VIVE Tracker (3.0)

Overview

VIVE Tracker (3.0) is HTC's small puck that adds a tracked point to a SteamVR setup. It launched in the US on March 24, 2021 at $129.99, and HTC's US store now lists it at $149. It replaced the VIVE Tracker (2018). You strap it to your feet, hips or chest for full-body tracking, or mount it on a real object such as a racket, a prop gun or a camera so that object shows up in VR.

Design and battery

The tracker weighs 75 g and measures 70.9 x 79.0 x 44.1 mm. HTC says that is 15% lighter and 33% smaller than the 2018 model. Battery life is rated at 7.5 hours, up to 75% longer than before, and it charges over USB-C. The sensors cover a 240-degree field of view. It keeps the same pogo pin and mounting layout as earlier VIVE Trackers, so existing straps and mounts still fit. The box holds the tracker, a wireless dongle, a USB-C dongle cradle and a USB-C cable.

Tracking and compatibility

VIVE Tracker (3.0) uses base station tracking. It works with SteamVR Base Station 1.0 and 2.0, and the base stations and software are sold separately. HTC lists these headsets as compatible: the original HTC VIVE (Base Station 1.0 only), the VIVE Pro series including the HTC VIVE Pro 2, the VIVE Pro Eye series and VIVE Cosmos Elite. A VIVE Cosmos also works when fitted with the VIVE Cosmos External Tracking Faceplate. HTC adds that tracker compatibility may vary, so check the product information first. The tracker does not work with inside-out standalone headsets on its own. For those, HTC sells the camera-based VIVE Ultimate Tracker instead.

Setup and use

Each tracker pairs with its own dongle, which plugs into your PC. That means the number of trackers you can run at once is limited by the free USB ports on your computer. Trackers appear in SteamVR, where you assign each one a role such as left foot or waist. HTC recommends three or more trackers for full-body tracking, usually both feet and the hips. Straps and extra trackers are sold separately. Games and apps must support trackers for them to do anything. VRChat is the best-known example, and HTC also points to VIVEPORT titles. Enterprise users fit them to props for simulation training, virtual production and motion capture.

Who it is for

VIVE Tracker (3.0) is for PC VR users who already run SteamVR base stations, such as VIVE Pro 2 owners, and want full-body tracking in VRChat or tracked props. Developers and studios use it for motion capture and custom peripherals. If your headset uses inside-out tracking and you have no base stations, this is the wrong tracker. Budget for base stations, at least three trackers and enough USB ports.