So I had some fun finally putting my last mod onto my HTC Vive. The FrankenVive is complete, pretty much everything replaced. Already attached the deluxe audio strap, then replaced the foam in both the head strap and headset with VR Cover foam, and today I replaced the default lenses with gear vr lenses. I picked up the lenses from an etsy seller who already had the lenses installed into the adapter already. The vendor also modifies the lenses as well so you don't need to install any distortion software. The process was a little scary at first having to pop out the original lenses with a flat head screwdriver, but they actually come out pretty easily with a little force. Installing the new lenses with the adapter is a piece of cake too. Pops right in and easy to remove. Because you will have to remove them a couple times to make sure all dust is gone. Not that big of a deal. Get some lens cleaner wipes and a portable air puffer and this can be done in five minutes. I'm definitely a believer too after getting these new lenses installed. The amount of clarity I now have across the entire field of view is fantastic. No more major blurriness on the edges. The edges are slightly blurry but it's way on the edge that blurs and it is still better than before. Fantastic upgrade that looks to have almost the same FoV as before but much clearer. Now I can keep this until there is an Index 2 or perhaps Index with wireless support built in. Very happy with this setup. If you glasses you might have to move out the headset one slot because I think the gear VR lenses with the adapter stick out more, but it also depends what face cover you have too. If it is thicker like the vr cover one I own then the lenses sticking out more isn't as big of a deal.
I also grabbed a booster cover for my index controllers from etsy as well, alongside a stand to put my controllers in. The stand doubles as a charger too, just need to buy magnetic usb c cables from amazon, but I'm purely just using it as a stand for now. The nice thing is the controllers with the boosters attached fit in the stand easily. I snapped a couple photos of the finished product. Here is the stand and controllers with the boosters attached (got them in portal colors):
The stand I bought from here:
Also bought the boosters from the same vendor. Purchased the PETG version (that are currently 17 dollars):
The boosters give me a better grip on each controller and allow my hands to move freely between the analog stick, track pad, and buttons on top. Don't have a major issue anymore moving my thumbs up top to use everything.
Snapped a couple photos with the lenses attached and the VR Covers as well.
This is the seller for the lens replacement on etsy for the vive and vive pro(has a separate listing for the vive cosmos):
The vr cover foam was the 14mm foam (was on sale for black friday, not on sale anymore it seems):
I ordered the 20mm deluxe audio strap cover too (which was also on sale for black friday):
Having both the vr cover headset foam and the deluxe audio strap foam helps give a nice snug fit too without hurting your head. Feels very comfy to wear. The HTC Vive can be a good headset if you spend the money and time to modify it. :/ As long as I get a couple more years out of this that is all I ask for!
