NA Index user for 4 years: Do not buy index controllers. I've gone through many pairs of controllers over the four years I've used the index. They feel great in the hands and once you get used to them it's hard to change to others, but it's a trap. While VR is still known for little issues here and there, these controllers are to an extreme. They're way too hard/expensive to replace (Almost always out of stock) and break too often, even with extremely delicate care they still develop various issues over time; Stick drift, Grip & other components coming lose and failing, tracking failure, and various random problems (such as the trigger sticking, etc.). Often times once one issue pops up, multiple others develop shortly after. The worst part is the replacements from steam support and the individual controllers that are seldom available through the steam store usually develop issues even quicker than fresh controllers from a new full set, giving you anywhere from a couple months to only a couple weeks of use before they fail. Although the controller design is, in my opinion, the best out still in terms of feel and input arrangement, it's easy to see the parts used in them are not worth the premium they charge. The thumbsticks that come stock in the controllers have mostly cheap plastic internals, yet you can get replacement thumbsticks with more durable materials off aliexpress for just a couple dollars. Not too mention that steam has moved on to other things and unsurprisingly stopped caring about the index almost entirely. Save yourself the headache and get literally any other VR setup. Once you get used to a set of controllers, using them is easy. The few superior characteristics of the index controllers is not worth the hassle.
This has been a really useful video! Been looking to potentially purchase a pair myself, and this has been the most honest and truthful review I've seen. Thanks to you, you've sold me on buying a pair. Thanks for this amazing video!
fantastic review, super informative, and as far as i can tell so far, entirely spot on (except i never got a squeaky trigger, bad luck for you i suppose haha)
thanks for the review, i kept looking all over for someone who would explain how the finger tracking works on these and i couldnt find one so big thanks for clearing that up
Nice, but.... how / where to actually find any of these Index controllers to purchase for my existing VP2 HMD? Since early 2021 they've been out of stock from Valve in Canada.
Being a happy owner of a Reverb G2 (since it has great visuals, audio, comfort etc), I am always envious of more advanced controller methods. The WMR controllers are functional enough play games, but they miss a lot of the granularity and immersion that the vive controller has. Still, I won't invest in light houses just for the controllers. However, if Valve ever release a index successor. I might consider selling the G2 and buy into their eco-system. Because now I know I always want VR as a part of my gaming interest.
Ive bought these but havent tried them yet. The stick drift really worries me. Especially since the part which is grinding down and causing it, is made out of plastic and could easily have been made out of metal. Or even hall sensors could been used. Using a cheap plastic part and saving literally cents during production with it, but gaining hundreds from selling a new controller, is a scummy move. Planed obsolecense is sadly a reality. Another huge negative point would be valves hate for repairability, at least with the sticks. The sticks a horrible to take apart, same as the lighthouse, which has to be literally cut open. But the finger tracking is a must for immersion. This is a great technology and should be used by other manufacturers as well. And more programs should use finger tracking.
I think the sticks should be replaceable, and I think Valve learnt from that with the Steam Deck. I have a pack of sticks in case I need them, but my biggest concern with the controllers is the difficulty in accessing the battery.
Thanks. I don't really like releasing just random clips so I put those few up just for you to see, but I might put them into another compilation sometime!
@@LiamFoot why don't u like it the video u made from us was really amazing I bet it would get u some good vieuws to and we may be able to make people smile :) now people can only watch it if onenof us sinds them.the video. But ur clips man do whatever u want :)
This is so helpful, I didn't catch on all those things when I individually bought the index knuckles, frome the index as I still use the HTC Vive 2016 (waiting for a banger headset to come out one day) (I bought the knuckles because I needed replacement of the old vive controllers, which I'm never gonna buy again, might as well finaly change them) Thank you so much, this helps me so much. I still have yet to try the changes I need to make, but your review (which is nice that it's two years after their release) gave me hope again, now that I know that THERE IS a way to have "ok" finger tracking
Hi, none of the kits come with dongles. The controllers are only intended to connect with supported HMDs, but there are dongles you can buy separately from other manufacturers.
@@The-Lonely-Nexus Hey, in the program called Open Broadcaster Software (OBS), you can record your screen. You can also add the OpenVR plugin to capture the whole image that is sent to the VR headset - this is why the fov is large. If you capture the game window instead, it will be cropped and you will see less.
The view shown by most people is from the game window and that is cropped. This is the full render behind the scenes, so that you can see a lot more vertically.
My Vavle Index controllers are used with an HTC VIve. My controllers sometimes stop working and the icons pulsate in the Steam VR Window. Any thoughts?
