How many trackers do I need?
We recommend a miniumum of 6 trackers so that you can have a full lower-body tracking setup that includes your chest, hip, thighs, and ankles. While you can get away with just 5 trackers, you won't be able to track you shaking your tail as well. If you want a full tracking experience, we recommend adding an additional 2 trackers so that you can track either your upper arms (great for dancing), or track the angle of your paws!
Do I have to solder or flash firmware?
Nope! Every board comes pre-flashed with the very latest SlimeVR ESP firmware so you can just plug them into your computer and start using them right away! If we can't ship batteries to you then you will likely need to solder them onto the bottom of the tracker, but we have added a couple soldering pads to the bottom of the tracker to make it super simple if you have to provide your own batteries!
What about cases and straps?
By default we do not include the 3D Printed Cases or any Straps with the DIY kits. You will need to 3D print the cases & strap hardware yourself, find a friend to print them for you, go to a local makerspace, or buy some from someone on the SlimeVR discord marketplace! If you don't have access to a 3D printer then you can add a set of 3D printed cases in the kit configurator, and they will either ship from us or be printed and shipped from our 3D printing partner.
What straps are compatible?
Most straps are compatible with our trackers. The slide mounts for our trackers are designed for 30mm wide straps, so if your existing straps are about the same width then you should be able to reuse them!
How do they compare to Vive trackers?
Vive trackers are still great trackers, but since they use base stations there are both some pros and cons. The pro's of Vive trackers is that you don't have to spend a minute or so calibrating at the start of each play session. However, if Vive trackers lose sight of the base station then you will lose tracking, which can make them not ideal for dancing, and you can't cuddle up under a nice warm blanket. Since all SlimeVR trackers are IMU based they don't suffer from the same issues as trackers that use base stations and cameras.
How often do I have to reset because of drift?
It depends on how actively you are moving but generally you will need to do at least a quick yaw reset every 30-90 minutes, which only takes a couple seconds. The LSM6DSV IMU that we use in our Paw trackers are some of the best IMU's on the market and have some of the lowest drift. Some of the latest developments in the SlimeVR Server software have been improving the tracking and reducing drift, and we expect that they will keep improving it as time goes on.
How long does the battery last?
It depends on your activity level, but you should get 12-16 hours of use minimum depending on your activity level, so they should outlast even the longest play session. We advertise the battery capacity as 1000mAh. In repeated cycle testing of our batteries we have found they generally have ~1200mAh when brand new, and should still have at least 1000mAh after 500 charge cycles (which is why we advertise them as 1000mAh).
Do I need a PC, or does Quest standalone work?
SlimeVR Server works best when run on a PC, but you absolutely can run them as Quest standalone without a PC by using an Android phone or installing SlimeVR Server directly on your headset! Checkout the SlimeVR discord for more information on running standalone on Quest.
Will it work with my WiFi?
Our trackers work on almost every WiFi network with only a few exceptions. Our trackers are only able to connect to 2.4Ghz WiFi networks, however almost every WiFi network broadcasts a 2.4Ghz network in addition to the 5Ghz one, so you shouldn't have to worry unless you have a very custom WiFi setup. However, if you are running on a shared WiFi network that opens up a browser to login to connect (Captive WiFi), then you WILL NOT be able to connect the trackers to it.
Are the screws included?
Yes! We include a full set of the self-tapping screws you will need to assemble your trackers in every kit we sell. We always include a few extra as well in case you lose any or accidently strip them when assembling your trackers. If you ever need more send us a message and we can send you new ones, or you can buy any M2 self tapping screws (8mm length is best)!
Can I return it?
You can return unused kits for up to 10 days after delivery, but we are here to help with any issues you run into along the way, so please reach out on Discord! If the trackers got damaged during shipping we will replace them for free for up to 30 days. We also warranty the trackers for 6 months, so if you end up running into any hardware issues or defects during use we will replace your trackers for free! For any issues, just reach out to us on Discord and we will help you promptly!
Is it really open source?
Absolutely! All of our work is open source so that you can take it and make it your own as well! Checkout our GitHub for all of our code, the CAD models for all 3D prints, the board files, and anything else you might need! We just want to give back to the community in the same way that it has given to everyone else.
Can I use other trackers in addition to these?
Yes! You can mix & match with any other SlimeVR trackers without any issue, so they are great to replace any broken trackers you might have. You can even use Standable, Tundra, or Vive trackers at the same time if you really want!
