Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#21

Post by clolege » Sat, Nov 05, 2022, 4:53 PM UTC

colinmhayes wrote: post #19

clolege wrote: post #17

> I am comfortable with at least two 27" monitors. I embraced a single-monitor workflow early in my career after experimenting and finding that having multiple monitors often makes me less productive than just switching workspaces with ⌘+tab. Now it's extended to a single-laptop workflow that's given me incredible flexibility to travel and move around the office. When do people really need multiple monitors? My only…

I like being able to read both screens at the same time. I can type on one while reading off the other.

I've only ever found this to be effective when I'm typing what I'm reading verbatim.

Are you able to type something other than you're reading? How do you scroll?

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#22

Post by aljungberg » Sat, Nov 05, 2022, 4:53 PM UTC

I have tried it. Working in VR is much better than I expected it would be, with the right equipment. Still, I quit after a while mainly because of the quality of text rendering. It is so much better than it used to be, but still not good enough, at least not for me.

I also found it surprisingly frustrating that I couldn’t see the keyboard. Every time I took my hands off it I had to do this blind search for it and get my fingers back to the right starting position. Symbols I don’t know how to touch type because they are rarely used was also more frustrating than I would have thought.

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#23

Post by CharlesW » Sat, Nov 05, 2022, 4:53 PM UTC

colinmhayes wrote: post #19

clolege wrote: post #17

> I am comfortable with at least two 27" monitors. I embraced a single-monitor workflow early in my career after experimenting and finding that having multiple monitors often makes me less productive than just switching workspaces with ⌘+tab. Now it's extended to a single-laptop workflow that's given me incredible flexibility to travel and move around the office. When do people really need multiple monitors? My only…

I like being able to read both screens at the same time. I can type on one while reading off the other.

FWIW, one can also do this comfortably with a single HiDPI display.

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#24

Post by clolege » Sat, Nov 05, 2022, 4:55 PM UTC

jedberg wrote: post #13

You can comfortably work in VR, but the trick is that you can't use any of the headsets as is. There are upgrades that you really need: A better head strap, ideally one with an adjustment knob at the back to easily loosen and tighten the headset. Also one with an extra battery that both gives you longer unplugged time but more importantly balances the headset front to back. And a better headset/face interface. You ca…

It looks like they put extra effort into making the Meta Quest Pro comfortable. Do you think those straps would need replacing? If so, do such straps already exist?

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#25

Post by tchock23 » Sat, Nov 05, 2022, 4:55 PM UTC

It would be great if people posting opinions in this thread could share which headsets they are basing their opinion on.

Many seem to be discounting it entirely without qualifying their comments with the headset and tech setup used…

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#26

Post by mellosouls » Sat, Nov 05, 2022, 4:56 PM UTC

lm28469 wrote: post #16

gpm wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This just isn't true, optics really do work, the focal point is not close to your face and it doesn't feel or effect you like the screen is close to your face in anyway.

I'd give all my belongings to anyone who can work full time for a year with a VR headset instead of screens and who wouldn't complain a single time about it I've used VR headsets, nothing is comfortable after even an hour of use, we're just not designed for that

See the article linked in my comment - before you first posted here - for information on who to send your belongings to.

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#27

Post by clolege » Sat, Nov 05, 2022, 4:57 PM UTC

aljungberg wrote: post #22

I have tried it. Working in VR is much better than I expected it would be, with the right equipment. Still, I quit after a while mainly because of the quality of text rendering. It is so much better than it used to be, but still not good enough, at least not for me. I also found it surprisingly frustrating that I couldn’t see the keyboard. Every time I took my hands off it I had to do this blind search for it and get…

What headset did you try? I imagine that text rendering would improve with the quality of the screens, which have been getting better.

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#28

Post by me551ah » Sat, Nov 05, 2022, 4:58 PM UTC

It's hard to wear a VR headset for long periods. I use one(Quest 2) for gaming quite a bit, and the bulk gives you a bit of strain after a couple of hours of constant use.

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#29

Post by gravenimage » Sat, Nov 05, 2022, 5:06 PM UTC

I worked for about a month using the Immersed app and an Oculus 2. I judged it workable for me, but probably near the borderline. The positives were that the software generally worked (modulus some bugs), and I could code, attend Teams meetings (as an avatar with a VR camera) and have multiple monitors. Interestingly, Teams meetings with the other participants on a virtual monitor about 2 metres away were very noticeably less psychologically stressful. (I suspect some evolutionary/neurological thing about faces in a monitor 60cms away). The resolution was fine, but not great. I wear spectacles (slightly near-sighted, a bit too much to drive without) and the headset was comfortable enough. With the Oculus 2 the pass-thru was rubbish, so touch-typing and a tidy desk vital. The negatives were that a good wifi connection to the laptop was necessary; the battery-life on the headset meant I had to trail a wire across to keep it on for >2 hours; it was slightly sweaty (I didn't get the serious discomfort other people have experienced); the default headband wasn't great; and in the end it wasn't better than my physical multimonitor setup. I seem also to not suffer from VR-sickness (or motion sickness for that matter), but YMMV greatly.

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#30

Post by jedberg » Sat, Nov 05, 2022, 5:06 PM UTC

clolege wrote: post #24

jedberg wrote: post #13

You can comfortably work in VR, but the trick is that you can't use any of the headsets as is. There are upgrades that you really need: A better head strap, ideally one with an adjustment knob at the back to easily loosen and tighten the headset. Also one with an extra battery that both gives you longer unplugged time but more importantly balances the headset front to back. And a better headset/face interface. You ca…

It looks like they put extra effort into making the Meta Quest Pro comfortable. Do you think those straps would need replacing? If so, do such straps already exist?

From the pictures is does look like they integrated some of the most common upgrades, but I haven't seen one in person yet, so I can't say for sure.

But I can see they sell an upgraded facial interface that is billed as "full light blocking", which usually means thicker and softer, so they probably at least have that accessory. I doubt any other accessories exist yet, since it's too new and not a big enough market.