Source
r/ValveIndex•
Mingablo

In case anyone cares for an update on Australian availability

Discussion

This is mostly a rant/whinge about Valve's anti-consumer practices.

So, my Valve Index headset strap broke. It's a common issue that I've found several people talking about but, because I was still within the warranty period, I went to talk to the Valve's Australian partner, EB Games (basically Gamestop) about a repair or replacement.

They said they'd be happy to repair, replace, or refund if possible, but Valve has just stopped sending them Indexes or parts. They suggested I talk to valve because I might get lucky.

I didn't. Valve told me to piss off.

I've got three options. Either I pay ifixit $200AUD to repair my still under warranty index, use duct tape, or I return it for a refund.

Gotta hand it to them. Their method of circumventing Australian Consumer Law and heaping it all onto the local distributer is effective - not that I want to defend EB Games too much. Every bad story you've heard about Gamestop applies to them too.

Welp, it was fun while it lasted lads. Guess that's what I get for living down here. Now I gotta figure out what to do with my 33 VR games - didn't even finish Half Life.

Who knows, maybe this is some galaxy-brained manoeuvre to get me a full refund so I can afford the upcoming deckard (sure to release next quarter, trust the leaks) - after the mandatory 2-4 year Australian waiting period.

Maybe I should count myself lucky. ╮(╯ _╰ )╭

TL;DR: After only about a year of sales, Valve is no longer providing Indexes to Australia, even to customers needing replacements under warranty.

Posted Jul 9, 2023, 1:42 AM UTC · edited

628
TomC69•

Ya, as a fellow Aussie, this has been a real turn off for me as well. I actually bought Valve Index controllers +3 years ago to use with my OG Vive Pro1 (with Etsy lens mod) from an Ebay US distributor. These ended up costing my about aud$700. Fortunately I haven't had any problems with them (I avoid thumb presses as much as possible and try to rebind those to the trackpad). Also, Steam was pretty good and gave me a free copy of HLA when I registered them.

Hopefully Valve will open up shipping to Australia in the near future. If not, it's unlikely that I'll buy a new headset from them (Index2/Deckard?).

I also have a Quest Pro and together with my strong PC (i913900k/rtx4090) and good router/wifi setup I'm getting very good results with wireless PCVR using Air Link. Also, this is fully compatible with all my Rift, Steam, and VivePort apps. Up to you mate but if you can afford it a QPro may be the way to go imho. If you buy it from Amazon its easy to return for a refund if you don't like it.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Meta-Quest-Pro-Headset-256GB/dp/B09FQCH2MJ

3
MingabloOP•

That looks like the next best option. Not keen on Facebook at all, but I should be able to avoid the worst of them with the quest pro, and that is almost the exact same price as the index. So, money comes in, money goes back out.

Thanks. I bought a steam deck recently because I was overseas. I'm looking at it with suspicion and resignation now.

3
TomC69•

Ya, like my Index controllers I hope you never need to RMA your Steam Deck.

The meta headsets no longer need you to have a Facebook account btw.

3
MingabloOP•

I will miss the index controllers.

2
TomC69•

Actually I prefer oculus touch controllers. Their thumb sticks are better centered and the Pro controllers kinda melt into my hands. I’m pretty sure that if I didn’t have Oculus touch controllers I’d be fine with just the Index controllers.

Also, I think that the Pro controller tracking is 99% as good as my Index controllers with 2x2.0 base stations.

If I could ditch the base stations I would. I still like my VP1 amoled screens too much with some darkish games/sims. Local dimming with my QPro comes very close now though.

Don’t get me wrong, the Index controllers are very good. Much better than my Vive wands. Finger tracking is also nice with the few games like HLA that support it.

2
immersion_mechanics•

Get a refund, buy HTC or Meta?

2
MingabloOP•

Yeah, that looks like the plan. Sucks, but I've not got another option if I want to keep VR gaming. Probably gonna go with the quest pro since it's roughly on par feature wise and roughly the same price.

3
TomC69•

Good luck getting anything from EB Games, lol!

3
dark_skeleton•

Imo neither really compare but hey that's an option

1
immersion_mechanics•

Index and Pimax Crystal user here. I wouldn't buy a VR system that is unsupported in my territory (UK).

As a Index launch day owner, had multiple rmas during 2 years of EU/UK warranty coverage. Sold it once warranty expired, whilst it was all working.

Bought another a year later after unsuccessful forays with Vive Pro 2 and Rift S.

Had a left Index controller and tether replaced after a year with my new Index, still have a year left of coverage

Planned to buy a Samsung Odyssey a few years ago but would have had to use an import company and there was no warranty so didn't bother.

4
dark_skeleton•

I fully agree, EB Games did offer warranty coverage so I decided to bite the bullet. Sadly now it's just refunds at this stage. Oh well at least there's that.

2
TomC69•

Ya, well good luck getting a refund from EB Games, lol!

1
TomC69•

Spoken like a true Index fanboy, lol! You might be surprised how well the QPro stacks up.

2
dark_skeleton•

I know qpro is good for some things, but I'm not interested in inside-out tracking. Definitely not a fanboy, Index has issues and I come from HTC Vive but also just simply not interested in anything Facebook/Meta makes.

Also in my case prescription lenses, those weren't super cheap either and I can't just reuse them on another headset.

1
TomC69•

My QPro controller tracking is pretty well as good as my VP1 with 2x2.0 base stations and Index controllers. They are also more versatile because I don't always need to use them within the limited base station coverage like I do with my VP1/Index controllers. I can even use my QPro wireless with Air Link in my adjacent TV room.

You no longer need a FB account btw. Of course you may just be another Meta-hater, lol! I've used their headsets (and Vive's) for +5 years without any issues. I also have had a FB account for about 10 years without any issues. I only use FB to monitor bulletin boards with some clubs I belong to and I don't have it tied into my Meta account.

Anyway, your $'s so your decision mate. Cheers.

1
Chambers1041•

Yeah nah that's fucked. I was wondering what would happen to the AUS/NZ units needing RMAs, thanks for the answer.

Looks like when my Index inevitably craps itself, I will be refunding and getting a bigscreen beyond.

Luckily I have controllers and base stations from a kit I purchased through family in the UK so I can keep those and RMA as usual by shipping overseas, but the headset itself is getting replaced if it breaks.

2
sam_najian•

Just refund and get a new one.

1
MingabloOP•

Lol, did you read my post? Valve aren't selling them here anymore.

1
sam_najian•

Lol did you read your post?

I've got three options. Either I pay ifixit $200AUD to repair my still under warranty index, use duct tape, or I return it for a refund.

You said thats an option. You dont need to get one from valve, just order on amazon or get a second hand one or something.

1
MingabloOP•

Ah, you don't live in Australia. That explains it.

There weren't enough sold to create a secondhand market and no retailers are selling them locally (the only online version I can find is $800 dollars more from a sketchy amazon seller). I could import but that jacks up the price by a few hundred dollars and I get no warranty period. I don't think you've quite grasped the situation here. Not a big deal. I didn't explain the whole thing.

1
sam_najian•

Well that is very rough. I would refund tho. You cant really play with a broken headset, unless you can make some 3d prints and fix it yourself by modeling a holder for the headset and using a strap of some sort to strap it on your head. I cant help that much since i dont know exactly what part of your strap broke but if you can 3d print you might be able to do something. No guaranty tho...

1