Why VR Sim Racing Is Worth It

If you are a sim racing fan like me you have probably heard someone you know debating about this very existensial question: should I throw my triple screens and go get a VR headset? What is the best? Should I upgrade?

I am here to give you my feedback on this with my experience and my knowledge.

In my opinion, and you’ll think I don’t really answer the question, it all depends on the person considering it. There are numerous parameters at play: do you have motion sickness? Can you withstand the weight of the headset for a long time? Do you have the budget?

I would say if you have the means, and have tried VR before and find it enjoyable definitely go for it. The immersion is unparalleled. There are caveats to his tough: as I said, try it first check that it doesn’t trigger anything uncomfortable in you, check you budget and check also your PC’s configuration. You might need to upgrade a bunch of stuff if you decide to go for it. Also you probably cannot do it on a console as there are few good options for VR headsets on consoles. I recommend doing the switch only if you are on a PC.

That was the short answer, let’s dive in in detail about all these parameters. There is more to it.

What Is It Like To VR Sim ?

Well I guess, that should be the first question. What is the main difference in terms of experience when you sim race with a VR headset?

In my opinion, the main difference, and the main advantage of the VR headset is the immersion. Being able to see the track in 3D, to move your head inside the cockpit is incredible. You feel much more immersed in the race, you turn your head and can almost get out of the car by grabbing the door handle. It is that good.

One caveat to that: check that you don’t have issues with VR (motion sickness) or that you are comfortable with the weight. For me, I can’t use the headset for too long as past a point it starts to weigh on me. Comfort can be an issue. But again, you might find a more expensive headset that suits you head shape.

Are You Faster With VR Sim Racing?

That is also a question that comes a lot. When we sim race we want to be as quick as possible so are we really faster with a VR headset?

I would say it depends on each person. For me, the fact that you see the track in 3D makes you apprehend and judge your trajectory better, it makes me quicker.

For some games, as they are on console, they are more parameterized to play on a controller without expensive sim racing equipment. Some people are then quicker without fancy sim racing gear. In my opinion however, having the equipment and a VR headset make you a quicker and a better driver.

Let’s assume you are sold now, should you get one?

Should You Upgrade Your Rig To VR?

In my opinion it makes you a better driver and the experience is much more enjoyable but that is not all.

If you have a sim racing rig at home there are some things you need to consider before upgrading (or not):

• Check first that your rig is on PC.

VR headset for consoles are not as good or comfortable as the ones you have for PCs. Between a PS VR and a Vive Pro you have quite a gap. I recommend upgrading if you are on a PC for your sim racing.

• Check if your PC is powerful enough

This most often comes down to: do you have a good enough graphic card? Usually if you have a triple screen and it runs smoothly you should be fine. In any case check the recommended requirements of the VR headset you are interested in and upgrade your pc along if needed. Don’t stick only to minimum requirements as it will be very laggy. You need a high frame rate.

• Check if your favorite sim supports it

The most popular sims support it but you never know…

• Are you newbie ? Do you sim race casually or a lot?

This pertains also to your budget, there is no need to spend $1000 for some thing you won’t use much or if you are a beginner that may not stick with sim racing.

• What is your budget?

In my opinion you should go only for VR headsets above $600. Buy only quality as there are big differences in terms of visual experience between a cheap and a high end headset. If you add also a bit of money in order to upgrade your system you should expect to spend $1000 in order to have a good system.

You might want to know the headset for which you get the more bang for you buck.

What Is The Best Value Headset On The Market

When buying a VR headset you should:

• Go for high end ones as there is a big difference in quality between an expensive and cheap headset. Cheapest headsets tend to have lower resolutions and refresh rates. I recommend going for, as a minimum, 1700 x 1440 resolution with a 60hz refresh rate. Anything below this will be visually difficult to bare.
• Pay attention to the field of view, it seems nice to have a large field of view but you should take into account the resolution. Between 2 headsets with the same resolution, the one with the larger field of view will probably not render things as perfectly as the other one with the smallest field of view. Go for an area between 100° and 110°.
• Check the detection system. You should aim for a headset that can track you on numerous axis, not just 3. The more tracking axis on the system the smoother the movement will be for you inside the car’s cockpit.
• Check how it feels once you wear it. Comfort is a big factor.

That being said, the headsets we recommend, meaning the ones that matches the criteria above and that have the best value for money are:

• The Samsung Odyssey HMD+ (check here)
• The HP Reverb (check here)

Conclusion

I recommend first trying any game on a VR headset before forging an opinion and buying one. In my experience, upgrading your sim racing equipment definitely adds to the experience, you are more immersed and quicker and once you start VR sim racing you are hooked in.

You should consider a number of parameters before upgrading ranging from technicalities to budget, to comfort. And if you do want to upgrade pay close attention to the criteria we jut showed above:

• Go for high end headset or one with good value for money
• Pay attention to the resolution and refresh rate
• Check the detection system
• Check if is comfortable

Hope you enjoyed this article and that it answered you question.

If you are looking for racing gear recommendations, we have gathered our recommendations in our recommended products section. We also have a section for karting and racing equipment. This is the best gear on the market in our opinion.