Valve Index Base Stations - Positioning?

[RanceJustice (Kyo)]

Hello. I am in the process of setting up my Index Full Kit, and I am curious about the most viable positions for the Base Stations.

Instructions and video tutorials convey that it is best they be placed (ideally, if possible) above head height, tilted down slightly, and that they are to be placed on opposing sides of the play area, right?

However, what I don't see discussed in detail is regarding orientation! For the sake of explanation, if we use compass-directions with "North" defined as "Primarily forward facing in the play area, towards where my keyboard and conventional monitor are set up" is it best to have the Index Base Stations positioned at..

North and South - For instance, the shelf above my computer desk and a similar bookshelf directly behind me.

East and West . - Set up directly to my left and right, in the middle of the play area.

North-West and South-East - Opposing diagonals, facing into the play area

Is any one of these a better or worse Base Station layout? Thanks.

[BOLL]

Typically it depends on how your space looks. The Index stations have a horizontal wide field of view, 160°, but not wide enough to be flat against a wall for a space and enable tracking next to the same wall.

The most typical placement would be from corner to corner. The extra wide field of view makes it forgiving with how you angle it sideways. Vertically the field of view is 115°, so if you try to angle them 45° down you'll cover a whole room if they're close to the ceiling.

And that's basically it. 👍 That said, you can have them on desks or shelves and it'll be fine, because the v2 stations don't need line of sight to each other. Having them high up reduces the risk for occlusion though, especially for the headset, which is the most important.

[RanceJustice (Kyo)]

Thank you for your input!

When you say "corner to corner", just to be clear that would be the NW + SE third option I described?

I should mention that my typical play area nearby my PC is likely to have a rectangular play area that's likely just barely sized sufficient to qualify for full-room, but as far as height is concerned I should have placements relatively high - not at the ceiling but a shelf taller than my height.

Near release of the Index I demoed a kit of my own and had a little difficulty getting my most convenient (ie my study where my gaming-equipped PC and peripherals are set up) play area to work well setting up the boundary etc.. so I wanted to make sure I'd have the base stations in the best configuration possible. Thanks!

[BOLL]

Yeah, the third option, place them on the diagonal facing towards the center of the space 😋 it is the recommended layout 😁

[LinusTheVan]

Would NE NW work at all?

[Damsteri]

Originally posted by RanceJustice (Kyo):

... the shelf above my computer desk and a similar bookshelf directly behind me.

Base stations has standard 1/4" camera screw so you can use camera accessories to mount them easily to furniture without screws. I like to use camera clips and my base stations are usually mounted with those, because it makes very easy to remove them or move their location. My profile's artwork section has some images from my base stations mountings. Just make sure they point downwards, otherwise they won't cover the floor near the base stations, because of low vertical fov.

Originally posted by BOLL:

The Index stations have a horizontal wide field of view, 160°

I have seen different values, even worse than that. Vive Pro's base stations (same as Valve Index's full kit) has fovs of: horizontal 150° and vertical 110°, based on this HTC's quide[www.vive.com]. So, they should be installed upright, orientation matters. Older rectangle shaped v1 base station has same fov (120°?) for both directions and can be used sideways, I have used them in that way for long periods of time.

Originally posted by LinusTheVan:

Would NE NW work at all?

It works, but not perfectly. Problems come when you need to face S and hold your hand close to your body (e.g. two hand weapons) or picking something from the floor. Your body might then occlude your controller(s) from both base stations if they are both N (behind your back). Its best to set them on opposite sides/corners if possible. The idea of two base stations on different sides is that there will be always at least one that is visible for the controller.

[LinusTheVan]

I'm pretty much only concerned about flight simulators, so I don't think thats going to be a problem (turning around)

[tẁΈńtĩώãn]

What if you put them facing each other, would that work or is slightly off centered in this case better?

[drseuss266]

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