTube is good, but again a tablet works as well.  If privacy viewing porn is your thing, I have to give it credit for that. There are some cute free demos, like Elixer.  And what adult doesnt like fishing or poker.  There are even a few on the net like chess and flappybird. But again, proof of concept demos and games to babysit the children.  How many times do you want to ride a roller coaster or fly with the Blue Angels before your body recognizes gravity hasnt changed?  That is about it.  

 

Sure, there is a store with a limited number of titles.  Are there games for everyone's interest?Well, I havn't found anything.  I happen to be interested in survival, "open world" games or simulation games like Cities Skylines.   My birthday was on April 15th.  It is May 9th and I have yet to find anything that is attractive enough to take me away from what is better done on a PC. Venues? Seriously? A 3D lobby to go watch 2D theature.  And the fantacy that this device is going to provide business level productivity software is ... sorry, I really dont want to be rude, but... deluded.

 

Funny thing, after some searching, I did find a nice collection of games offered by an unassociated vendor.  Those do seem to have a bit more promise.  Oh, wait..I have to figure out how to enable developer mode, install software on my phone, basically hacking the system to install them. 

 

I have always impressed by how Windows PCs come with a suite of preinstalled software that is immediately of value.  But then, PCs are suited to productivity.  There are a few of basic games, not one. A text editor, email, calculator, browser, paint, basic video editing, even a basic 3D modelling.  Immediately, it has unique utility that will last.  No, Quest doesnt get credit for having a browser.  I already have one on a PC, and it also has a clock and demos 3D modelling

 

The controls are nothing more than sloppy. And that is not a form and function problem.  Half of it is simply effort and programming.  They do come with a joy stick. I do have fine motor control of my fingers. And yet a rather intuitive use on the virtual keyboard is completely over looked.  There are ten buttons available on the controllers not used for the system.  And more if one is used as a modifier.  How about tab and enter? How copy an paste buttons.

 

What really got me was when I thought it might be usefull to do some 3D sketch, like I would with paint.  Yet the a most obvious and basic utility is missing.  I can find basic 3D modelling on a PC  but a utility to draw lines in VR?  

 

I wonder.  Is Oculus a supposed to be a stand alone display for the PC?   Is it supposed to be an internet interface, a sort of internet phone?  Is it a stand alone game console like Xbox? Is it trying to be a portable gaming device like the Nintendo Switch?  What is it trying to be?  It seems to be trying to do everything and ending up doing nothing well.  

 

I've been desperate for my computer.  This was a gift.  I live on a computer at work and home. I appreciate the utility. It has some promise.  I may take it back.  I got a chance to try it with Subnautica.  You owe Steam quite  a bit because without their software, Quest does not work.  If I had only one thing to point out it is that.  Without Steam, this would have no value. I would have returned it immediately.

 

Look. I am tired now. I'm about done trying it out. I had this thout about doing some 3D sketching for visualizing an equation. Just basic back of an envelope sketch. That kinda solidified my sense of it.  Other than that, I wasn't really sure how this email would go.  So here it is. Do with it what you may. 

 

Objectively,

Sean

22 REPLIES 22

Nekto2
Superstar

> I am pretty much disappointed with it as a stand alone device.

It's going to be, but not there yet. Platform was focused on casual gaming and video, but that is changing both into long games and production. Recently there were leaks on 2d android production apps in quest store.

 

Physical keyboard support is also a step into production (and it supports Tab, Enter, copy and paste). You could use bluetooth or usb keyboard.

 

> Is Oculus a supposed to be a stand alone display for the PC?

It could be used as a display to PC (big display). But not only.

 

> No, Quest doesnt get credit for having a browser. I already have one on a PC, and it also has a clock and demos 3D modelling

But this browser has VR support and could display WebVR/WebXR content.

You could see 3d models on a web site with models for 3d printing and more.

Also you could get e-mail, calculator etc in a browser. Even math web-software with plots.

It could be great to have them stand along, but not there yet.

 

> I can find basic 3D modelling on a PC but a utility to draw lines in VR? 

Have you seen Gravity Sketch?

It was used to model some new cars design in car companies. It is not free. But there are some free tools for simple 3d design from MS and google in PC store.

 

I hope there will be more to come. It's like early days of computing yet.

Zenbane
MVP
MVP

@Cats_in_love wrote:

If someone is willing to spend $300 on a childrens toy for their 8-10 year old, then it's worth keeping them busy. The remaining included software is little more than proof if concept. 


 

This is your first mistake. Quest 2 is not a toy for children between 8-10 years of age. The minimum age requirement to use VR is 13, and the minimum age requirement for a Facebook account is also 13. If you bought this for young children, then you already made an error.

 

Your next biggest mistake is thinking that the $300 price tag is supposed to come with a bunch of free software. That's not how platforms work.

