We understand that controllers can become cumbersome when you have to ensure to press buttons to walk or pick up objects in virtual reality. Due to multiple functions, these controllers lose track, sometimes reducing the immersion of a VR game.
To counter this problem, many full-body motion trackers are available now from different manufacturers in the industry.
In this post, we will introduce some of the top full-body trackers on the market right now with their complete set of features, pros, and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Winner
HTC Vive Tracker 3.0
The Vive Tracker 3.0 by HTC is quite popular because of the brand name associated with it which is known for its quality electronics. The tracker is known for its precision and pinpoints accuracy support. It has been redesigned to support longer game times.
Runner Up
Kinect2VR
This Windows application uses Kinect skeleton tracking by following your waist and feet movements. It is not like your regular webcam tracking. It still has some quality issues which are to be resolved soon, however, it is an excellent alternative to expensive trackers.
Also Great
Driver4VR
This tracking application is another software that provides full-body tracking via head and hand tracking. It uses controller emulations, alternative VR configurations, and utilities. It is still in early access on SteamVR, therefore, it may lag or crash on high-processing VR content.
Now that we have established a quick overview of our top choices, let’s dive into the depths of their features to take a closer look.
Cheap Full Body Tracking VR - Top 4 Reviews
#1: Best Seamless VR Full-Body Tracker - HTC Vive Tracker 3.0 Review
The HTC Vive 3.0 tracker is one of the most popular full-body trackers right now because of its high-quality features and built. The manufacturer has modified it into a smaller, sleeker design to support a longer playtime.
This tracker helps you create a seamless connection between your virtual reality experience and real-life objects by capturing your full-body movements with complete accuracy.
To take your VR experience to another level, you can also integrate external devices.
Moreover, along with a new lightweight and smaller build, the tracker has an extended battery life for you to enjoy VR for hours on end.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy HTC Vive Tracker 3.0
Price: If you purchase 4 trackers, then you can expect this accessory to exceed your allocated budget. However, if you are a pro gamer, then we highly recommend this tracker for you because it will enhance your VR experience by ten folds.
Features: The new Vive tracker 3.0 is 33% smaller than the previous version to give you pocket-sized precision. It is 15% lighter for more comfortable use and versatility. Moreover, its battery life has been extended by 75% to 7.5 hours.
Compatibility: This tracker can be used with the HTC Vive headset series if you have a base station that is sold separately.
- More compact
- Lightweight
- Longer battery-life
- It can be used with all the accessories compatible with Vive Tracker 2.0
- Easy to use with VR strap
- Relatively expensive
- Best support for motion picture only
- Not all VR content is compatible with trackers
Best Seamless VR Full-Body Tracker
The HTC Vive Tracker 3.0 is the best fully-body tracking accessory because it has been redesigned to support a more seamless VR experience with a smaller and lighter body coupled with long battery life.
#2: Best Kinetic Body Tracking - Kinect2VR Review
KinectToVR is an extension of Sharkyh20’s work which was the original developer. This version is known as the K2EX, which is short for Kinect2VR EX. The Kinect toys that were introduced in early 2010 connect very well with this tracking device.
It is open-source, free software for Windows that creates virtual Vive trackers built-up from the foundations of Xbox and Windows Kinect device trackings and PlayStation Move settings.
The Kinect full-body trackers are different from webcams because Kinect consists of sensors that manage to track more efficiently compared to webcams. This software is backed up by a strong team.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Kinect2VR
Price: Kinect2VR is an open-source Windows tracking application available for free for users to access, and this software has good workings despite some slight lag.
Features: There is a lot of hidden potential in this software because it has a widely available sensor that consists of a free SDK coupled with a tracking algorithm serviceable skeleton. It will not tax your resources.
The software uses its features to overcome problems such as a limited frequency of 30 Hz and issues of turning. It is a good solution for full-body tracking for those who do not mind some compromise on quality.
