SteamVR Controllers and Base Stations for Bigscreen Beyond 2

Earlier this week, Valve announced that it's selling through the last remaining units of the Valve Index headset, controllers and accessories. And ever since, you've been asking us: "Where do I get controllers for my Bigscreen Beyond 2?"

So we rounded up the best Index controller alternatives, plus the other SteamVR controllers that work with Beyond 2, and where you can still buy them. We also talk about Base Stations and their availability.

Do you even NEED controllers?

If you mostly race or fly, maybe not! Plenty of Beyond 2 owners use just a wheel or HOTAS and skip controllers entirely and the SteamVR interface can be navigated entirely with a gamepad, even if it is less than ideal. But for those of you who DO need controllers, we've compiled a list of options, their pros and cons, and where to get them.

Controllers

We're also sad to see that Valve will no longer be selling their "Knuckles" controllers. As VR enthusiasts we know that they are still some of the best VR controllers around, especially when it comes to finger tracking. This makes them the controller of choice for VRChat enthusiasts. And as a business, Valve's controllers were important to our product.

Bigscreen doesn't make controllers for its headset (...at least not yet, anyways), so we did some research to help you find the right controller for you.

Right off the bat, we would still recommend the Valve Index Controllers, with great ergonomics, finger tracking capabilities, grip sensitivity and a trackpad, the only real knock against them is that they aren't very suitable as a controller replacement for 2D gaming in VR. However, that is true for pretty much all SteamVR capable controllers today. (Oh and also they're not being manufactured anymore, that's also a knock)

Product	Features	Pros and cons	Price and where to buy
Valve Index Controllers	Tracks all five fingers, hand strap, thumbstick, A/B buttons, trackpad, about 8 hrs battery, USB-C	Pros: still the best SteamVR controller, works with every SteamVR game and VRChat. Cons: no new stock coming, right controllers are hard to find (about $380–420 used), check used sticks for drift	$119.20 (left only, Valve US, 20% off). Used pairs about $500–560 Valve (left only, US) eBay
	Index-style hand strap, two face buttons, thumbstick, analog grip, touch sensors for VRChat hand gestures, about 8 hrs battery, USB-C	Pros: Index-style controller, comes with a warranty. Cons: no individual finger tracking, early reviews say the strap slips, pre-orders paused, US orders can't be cancelled	$399 pair Shiftall (pre-orders paused)
Shiftall FlipVR	Flip the controls to the back of your hand with a twist of the wrist, so you can hold a drink or use a keyboard. Works with Base Station 1.0 and 2.0	Pros: you can hold real objects without taking them off, a VRChat favorite. Cons: sold out, pre-orders paused, listed for November 2026	$399 pair Shiftall
HTC VIVE Controller 2.0	Trackpad, trigger, grip buttons, menu button, USB charging	Pros: in stock, rock-solid tracking, great for sim racing, flight sim and menus, cheap used. Cons: no thumbstick or face buttons, no finger tracking, you hold them the whole time, a bit big	$199 each HTC or used for about $70–120
STAKX Controller (coming 2027)	Clips onto a VIVE Tracker 3.0 or Tundra Tracker for tracking, pressure-based finger tracking, drift-resistant stick, very light (110 g per hand)	Pros: individual finger tracking at a low price, great if you already own trackers. Cons: Japan only for now, ships February–March 2027, needs two additional trackers, no reviews yet	¥29,800 (about $200) full set, plus 2 trackers Xintechs Koubou (Japan only)

Prices checked October 16, 2026. Stock is changing fast, so check before you buy.

Valve Index Controllers

The Index controllers are our top pick for SteamVR. They have great finger tracking, a comfortable form factor, and having a trackpad and thumbstick gives plenty of choice as to how you play your games. Valve's sunset sale still has left hand controllers for $119.20 in the US, but right controllers are gone, so most people will be shopping used. A used pair runs about $500–560 on eBay right now, and a right controller on its own goes for about $380–420. If you buy used, ask the seller about the thumbsticks, since stick drift is the most common issue, and if the triggers are squeaking. Valve promises to continue supporting the Index Controllers through Steam Support.

Shiftall GripVR

GripVR is the closest thing to a brand new Index controller. It comes from Shiftall, the company behind the MeganeX headsets, and has the same kind of hand strap, two face buttons, a thumbstick, an analog grip and touch sensors. It doesn't track your middle, ring and pinky fingers individually, but the touch sensors do allow enough gestures to get by. The weak spot is the strap. It's thinner than the Index strap and sits almost flat against the controller, so it can slip unless you keep a grip on it, and the controller itself is a bit bigger than an Index controller. MRTV's side-by-side review is a great place to learn more if you are interested.

