Virtual Reality Headsets - worth the money?

[Jon]

Creative!

 

[pbaldy]

I had a feeling that was coming. Didn't think waiting till after Christmas meant the next day however.

I think we have about a 3 hour time difference so a weekend outing is doable. Bring your own beer. If you want to stay close to home I'll meet you at Wolf's Creek in Nevada. Ever Play There? It's one of my favorite courses. 13 is a bitch.

I had to run some errands yesterday and one of them was across the street from Walmart. One thing led to another...what was I supposed to do?!?

I have played Wolf Creek (but certainly NOT at the rack rate!). My wife and I played several courses in that Mesquite NV/St George UT area 10 years ago or so. It was spectacular! I'd love to "meet up" and play with you. My golf attachment won't be here for a week or so, but then you're on.

 

[moke123]

I'm curious to hear your opinion on how well the virtual Wolf Creek compares to the real thing.

When I watch videos like this one It's weird because you feel like you've been there. I played that hole. I even see some of the green contours in the video and recognize them.

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

It's weird because you feel like you've been there.

My comment is in no way related to virtual reality. I don't have this golf game or anything like it. No, my comment is a general comment regarding using Google maps and Street View. I will use street view to view the end of a particular journey to somewhere I've never been before. However I note that when I actually get there, I have the distinct impression I know the place and feel like I've been there before because of what I viewed on street view before taking the journey!

 

[pbaldy]

I'm curious to hear your opinion on how well the virtual Wolf Creek compares to the real thing.

When I watch videos like this one It's weird because you feel like you've been there. I played that hole. I even see some of the green contours in the video and recognize them.

I'll do my best, but you're dealing with an old guy with a bad case of CRS!

I'm curious how closely the golf swing made within the game relates to my actual swing. Can it tell that I would really have hooked/sliced/thinned/chunked a shot and that's what it gives me in the game? From one perspective that would be depressing, but it would enable me to work on my real swing when the local courses are snowed under. Or am I a scratch golfer in the game despite being a 13 outside of it?

 

[Jon]

That's a good point. How closely does your real life handicap match the games.

 

[moke123]

That's a good point. How closely does your real life handicap match the games.

A lot of that depends on your settings. In the Novice settings there is some degree of computer correction, for lack of a better term. In Amateur mode there is still some visual aids assisting your shots. In Pro mode no computer assists and no visual guides.

There is also an experimental mode with other swing physics changes.

All the Tourneys are in Amateur and Pro modes. I think pro modes are a bit closer to real handicaps.

Currently I'm cheating just trying to reclaim the best handicap title from my brother in law. He recently broke my record, so I'm gonna break his. I'm at a +17.49. My real handicap would be well opposite that. Cheating entails playing the front 9 of Wolfs Creek over and over with Back tees, medium pins, and pro greens. That gives you the best adjusted par so just finishing 9 holes under par it boosts your handicap. It doesn't mean shit, but it makes you look intimidating when you play with strangers.

 

[Jon]

@pbaldy If you want a free exercise program you could do far worse than getting Punch Fit. Free of charge!

 

[Jon]

@moke123 Do you use Kiwi knuckle straps?

 

[moke123]

@moke123 Do you use Kiwi knuckle straps?

no

 

[Jon]

I'm tempted to get a pair, when they come out for the Quest 3.

 

[pbaldy]

@pbaldy If you want a free exercise program you could do far worse than getting Punch Fit. Free of charge!

Getting it! I've tried the table tennis app. Apparently I need lessons on serving.

How do you "move" the table? If it was a real table I'd ask my opponent to help me scoot it towards them. Last night I was too close to my couch, which was probably why I had trouble serving.

 

[Jon]

How realistic did you find the ping pong?

Hold down the right button while pointing the controller in different directions. You know, the button that lets you quit the app.

What I like about Punch Fit, apart from being completely free, is that the pads hover in mid-air with little jets. Really cool! And such a great absorbing workout. Let us know how you get along with it and what you think.

 

[pbaldy]

How realistic did you find the ping pong?

Very! But it's been a looonnngggg time since I've played.

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

Ping Pong? Could you "virtually" play like Forest Gump?

 

[Jon]

Very! But it's been a looonnngggg time since I've played.

Its good fun and nicely realistic. I like the way the controllers vibrate slightly when you hit the ball.

 

[Jon]

Ping Pong? Could you "virtually" play like Forest Gump?

They have an option where you can whack it against one side of the table, like in Forest Gump. But you can play AI, training with the robot AI to drill specific shots, or a sequence of different shots, play online players.

 

[moke123]

11 Table tennis is Mixed reality now? very cool.

 

[Jon]

Yes, although I haven't tried that. Sadly, I don't have the space to play a proper game but i still do the drills to get my game on! Helps burn the calories, improve my game too I hope.

 

[Jon]

Just an update on how much I used the Quest 3 during its first month. The screenshot shows daily usage. If it shows a trophy, that means I burned at least 300 calories on that day.

Goal for this year is to do 300+ calories per day 5 days per week. That is about 6500 calories per month, or nearly 2lbs in weight loss, given no increase in calories from diet.

The apps I will use will be Beat Saber, FitXR, Eleven Table Tennis and Punch Fit. Possibly throw in some Thrill of the Fight. There is a subscription based fitness app (like the FitXR one) called Supernatural. It is a bit like Beat Saber but tilted towards fitness. You still whack blocks with your sabers but it promotes more movement compared to Beat Saber. However, it is only available in the US at the moment, due to music licensing issues. Hopefully it comes to the UK because I would like to try it.