@@LiamFoot The controllers seem to stop working without noticing at first. Then, I'll take off my headset and I see the blue controller icons in the small Steam VR window pulsating. I have to restart the PC, and go back into Steam VR. It's been going on for about a week.
10:20 I reckon games like to set the trigger click earlier because its uncomfortable to fully click the knuckles' trigger, having less trigger to pull makes for faster accurate shots, and probably allows much nicer haptics
Not sure why youtube threw this video at me now, but... Re: stick drift, you'll find complaints about it with almost every controller, as this is a physical limitation of potentiometer based thumbsticks. As metal slides against metal, their internals wear down over time and then you have the problem of the stick no longer having the correct resistances near the center point which is the root cause of stick drift. It can also be a symptom of the contacts simply being dirty, which may be solved temporarily by spraying a bit of contact cleaner in the sticks. Modular and easily swappable sticks are one solution, but a better one would be to implement hall effect sticks that simply don't suffer from this problem to begin with as they don't rely on physical contact of materials that wear down in normal use. Additionally, a common failure point unique to the Index controllers that could have used a mention is the capacitive sensor in the thumbsticks. This, it turns out, is connected with a ribbon cable so small and so fragile it has a tendency to break in normal use.
damn your channel is very underrated and you even timed every part
Thanks for the kind words!
NA Index user for 4 years: Do not buy index controllers. I've gone through many pairs of controllers over the four years I've used the index. They feel great in the hands and once you get used to them it's hard to change to others, but it's a trap. While VR is still known for little issues here and there, these controllers are to an extreme. They're way too hard/expensive to replace (Almost always out of stock) and break too often, even with extremely delicate care they still develop various issues over time; Stick drift, Grip & other components coming lose and failing, tracking failure, and various random problems (such as the trigger sticking, etc.). Often times once one issue pops up, multiple others develop shortly after. The worst part is the replacements from steam support and the individual controllers that are seldom available through the steam store usually develop issues even quicker than fresh controllers from a new full set, giving you anywhere from a couple months to only a couple weeks of use before they fail. Although the controller design is, in my opinion, the best out still in terms of feel and input arrangement, it's easy to see the parts used in them are not worth the premium they charge. The thumbsticks that come stock in the controllers have mostly cheap plastic internals, yet you can get replacement thumbsticks with more durable materials off aliexpress for just a couple dollars. Not too mention that steam has moved on to other things and unsurprisingly stopped caring about the index almost entirely. Save yourself the headache and get literally any other VR setup. Once you get used to a set of controllers, using them is easy. The few superior characteristics of the index controllers is not worth the hassle.
4 years??? The index is 3 years old
Bute true... I have been through 8 controllers so fare... ihad my cv1 for 2 years without any problems
Hopefully new valve headsets will fix this
This has been a really useful video! Been looking to potentially purchase a pair myself, and this has been the most honest and truthful review I've seen. Thanks to you, you've sold me on buying a pair. Thanks for this amazing video!
Thanks, hope you enjoy them!
fantastic review, super informative, and as far as i can tell so far, entirely spot on (except i never got a squeaky trigger, bad luck for you i suppose haha)
Thanks.
thanks for the review, i kept looking all over for someone who would explain how the finger tracking works on these and i couldnt find one so big thanks for clearing that up
Glad you found it useful!
2:35 I reckon it's intended to instead use the bend below your fingertips to press the system button, to save you akwardly bending your thumb back
Nice, but.... how / where to actually find any of these Index controllers to purchase for my existing VP2 HMD? Since early 2021 they've been out of stock from Valve in Canada.
Maybe look for some kind of stock tracker? All I can say is that they are in stock now in the UK, but stock does vary.
Being a happy owner of a Reverb G2 (since it has great visuals, audio, comfort etc), I am always envious of more advanced controller methods. The WMR controllers are functional enough play games, but they miss a lot of the granularity and immersion that the vive controller has. Still, I won't invest in light houses just for the controllers. However, if Valve ever release a index successor. I might consider selling the G2 and buy into their eco-system. Because now I know I always want VR as a part of my gaming interest.
Ive bought these but havent tried them yet.
The stick drift really worries me. Especially since the part which is grinding down and causing it, is made out of plastic and could easily have been made out of metal. Or even hall sensors could been used.
Using a cheap plastic part and saving literally cents during production with it, but gaining hundreds from selling a new controller, is a scummy move. Planed obsolecense is sadly a reality.
Another huge negative point would be valves hate for repairability, at least with the sticks. The sticks a horrible to take apart, same as the lighthouse, which has to be literally cut open.
But the finger tracking is a must for immersion. This is a great technology and should be used by other manufacturers as well.
And more programs should use finger tracking.
I think the sticks should be replaceable, and I think Valve learnt from that with the Steam Deck. I have a pack of sticks in case I need them, but my biggest concern with the controllers is the difficulty in accessing the battery.
