What Base Station Does the Valve Index Use?

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By Valerie Becker

If you’re looking to purchase a Valve Index VR headset, one question you may have is: what base station does it use? The Valve Index uses two different types of base stations, the 1.0 and the 2.0.

Valve Index Base Stations

The base stations are devices that emit infrared laser beams that are used to track the position and movement of your headset and controllers in 3D space. They are an essential part of the Valve Index VR system and enable you to experience immersive VR gameplay.

Valve Index Base Station 1.0

The Valve Index Base Station 1.0 is the original base station that was released with the HTC Vive in 2016. It uses a technology called Lighthouse to track your movements in VR space accurately. The Lighthouse system uses infrared lasers that sweep across your play area, allowing your headset and controllers to determine their position precisely.

Features of the Valve Index Base Station 1.0:

  • 360-degree tracking
  • Covers up to a 15 x 15 feet play area.
  • Compatible with HTC Vive, HTC Vive Pro, and Valve Index headsets.
  • Uses a standard power outlet.

Valve Index Base Station 2.0

The Valve Index Base Station 2.0 is an updated version of the original base station model that was released alongside the Valve Index headset in June 2019. It also uses Lighthouse tracking technology but comes with some significant improvements over its predecessor.

Features of the Valve Index Base Station 2.0:

  • Improved range compared to the previous model.
  • Covers up to a maximum play area of 33 x33 feet.
  • Supports up to four base stations for even better coverage.
  • Compatible with HTC Vive, HTC Vive Pro, Valve Index, and other Lighthouse-compatible devices.

Which Base Station Should You Choose?

If you’re looking to purchase a Valve Index VR system and want to choose between the two base station models, there are a few things to keep in mind. The Valve Index Base Station 1.0 is an affordable option that provides excellent tracking capabilities for most play areas. However, if you have a larger play area or want to use more than two base stations for even better tracking coverage, the Valve Index Base Station 2.0 is the way to go.

In Conclusion

In summary, the Valve Index VR headset uses either the Valve Index Base Station 1.0 or the Valve Index Base Station 2.0 for tracking your movements in 3D space accurately. Both of these base station models use Lighthouse technology and offer impressive tracking capabilities that make your VR experience more immersive than ever before. So choose the one that best fits your needs and get ready to experience virtual reality like never before!