Complete VR Systems from 835.00 to 435.00
I get a lot of emails asking about different combinations of VR equipment and thought I would write down some of the recommendations I given so others could also benefit. I’ve come up with three basic package recommendations that will range from 835.00 to 435.00. Of these three packages I also have some variations that will create slightly cheaper systems. The point is that a VR user can create a complete package for as low as 435.00.
For the best prices the place to look for this equipment in on Ebay. Everything in the system prices below assumes it was purchased from Ebay except for the I-glasses SVGA 3D HMD. This price for the HMD is a standard retail price.
I know I preach Ebay quite often, if you’ve read my other papers and web pages, but this is by far the best and cheapest source of equipment. So to keep this short and sweet here are the three packages.
System 1
I-glasses SVGA 3D 625.00 P5 glove 35.00 VRTracker (built yourself) 100.00 Game Commander 3 75.00 Total Cost 835.00 |
System 2
I-glasses SVGA 3D 625.00 VrZ Gun (built yourself) 100.00 Game Commander 3 75.00 Total Cost 800.00 |
System 3
I-glasses SVGA 3D 625.00
P5 glove 35.00
Game Commander 3 75.00
Total Cost 735.00
All three of these basic packages can be modified slightly to get an even lower cost system. For all three packages you could substitute the I-glasses SVGA 2D instead of the 3D model above. This would drop all three system prices about 100 each: System 1 would run 735.00, System 2 would run 700.00, and System 3 would run 635.00.
Substituting the older I-glasses LC or similar in for the SVGA 3D model would drop all three system prices dramatically. System 1 would run 535.00, System 2 would run 500.00, and System 3 would run 435.00. This assumes that you can get an older pair of the I-glasses for approximately 300.00 on Ebay.
If you were lucky enough to get the older VIO I-glasses with the head tracker, this would drop the System 1 package to 435.00, due to the fact that your HMD price would be lower and you would not need the VRTracker. This also assumes you get the HMD for around 300.00 on Ebay. Sometimes they go for slightly more but if you look hard you should be able to purchase one for 300.00. I bought a pair with the head tracker for 150.00 about a year ago.
The Game Commander 3 is a key element to all three of the packages and can be found at http://www.gamecommander.com. It is especially important in any packages that include the VrZ gun or similar device. The Game Commander will provide you with voice recognition that can be key mapped. You will be able to assign any voice command to a keyboard action. I’ve used this system myself and it works extremely well. Combine it with a VrZ gun and you have an awesome FPS package.
The VrZ gun and VRTracker can be built from plans found on my website http://www.oocities.org/mellott124. You can also find reviews on my site for most of the equipment mentioned in these packages. There are also numerous sources on the Internet if you would like to research them.
With the combination of equipment from Ebay, and doing a little hard work yourself, it is possible to come up with a relatively low cost system. These three simple systems, and their respective variations, will get you started in your Virtual Reality adventures. Have fun!!
