Technical Challenges and User Frustrations
Despite the PSVR 2's $550 price tag and its ability to deliver vibrant visuals that outshine competitors like the Meta Quest 3, users have encountered persistent technical issues. The headset's OLED screen offers richer colors and deeper blacks, enhancing the immersive experience. Yet, the excitement can quickly turn to dismay when users face glitches, such as disembodied hands during gameplay.
After dedicating considerable time to troubleshooting, many users, including myself, have found no resolution to these issues. While the Meta Quest 3 seamlessly streams Half-Life: Alyx from the same PC setup, the PSVR 2 struggles even with a direct connection. Reports of similar problems abound, yet some users claim to have no issues at all, raising questions about the adapter’s reliability.
The PSVR 2 PC adapter, a compact device that connects via USB-A and DisplayPort, consolidates power and data into a single USB-C connection for the headset. However, it lacks support for connecting the essential controllers, which must connect via Bluetooth. This oversight has led to a convoluted setup process, leaving users to navigate a maze of compatibility issues.
Limitations and Connectivity Issues
In addition to the absence of controller support, the PSVR 2 on PC does not utilize several flagship features, including:
- HDR
- Eye tracking
- Adaptive triggers
- DualSense haptic feedback
Users have also noted the headset’s narrow sweet spot for lens clarity and subpar controller battery life. While the passthrough video feature allows for a glimpse of the real world, it does not compensate for the myriad of connectivity issues faced by users.
Initial attempts to connect the controllers via built-in Bluetooth proved problematic. Following the advice of Sony’s compatibility list, I purchased a recommended Bluetooth adapter, only to encounter further complications. The process of pairing and unpairing controllers became a frustrating cycle, compounded by the need to disable onboard Bluetooth to use the dongle.
Ongoing Troubleshooting and Lack of Support
Even after extensive troubleshooting, including using the recommended TP-Link adapter, the tracking issues persisted. The controllers often lost positional tracking, rendering gameplay frustratingly unresponsive. These problems were not isolated; they occurred across multiple PCs and setups, indicating a broader issue with the PSVR 2’s compatibility with PC systems.
Attempts to access the SteamVR overlay frequently resulted in crashes, forcing users to remove the headset and restart the application. The requirement to use motion controllers for navigation only exacerbates the situation, making it difficult to recommend the adapter for non-VR gaming.
Despite reaching out to Sony for assistance, the lack of response has left many users feeling unsupported. After investing significant time and effort into troubleshooting, it has become clear that the PSVR 2 PC adapter may not be ready for prime time, leaving potential buyers to weigh their options carefully.
