# Vive Ultimate Trackers

<article class="w-full text-token-text-primary" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-testid="conversation-turn-6" dir="auto" id="bkmrk-what-are-vive-ultima">[![image.png](https://bookstack.hku.nl/uploads/images/gallery/2025-04/scaled-1680-/image.png)](https://bookstack.hku.nl/uploads/images/gallery/2025-04/image.png)

### **What Are Vive Ultimate Trackers?**

The **Vive Ultimate Tracker** is HTC’s next-generation tracking device designed to improve motion tracking in VR and standalone applications. Unlike the **regular Vive Tracker**, which relies on external **base stations**, the **Ultimate Tracker** features **inside-out tracking**, meaning it uses **built-in cameras** to track its position without needing external sensors.

This makes the **Ultimate Tracker** more portable and flexible, as it doesn’t require a dedicated tracking area or base stations.

<div class="text-base my-auto mx-auto py-5 px-6"><div class="mx-auto flex flex-1 text-base gap-4 md:gap-5 lg:gap-6 md:max-w-3xl group/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-none" tabindex="-1"><div class="group/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn @xs/thread:px-0 @sm/thread:px-1.5 @md/thread:px-4"><div class="relative flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3"><div class="flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow"><div class="min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+&]:mt-5" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="3ab17f1d-6e4f-45ed-bb54-95e1617caca8" data-message-model-slug="gpt-4o" dir="auto"><div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light">---

</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>### **Comparison: Ultimate Tracker vs. Regular Vive Tracker**

<div class="text-base my-auto mx-auto py-5 px-6"><div class="mx-auto flex flex-1 text-base gap-4 md:gap-5 lg:gap-6 md:max-w-3xl group/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-none" tabindex="-1"><div class="group/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn @xs/thread:px-0 @sm/thread:px-1.5 @md/thread:px-4"><div class="relative flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3"><div class="flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow"><div class="min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+&]:mt-5" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="3ab17f1d-6e4f-45ed-bb54-95e1617caca8" data-message-model-slug="gpt-4o" dir="auto"><div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light"><div class="overflow-x-auto contain-inline-size"><table data-end="1455" data-start="737" style="width: 100%; height: 361.953px;"><thead data-end="812" data-start="737"><tr data-end="812" data-start="737" style="height: 29.7969px;"><th data-end="760" data-start="737" style="width: 20.3956%; height: 29.7969px;">Feature</th><th data-end="788" data-start="760" style="width: 43.2633%; height: 29.7969px;">**Vive Ultimate Tracker**</th><th data-end="812" data-start="788" style="width: 36.3412%; height: 29.7969px;">**Vive Tracker**</th></tr></thead><tbody data-end="1455" data-start="887"><tr data-end="972" data-start="887" style="height: 29.7969px;"><td style="width: 20.3956%; height: 29.7969px;">**Tracking Method**</td><td style="width: 43.2633%; height: 29.7969px;">Inside-out (built-in cameras)</td><td style="width: 36.3412%; height: 29.7969px;">Outside-in (Base Stations), infrared.</td></tr><tr data-end="1029" data-start="973" style="height: 46.5938px;"><td style="width: 20.3956%; height: 46.5938px;">**Base Stations Needed**</td><td style="width: 43.2633%; height: 46.5938px;">❌ No</td><td style="width: 36.3412%; height: 46.5938px;">✅ Yes (Lighthouse)</td></tr><tr data-end="1096" data-start="1030" style="height: 29.7969px;"><td style="width: 20.3956%; height: 29.7969px;">**Connection Type**</td><td style="width: 43.2633%; height: 29.7969px;">Wi-Fi 6E / USB-C Dongle</td><td style="width: 36.3412%; height: 29.7969px;">USB dongle (2.4 GHz)</td></tr><tr data-end="1143" data-start="1097" style="height: 29.7969px;"><td style="width: 20.3956%; height: 29.7969px;">**Battery Life**</td><td style="width: 43.2633%; height: 29.7969px;">~7 hours</td><td style="width: 36.3412%; height: 29.7969px;">~7 hours</td></tr><tr data-end="1230" data-start="1144" style="height: 46.5938px;"><td style="width: 20.3956%; height: 46.5938px;">**Size &amp; Weight**</td><td style="width: 43.2633%; height: 46.5938px;">Slightly smaller &amp; standalone</td><td style="width: 36.3412%; height: 46.5938px;">Various sizes depending on the. model (1,2,3) &amp; requires base station setup</td></tr><tr data-end="1325" data-start="1231" style="height: 29.7969px;"><td style="width: 20.3956%; height: 29.7969px;">**Latency**</td><td style="width: 43.2633%; height: 29.7969px;">Slightly higher due to processing</td><td style="width: 36.3412%; height: 29.7969px;">Lower latency with base stations</td></tr><tr data-end="1455" data-start="1326" style="height: 73.1875px;"><td style="width: 20.3956%; height: 73.1875px;">**Connection**</td><td style="width: 43.2633%; height: 73.1875px;">Built-In camera's, do not cover. Sometimes loses connection. Calibrates through mapping setup at startup. When connection is lost, move back to the centre point of callibration</td><td style="width: 36.3412%; height: 73.1875px;">Base stations, do not cover the tracker for line of sight connection, then stable.   
Zero point connected to headset initial calibration placement. This can be updated it TD</td></tr><tr style="height: 46.5938px;"><td style="width: 20.3956%; height: 46.5938px;">**Best Use Case**</td><td style="width: 43.2633%; height: 46.5938px;">Portable, flexible tracking without a defined play area</td><td style="width: 36.3412%; height: 46.5938px;">High-precision tracking in controlled spaces</td></tr></tbody></table>

