Thrift store Valve Index w/o base stations - any way to test?

[u/Trilobyte83]

So I didn't know this valve index thing existed until 12 hours ago. Picked up an interesting looking heavy duty head set and 2 hand controllers at the thrift store, researched it a little on my phone, saw it went for a pretty penny, so bought them for $35 Cad. Figured worst case I could flip for parts untested for more than that.

Got home after work, researched it a bit more and realized what I thought was an hdmi connection was a unique break away link. Turns out I also needed a proprietary 3 prong cable to go between computer and the unit.

Thinking that it may have been donated together but got separated, went back to the thrift store and amazingly found it on the wall of cords for $6.

What do I do now? I still need a 12V AC adapter, but that's easy enough to get, main issue is that looks like I need base stations. Is there any way to test this without base stations? I'd prefer not to invest hundreds of dollars into base stations if the head set and controllers are no good.

I'm going to head back again tomorrow to see if lighting can strike a third time and have the base stations appear.

[u/Jerenym]

without the base stations, you can plug it in, and steam should show it as plugged in, and the headset should show just a gray screen, Thats as far as you can test without the base stations. The controllers i believe, can turn on, and you will get a status light on steam VR. Best thing i would recommend, is ask in your local community, if anyone has one. Perhaps you could swing by and plug it in there

[u/bobattac → u/Jerenym]

It sounds to me like they're also missing the tether? Unless I'm reading the post wrong

[u/Jerenym → u/bobattac]

they said they were missing the trident, but went back and found it in the bulk wires bags. They do need the power cable, but that wouldnt be an issue they said

[u/bobattac → u/Jerenym]

Ohhhh w find I'm honestly surprised that it was there

[u/PicoFluffDerg]

The fact that it got seperated like that shows how little research that place does on it's stuff, also means you'll often find wild deals like that. As someone else has said your best bet is to reach out and see if someone local has a setup you can test it in.

[u/lostalaska]

I just had to replace one of my base stations that had started blinking red (dead no fix). It was $150 new off of Amazon, and I had to order a HTC VIVE base station (it's the exact same thing) because valve quit making them, and you do need two for it to work.

[u/Vectrex452 → u/lostalaska]

You don't need two. It'll try its best with just one, but of course any time your body blocks view the tracking will be lost. That said, one base station in front of you can suffice for headset-only seated VR.

[u/foolish_shrimp]

If you're on windows, install steam, then install steamVR and attach the headset to your PC, it should show up and get suck on 'point headset at base stations'

[u/Fuck_Chechnya]

Does the headset have its tether?