 

Just like you have to purchase games from Steam for a PC, or games for a Console (Nintendo, XBox, PlayStation), so too must you buy games for Quest 2. 

 

As a stand-alone device, Quest 2 is amazing. If you manage to hook it up to a PC with Link, then it blows everything else out the water and makes the higher priced "childrens toys" like the Valve Index look silly.

 

You just have to know what you're purchasing, and who you are purchasing it for.

Zenbane
MVP
MVP

"What really got me was when I thought it might be usefull to do some 3D sketch, like I would with paint.  Yet the a most obvious and basic utility is missing.  I can find basic 3D modelling on a PC  but a utility to draw lines in VR?"

 

Again, if you would do some basic searching on the topic, you'd see that users have been sketching and sculpting in VR for years. Here's a video from 2 years ago, where people use SketchFab to create 3D models in VR and then import them in to your VR Home:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyU-ewSqsEA

 

SketchFab in VR:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkB-mtkVrHg

 

 

Adobe Medium sculpting in VR Basics:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnTvoAzxnbM

 

AlfieJay
Honored Guest

I don't believe that this person really wanted to like Quest or they work for a rival company. I have Quest 2 and I love it. I don't expect a game system to come with software. I had to buy software for every game system I ever bought, so I don't think this one would be different. 

 

And this system also works for basic learning. I can see things that I never imagined I would see in person. But it feels like I am actually there. Somehow, the information remains with me longer this way. This could be a great learning tool.

 

I don't know what the person who posted this expected in a game system, but maybe they might want to put a little effort in and search. I am a person who likes puzzles and mystery and I am floored with the amount of content I have found! And for most of them, the graphics are WOW!

 

Give Quest 2 a chance and look around. Because alone or connected to your computer, there are marvels to be had.

kojack
MVP
MVP

@Cats_in_love wrote:

 

What really got me was when I thought it might be usefull to do some 3D sketch, like I would with paint.  Yet the a most obvious and basic utility is missing.  I can find basic 3D modelling on a PC  but a utility to draw lines in VR?  

Quest native drawing/modelling software:

SculptVR - https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/1978992975501648

Gravity Sketch - https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/1587090851394426

Tilt Brush - https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2322529091093901

KingSpray Graffiti - https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2082941345119152

 

Use on Quest with Link or Airlink:

Quill - https://www.oculus.com/experiences/rift/1118609381580656

Medium - https://www.adobe.com/au/products/medium.html

Tvori - https://tvori.co (Quest native coming soon)

AnimVR - https://nvrmind.io

Blocks - https://arvr.google.com/blocks

Masterpiece Studio - https://masterpiecestudio.com

 

 


I got a chance to try it with Subnautica.  You owe Steam quite  a bit because without their software, Quest does not work.

Subnautica is available cheaper from the Oculus store (and I got it free from the Epic Store), so it's not really a good example of why Oculus owe Steam.

 

A Quest with Link or Airlink can play all Oculus PC software and all SteamVR software (regardless of where it's bought).

 

Author: Oculus Monitor,  Auto Oculus Touch,  Forum Dark Mode, Phantom Touch Remover,  X-Plane Fixer
Hardware: Threadripper 1950x, MSI Gaming Trio 2080TI, Asrock X399 Taich
Headsets: Wrap 1200VR, DK1, DK2, CV1, Rift-S, GearVR, Go, Quest, Quest 2, Reverb G2

> I don't know what the person who posted this expected in a game system...

I think he expected to replace a computer with Quest for none gaming every day work tasks. And do that standalone without any connection to other computer or network.

That is not done yet, but it is possible to do (calculator, text editing, image editing etc...).

Thank you.  I appreciate your obnective tone to your reply.

 

I found Gravity Sketch.  Close but not quite.  I havent found the locking in on points, line ends, gridlines. Ill see.

 

I'd like to point out that I have an "active" personality. I'm an active listener, an "active" reader, an "active" viewer, an "active" user. I am not attracted to TV.  It is a passive medium.  Ergo, computers as they are interactive. The wealth of interert VR videos are interesting once but don't  add much.  Hoe msny times do I want to ride a VR rollercoaster? The body quickly realizes the illusion and the effect goes away.

 

I am on to more specific concers.  I do get the VR support thing for browser.   There seems to be some sort of issue with different VR video formatting. A "certain type" has an issue with things being too close.  This same problem comes up with the PDA in Subnautica.  There seems to be a lack of control over viewer distance or location.  I also find myself sitting behind the seat.

 

A bigger concernis that the browser repeatedly goes blank to black.  It is as if it refreashes and takes to long.  It has often simply gone black without recovering. It seems to get into  some sort of loop where it flashes constantly.

