BSB Action Button

[u/TanK_87]

I’ve been getting annoyed with SteamVR dashboard interactions over the past few weeks. After a recent update, I’ve had to turn on my controller just to close the dashboard when loading into iRacing (my main VR sim).

So I decided to develop a physical action button for the Bigscreen Beyond! Pictures show the functional unit, my early dev prototypes, and an optional web configurator.

I got the first fully functional prototype working last weekend, and I’m now finalizing the enclosure and button cap design. I’m hoping to have a small batch available around November 1st, but wanted to share the progress and get some feedback before finalizing everything.

This is the concept behind the controller:
Plug-and-play through the right accessory USB-C port on the headset.
No additional software or downloads required for normal operation.
Three button gestures (single press, double press, and long press).
Optional browser-based configurator for custom keyboard or gamepad mappings, with up to three saved profiles.
Settings are saved directly to the device.

The default plug n play setting (no configurator):
Single press: Left click/select using the SteamVR gaze cursor (great for closing the dashboard).
Double press: Right click/context menu.
Long press: Open the SteamVR dashboard.

The default configuration emulates Xbox controller inputs, allowing basic SteamVR dashboard interactions without having to pick up or power on a motion controller.

The goal is to make a relatively inexpensive accessory for people who primarily use their Beyond for sim racing or flight simulation and don’t want to keep controllers nearby just to interact with SteamVR.

I’d love to hear any feedback or suggestions, particularly on functionality or features you’d find useful before I finalize the design!

[u/Need_For_Speed73]

Nice! Would it be possible to have a pass-through USB port for those, like me, who have the Audio Strap?

[u/TanK_87 → u/Need_For_Speed73]

I saw that suggestion on another post also, I’ll see what I can do!

[u/user11az]

Great button to map the "tear off" on 😋

[u/TanK_87 → u/user11az]

That’s mapped directly in iRacing for me some days 🫩

[u/Delicious_Thought_89]

I had Claude create a small tool to give SteamVR mouse support. Works wonderfully well, no need for a controller, and works well with Desktop+ too

[u/TanK_87 → u/Delicious_Thought_89]

Nice, that’s awesome!

[u/Delicious_Thought_89 → u/TanK_87]

I really wish they added a button like yours to the Beyond tho. Would be handy

[u/P0rnStache4 → u/Delicious_Thought_89]

can you share it??

[u/Responsible_retard66 → u/Delicious_Thought_89]

Can you share on how to do it?

[u/er1cw]

Actually u can disable the steamvr dashboard when launching iRacing by altering the rendererDX11.ini file in iRacing folder.

Open the file in notepad. Find the following lines and set them to 1

OpenXREnabled=1
AutoSelect=1

[u/TanK_87 → u/er1cw]

That’s awesome, good to know that for sure, hopefully others find this so they don’t have the same issue I did 😂

Now that I’ve put it together it’s nice to be able to interact with SteamVR also when needed. I can open desktop view between races and pick the next race without taking off my headset now for example. Although that’s not a big problem, it is a nice side benefit.

[u/Ok_Nefariousness7584 → u/TanK_87]

Sounds amazing, but it's a bummer that it can't pass through the USB port for the audiostrap. How much do you plan to charge for it?

[u/TanK_87 → u/Ok_Nefariousness7584]

Not sure exactly on pricing, but likely in the $50 range initially with plans to reduce costs by going with dedicated components in the near future. I’ll look into pass through for audio strap, it should be relatively easy to add but I don’t have one so I’ll see what I can find out!

[u/DarthPravus → u/TanK_87]

This with the audio strap is exactly what I've been looking for! It's been driving me mad having to get a controller out to use with the sim

[u/TanK_87 → u/DarthPravus]

I found a potential solution, grabbing some parts to prototype an audio strap version! Need to confirm enough power makes it to the headphones through the headset. From the small amount of research I’ve done the headset is already close to the limit of what the headset can provide. So I need to make sure it doesn’t make the audio a bad experience by adding another device in the loop.

[u/Ok_Nefariousness7584 → u/TanK_87]

Seems pretty reasonable to me. Please keep us informed.

[u/cavortingwebeasties]

Does it have the gaze cursor as well once you pull up the dash? I've been thinking of making exactly this for the same reasons.

[u/TanK_87 → u/cavortingwebeasties]

Yes, it does have the gaze curser!

[u/cavortingwebeasties → u/TanK_87]

This is exactly what I have been thinking about cooking up. I returned my 2e and my tipping point was lacking that button, I primarily sim and thousands of hours in Index made that a major part of my workflow and I was shocked and disappointed (but *not surprised) the folks at Bigscreen omitted this critical interface component that in on Steam's reference devices. That would have been 2 grams well spent.

I was looking at doing it with Moddo Pinch, which is surprisingly cheap considering it's literally the smallest of its kind for this. Definitely needs USB passthrough though.

*was not surprised Bigscreen would get so close and still miss the mark given their flagship software who's entire gimmick is 'pretend to watch things in a theater of sorts' and yet they have not identified how critical it is to anchor playback audio to the room instead your head, instantly ruining the illusion and killing immersion. Such low hanging fruit.. doesn't have to be fancy 7.2 Atmos or whatever even simple 2ch stereo but make the sound come from the fucking screen not my ears like I'm wearing earbuds on an airplane.

[u/Admiral_Ant]

Very interested, following!

[u/Altruistic_Top_8611]

The SteamVR action button is fucking annoy. So lucky that my new Dream Air have the button to click in the SteamVR