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General Category => Hardware & Reviews => Topic started by: rooshooter on October 11, 2018, 08:03:00 AM

Title: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on October 11, 2018, 08:03:00 AM
Currently evaluating this item
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1364658-REG/lenovo_g0a20001ww_explorer_mixed_reality_headset.html

Delivered for $176 AUS  ;D ;D ;D

No controllers (not needed for Assetto Corsa) keyboard and mouse is best. Came within a whisker of ordering a HTC Vive Pro for $2000 AUS (very glad I did not)

Very impressed so far  :) :) :) :) :) and I am currently using a 55inch 4K screen with Track IR5.

Your computer must pass this test. Win 10 minimum and a spare HDMI port.
Get Windows Mixed Reality PC Check - Microsoft Store

Do not need bluetooth for kybd/mouse.

Will update as I test. Would have been impossible to setup without the help of some youtube vids ( microsoft product of course ::) ::))
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Joe on October 11, 2018, 09:33:21 AM
Interesting. How does the head tracking work without sensors? Just uses those cameras on the front?
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Bird on October 11, 2018, 09:59:34 AM
You might want to read this topic on ARSE as well, if you're interested

http://arseforums.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=21605&p=451990&hilit=lenovo#p451990
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on October 11, 2018, 04:20:02 PM
Interesting. How does the head tracking work without sensors? Just uses those cameras on the front?
Yes, and you need enough light for those cameras to work. I was having trouble with centreing and realised what the problem was, I forgot I was driving with a downlight on above me last night, and had no problems at all  :). The tracking is excellent, you can look as far as you can into a corner and it never loses track, amazing.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on October 11, 2018, 04:21:50 PM
You might want to read this topic on ARSE as well, if you're interested

http://arseforums.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=21605&p=451990&hilit=lenovo#p451990
Thanks Bird, it was on the ARSE forum where first saw the headset mentioned  :).
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Gratulin on October 11, 2018, 05:15:11 PM
Did you try it on ACC?
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on October 11, 2018, 05:44:17 PM
Did you try it on ACC?
No, a disaster apparently  ;D ;D . I am using a gaming laptop at the moment.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Joe on October 11, 2018, 09:25:58 PM
Watched a few reviews and ordered one  ;D at that price why not
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Dave O on October 12, 2018, 12:35:34 AM
I take it you purchased the headset from the link you posted Roo...

Just wondering how long it took to arrive in OZ ?  At that price would be worth having as a backup.

I see on PC Case Gear there's been a recent price rise on both Vive headsets. ::) v1 and 2.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Joe on October 12, 2018, 05:46:38 AM
I take it you purchased the headset from the link you posted Roo...

Just wondering how long it took to arrive in OZ ?  At that price would be worth having as a backup.

I see on PC Case Gear there's been a recent price rise on both Vive headsets. ::) v1 and 2.

cheapest shipping option said 5 to 7 days when I ordered last night
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on October 12, 2018, 06:43:04 AM
I take it you purchased the headset from the link you posted Roo...

Just wondering how long it took to arrive in OZ ?  At that price would be worth having as a backup.

I see on PC Case Gear there's been a recent price rise on both Vive headsets. ::) v1 and 2.
Yes it only took a week to get here once the company reopened after a weeks break :)
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on October 12, 2018, 06:51:48 AM
We were discussing last night that this headset is a good deal to dip your toes in the water of VR.

I must stress that your PC has to pass this test

https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/p/windows-mixed-reality-pc-check/9nzvl19n7cnc?activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab

You need a processor that has to be able to run specific "instructions" all the recent Intel should be ok.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on October 12, 2018, 07:18:06 AM
I ran my first few VR races last night 8)  the sense of real world scale is amazing (just like reality but virtual  ;D ;D ;D) .
This device only has a software IPD ( inter pupil distance) adjustment , so you need to measure what your's is, and then enter that figure in the Win 10 "settings"

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+measure+ipd+for+vr&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6YcsE0ExPs