 

Copy and paste issues.  It doesnt work with google docs due to some fail that isnt really te copy function but thag google interupts for an announcement ofan add in.  The browser doesnt appesr to suppot it.  Firefox doesnt work as it fails to support google homepage. I did not take detailed notes in the effect.  There is a number of places where badic integration forces me to abandon Quest and just go to my phone.  No screen capture.  No ability to download or copy images. The list exceeds my short term memory. Still I don't  have to because issues are glaringly prenent just using the device here.  This very comment box does not have the cut function, only paste.

 

Don't  get me wrong. The device does very well with games like Crashland and the futuristic motorcycle game.  I'd flip to the library for the name but the lack of integration prevents me from trying and losing this text.  I'd copy and paste this text to Google docs to save a draft but that doesnt doesn't  paste at all.

 

Detail after detail shows missing funtionality that is simply intuitive elsewhere.   There are 5 buttons on each controller.  Yet the opportunity to use them entirely missed.  At the bottom right corner of this user entry box is the expansion marker that is meant to drag and expand the field.  It isn't implemented.

 

And while it may be a work in progress and I might give it credit on this account, a count of the issues that I can find suggests a major increase in OS size when all is done.  I am certain that this will have a huge impact on memory and that "work in progress" wasn't  accounted for in the amount of memory that was included in the basic model.

 

This fail at a mechanucal level that screams a lack of attention to detail extends to mechanical implementation.  I click on a virtual button and there is no mechanicsl feedback that let's  my fingers know.  Now th feedback is releated to a longer path of tha audible click. That requires an additional mental step to get to it. 

 

I don't need to go far or rely on those notes to recognize issues. 

 

Oh, and a very unfortunate issue is three click setting for distance between eyes.  This gets into a medicsl realm.  Optometrist exist because this is a critical specification that is a medical requirement.  The software is not implemented with enough finesse to account for it. I can feel the eye strain.  The human vision, on its own is imperfect. Alone they are slightly offset.  You can see it alternating between closing eyes.  Other things may be rationalized to say it us soon to come. Ergonomic, meducal level issues are not forgivable.

 

The unit presents itself as trying to do everything and ends up doing nothing well.  There reasoning of "work in progress" us fine a few times but when it has to be used over and over for detail after detail then it loses it's meaning.  It no longer works as an appology and becomes an excuse.  I can't even use the phrase "a lack of polish." Again, it all presents as being a demo unit, a proof concept.

 

All of the available development resourses have been spread out in trying to implement everything now and failing to do anything well.

 

My only hooe is that I either develop a love of shooter games and hanging out in VR frisbee witha bunch if teens or that the unit manages to be just adequate as a display device for my pc supported by the exceptional and seasoned skills of Steam and the Steam PC development community.  Otherwise Quest 2 is just a Nintendo twitch upgrade to give to mh grandkids as it is a sunk cost at this point.

 

I do appoligize a but for my tone ss it isn't  a style that suits me. But as the details exceed some level that I can easily manage, it is not unexpected.  Im at a point where I have to keep notes.  If the developor's aren't keeping a proffessional level datsbase like Microsoft did when they realized how badly Windows 95 was, well..then it is all just excuses. I hope they know what they are doing because so far as I see, they are just doing stuff without a vision and the oly vision they will hsve is the one Facebook forces on them.

 

What's the old saying? Promise the Sun and deliver the moon.

 

 

> There seems to be a lack of control over viewer distance or location. I also find myself sitting behind the seat.

There should be some way to "reset you position" in Oculus interface.

Even you could first reset it to position #1 and then move your body to other position.

(lean forward or backward, reset, then lean back)

Hope this will help

 


@Cats_in_love wrote:

I'd like to point out that I have an "active" personality. I'm an active listener, an "active" reader, an "active" viewer, an "active" user.


Hmm, well is there a particular reason as to why you were not an "active" VR researcher before purchasing the Quest? Because you said quite a few things that were incorrect but easily rectified by doing some "active" searching.

 

For example, knowing that VR is for children ages 13 and above (not 8-10 years old as you indicated). And then there's all the VR sketch software available that you claimed didn't exist.

 

 

"I hope they know what they are doing because so far as I see, they are just doing stuff without a vision and the oly vision they will hsve is the one Facebook forces on them."

 

That's not true at all. Facebook and Oculus have maintained the same vision since 2014. This is easily observable by doing some "active" searching on Google for each Oculus and Facebook VR conference. From Carmack to Abrash to Zuckerberg... the vision has been quite clear.

 

In contrast, what "vision" do you believe other VR competitors have? I can tell you from my active research, the other VR competitors have no real vision. The closest to a vision is HTC, who has a vision for VR at the Enterprise. But their execution is still in its infancy. Everyone else is stumbling through the VR ecosystem blindly, and riding the waves created by Facebook and Oculus who are still leading the VR Industry as a whole.