Test: Microsoft Motion Controller for Windows 10 Mixed Reality

At the IFA , Microsoft used the big stage this year to present its mixed reality glasses for Windows 10. These come from various partners such as Dell, Acer, Lenovo, HP and Asus, and each rely on the same hardware, but on different shapes and designs. Our first impression of the development kit of Acer is here. But even if the partners’ spectacles look like stand-alone products, all systems share the same controllers. Microsoft has a mix of its motion controllersHTC Vive Controller and Oculus Touch Controller and would like to conquer the VR world. We have tested the Microsoft Motion Controllers intensively and will tell you if they can compete with the competition products.

Microsoft Motion Controller in Test: Processing

The processing and design are currently not necessarily final, but we should not start from major changes to the release for consumers. The controllers are currently very light and do not feel particularly valuable. In addition, the current version had to be connected with a cable so that the tracking functioned cleanly. However, this is due to the trade fair environment and the current version, because the controllers connect via Bluetooth to the VR glasses, which is likely to lead quickly to interruptions. While HTC is limited to a touchpad and Oculus on a stick with the controllers, Microsoft unites both worlds and offers both a touchpad and a stick for the movement.

Tracking: Excellent overall quality

The controllers are recorded in the room via the sensors / cameras of the VR spectacles. So you do not have to set up additional tracker. This process allows the controllers to work very well in the field of view of the cameras of the VR glasses, but when you use the controller behind your back, the tracking stops and the internal sensors of the controllers take over the work. This worked very well in the test and it was only a minimal jump in tracking to see if the controller is brought very quickly into the field of vision of the glasses.

The overall quality of the tracking was excellent in our first demo, but in the second demo a slight trembling of the controller was visible. This could have been caused by light irradiation. Possibly however the setup in the second demo was simply not optimal.

The Conclusion

The controllers from Microsoft do a good job. They are no better than the controllers of the Rift or the HTC Vive , but they do not need to hide from the competition either. The processing could be higher quality, but a fall to the ground should exceed it. Overall, Microsoft provides a solid controller, which reflects the current possibilities.