Which accessories are you all getting for your frame? It would be nice to compile a list of suggestions here. All the official accessories were sold out when I ordered my Frame, but I was OK with that. I have a laptop charger that I’m using to charge it, and the ergonomic kit doesn’t seem really essential.
This is what I’m considering getting or already ordered (in the US):
Case I looked at a bunch of options but they seem either too expensive, too ugly, or have disappointing functional design. I think I’m going to go with a DSLR camera case instead because I think it would work just as well but look better and be more versatile. My plan is to put the headset by itself with a lens protector on one side of the camera bag divider, the controllers on the other side, and charger, cables, battery packs, etc., in an external pocket. I’m looking at this one in particular, which seems to be the a good size, price, and look for me, and is available from a nearby camera shop for the suggested price: https://www.kfconcept.com/KF13.179_5l-camera-sling-bag-urban-wander-05-black
Update: the case above worked like I expected. it’s a snug fit for the headset standing on its end, but I think it’s good.
Power Bank I’m looking at this one (INIU 10,000mah PD 45W), which is available from the local Best Buy: https://www.bestbuy.com/product/iniu-portable-charger-markets-smallest-10000mah-pd-45w-power-bank-with-layout-usb-c-cable-for-iphone-samsung-pixel-etc-black/CZW8VCWVTF/sku/6670987
Cable to connect a battery in my back pocket with the Frame while I use it. Someone suggested a coiled cable, which I thought was a good idea. I found this one (Smallrig 5730) which is not only coiled but has one angled connector, on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/127902849864
Update: a couple of people in the discussion below have suggested not using a coiled cable because of weight and the coils possibly pulling at the battery pack. Try at your own risk or wait for confirmation of how well this works.
Lens Protector to protect the lens and screens from damage, not only from sunlight, but also from scratches, impact, etc. Found this one on eBay too (unfortunately shows out of stock right now, but you may find it or something similar elsewhere): https://www.ebay.com/itm/366526245964?var=636238931153
Can anyone think of anything else or have better suggestions in place of the items above?
Edit: I just added my country. It may be helpful if everyone making suggestions includes the country or at least continent to help others know if they may or may not find that item available to them.
Why is everyone buying a cable when the one accessory the Frame actually does come with is a cable that is the perfect length to go from headset to pocket (it is literally the exact same size as the AVP tether).
The accessories are sold out?? You’re not even allowed to buy any unless you bought a Frame in the first place. That really sucks
Yeah, they’ve been sold out for a while now. I’ve heard that you can buy them if you’ve bought the Frame previously though.
I didn’t get anything from Valve.
Once I received the Frame, the battery life was indeed not enough for me, so I went out an got a 20000mAh 65W power bank, and a one meter cable with a 90 degree connector. The angled connector is perfect, I already had some suitable cables, but I feel the pull of the angled one not at all. I feel like with a coiled one you wouldn’t be able to avoid it tugging on the HMD ever so slightly?
I also initially considered 10000mAh to make it smaller and lighter in my pocket, enough to pretend it isn’t there, but opted for double that for the additional playtime. That was again the right call, I have been draining the 20000mAh fully almost every session, and the larger bank hasn’t been as heavy as I feared.
For a case, I found one made for the Pico 4. The Frame is just a tad smaller, and the controllers a tad bigger, but the general shapes are a close match. I used some big scissors to mutilate the soft plastic where the controller joysticks interfere with the fit, and as a result the Frame controllers fit ok. There is just enough space to squeeze in the power bank at the side.
Case Link and Pictures
I had planned on using something over bluetooth for audio, but I’m pretty happy with the internal speakers, actually. And trying my XM5s, they work, but the bluetooth latency for VR is noticeable.
Thanks. I will post an update about how the coiled cable worked out once I receive it. I considered a 20,000mAh power bank, but I heeded others recommendation to instead get 2x 10,000mAh ones (I only got one for now), to be able to charge one while using the other.
Cool about the case. I’m happy enough with the internal speakers too, and this is my first VR headset so I have nothing to compare it to any way.
I’m interested in some kind of skin for it, like from Dbrand. I also was thinking a case mod could be cool, make it look like the orange Bigscreen 2?
