Can I Use Just The Headset?

[Ducky]

I want to just use a headset without the controllers that come with it. I also do not want movement tracking outside of the headset. I am aiming to just sit down, use my own controller or other peripherals on my desktop PCs.

I am aware there is a topic asking a similar question about the Index, but it is nearly four years old. I suspect technology has changed and has moved forward since then.

I also do not want to sign up for a subscription to use the device or be required to sign up on a website/social media outside of Steam. I also do not trust desktop OEM brands.

I am also aware there are devices that you may attach your phone to, but I am not interested in one. I would also like to avoid jumping through excessive hoops to use it on my PCs (one is Windows 10, the other Linux Mint). I also do not want the device to require an internet connection for use, outside of installing drivers or if the games I wish to play require this in general.

Based on my research so far, no Oculus/Meta Rift, Playstation VR, any from Dell, Acer, HP, Lenovo, Samsung or Asus.

I intend to look on eBay for one.

[BOLL]

Short answer, yes.

Longer answer, yes you don't need controllers but you still need at least one base station as the headset will refuse to show any image except pure gray without positional tracking. You can still launch the VR dashboard and navigate menus with the headset system button and the head gaze cursor instead of controllers.

[Ducky]

Originally posted by BOLL:

Short answer, yes.

Longer answer, yes you don't need controllers but you still need at least one base station as the headset will refuse to show any image except pure gray without positional tracking. You can still launch the VR dashboard and navigate menus with the headset system button and the head gaze cursor instead of controllers.

Thank you for clearing that up. I am guessing this is primarily for the Index, but may also be the same for many others.

[BOLL]

The headset system button, to my knowledge, only exists on Index and HTC Vive headsets. But then I have never tried any WMR headset and have not handled the latest HTC nor Meta headsets, so my personal experience is limited. My main headsets have been the original HTC Vive and then the Valve Index.