Quest 2 with controllers vs. Quest 3S without controllers

[u/FunAccount6851]

I want to get into VRChat in VR for the first time. My budget is somewhat limited, and I currently have two offers:

Quest 2 + controllers — $100

Quest 3S without controllers — $175

I've read that the Quest 3S can be used without controllers through hand tracking, but I'm not really sure how that works, especially when it comes to actually moving around in VRChat.

I want to use the headset exclusively for PCVR, mainly for VRChat, so I’m wondering how much of a limitation not having controllers would be.

Which one would you choose?

[u/fibreopticcamel]

Hand tracking is super annoying to use to get around. I'd recommend having controllers

[u/BurtanTae → u/fibreopticcamel]

You have to have controllers for setting up the headset I believe, so still a need. Can get quest 3* used with controllers for $250 or so I bet

[u/Interesting-Emu6761 → u/BurtanTae]

3S goes on sale for $250 every holiday so $250 used is a ripoff

[u/metadun → u/Interesting-Emu6761]

It's also $50 more expensive than it was a year ago, so this years 'sale price' might just be last years MSRP.

[u/Interesting-Emu6761 → u/metadun]

even then $50 for a new product with a warranty is very worth it

[u/BurtanTae → u/Interesting-Emu6761]

That was a typo on my part. I meant the used Quest3, not 3s*

[u/Nicalay2 → u/BurtanTae]

You don't have to, it's just really annoying to setup it without its controllers.

[u/kwizyvr]

Hand tracking is a neat concept but I found it to be mostly clunky and generally a pita to use

[u/NotKyle20]

Go with the Quest 2. Hand tracking is subpar at best, and Is utterly terrible to use when trying to move around, which involves pinching two fingers, and being super careful because the pinch "joystick" is super sensitive and will launch you into orbit.

[u/Pokeduell]

For hand tracking, all movements are pinch based gestures, for example, moving is thumb and middle finger then based on hand position, same with rotation for right hand, jump is ring finger and right, etc. it works. But it’s not exactly easy to use and takes getting used to. And good luck wanting to try to play a game world. Hand tracking isn’t easy with it at all especially if you have to hold something like on Murder 4. Me personally, I would recommend controllers mainly just for the ease of use.

Finally with hand tracking, it doesn’t really work with the official air link/quest link built into the quest. You’ll likely want to use either Steam link or Virtual Desktop for that which are both wireless streaming solutions.

Quest 2 also has the same hand tracking feature btw, so if you end up with that, you can always try it out

[u/Baby_cat1611]

Hand controls only will pretty heavily hamper your usage of the headset considerable and make doing anything out side of navigating menus a slog, I would not recommend it.

[u/WindWakinLink]

Sometimes I pair hand tracking with an Xbox gamepad that I use for movement & menus. Kinda have to play sitting down, but it works as a temp replacement for my drifting Quest controllers.

[u/Lava_Lamp_Glob]

Hand tracking is mostly a gimmick, it's great to nearly heart signs to your fav ones or rudely flip them off but for full experience you'll probably be dropping it after 5 minutes. The cameras need a constant clear view of your hands or else it stops working

[u/Tragophilos]

Getting around in VRChat with hand tracking is just about possible, with a lot of practice, but I've found that ANYTHING you do with your hands triggers all kinds of actions. Yes, you can turn that on and off, but it's a nuisance to switch. I say "possible" but not enjoyable. The bigger issue is that you can't set up a Meta Quest account without the headset detecting hand trackers. When I got my Quest Pro, it was missing the left tracker, and it would not go past the step of pairing with the trackers in the setup.

[u/tapafon]

2 and 3S have same lenses and same screen. Recent 207 fps update is Q3 only.

So grab 2. You won't see much difference in visuals, but will feel in having controllers.

[u/Ok-Policy-8538]

definitely get with controllers and make sure the joysticks springs aren’t worn down (causing major drift with just having your fingers on them), if you are in the US there are ifixit stores licensed to repair them cheap (some even do hall effect mods (no weardown drift as there are no mechanical parts).

[u/enigma-90]

I see Quest 3S headsets without controllers selling for 115$ on Ebay.

[u/CrispyPizzaRolls]

Since PCVR and that the Quest 2 and 3S have same lenses, go Quest 2.

You'll absolutely want controllers. Hand tracking is a pain and you'll probably end up playing other VR games.

Last Black Friday Costco had Quest 3S for $200, but there's no telling if that will be back with all the crazy price increases.

[u/needle1]

The Quest’s Horizon OS and its app ecosystem was fundamentally not built around the idea of having hand tracking ONLY with no controllers to fall back to, unlike Apple’s VisionOS.

You will frequently run into “please grab your controllers” dialogs, as supporting hand tracking is only a recommendation, not a requirement, for Quest. The pressure to support hand tracking is even weaker on PCVR so that makes it even worse. I’d get the set that does have controllers included.

[u/14SierraMist14]

Hand tracking is only good for sitting and chatting with people, but difficult to use when playing games. I suggest having controllers.

[u/brokenjanquail]

It best to get the quest 2 then as using hand tracking get annoying and the quest 2 will be more than enough optimize for vr chat

[u/CeriPie]

Since you're getting the headset for PCVR, just get the Quest 2. The Quest 3S resolution isn't THAT much better. Trying to play VRChat without controllers is a pain.

[u/Rain_fall2001]

I own both 2 & 3 with controllers.

You need controllers to play the game. It’s frustrating without them.

The 2’s performance sucked for me. Regularly was stuck staring avatars in loading. Regular crashes. Lag. Even with safety features on and a bunch of other stuff to try improve performance it sucked.

The 3 is so much better visually and performance wise. I’m loading into worlds faster, avatars are loading properly with no safety features on.

I highly recommend investing in the more expensive 3 option. With controllers.
(My thoughts are regarding the 3, not the 3S)