What accessories does a Meta Quest need for training?

The Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S were developed for personal use. Even so, their good value for money and their robustness make them some of the most popular VR headsets for training. In a training setting, many trainees wear the same VR headset in turn, and for that to run smoothly, six things are needed: a rigid head strap with a battery, rechargeable controller batteries, a microfiber cloth, a wipeable facial interface, clear labels and a case. With them, training stays hygienic, fast and safe.

We equip VR headsets for training centers and companies, and every year more than 1,000 apprentices train with AtlasVR technology. The recommendations below come from our own day-to-day work. The goal never changes: trainees should spend their time on the training content instead of on setup, charging or cleaning.

Why isn't the headset ready as delivered?

A new Quest comes in a beautiful box, and it is tempting to think training can start right away. For personal use, that is true. In a course where the headset changes hands all day, the limits show quickly:

• The elastic strap is awkward to swap between people, yellows over time and is hard to clean.
• The foam facial interface soaks up sweat, dirt and make-up and cannot be cleaned hygienically.
• The controllers drain their batteries very quickly.
• No cleaning cloth comes in the box.
• With several devices, mix-ups happen quickly.

The six accessories below fix these points.

1. A rigid head strap with a battery: faster on and off, longer sessions

We replace the elastic strap with a rigid plastic head strap, often sold as an "Elite Strap". Trainees put the VR headset on and take it off quickly, and the faux-leather padding wipes clean easily.

On top of that comes an optional extra battery at the back of the head. Without it, a Quest typically lasts around two hours in day-to-day training, sometimes only an hour and a half. With the battery in the strap, it runs for almost four hours, long enough for extended course blocks without a charging break.

2. Rechargeable batteries for the controllers

The VR headset charges over USB-C, but the controllers run on AA batteries. Depending on use, they are flat within a few weeks, and even when the headset is rarely used, they run out within a few months. All too often they then fail in the middle of an exercise. We therefore recommend rechargeable batteries and ship them to our customers as standard. The most practical ones have their own USB-C port, so they charge with the same cable as the VR headset. If the headsets will not be used for a while, we recommend taking the batteries out of the controllers and storing them separately.

3. A microfiber cloth for the lenses

The least conspicuous accessory is one of the most important: a microfiber cloth. Wiping the lenses with paper towels or a T-shirt risks scratches, just as with prescription glasses. Over time the lenses turn milky, and image quality suffers for everyone who wears the VR headset.

So the rule is: clean the lenses only with a dry microfiber cloth, without cleaning agents, from the center outwards in circular movements. Meta recommends the same in its care instructions. The other plastic surfaces can be wiped with a slightly damp cloth, without alcohol or harsh cleaners. Accessories from other manufacturers may come with their own care instructions.

4. A wipeable facial interface

The facial interface sits directly on the skin. The foam interface that comes with the headset is comfortable but soaks up sweat, skin particles and make-up. Wherever many trainees wear the same headset, a facial interface with a silicone or faux-leather surface that can be wiped down after every person is a must.

5. Numbers and left/right labels

As soon as more than one VR headset is in use, every headset and its matching controllers need a number: controller 2 goes with VR headset 2, controller 4 with VR headset 4. Controllers are paired with their own VR headset and do not work with another one. If they get swapped, trainees think something is broken, when they are simply holding the wrong controllers.

An "L" and an "R" on the controllers help just as much. We regularly see trainees holding the controllers in the wrong hands and then wondering why the controls feel odd. A label solves that instantly. On our controllers, the most important buttons are labelled too.

6. A soft case or a hard case

With a rigid head strap, the VR headset no longer fits in its original box. There are two sensible options:

• Soft case: compact, light and with a carrying handle. VR headset and controllers are protected and quickly put away, which suits use within your own building.
• Hard case (or flight case): much better protection against knocks and moisture. In a custom foam insert every part has its place, and a missing item is obvious at a glance. The right choice when the headsets travel regularly. If you run several VR headsets at once, a larger hard case with built-in charging is worth considering. At AtlasVR we offer cases for five headsets that also include a charger for the controller batteries.

Example: the crane simulator as a kit

Our crane simulator shows what this can look like in practice. It comes as a kit in a hard case where everything has its fixed place: the VR headset, the crane remote control with its receiver, extra batteries, charger, headphones for noisy environments, cables and the microfiber cloth. Open the case, switch on the receiver, release the emergency stop on the remote and press start, put on the VR headset, and training begins.

What does this add up to over a course day?

Each of these accessories saves a few minutes or prevents interruptions. Over a course day, more trainees get their turn and each of them trains for longer. How a training session inside the VR headset works is explained in our article What is XR training?.

How AtlasVR helps

We deliver every VR headset preconfigured. For accessories, we advise you on what suits your use and put together complete kits on request, from the battery head strap to the case. Your team can then train from the first course day, in training centers and companies alike. The first steps with the VR headset are covered in our VR quickstart.

Frequently asked questions

How do I clean the lenses of a VR headset?
Only with a dry microfiber cloth. Liquid applied directly to a lens can damage it permanently, and paper can scratch it. If dirt will not come off dry, you can carefully use a mild, alcohol-free screen cleaner: sparingly on the cloth, never directly on the lens.

How long does the battery of a Meta Quest 3 or Quest 3S last in training?
Around two hours, almost four with a head strap that has a built-in battery.

Can several people share the same VR headset hygienically?
Yes, as long as every part that touches the skin can be wiped: wipe the silicone or faux-leather facial interface and the head strap after each person, and clean the lenses only with the microfiber cloth.

Does a Quest with a rigid head strap still fit in its original box?
No, so you need a soft case or a hard case.

Does AtlasVR supply the accessories?
We supply everything from standard kits to solutions with your own branding, tailored to your use case.

See it for yourself: book a 30-minute demo and we'll show you how a VR headset equipped for training works in a course.

Sources

• Meta: Clean your Meta Quest devices, care instructions for lenses, headset and controllers