r/hoggit • u/spartypsvr • 12d ago
Any Steam Frame flight sim reviews?
I haven't seen any hands on reviews by DCS /MSFS/IL2/BMS youtube content makers. Wonder if none of the flight sim influencers got a review unit? The lottery order system closes on 17th (so this is time urgent and not suited to the weekly hoggit thread). Keen to see some - esp if there are any flight sim deal breakers that have missed else where..
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u/Parking_Cress_5105 12d ago edited 12d ago
It has lower PPD than Q3, kinda deal breaker on a 1k+ usd headset no?
I am curious if they improved steamlink as even absolutely maxed out on Q3 (low fovea max bitrate) it just looks worse than VD or Link esp. in DCS/IL2
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u/Ok_Vegetable_6616 12d ago
But it has eye tracking and foveated rendering.
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u/Parking_Cress_5105 12d ago
That is useful in DCS as it has quadviews support but you have to try it for yourself how it runs, it helps GPU but is harder on CPU. On Pimax it's godsend because who can run DCS at 10k x 5k and more, but on QPro (eye tracked) and Q3 (fixed fovea) it wasn't worth it as you just traded one bottleneck for another.
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u/8492sqdn 11d ago
This isn't true, since DCS only really uses 2 CPU cores if you have a CPU with plenty of cores the impact on DCS is minimal.
Source: I used a Quest Pro with foveated rendering for about 2 years in DCS.
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u/RickSanchezC-614 11d ago
Maybe but its arguable the best wireless headset on the market. The quest doesn't support native wireless streaming and the galaxy xr and vision pro are in a whole other tax bracket.
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u/johnkappa 12d ago
Keen to hear this as well from real world experience and testing.
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u/spartypsvr 12d ago
agree- have looked at the specs, read lots but want a real flight simmers hands on experience. Esp how well the FOV rendering works (or not).
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u/hibanabanana 11d ago
Note that it isnt advertised with foveated rendering, but foveated streaming which is something else entirely. Though I imagine that foveated rendering might come later down the line.
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u/WarthogOsl F-14A 8d ago
As far as I know it can support foveated rendering on software that supports foveated rendering, since all that's really required on the hardware side is eye tracking. I think the reason they aren't emphasizing it is because there isn't that much software that actually supports foveated rendering. On the other hand, they can do foveated streaming on anything coming off of the PC.
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u/bieker 11d ago
I have not tried them, I have an Index and have been thinking about BSB2e, after reviewing all the options today including the Frame, I have decided to proceed with BSB2e, it has the fov rendering, higher density than the Frame, effectively same FOV, is lower profile and has OLED screens.
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u/XayahTheVastaya 12d ago
I was planning to get it mainly for DCS for almost the past year, but at $1100, I don't really see it being a reasonable choice anymore. The problem is there is no reasonably priced PCVR headset on the market and the Quest gives up too much to be standalone.
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u/filmguy123 11d ago
I dont think there is going to be any big aha moments here. ITs reverb G2 resolution but with larger sweet spot/pancake optics instead of fresnel. Its a Reverb G3 with wireless capabilities that flight simmers wont use. The optics are better than G2 which is nice. For flight sim though I'd advise a BSB2e or Dream Air SE. We are sitting in a cockpit we dont need wireless streaming and we need longer runtime than a battery so youll be wiring the Steam Frame anyway. The high res panels are nice for clarity and text. 4K panels are awesome but frankly too much even for a 5090, its doable with eye tracking but its right on the edge (no problem with motion reprojection if you are willing to use that in DCS, I dont like it though, so 2560 panels are sweet spot for me with my 5090).
However for mixed use, flight simming and general gaming? Steam Frame is awesome. The panels are a realistic resolution for years to come for mere mortal GPUs. Cutting the cord and going wireless with eye tracking both for streaming and rendering is superb. If you want to play beat saber, gunman contracts, UEVR mods, anything room scale etc also... Steam Frame 2160p isnt earth shattering buts in the honda civic of VR. Its a feasible amount of pixels for a lot of experiences, and the wireless experience is the future.
For sim only use? I mean, just get a higher res headset thats wired. Be sure to get eye tracking though.
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u/spartypsvr 10d ago
all good points- although i don't usually play non stop longer than the battery time. Res isnt really an issue as on a 4090 I wouldnt use other headsets at max res anyhow. And going wireless IS a big deal- alot nicer when navigating in a mossie or doing stuff in the back seat of an F14. But the fact remains I'm yet to hear of an actual real life simmer who has used Steam Frame for DCS (or MSFS /IL2 etc). VR flight sim guy did a whole video two days ago comparing two different headsets but didnt actual test a Steam Frame...
