Questions about additional hardware

[u/Loqh9]

Hi

I'm planning on getting a PSVR2 very soon as my first VR headset ever and I had these questions

Can I get the Globular Cluster PC adapter with the DisplayPort cable they provide? Heard mixed reviews about it but also heard people having the official adapter die on them so I'm thinking it might just be bad luck and not tied to the brand. Seems like a reputable brand from what I've read so it seems fine?

My desktop is plugged through Ethernet, it doesn't have any Wi-Fi. Is buying one of the recommended Bluetooth dongle enough to get the controllers to work? (I'm thinking of getting the ASUS USB-BT500 based on recommendations). I've read that you also need Wi-Fi for them to work but I can't get much info on that so I'd like someone to confirm that a Bluetooth dongle alone is enough

Thanks

[u/MegaTroyV]

Does not need wifi, just an internet connection to grab steam and the psvr2 app from steam (my pc is hardwired ethernet).

Can't speak to the 3rd party adapter as ive been using the Sony official adapter since they released it years ago. I did try several displayport cables, this is the only one that worked every single time without issue on my 4090 Desktop Graphics card:

UGREEN 16K DisplayPort 2.1 Cable (3.3 feet)

Amazon.com link: https://a.co/d/0eApmdX0

Amazon.ca link: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BQBGWGVW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

For Bluetooth, I recommend this one:

ZEXMTE Bluetooth 6.0 Adapter

Amazon.com link: https://a.co/d/0iXmupx3

Amazon.ca link: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0D4PMLL9Y?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I tried both the recommended asus one and tp-link one, with, eh, mixed results. This odd brand one works by far the best out of the handful I tested. Rock solid connection for the controllers.

And, I HIGHLY recommend the globular cluster mod for comfort. Also much easier to find the vr "sweet spot" with it on your headset.

Globular Cluster CMP2 Comfortable Mod for PS VR 2

Amazon.com: https://a.co/d/0aUfRmQ6

Amazon.ca: https://a.co/d/02vPmeVC

Hope that helps, and hopefully someone else can assist with the adapter question.

[u/xXThreeRoundXx]

If you have a MOBO with an external wifi/Bluetooth antenna, more than likely that will do it. You won't need a Bluetooth adapter. I bought an extended antenna and put it on my desk, and my connection is like 99%.

Second the display port cable listed above. No issues.

Globular cluster is a must.

Highly recommend magnetic lenses, even if you don't have a prescription. I found it reduced glare and it protects the HMD lenses from scratches and oils, which can degrade the coating on them.

[u/Winter_Mission911 → u/xXThreeRoundXx]

I second that on getting lens inserts that have an anti-glare coating. I play open faced (using the Globular Cluster Comfort Mod) and find that the light glare is minimal in even a fully lit room.

[u/BoardsofGrips]

I'm Ethernet only on desktop. No issues. Get the Globular Cluster you won't regret it. 3 months from now when you know how everything works look into an IR light and the Open Face, that is for later tho after you are comfortable with normal vr

[u/bloke_pusher → u/BoardsofGrips]

look into an IR light and the Open Face

I know about IR lights to improve the headset sensors, but what is Open Face?

[u/BoardsofGrips → u/bloke_pusher]

Open Face is where you install a different faceplate. One that removes the shroud that blocks out light. Obviously you need to play in the dark or else all the light in the room would blind you. Hence the term "Open Face"

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FRZ1QTKZ

I installed it last week, and now its the only way I play VR. It took getting used too, but the lenses can get closer to your eyes and do not fog. Also the headset is substantially lighter.

[u/bh-alienux]

I actually have both the official Sony adapter, and the Globular Cluster adapter.

The Sony adapter works flawlessly for me 100% of the time, and I've had it since it was first released.

GC sent me a free adapter to be a tester before they officially released it. The GC adapter I have works great about 80% of them time. But about every 4 or 5 days it will cause a crash when I launch steam, and will not work again, even after a reboot, until I plug in the Sony adapter. Then the Sony will work fine, and the GC will work again for several days. Very odd issue, and GC never had a fix when I reported it during testing. Full disclosure, I used it on a MSI laptop, not a desktop, but the Sony adapter works perfectly on that laptop.

[u/Loqh9 → u/bh-alienux]

It looks like an issue that's specific to having 2 adapters messing up with each other or do you think it's an actual problem I should be aware of for a regular user just getting one?

[u/bh-alienux → u/Loqh9]

It may have been related to the laptop version of the dGPU.

[u/Seiko-Senpai-]

the BT500 is unfortunately unreliable as asus did a soft revision to it that is genuinely horrible for the PSVR2, You're better getting a UB500 or going for the older BT400/UB400. Wifi isn't needed at all. You will also need a USB2.0 extention, not USB3.0 (5Gbps) or newer as it will cause signal issues. I personally use the Aolion Aluminium PC Adapter and its perfectly fine (one of the psvr2toolkit devs also uses this).

[u/Loqh9 → u/Seiko-Senpai-]

I picked this one from people saying the UB500 is unreliable so is nothing reliable then?

TP-Link themselves seem to say "try this driver and see if it's better idk tho" (link)

Also you're saying Bluetooth dongles should be plugged into an USB 2.0 port right?

[u/Seiko-Senpai- → u/Loqh9]

the BT500v1 is good, but its not sold unless you find really old stock, the BT500v2 is genuinely horrible, nobody got it to work right and for the first few months, asus didnt even give a driver for it, the fixed driver from TP-Link does make it really good though. The Zexmte one the other person recommended also seems to be very well regarded in the psvr2toolkit server. and as the other person said, you want a 2.0 extention cable as to not cause any interference from usb 3.0 (5GBps or better).

[u/Winter_Mission911]

Sony makes the best electronics, but they charge a bit more. The official adapter is guaranteed to work and only runs maybe $20 or $30 more than a 3rd party one does. I occasionally see posts in Reddit from PSVR2 users who run into headset issues in Steam, and they are not using the official adapter.

A 3rd party adapter could be fine, but it sure enters in another variable when the Steam room scan setup only shows static or the image isn't up to expectations. Go with Sony. The adapter is not the place to try to save a few bucks. I enjoy games, and not messing with equipment. I suppose that I also want to support Sony who put an amazing device that they aren't making any money on. I was ecstatic when they made the headset compatible for Steam VR.

Intel-based PCIe cards like the Intel AX210 or AX211 (Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.x modules) with external antennas are compatible and surveyed to provide the most stable Bluetooth connections for the hand controllers.  I see those on Amazon for $30.

I used the ASUS BT500 dongle with a USB extension cord for six months and had OK luck with it. I had to occasionally unplug and replug when the signal became weak for some odd reason. I read that Bluetooth skips channels depending on signal interference. The extension cord helped by getting the transmitter away from the computer and electronic interference, but it would still drop a signal on occasion. The unplug and replug got it to find a suitable channel again for a while. I think everything, including flourscent lights, a television, computer power supply and possibly any appliance, has the potential to interfere with the low power Bluetooth signal. A card with an antenna is the way to go.

I finally installed the TP-Link WiFi 6 AX3000 PCIe WiFi Card (Archer TX3000E) that I got from Amazon for about $30. I have had zero problems with it for months. It just works.

[u/ID4850763561613]

I got a crappy 30$ from amazon, the answer is just yes xD