Sir u need to put the other video's u made of mordhau not private but public so thr world can enjoy also u have 112 subs noe congrats :)
Thanks. I don't really like releasing just random clips so I put those few up just for you to see, but I might put them into another compilation sometime!
@@LiamFoot why don't u like it the video u made from us was really amazing I bet it would get u some good vieuws to and we may be able to make people smile :) now people can only watch it if onenof us sinds them.the video. But ur clips man do whatever u want :)
@@dungcoveredpeasant4456 The compilation I sent you recently? That one is public on my other channel.
Speed 1.25 ... Thank me later
Idk why I watched the whole video since I've had my Index controllers for 2 years now too lol. But great video.
Thanks - I hope you found out something new about them.
This is so helpful, I didn't catch on all those things when I individually bought the index knuckles, frome the index as I still use the HTC Vive 2016 (waiting for a banger headset to come out one day) (I bought the knuckles because I needed replacement of the old vive controllers, which I'm never gonna buy again, might as well finaly change them)
Thank you so much, this helps me so much. I still have yet to try the changes I need to make,
but your review (which is nice that it's two years after their release) gave me hope again, now that I know that THERE IS a way to have "ok" finger tracking
شكرا لك ❤🔥
the controller only box DO NOT COME WITH DONGLES.
Hi, none of the kits come with dongles. The controllers are only intended to connect with supported HMDs, but there are dongles you can buy separately from other manufacturers.
@@LiamFoot yeah just leaving a note for people who want to buy index controllers to use with other headsets
Did you change your pov in game or extend your arms in settings? Also when you play in vr is it blurry or low graphic
But don’t press the thumbstick in because you’ll get stick drifted in two weeks
really in depth and informative, thank you!
Your pov or fog in game like half life is my type of pov/fov how did you do it
Hi, I captured using the OpenVR plugin for OBS, it captures what is actually rendered to the HMD.
@@LiamFoot you lost me?
@@The-Lonely-Nexus Hey, in the program called Open Broadcaster Software (OBS), you can record your screen. You can also add the OpenVR plugin to capture the whole image that is sent to the VR headset - this is why the fov is large. If you capture the game window instead, it will be cropped and you will see less.
Great vid!
Thanks!
no way its josalt
great review
Thanks!
Can I buy Index controllers in the EU? I can't find a webshop that has them in stock.....
They are sold officially at the Steam store. There is no other EU retailer that I know of.
@@LiamFoot thank you... Sold out. 🙄 Had to order on ebay from the US
Why do the indesx controllers have system requirements that's what i don't get!"
The requirements are to run the software through an appropriate headset.
Fantastic review mate
Why there's a scope view to your gameplay?
The view shown by most people is from the game window and that is cropped. This is the full render behind the scenes, so that you can see a lot more vertically.
My Vavle Index controllers are used with an HTC VIve. My controllers sometimes stop working and the icons pulsate in the Steam VR Window. Any thoughts?
Are they visible? Do you see them fly away? Does the system button still open the overlay? Does this happen to both controllers at the same time?
@@LiamFoot The controllers seem to stop working without noticing at first. Then, I'll take off my headset and I see the blue controller icons in the small Steam VR window pulsating. I have to restart the PC, and go back into Steam VR. It's been going on for about a week.
@@LiamFoot Oh, yes. The controllers stop being visible in the game.
@@vrforseniors9830 Hey, sorry I didn't see this, I hope you found a solution.
10:20 I reckon games like to set the trigger click earlier because its uncomfortable to fully click the knuckles' trigger, having less trigger to pull makes for faster accurate shots, and probably allows much nicer haptics
I have further explanation on the triggers in my bindings guide if you're interested. Thanks.
Very well done review!
Thanks!
what i don't get is , why do the index controllers list you need system specs to use them... XD
Not sure why youtube threw this video at me now, but...
Re: stick drift, you'll find complaints about it with almost every controller, as this is a physical limitation of potentiometer based thumbsticks. As metal slides against metal, their internals wear down over time and then you have the problem of the stick no longer having the correct resistances near the center point which is the root cause of stick drift. It can also be a symptom of the contacts simply being dirty, which may be solved temporarily by spraying a bit of contact cleaner in the sticks.
Modular and easily swappable sticks are one solution, but a better one would be to implement hall effect sticks that simply don't suffer from this problem to begin with as they don't rely on physical contact of materials that wear down in normal use.
Additionally, a common failure point unique to the Index controllers that could have used a mention is the capacitive sensor in the thumbsticks. This, it turns out, is connected with a ribbon cable so small and so fragile it has a tendency to break in normal use.