In AC there is also an App that is added for VR settings "super sampling and IPD adjust".
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on October 12, 2018, 07:31:29 AM
WMR setup guide

https://www.vrheads.com/how-use-steamvr-windows-mixed-reality
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Joe on October 12, 2018, 07:46:47 AM
thanks for the links roo. I had a little dabble with vr with my gear vr and some playstation move cameras which worked but took a lot of tinkering to set up so this looks a lot easier. based on my previous experience I'm not sure I'd use it for league races more just for fun but we'll see.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on October 12, 2018, 07:57:15 AM
thanks for the links roo. I had a little dabble with vr with my gear vr and some playstation move cameras which worked but took a lot of tinkering to set up so this looks a lot easier. based on my previous experience I'm not sure I'd use it for league races more just for fun but we'll see.
I am also still in two minds, but the fun factor is amazing. When you have it running try the Ferrari Vintage open wheeler at Highlands Track, it really blew my mind  :o :o 8).
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: buellersdayoff on October 12, 2018, 08:54:40 AM
Bought my gpu from B&H arrived within 5 working days (but over a weekend).
I tried the poor man's vr with gear vr, took a while to get it going and then only over heated my galaxy s7 (same resolution as this unit?) so couldn't use it and gave up, I really didn't like how bad the screen door and blurring looking down the straight aways was. It was cool sitting in car and looking around though
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Joe on October 12, 2018, 10:10:56 AM
I tried the poor man's vr with gear vr, took a while to get it going and then only over heated my galaxy s7

Yeah I have an S7 and it did get too hot over time. I was able to adjust the settings to reduce some of the blur and get it looking pretty good, but the lack of clarity is why I probably won't be using it for serious racing.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Joe on October 15, 2018, 09:23:28 AM
Ordered late Thursday night and had a text to say it's being delivered today. That's some pretty good service  8)
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on October 15, 2018, 10:16:29 AM
Ordered late Thursday night and had a text to say it's being delivered today. That's some pretty good service  8)
Amazing eh from USA as well! Looking forward to your thoughts on it, any questions please ask.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Joe on October 15, 2018, 10:24:56 AM
Nice it also has a 90hz refresh rate. Will have to see if I can hit 90fps with my GTX970. Probably can with some settings turned down but will also depend on track. On the triples some tracks I get 120fps some tracks nearer 60fps.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Joe on October 15, 2018, 09:58:50 PM
Very impressed for 180 bucks. Much better than the Gear VR. 90hz definitely makes a difference. I'm using a the same videos settings I spent a while setting up when I tried the Gear VR and I get a constant 90fps (at least with no other cars around). Just took an F40 around the highlands track. Lot of fun.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on October 16, 2018, 06:26:27 AM
Very impressed for 180 bucks. Much better than the Gear VR. 90hz definitely makes a difference. I'm using a the same videos settings I spent a while setting up when I tried the Gear VR and I get a constant 90fps (at least with no other cars around). Just took an F40 around the highlands track. Lot of fun.
Glad you like it and for $180 the price is right.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Wally on October 16, 2018, 07:43:18 AM
Going by what you guys are saying I'd like to get one too, but I may have to save my $$$ for a new video card first.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Joe on October 16, 2018, 08:11:21 AM
Going by what you guys are saying I'd like to get one too, but I may have to save my $$$ for a new video card first.

I think it's being discontinued and that's why they're getting rid of it so cheap. If you chose the 'with controllers' option is says Discontinued on the page. Well worth the money though. I did a race with a full AI grid and I did get frame rate drops on my 970 when there were lots of cars around but it wasn't really too noticeable. I may try and join on Thursday and use it.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: buellersdayoff on October 16, 2018, 08:36:46 AM
Does it look better than the s7/gear vr, I suppose it's easier to get going too?
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on October 16, 2018, 09:20:10 AM
Going by what you guys are saying I'd like to get one too, but I may have to save my $$$ for a new video card first.

I think it's being discontinued and that's why they're getting rid of it so cheap. If you chose the 'with controllers' option is says Discontinued on the page. Well worth the money though. I did a race with a full AI grid and I did get frame rate drops on my 970 when there were lots of cars around but it wasn't really too noticeable. I may try and join on Thursday and use it.
Please do join us on Thursday Joe, DaveO also is on VR.
Using VR is strangely addictive, I really like how you feel your stomach lift as you go down the big dipper at Laguna Seca :o 8).

Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Joe on October 16, 2018, 09:26:42 AM
Does it look better than the s7/gear vr, I suppose it's easier to get going too?

Yep it does. I think resolution wise it ends up being the same as an S7 which is higher than oculus/vive. Having a 90hz refresh rate and being directly connected via HDMI makes a big difference to the GearVR through riftcat in terms of how smooth it feels. I found the Gear VR good just to get an idea what VR is like but I wouldn't have used it for a race. This however I could see using for racing. Screen door is there but not too noticeable; I tried a vive once and screen door on that is a lot worse.