</div>---

</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>### **When to Use Each?**

<div class="text-base my-auto mx-auto py-5 px-6"><div class="mx-auto flex flex-1 text-base gap-4 md:gap-5 lg:gap-6 md:max-w-3xl group/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-none" tabindex="-1"><div class="group/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn @xs/thread:px-0 @sm/thread:px-1.5 @md/thread:px-4"><div class="relative flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3"><div class="flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow"><div class="min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+&]:mt-5" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="3ab17f1d-6e4f-45ed-bb54-95e1617caca8" data-message-model-slug="gpt-4o" dir="auto"><div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light">- **Use the Vive Ultimate Tracker if:**
    
    
    - You need **standalone, flexible tracking** without base stations &amp; headset.
    - You’re working in **large or dynamic spaces** where base stations aren’t practical.
    - In a well-lit enviroment (but not too much direct sunlight)
- **Use the Vive Tracker 3.0 if:**
    
    
    - You need **high-precision tracking** with minimal latency.
    - You’re working in a **controlled space with base stations**.
    - You need compatibility with **existing VR setups** (e.g., Vive Pro).
    - When working in low-lit spaces.

---

</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>### **1. Hardware Setup**

#### **A. What You Need**

<div class="text-base my-auto mx-auto py-5 px-6"><div class="mx-auto flex flex-1 text-base gap-4 md:gap-5 lg:gap-6 md:max-w-3xl group/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-none" tabindex="-1"><div class="group/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn @xs/thread:px-0 @sm/thread:px-1.5 @md/thread:px-4"><div class="relative flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3"><div class="mt-3 w-full empty:hidden"><div class="text-center align-left">- **Vive Ultimate Tracker(s)**
- **Usb -c Hub &amp; extension cradle**
- **PC with Vive software installed**
- **USB-C Cable** (for wired mode, firmware updates &amp; charging)

</div></div></div></div></div></div>#### **B. Charging &amp; Powering On**

<div class="text-base my-auto mx-auto py-5 px-6"><div class="mx-auto flex flex-1 text-base gap-4 md:gap-5 lg:gap-6 md:max-w-3xl group/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-none" tabindex="-1"><div class="group/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn @xs/thread:px-0 @sm/thread:px-1.5 @md/thread:px-4"><div class="relative flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3"><div class="mt-3 w-full empty:hidden"><div class="text-center align-left">- Charge the **Ultimate Tracker** via **USB-C** before first use.
- Press the **power button** until the LED lights up Blue.

