Apexinno Haptic Quest VR 3/3S Controller Mods and Gunstock
Mods to improve trigger action & recoil of Apexinno Haptic Gunstock cover for Quest 3 plus attachments for a 22mm pipe.
The Appexinno Haptic Gunstock recoil covers (after referred to as AHG) are a great way of adding recoil feedback to your favourite VR shooters. They aren’t perfect but considering the cost of the limited competition currently available they are “affordable” and fun. Part of the deal however is they aren’t perfect and for me did have some shortcomings.
The Triggers
Due to the nature of the mechanical connection to the trigger button and lack of adjustment I found for most games they fire early meaning you can often squeeze the AHG trigger, feel the recoil, but the Quest trigger hasn’t moved far enough for the game to register a fire action. This leads you to pull harder on the trigger than you usually would to ensure the fire action ‘syncs’ for both the recoil and the game. This may not be present for every game as the trigger is analog and will be likely set differently (or adjustable in game) as a hair trigger through to a full trigger pull.
The first design [Trigger Insert] is a shape that sits snugly into the AHG trigger to plug the small gap between the Quest controller trigger that is responsible for the delay in firing and is easy to add or remove.
The shape has to be printed with support with the curved side down. As a result you want a file or sandpaper to remove any swarf and ensure the plug-side is clean to snap in. It is slightly thinner at the bottom end when inserted. 20% infill is sufficient and best quality print.
The ‘gap’ between the triggers (AHG & controller) is critical. If it sits too proud the Quest will receive false trigger actions – the Quest menu is particularly sensitive and the slightest pressure will register as an action).
When snapping it in (supporting the AHG trigger carefully from behind) observe whether it is pressing on the controller trigger, even a fraction. If it is, file or sandpaper a small amount from the base.
If you find for your own setup it needs to be deeper you can adjust the Z height of model by the smallest amount possible. We really are talking fractions of a mm.
The Noise
The AHG is admittedly loud and a little too ‘clacky’ by default due to plastic striking plastic. There may be more elegant solutions but a small elastic band stretched over the back of the stock where the white plastic hits will reduce this. This however has to be less than a mm in width – anymore and it will prevent the recoil action resetting.
I route a band down the sides and around the front to where the controller locks in, using black bands and also using a couple of pins [screw pin & glue pin]. One is inserted into a screw hole (it easily pulls out if you ever need to open the unit) and a shorter print I glue to the opposite side.
The (lack of) Grips or Knuckle Straps
This isn’t a 3d design but thought I would mention. The smooth plastic handle is very smooth and the added weight is more tiring to hold constantly. Latex knuckle grip covers wont work without modifying but a cheap pair cut with a larger hole out the base to allow it to slide higher (taking account of the added width the AHG holster adds) will work. I also removed latex from the back above trigger whole and little above the grip button. The type I bought also have holes around the top which attached to the AHG top clip.
The Gunstock [Work in Progress]
Connecting the AHG covers to a stock is achieved in this design using the ‘aesthetic’ shape (mock chamber or sight?) on the top of the AHG cover as a connection point as its quite robust and strong enough to hold the weight with a VR controller attached.
I use 3 parts to allow connection to a stock. The first [AGH clip] snaps in to the AHG with a wedge above for connection to the second part. The first part flexes as it snaps in and can also be removed again by bending the wedges apart whilst pulling it. The final part [AGH clip plug] is used the prevent the part flexing whilst attached and is inserted into the gap between the lugs that grip the AHG.
Print the AGH clip with 20% infill, best quality with or without out supports with the wedge side down and lugs up. You want the lugs to print clean as possible for best tolerance. Hanging bridging (printed without supports) or swarf between wedge shaped should also be cleaned out. Insert the connector by inserting one side first and then press down the other side. It will snap into place with a little force.
The third part provides a slot to connect the wedge from the first part and to attach to a 22mm pipe/frame. I've included various designs for primary & secondary controllers. I use either 1 or 2 20-22mm sound neodymium magnets in mag clips. Print mag clip parts with supports and clean swarf out to ensure fit is good (fit with the wedge is tight by default).
Primary:
AGH connector (pipe connector)
AGH connector w support (pipe & strap connector - after testing I decided this would provide additional strength to the main connector when pulling the controller into shoulder attached to gunstock. It sits snugly behind the AGH to prevent stress on the connection to the pipe)
mag clip straight (magnetic)
Secondary:
mag clip LH short (for one magnet)
mag clip LH tall (for 2 magnets)
Other parts included:
Shoulder butt
Angled stock to raise pipe from shoulder butt position
muzzle end / pipe end caps
strap connector
Cross connector (to connect a cross pipe at the end of the stock - I found the position of the secondary controller needed to be offset to ensure the quest controller is positioned under the centre of the gunstock.. because the AHG controllers are long the position of the quest controller doesn't play well with some games.
Note - the mag clip LH connectors are orientated at an angle to use with the cross piece. To attach them to a simple straight stock they need to be L-R mirrored when printing.