It looks like Dbrand has a page for the steam frame, but ‘no options available’. https://dbrand.com/search/device/steam-frame
What do you mean a skin? Like decorative or protective, and for which part? Spigen has released protective skins for the controllers, which is something I had been hoping for, but I’ve read that they affect the controller tracking.
Both decorative and protective, like the steam deck skins dbrand has. It’s a sticker.
I see it now. I wonder what parts they would be able to apply skins to, since the controllers have LEDs all over inside them for tracking, and the face of the goggles have LEDs, cameras, and who knows what else. Maybe they can cover the sides of the goggles?
Have you seen the prototype clear steam frame, it looks sick and it kinda shows the important interals.
It would be great if there was a dock to use it as a desktop PC as well. Sadly the USB port is only 2.0 without display out, but the extension port at the nose might be able to drive a dock via PCIe.
I’m really curious what people are going to do with that port.
eGPU
Well, the Index also had a kind of similar port in the front and no one really made anything with it.
I guess the Frame being stand-alone makes it slightly more likely we will see some prototypes of interesting stuff.
I guess the Frame being stand-alone makes it slightly more likely we will see some prototypes of interesting stuff.
This was my thought too.
Here’s one idea: a forward-looking infrared (FLIR), thermal imaging camera.
That could actually be really cool, getting to walk around and just see heat
Yeah, I think so too. I also think that it could be useful for some people, especially in certain professions like contractors inspecting insulation, etc.
It would be highly impractical, but what about a lidar camera? Seeing distance?
That could be interesting too. I figure if they have them on phones, no reason why it couldn’t work on Frame.
Oh, yeah, that would be cool. My current keyboard and mouse are wired anyway.
I started with the charger and ergonomic kit. I had I feeling I’d want that top band and I was correct. I also wanted the straps for the hands so I don’t have to worry about dropping them if I want to do things like, an open hand or whatever. The little extended nose rubber ended being a bonus for me and my shnoz.
Eventually I’m thinking a power bank. I do already have one I can probably get by with and I did know about the battery life ahead of time but as my first wireless headset, oof. It’s quick. And I’m on bazzite so I’m spending half the battery life troubleshooting it feels like.
I didn’t think about a case but that could be on the list now.
I plan to get the ergonomic kit once it’s in stock again. Sorry to hear about the troubleshooting time. That would be frustrating. Maybe you can have it plugged in while you’re doing that part and not playing? The case I listed worked like I had hoped.
It’s fine. Valve said Linux wasn’t supported yet. I do find it strange though, they advertise using it with the steam machine but it wasn’t ready for release.
Yeah, I’ve seen a lot of people expressing frustration with that. Hopefully they will fully support it soon. I’m also running Linux on my old gaming box, so it will help me too. I haven’t tried any streaming yet. I’m just starting out with the standalone apps.
I wouldnt go coiled cable. Unnessesary extra weight and tension. Just aim for thin and 15 cm longer than your pocket.
Thanks. I had already ordered when I posted, but I’ll see if I can compare coiled vs. straight to see which works better. I hadn’t thought about extra weight or tension. Hopefully it won’t be bad. That model extends to almost 5 feet, so hopefully the tension itself won’t be noticeable.
My wife got trigger happy and just bought all the official accessories. We’re probably going to return the replacement kit. Can’t think of a reason to keep it.
I’m probably going to get a power bank. Personally I am always near a power outlet. But maybe the kids could use it. Then again the limited battery life is a good way to limit their playtime. Although at the moment they always bring it back with some power left.
The replacement kit may come in handy in a year or two, if the included foam pads get damaged, etc. Although I’ve also thought about wearing something similar to a Zorro mask to keep my face sweat and oils away from it. I read somewhere that someone had successfully washed their pads with their laundry, so maybe they’re more durable than I think.
As far as a power bank, I’m just thinking that I will want to play standing up quite a bit (exercise being one of my main justifications for getting this - hence the sweat I mentioned) and the battery seems to go down remarkably fast, so the PB should help until Valve releases the replaceable battery setup they’ve mentioned in the future.
I think Dave2d was the one washing his. I guess the replacement kit is also good in case it doesn’t survive the wash after all.
Yeah, I figure that sooner or later the pads will need to be replaced.