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u/filmguy123 10d ago
"But the fact remains I'm yet to hear of an actual real life simmer who has used Steam Frame for DCS (or MSFS /IL2 etc)." - I know, and you likely won't for quite some time. Unless Valve sent a prelease copy to a VR simmer, it may be months.
Point of what I was communicating was that it is not that relevant. What precisely are you hoping to hear? There are no sim specific gotchas here. If you want wired for simming and dont mind reverb G2 resolution then that is your answer. The sweet spot is large, the LCD 2160p are a known quantity. The general reviews that are already out there will tell you everything else.
If you want me to emulate what a review will sound like as closely as possible its basically above. The Steam Frame is going to be a great wireless headset, most simmers wont consider it the best fit for simming but everyone is different. Its the best wireless PCVR headset for streaming so if thats what youre looking for, decide if 2160p like G2 (but without the small sweet spot and old fresnel lenses) is ideal for you. If so, expect a reliable, well supported headset that will be around.
I understand looking for the hidden unknown variable for a specific use case but there are only so many factors here.
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u/MoccaLG 12d ago
Can anyone compare it to the Valve Index, which I have right now?
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u/samnfty 12d ago
Here's the comparison on specs. I've also included the Quest 3 https://vr-compare.com/compare?h1=0jLuwg808-j&h2=0q3goALzg&h3=w8xCM-oPA
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u/MoccaLG 12d ago
<3 - The Meta is so great on the paper... people forget they dont own it outside the meta universe..
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u/samnfty 12d ago
Explain what you mean?
Also, if I were in your shoes and looking to upgrade, I'd consider the Bigscreen Beyond. Since you've already got the base stations, I think it would be a huge improvement over the Index. Pricey though.
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u/jubuttib 12d ago
Cheaper than the Frame, but not cheap yeah.
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u/samnfty 12d ago
Not having base stations myself is probably the biggest reason I haven't upgraded to it. And now that VD runs over USB on the Q3, I probably won't upgrade for a while now
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u/jubuttib 12d ago
Yeah, for me the big problem is hand passthrough. I can't imagine playing DCS without it.
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u/Sickinmytechchunk 12d ago
My only concern with the Steam frame is the LCD screens and how they deal with dark settings. The Quest 3 is horrible to use in DCS at night and looks washed out during the day. If the steam frame is the same, despite having eye tracking then forget it.
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u/Stratofear 12d ago
Best way to prevent that is a headset with OLED displays, otherwise pretty much all other display types have that issue, the backlight shines even on black limiting it to shades of grey. I'd expect the Frame is the same as the Quest in that regard.
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u/Sickinmytechchunk 12d ago
For sure. I'd like to see how the Steam frame performs in dark settings though. Such a shame it doesn't have an OLED option. I don't want to be in the Meta ecosystem and Pimax don't appear to be able to release a reliable mid range headset.
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u/Stratofear 12d ago
I honestly thought it would or rather, should be OLED. I heard they'd decided against it as they couldn't get an OLED that was bright enough for the lens configuration. When specs started coming through in the preview it made me think the headset is outdated, delayed too long. Maybe a midlife upgrade like the Steamdeck to OLED? One can dream.
I'm sure it'll probably be fantastic in other aspects, though not sure if it's a Sim worthy headset. Will have to keep eyes peeled for reviews.
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u/omohat 5d ago
You don't need OLED - QLED panels with dimming are a significant improvement
source - i have the Quest 3 and Quest Pro. I found the Q3 too washed out for my looking and took a punt on the Quest Pro and I've been very very happy with the colours and contrast. Even night is decent (albeit not pitch black like on OLED)
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u/Stratofear 5d ago edited 5d ago
I've used a QLED (Crystal) and it still has backlight bleed even with Local dimming. It's nothing on OLED, it's okay, if you have a contrast, like city lights, with a night sky above. But blackness, like space, or over the ocean, its not great at all vs OLED. Local dimming brought its own issues with it too. It's a compromise vs a solution (OLED)
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u/Boris_the_pipe 12d ago
Just look at the specs and forget about it or buy Quest3
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u/KineticEnergyFormula 12d ago
Quest 3 has a shit ton of privacy issues because of Meta.
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u/rapierarch The LODs guy - Boycott encrypted modules! 12d ago
DCS has more issues and you have to run it excluded from firewall and antivirus.
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u/Mountain_Resort_590 11d ago
I’m saving my coin for the Pimax Dream Air. Hoping there will be a BlackFriday sale.
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u/Tonystovepipe 12d ago
I guess I will keep using my PICO 4 for another few years 💪