Probably the most annoying part of Oculus Rift and for most VR headsets nowadays is HMD cable management. Maybe in the future, the headsets could connect to your PC without a physical (cable) connection, but until then, we have to deal with this predicament.
Some users unplug the headset and remove the cables after use because their VR playroom is too messy after the session. Rigging them back in place takes time, so this may cause you to use the Rift less often.
Luckily, some VR enthusiasts didn’t give up that easy and came up with several effective solutions. Additionally, a company Virtuix Omni recognized the problem and designed some gadgets that will help you setting up Oculus Rift in a neat way.
Virtuix VR Boom
This is probably the best, but also the priciest of all solutions. The Virtuix VR Boom is an accessory that manages your HMD cable while you are immersed in virtual-reality. The VR boom will eliminate any possible cable entanglement, which is essential if you intend to use Oculus Rift in a room-scale.
Octagonal base is sturdy and provides stability, and the gadget has necessary cable clips that lead your HMD cable to the shaft. The retractable mechanism will keep the cable at just the right length, enabling you to move and turn freely.
The only downside is the price, which is currently $149. When the Virtuix VR Boom first came out, the retail price was around $80, and since then it just keeps going up. It seems that demand for this product allows manufacturers to continuously raise the price.
Lift the cable off the floor
The best way to prevent tripping over the cable is to mount it to the walls/ceiling. If you are lazy to do this, you can clip it to the back of your pants, but this is no proper solution. When a cable touches you, it can completely break the VR immersion and set you back to the real world.
If you are ready to put in some work and set up the installations required to keep the cable suspended off the ceiling, it might be a good idea to get a cable extension. After you’ve ensured you have the required cable length, you can get the Retractable Cable Management System for Oculus Rift. It contains 6 spindles attached to adhesive hooks which can be fixed on almost any surface without drilling.
If you have enough space dedicated for your VR play area, retractable cable management system is a great solution. However, when facing difficulties, improvisation gives birth to some original ideas.
We can see this gentleman is a do-it-yourself kind of person, and even though his invention isn’t as cool and high-tech as some others we aforementioned, it serves it’s purpose brilliantly. Using a retractable dog leash, he solved the Rift cable management problem on his own.
This method probably isn’t as reliable as the others we suggested, but can get you through initial HMD cable management issues until you’ve worked out a more suitable and reliable solution.