And yeah easy to set up; plugged it in and windows detected it and installed the Mixed Reality stuff and started the room setup. After that you just need to download the Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR through Stream which allows SteamVR to detect the headset and that was it.

When you tried the Gear VR I guess you didn't have positional tracking? Having it makes a huge difference, but the setup I had for that with the Gear VR used Playstation move cameras and a move controller strapped to the headset. It worked, but it was clunky and needed a lot on configuration and apps running. With this Lenovo it just uses the cameras on the front and it's very good.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on October 16, 2018, 09:30:45 AM
Does it look better than the s7/gear vr, I suppose it's easier to get going too?
I have not used Gear VR but with the Lenovo:
The inside car detail is almost "screen door effect" free and track detail several meters around the car also, distant detail is slightly blurry but brake markers come into focus as you approach. I feel that WMR is going to be VR of the future but higher resolution is needed, the tracking is perfect , the immersion factor is the WOW  component.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: buellersdayoff on October 16, 2018, 01:43:53 PM
Ordered, the price is reasonable for entry into vr, thanks guys
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Joe on October 16, 2018, 02:29:46 PM
Something Rolz told me ages ago was turning AA off can actually improve the blur in the distance. At some point I'll have a play around with all the settings and see how I can get it looking at better.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on October 16, 2018, 02:36:56 PM
Something Rolz told me ages ago was turning AA off can actually improve the blur in the distance. At some point I'll have a play around with all the settings and see how I can get it looking at better.
I have been trying lots of things, sometimes the difference is subtle so not sure if better or worse. I will be interested to see what you come up with.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on October 16, 2018, 02:49:07 PM
Something Rolz told me ages ago was turning AA off can actually improve the blur in the distance. At some point I'll have a play around with all the settings and see how I can get it looking at better.
I have been trying lots of things, sometimes the difference is subtle so not sure if better or worse. I will be interested to see what you come up with.
I have just tested and is better with AA turned off :)
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Joe on October 16, 2018, 03:17:57 PM
Something Rolz told me ages ago was turning AA off can actually improve the blur in the distance. At some point I'll have a play around with all the settings and see how I can get it looking at better.
I have been trying lots of things, sometimes the difference is subtle so not sure if better or worse. I will be interested to see what you come up with.
I have just tested and is better with AA turned off :)

Good stuff. If you have a beefy enough GPU you could try and super sampling settings in the nvidia control panel too.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Joe on October 17, 2018, 09:47:18 PM
Just been playing with this again for a couple of hours and am seriously impressed with it for the money. I could actually see me using it for racing..... even though I did just buy three new 27" monitors  :-\

I tried turning AA off and it looks a lot worse to me, at least on the grid with the cars around I could see jagged edges so turned that back on. I went from world detail on lowest to highest and didn't really notice any difference in how it looked or the frame rate. I just left it at medium. Have anisotropic filtering maxed out and shadows at their lowest as well as mirror reflections at lowest. That gives me a constant 90fps hot lapping, but with other cars on track it can drop into the 50s. Depending on how many cars around me it does get up to 70-80fps but never 90 when other cars on track. Guess all that would fix that is a beefier GPU.

(https://i.imgur.com/MrrXmmql.jpg)
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: grat on October 18, 2018, 08:15:52 PM
I presume this is the same one I have since January. It is tricky when other cars are around. Last few months before leaving it was working ok, but it had taken me many days of tweaking with all sorts of things to make it work ok. I just hope nothing too much has changes and it will work fine again when I race again with you guys...
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Guybrush Threepwood on October 19, 2018, 08:31:57 AM
Has motion sickness been an issue?
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: grat on October 19, 2018, 08:41:49 AM
For me not at all. I was really impressed: Tried it first time, drove for 1 hour, zero problems. But my wife tried it once and felt not good after 5 minutes. So I guess it's really a personal thing.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Joe on October 19, 2018, 08:42:08 AM
Has motion sickness been an issue?

