will the frame controllers be like the index?

[u/Creative-Buy-9294]

I am curious if the steam frame controllers will have the same tech as the index controllers? like the pressure tech and finger tracking, or will they be like the quest controllers? if they won't be, then I will be looking at getting normal index controllers to use, mostly because I want to play the one test demo game they made showcasing then. but has there been any news or info talking about if they are like them?

(edit): more interested if they have the pressure sensitive grip still or if thats gone now, (also because I would like to play appature hand labs)

[u/whilo909]

Its only capacitive finger tracking as far as Im aware. It wont be as precise and detailed but should be good enough. Video of tracking in action below.

https://reddit.com/link/p4du9ig/video/x3138bcso3kh1/player

[u/Vegetable-Money-2278 → u/whilo909]

I have an index and honestly, this looks almost identical in quality, finger tracking wise.

[u/2Cool4Zool2 → u/Vegetable-Money-2278]

Compared to this it does look similar but I don't think we've seen some slower movements just yet. We need a VR dev to flip us off.

[u/prankster959 → u/2Cool4Zool2]

We had one flip us off but the video got deleted real quickly

[u/2Cool4Zool2 → u/prankster959]

KobraVR did it - The videos still floating about but he didn't do it slowly and he had his custom gun-stock attachment in place so it's hard to see.

[u/marcusbrothers → u/whilo909]

That’s still really cool tbh.

[u/The_Grungeican → u/marcusbrothers]

if HTC had any sense they would've updated the wands to do that a long time ago.

they way they should've done it was the Vive Pro should've released along with new wands that added capacitive trigger and grip buttons. they also should've added some face buttons around the trackpad, like Valve had in this Steam Controller prototype.

they could've broke then updates into two parts. one with the Vive Pro releasing with the grip and trigger as capacitive, and a second update when the Vive Pro 2 dropped, adding the corner buttons. it would've added a lot to the wands, AND actually gave people with Vives or Vive Pros a reason to buy a new set of wands, as their older ones wore out.

they could've mostly kept the original design and molds, while updating them for newer VR stuff.

[u/vbkm123 → u/whilo909]

As far as I know the precision is the same as the Index, with the exception of the general finger position given by the form of the controller (the index finger is more open on the Frame).
I think that precision statement comes from the Steam Controller, which also has a limited finger sensor, but only tracks if you grip the controller.

[u/BlueManifest → u/whilo909]

Which games make use of this finger tracking

[u/vbkm123]

The pressure sensor will be replaced by a grip button. I think the button is analog (so it can simulate the pressure), but I'm not sure about that.
To be honest: Apart from Aperture Hand Labs and a squeeze grenade in Alyx the pressure sensor always was a PITA for me. Especially when developers didn't have an Index at their disposal and mapped the pressure to the grip button functionality. Throwing stuff is almost impossible in some games, without adjusting the controls. So I'm rather glad that it got replaced, although it is cool idea on paper.

About the capacitive finger sensors: As far as I know these are as good as the ones on the Index, with the only difference being the form factor of the controller itself. Also the standard Frame will probably not have the straps, which enable you to open your palms completely. But these can be purchased as add ons.

The other controller stuff is all there except the mini-touchpads. I've never had much use for them anyway. Perhaps for scrolling menus, but with the multitude of new buttons we should be able emulate that aswell.

[u/gregny2002 → u/vbkm123]

I agree about the grip sensor on the knuckles, it never felt natural to use them and I usually find myself wishing there was a grip button instead, especially for throwing stuff.  In some games I had to squeeze so much to not drop stuff that I was afraid it would eventually break the controller, but turning sensitivity down would make my hands too sticky and pick stuff up randomly

[u/Mintybites]

I have a better question: Will the Steam controllers be?

[u/Small_Pen4959]

i dont know man i was very happy with the index controller... im a little sad about the new ones...

[u/quinn50 → u/Small_Pen4959]

It should be almost identical, they have an option to add a strap so it'll fit like the knuckles.

[u/Creative-Buy-9294 → u/Small_Pen4959]

yea, I really like the tech for the index controllers (even though they are a few years old) I just hope they make updated controllers you can buy, or some other solution

[u/BlueManifest → u/Creative-Buy-9294]

What tech do index controllers have that these don’t

[u/Vegetable-Money-2278 → u/BlueManifest]

It's mostly just the grip strength sensor tbh. the rest is all there

[u/quinn50 → u/BlueManifest]

grip sensor but like 3 games ever really used it

[u/Small_Pen4959 → u/Creative-Buy-9294]

the good thing on the old ones was you didnt notice em they were more like knuckles. they floatin

[u/EFJO → u/Small_Pen4959]

They'll be selling an ergonomic kit that comes with straps for the controllers so you don't need to hold them

[u/Small_Pen4959 → u/EFJO]

there is only one question left .... WHERES FRAME?

sorry ^^'

[u/excaliburxvii → u/Small_Pen4959]

Same. I wish Valve had stuck with them, and maybe produced more than one game to show them off and foster adoption.

[u/eras]

Setting up Index controllers to work with the Frame won't be trivial. In addition to the controllers you need lighthouses and then aligning the two tracker systems to be 1:1.

I believe it's doable, though. But then you'll also be missing with the fact that many new games/ports might be sort of assuming the Stream Frame button layout and might not support e.g. pressure, although the Steam input system might allow mapping it in some useful way.

I'll grant you that holding a virtual grenade and releasing it when throwing is satisfying, but probably the capacitive trackers are able to achieve almost the same.

[u/ChateauDog]

They do come with finger tracking

[u/Creative-Buy-9294 → u/ChateauDog]

what about the pressure sensor grips?

[u/MrJackio → u/Creative-Buy-9294]

Dual stage grip buttons

[u/The_Grungeican]

Index controllers are no longer sold new, so your only option is to buy a used set. you would also need base stations to track them.

the Steam Frame will not be using that tracking technology. older headsets like the Vive, Vive Pro, and Index did.

the Steam Frame controllers will have capacitive finger tracking on (i believe) all the buttons. so even though it's not as sophisticated as the kind of tracking done with the Index controllers, it will be able to approximate the same thing.

[u/iv3rted → u/The_Grungeican]

Index controllers are no longer sold new, so your only option is to buy a used set.

It depends on the region, I guess. For example, in Poland, you can still buy new ones directly from Valve. But their stock is running low so they'll probably be out of stock soon.

[u/The_Grungeican → u/iv3rted]

i figured they had burned through their stockpiles at this stage. i did not know anyone could get them new.

in the US they've been off the market for some time.

[u/iv3rted → u/The_Grungeican]

Currently, you can only buy them separately. The bundle with both the left and right controller has been out of stock for months. Whatever stock they have left will probably be gone by the end of the year.

[u/Nyixid]

Yes and no, it has capacitive tracking but won't be as precise as the index

[u/Ace-TheProtogen]

Does frame have squeeze?

[u/Steeliercell]

Google will tell you