Compatibility: This tracking device uses Windows, Xbox, and PlayStation Move tracking setups. You can set it up using the PS move controllers and the PS eye cameras through PSMoveService.
- In-depth tracking
- Better than webcam tracking
- Available for free
- Open-source
- Easy to set up
- Noticeable lags
- 30 Hz frequency rate
- Hard for some people to access
Best Kinetic Body Tracking
The Kinect2VR is an open-source Windows software than provides good full-body tracking. It has some issues with lagging and quality control, however, you will find that it is a lot more useful as compared to webcam tracking.
#3: Best Positional Body Tracking - Driver4VR Review
Driver4VR is another tracking software program that allows full-body tracking with head and hand tracking supported by utilities, controller emulations, and alternative virtual reality configurations.
When you use Driver4VR, you need to ensure that you start with the “launch” button to install any additional services that the software may require to run smoothly.
This is also the main source of support for the very first VR app called WalkinVR for disabled people.
This software uses multiple systems to track you in VR, including webcams, Kinects, PS Move controllers, and printed trackers. This application also comes with a ton of additional features, such as playing VR games on your TV.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Driver4VR
Price: This software is available for a very low price on SteamVR in its early access phase, which means you do not have to register onsite.
Features: Driver4VR emulates full-body tracking with PlayStation controllers using PS eye cameras, Kinect, and Nolo VR. You can also use the experimental way of tracking with the use of camera markers and a single PS eye camera.
This software supports tVR, which is best suitable for people who want to engage in VR experiences but cannot do so in a conventional way with a headset and controllers.
Compatibility: Driver4VR supports body-tracking for your major VR headsets, such as
- Oculus
- Valve Index
- HTC Vive
In the case of 3DoF VR devices such as VRTek, PS VR, or phone VR, the software allows controller emulations and positional tracking. It can also use alternative devices for emulation of controllers and input, such as mice, consoles, and keyboard inputs.
- Controller emulation
- Positional tracking
- Emulation with Kinect, PS VR, and Nolo VR
- Supports 6DoF platforms
- Affordable
- Support for tVR
- May crash a lot
- Weak calibration
- Bugged tracking
Best Positional Body Tracking
The Driver4VR is a great, affordable software that employs different 3DoF tracking platforms to allow controller emulations and positional tracking. It consists of different utilities to ensure that you can have an immersive VR experience at an affordable rate.
#4: Best External Hardware Free Body Tracker - HaritoraX VR Review
HaritoraX is a full-body tracking device that tracks the movements of your legs and waist. It is supported by SteamVR and has compatibility with standalone VR headsets such as Oculus Quest 2 to give wireless full-body tracking.
This tracking device finishes the problem of having your hands full with controllers that hinders your perfect poses in social VR settings. You can easily dive into social networking in virtual reality as your avatar mimics your movements with complete accuracy.
The best part about this tracking device is its prolonged battery life which can last up to several days. Its total battery life is 10 hours.
You do not need to plug in numerous USB cables to recharge it since there is only one port that connects all the modules via cables.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy HaritoraX Full-Body Tracking
Price: Considering the quality and extensive features of this tracker, the expensive price tag of this tracking device makes sense. However, other trackers on the market match their quality at a lower price.
Features: External sensors such as camera tracking loses tracking easily. To counter this problem and provide seamless tracking, this device uses acceleration, and geomagnetic sensors called the 9-axis IMU.
It uses the Haritora configurator, which is a posture estimation application coupled with an onboard quick collaboration system that provides posture correction and estimation functions for a fully-immersive experience.
Compatibility: The HaritoraX tracking device is compatible with all SteamVR devices.
- Precise tracking
- Single USB port charging
- Extended battery life
- Comfortable
- Supports wireless tracking
- Can have a longer battery life with mobile use
- Not guaranteed to work with all headsets
- Expensive
- Not available for retail yet
Best External Hardware Free Body Tracker
The HaritoraX full-body tracking device is expected to become a popular tracker because of its promising features, extended battery life, and comfortable wear. It supports standalone headsets and provides posture estimation and correction functionality.