Not for me. It just feels natural. I know some people do feel it. When I was playing around with the Gear VR I tried some flight combat game and that did make me feel pretty sick, but AC doesn't.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on October 19, 2018, 10:22:40 AM
Has motion sickness been an issue?
Not for me  and I don't get seasick as well  :)
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on October 21, 2018, 02:51:00 PM
If you have a HOTAS try DCS World free trial, simply amazing :).
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: buellersdayoff on October 22, 2018, 03:57:16 PM
Arrived today, found a new use for project cars 2, the game is actually not bad with the vr headset. I've only had minimal use with the headset so far but it seems pretty good. Need more time to fine tune all the settings and work out an easy way to reset centre. PC2 and ACC feel good with it. Screen door is annoying but the immersion factor out weighs it. So far very good for casual/fun racing for me, I'll definitely use it on Thursday
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Joe on October 22, 2018, 04:02:03 PM
CTRL + Space is reset center in AC. Could probably use an app to bind that it to a button on the wheel but I can usually just find those keys by feel
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: buellersdayoff on October 22, 2018, 05:29:09 PM
I didn't want to mess around with ac too much yet so I don't have to change everything back for tomorrow night, pc2 I can program a wheel button. Sometimes loading up a game pc2 or acc and the menu is like it's a couple of metres below me and I can't find a way to centre it in acc
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Dave O on October 22, 2018, 05:43:31 PM
I didn't want to mess around with ac too much yet so I don't have to change everything back for tomorrow night, pc2 I can program a wheel button. Sometimes loading up a game pc2 or acc and the menu is like it's a couple of metres below me and I can't find a way to centre it in acc


Never had any trouble with menus in PCars2, but have had the problem with ACC with the Vive. I keep the headset facing forward as I start ACC and seems to
do the trick. When it happened to me the menu was 90 deg to my right  :o  Hope this helps  ;)  Dave O.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: buellersdayoff on October 22, 2018, 05:58:10 PM
Thanks guys I'll keep tinkering with it when I get chance
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Joe on October 22, 2018, 08:28:36 PM
I didn't want to mess around with ac too much yet so I don't have to change everything back for tomorrow night

Make copies of the video.ini config file in My Documents/Assetto Corsa/cfg which has all the graphics settings. I have one for VR and one for triples and just switch them out to what I need. I use the app presets in game for triples vs VR, but it does screw up all the positions of the apps I use for triples when loading via VR due to the resolution, so that for you can make a copy acos.ini file that's in the same directory as video.ini
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on November 13, 2018, 06:11:09 PM
Try this gokart mod for a GREAT  VR experience  8) 8) 8)

https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/gokart.16419/

Use the 125 S shifter kart :)
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: Seanus on November 13, 2018, 06:29:38 PM
I didn't want to mess around with ac too much yet so I don't have to change everything back for tomorrow night

Make copies of the video.ini config file in My Documents/Assetto Corsa/cfg which has all the graphics settings. I have one for VR and one for triples and just switch them out to what I need. I use the app presets in game for triples vs VR, but it does screw up all the positions of the apps I use for triples when loading via VR due to the resolution, so that for you can make a copy acos.ini file that's in the same directory as video.ini

Or use Content Manager, it'll do the presets for you.
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on November 15, 2018, 11:12:51 AM
Try this gokart mod for a GREAT  VR experience  8) 8) 8)

https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/gokart.16419/

Use the 125 S shifter kart :)
This mod with this track is just brilliant in VR  8)

https://actrackrebootproject.wixsite.com/ac-track-re-boot/knockhillcircuit2017
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: buellersdayoff on November 25, 2018, 12:31:04 PM
I didn't want to mess around with ac too much yet so I don't have to change everything back for tomorrow night

Make copies of the video.ini config file in My Documents/Assetto Corsa/cfg which has all the graphics settings. I have one for VR and one for triples and just switch them out to what I need. I use the app presets in game for triples vs VR, but it does screw up all the positions of the apps I use for triples when loading via VR due to the resolution, so that for you can make a copy acos.ini file that's in the same directory as video.ini

Or use Content Manager, it'll do the presets for you.
Thanks. I've tried it, not sure if works properly or I'm not doing it right. I've messed up all the settings and stuff too much now that I'm not going to bother using vr on the same rig, I set it up on my old rig (980ti) in the media room. That's my way around it all for now lol
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on December 06, 2018, 10:20:57 AM
Euro Truck Simulator in WMR is great  :) :) :)

How to setup:

https://www.pwrdown.com/gaming/euro-truck-simulator-2-vr-setup/
Title: Re: Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality (VR) headset
Post by: rooshooter on January 09, 2019, 04:42:34 PM
Best display super sampling setting in case you were not aware of this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0SLWhNb9hw
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