---

</div></div></div></div></div></div>### **2. Connect to Vive Wireless Hub**

1. **Install &amp; Open the Vive Wireless Hub Software**
    
    
    - Download &amp; install [**Vive Hub**](https://dl.vive.com/vshubpc) from HTC’s official site.
    - Launch **Vive Hub** on your PC.
2. [**Pair the Ultimate Tracker**](https://www.vive.com/us/setup/vive-ultimate-tracker/) (link for steps on the Vive website)
    
    
    - Connect the USBDongle to your computer at least 45 cm away for decent tracking.
    - Open **Vive Hub** and go to the **settings,** choose Vive Ultimate Trackers
    - Check for **firmware update** &amp; do them if necessary (app explains the steps) .
    - **Pair New**: Follow the on screen instructions to pair each Ultimate Tracker.
3. **Tracker Mapping**
    
    
    - click on Tracker setup &amp; follow the **steps**  on screen&gt;<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" height="314" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D53DEBVqvUY" width="560"></iframe>

---

### **3. Open SteamVR**

- Once trackers are **mapped in Vive Hub**, launch **SteamVR**.
- SteamVR should now detect the **Ultimate Trackers** automatically.
- You can check and adjust tracking roles under **Devices &gt; Manage Vive Trackers** in SteamVR.

---

### **4. Use in TouchDesigner**

- Open **TouchDesigner** and use the **OpenVrChop** &amp; set it to **Trackers** to receive position &amp; rotation data.
- Map the data to visuals, interactions, or animations as needed.

### **5. Use in other software**

- Use **[GazeboOsc](https://bookstack.hku.nl/books/gazebosc)** to pick up the Tracker signals &amp; send them to other software (e.g. Isadora) that can handle OSC.

---

### **Troubleshooting**

- If SteamVR doesn’t detect trackers, temporarily **turn on the headset** or **restart SteamVR** and **Vive Hub**.
- Ensure the tracker is **properly mapped in Vive Hub** before launching SteamVR.
- Reset a tracker by holding the **power button for 10 seconds**.
- When tracking is lost, return it to the **zero point** of the callibration
- Since the **Ultimate Tracker uses inside-out tracking**, ensure there are **enough visual markers** and **light** in the environment for stable tracking. Dark furniture may cause tracking issues.
- 

<div class="text-base my-auto mx-auto py-5 px-6"><div class="mx-auto flex flex-1 text-base gap-4 md:gap-5 lg:gap-6 md:max-w-3xl group/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-none" tabindex="-1"><div class="group/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn @xs/thread:px-0 @sm/thread:px-1.5 @md/thread:px-4"><div class="absolute"><div class="flex items-center justify-center"><svg class="icon-md" fill="none" height="24" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M7.5 13.25C7.98703 13.25 8.45082 13.1505 8.87217 12.9708C8.46129 14.0478 7.62459 15.5792 6.35846 15.76C5.81173 15.8382 5.43183 16.3447 5.50993 16.8914C5.58804 17.4382 6.09457 17.8181 6.6413 17.7399C9.19413 17.3753 10.7256 14.4711 11.169 12.1909C11.4118 10.942 11.3856 9.58095 10.8491 8.44726C10.2424 7.16517 8.92256 6.24402 7.48508 6.25001C5.55895 6.25805 4 7.82196 4 9.74998C4 11.683 5.567 13.25 7.5 13.25Z" fill="currentColor"></path><path d="M16.18 13.25C16.667 13.25 17.1308 13.1505 17.5522 12.9708C17.1413 14.0478 16.3046 15.5792 15.0385 15.76C14.4917 15.8382 14.1118 16.3447 14.1899 16.8914C14.268 17.4382 14.7746 17.8181 15.3213 17.7399C17.8741 17.3753 19.4056 14.4711 19.849 12.1909C20.0918 10.942 20.0656 9.58095 19.5291 8.44726C18.9224 7.16517 17.6026 6.24402 16.1651 6.25001C14.2389 6.25805 12.68 7.82196 12.68 9.74998C12.68 11.683 14.247 13.25 16.18 13.25Z" fill="currentColor"></path></svg></div></div></div></div></div></article