Buyers’ Guide
In this section, we will take a look at all the factors that you should consider before you decide to invest in a VR tracking device.
The major reason behind your decision to look for tracking devices is to make your VR experiences more immersive. Therefore, you should consider the following factors very carefully:
Price
Tracking devices are quite expensive because they not only support full-body movement tracking but also Bluetooth connection, positional tracking, and more depending on the device you decide to use.
As of now, the most popular full-body tracker is the HTC Vive tracking device which is quotes expensive if you want more than 1 tracker. There are alternative more affordable options such as tracking software, however, they come at the expense of quality.
Features
The value of a tracking device lies in its features which determine how well your movements will be tracked in virtual reality with precision. If the tracker has low-quality tracking features then you will experience lagging or crashing of the VR app.
Remember that poor quality tracking can diminish a fully-immersive experience and VR lagging can cause more than just a disruptive experience, it can also cause motion sickness and headaches.
Specifications
The specifications of a tracker will allow you to assess whether or not a particular tracking device fits your requirements. If you do not own a PC that matches the tracker’s system requirements then you should look for one that is in sync with your OS.
Moreover, you will be able to find similar requirements that a tracker needs to run smoothly according to which you can judge if it is the right one for you.
You will also be able to determine whether the tracker provides you the value you are looking for based on its specifications.
Compatibility
Tracking devices are not always compatible with all types of VR headsets and platforms. Even if they have support for the VR headset, they might lag or become less immersive.
Therefore, make sure you check whether the tracking device you want is compatible with your VR headset.
Package Items
Tracking devices are usually battery powered which means they require certain types of cables and consist of USB ports. They might even require additional gear such as Bluetooth support.
You need to check whether these cables and USB types are included in the package and built into the price of the complete item.
If not, then add the price of such hardware into the price of the tracking device to check the full amount you will be spending on VR tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does full-body tracking in VR cost?
Body tracking devices fall between the cost ranges of $100 to $700 approximately depending on the manufacturer and the unique features it holds.
On the other hand, VR tracking software are cheaper but you will not get the fully-immersive VR experience with them.
Which VR system allows full-body tracking?
Presently, HTC Vive has the best VR tracking system with its Vive Tracking 3.0 device that provides exceptional and accurate depictions of your movements in virtual reality. It is highly recommended and available in bundles on Amazon.
How many tracking devices do you need for full-body tracking?
Tracking devices are quite precise in their locations to depict accurate tracking. Therefore, for precision full-body tracking you would require at least three trackers, it is ideal if you use four where two trackers will be used for your arms and 2 for your legs.
Does Oculus support 360-degree tracking?
The Oculus Quest 2 headset has 6DoF cameras and multiple sensors on the VR device. These cameras allow precision tracking and the sensors capture every movement. This allows the headset to ensure low latency 360-degree tracking with accuracy.
Does Oculus track fingers?
Oculus Quest 2 VR headset has great tracking that is supported by multiple sensors and cameras that ensure accuracy. The headset tracks your hands with precision to allow you to use its menu with ease in VR.
Final Verdict
This concludes our post on cheap full-body VR tracking that consists of our top 4 choices with their complete features, specifications, pros, and cons.
Our favorite tracker is, without a doubt, the HTC Vive Tracker 3.0 because it offers extreme precision and it is compatible with various headsets. It is the most popular VR tracking device. However, it is quite pricey.
If you are looking for cheaper alternatives, then the best way to go is to consider the use of tracking software. Kinect2VR and Driver4VR are two of the best tracking software out there that use controller emulations and positional tracking.
Another great tracking device that promises much versatility is the HaritoraX tracking device which consists of modules connected with cables. It also provides great accuracy, and it is easy to use. However, it is not available for retail yet, but it is much anticipated.
If you have any more questions regarding VR tracking, let us know.
