Before Deciding by Catalog Specs, There’s Something You Should Do
Previously, when users asked “Why do people hesitate between Opsens and HaritoraX2?”, I explained the key points beginners should watch out for when buying their first device. Let me say it again.
When choosing a full-body tracking (FBT) device, most people rely too much on the catalog specs. They’ve already locked themselves mentally into “budget,” or “IMU-based,” or some other checkbox. But what I always say is: first decide on the “movement” and the “expression” you want to achieve.
Once you’ve clarified that, your priorities become obvious, and the list of suitable devices narrows naturally. There are so many FBT devices out there, and the “best” one depends entirely on the person. That decision comes from defining what you actually want to express with your movement.
Point 1: Decide on “movement” and “expression” first
Before strapping on FBT gear, put on your HMD and move as if you already had full-body tracking. Think: what do I want to express, what do I want to feel, how do I want to move?
Most people skip that step, jump straight to catalog specs, and then end up confused. That’s why so many of them impulse-buy devices without really knowing what they need—like someone who’s never played baseball going out to buy a glove. Try borrowing a glove first, play enough to realize gloves require maintenance, then buy one.
If you don’t, you’ll hit the dreaded “This isn’t what I expected…” moment. That’s why I recommend free tools like TDPT to simulate the experience—it costs less than $100 to figure this out.
And yes, picking “because it’s cheap” is fine, but only once you know what compromises you’re okay with. So I’ll always say: first move around with just your HMD and even a smartphone FBT app. Sometimes the issue is the HMD itself—too heavy, not comfortable—and that is what needs upgrading before FBT.
There are plenty of devices beyond Opsens and HaritoraX2—like PICO Motion Tracker or various overseas IMU trackers (which I don’t personally recommend).
Also: don’t ask your “brain” what to buy. Ask your body.
Point 2: Don’t Decide With Your Brain
Full-body tracking is about the body, not the brain. Beginners always decide with their brain, but your brain can trick you: “too complicated,” “too much setup,” so you give up and rationalize it.
Especially people who say, “I want someone else to just tell me what to buy”—that’s a bad mindset. Be more concrete.
Point 3: “I want to dance with FBT” is not enough
Saying “I want to dance” is way too vague. Do you mean simple choreography? Shuffle dance? Showing others your dance? Or just immersing yourself?
If it’s for an audience, a 5cm drift from IMU-based trackers can already be fatal. Even if it’s “only” 3cm, that might break the immersion for performance.
Take VRChat dance, for example. When someone says:
“Every time I dance in FBT, I think: wow, this is what I wanted! It feels completely different than just moving my body to music. My quirks and movements show up on my avatar, like I’m really on stage as that character.”
For them, even a 5cm offset ruins the magic.
Or someone else might say:
“When I lift my arms softly, the avatar mirrors even the subtle strength. My footwork rhythm, my hip twists—it all shows. It’s like practicing in front of a mirror, but through an avatar you can step outside yourself and still be yourself. A strange dual experience.”
If that’s the level of fidelity you want, then responsiveness and precision matter even more.
Dancing in VR means more than just moving:
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Do you want to create the atmosphere with an audience?
In VRChat, live audiences clap, cheer, react in real time. That shared energy is addictive. You can’t easily replicate that in real life. -
Do you want to dance as your “ideal self”?
VR lets you dance as any avatar—small fairy, giant with wings, tail flowing. Expression goes far beyond what your real body can do. -
Can you accept the behind-the-scenes struggles as part of “dancing”?
Trackers drift, basestations lose sync, sweat pours down, you yell “ugh!!”—but when your movements lock perfectly with your avatar, that payoff keeps you coming back.
In VR, dance isn’t just choreography. It’s audience + avatar freedom + equipment struggle, all rolled into one unique art form.
Point 4: Beware of people who only talk about the pros
Even experienced users may recommend based only on their own style of use. Someone focused on immersion will recommend differently than someone who values easy setup.
I often watch how people move. That tells me which device fits them more than any catalog spec. But too many now recommend FBT without understanding the person’s goals.
Some people buy lots of trackers just to move their legs a little. Others want cheap setups despite complexity. For some, HaritoraX2 is right. For others, PICO’s 5-tracker set. For casual users, maybe even pose systems are enough instead of FBT.
But I’ve also seen DJs who barely move being recommended high-end devices meant for aggressive dance in dark conditions. That mismatch only hurts the person.
Reality Check
FBT has trade-offs: the closer you want to sync with reality, the more sacrifices—money, charging, setup—you have to make. You either sacrifice with the device or with yourself.
Devices don’t bend to your convenience. They’ll perform at their best, but they don’t know you better than you do.
So:
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Know your own movements first.
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Then, learn about the devices.
That’s the correct order.
When I advise people directly, I don’t just talk specs—I watch how they move.