The GripVR is a good pick, but it won't give you Index-level finger tracking. It's $399 a pair and works with Base Station 1.0 and 2.0. However, availability is currently a problem. Pre-orders are paused right now, but Shiftall says they should be shipping again before end of October 2026. Note: US orders can't be cancelled, returned or refunded once confirmed.

Shiftall FlipVR

FlipVR is GripVR's sibling from Shiftall. With a twist of the wrist, the controls flip around to the back of your hand, so you can grab a drink or type on a keyboard without taking them off. They're $399 a pair, work with Base Station 1.0 and 2.0. They're sold out right now, with pre-orders paused and the next batch listed for November 2026 on Shiftall's store.

HTC Vive "Wand" Controllers

The HTC Vive Controllers are old. Their trackpad + Grip button control scheme is limiting, they're kinda bulky and ugly... but their tracking is excellent, they're in stock right now at HTC, and for sim racing and flight sim, where you mostly just click through menus, they're all you need. They also make a great backup pair for your current favorite controllers as they work with most VR native games.

That being said, the lack of face buttons and thumb sticks means there is no chance of them doubling as a gamepad for 2D gaming, (though the trackpads are clickable) and this lack of control options can make some VR titles awkward to play. (But I played through all of Half-Life: Alyx with them, so they usually won't stop you!) Since there's only a wrist strap and no hand strap, you have to hold onto them the whole time you are using them. And don't expect any finger tracking, except for the grip button. If you want to maximize your immersion then Index or GripVR is your best bet. But for a cheap entry level controller, these are still a valid pick. 

But if you are buying used note the Original VIVE wands require 1.0 base stations, while the 2018/2.0 controllers work with either generation—but you can’t mix 1.0 and 2.0 base stations in the same setup.

STAKX Controller

STAKX is the most interesting new option for VR Controllers. It doesn't look like anything else out there, and it doesn't work like anything else out there either. It has no tracking of its own. Instead, you clip a VIVE Tracker 3.0 or Tundra Tracker onto each controller, and the tracker handles position while the controller handles buttons and fingers. The full set adds finger tracking that uses pressure sensors, so your fingers curl further the harder you squeeze, and middle, ring and pinky move on their own. It's very light at 110 g per hand, and you get durable, drift-resistant TMR joysticks. They come as a small remote control type shape, that slots into a fingertracking add-on, implying a modular future that may or may not play out. The company also promises FluxPose tracking support via a separate dedicated module sold as an option. The full set is ¥29,800 (about $200), but you'll need two trackers on top of that. For now it's Japan only, and you can pre-order from Xintechs Koubou, with shipping in February to March 2027.

VR Gloves for Steam VR

Or go for some more niche controllers. VR Gloves offer the best in fingertracking to maximize immersion and expressivity in games like VR Chat. Pair it with Beyond 2e and its built-in eye tracking (with a recently improved model, now in beta!) and you'll be bringing your eyes, your hands and every finger into VR with you. Your avatar will look, blink and gesture just like you do.

Product	Features	Pros and cons	Price and where to buy
UDCAP VR Gloves (Udexreal)	Thin, washable gloves with full finger tracking. Clip a VIVE 3.0 or Tundra tracker on the back for hand position. Index-finger module with thumbstick, A/B buttons and vibration included. Up to 15 hrs battery	Pros: real finger tracking, very light (45 g), quick setup. Cons: you need two trackers, no physical trigger or grip, finger tracking isn't perfect yet, sold out right now. Emulation of Index controllers can make finger movements robotic compared to camera-based finger tracking	$529 pair (on sale, normally $699), plus 2 trackers Udexreal (sold out)
ContactGlove3 (Melt, formerly Diver-X)	Tracks all five fingers with magnetic sensors, built-in haptics. Includes Magnetra3 snap-on module with thumbstick, trigger and buttons. Clip a VIVE 3.0 or Tundra tracker on each hand for position. Works with VRChat and Resonite	Pros: detailed finger tracking. Cons: pricey, needs two trackers to work as a VR controller, pre-orders ship January 2027, requires one USB dongle (included)	$699.99 Melt store (pre-order)
StretchSense Reality Glove	Current model: 32 stretch sensors track all five fingers. Mappable gestures stand in for controller buttons. Needs a tracker on each wrist for VR. Up to 20 hrs battery (without haptics), Bluetooth, no dongle New model: ultrasound tracking instead of stretch sensors, with tracking built in, so no extra trackers. Up to 20 hrs battery (without haptics), Bluetooth, no dongle	Pros: no dongle, long battery life, newer model needs no extra trackers. Cons: gestures instead of buttons, current model needs extra trackers, tracked model is pre-order only, no hands-on reviews yet	$495 pair $895 for the model with built-in tracking StretchSense current model Pre-order the tracked model (ships Q4 2026)

UDCAP VR Gloves

UDCAP VR Gloves from Udexreal are thin, silk-like gloves that track all five fingers with stretch sensors, and they're advertised at just 45 g. The electronics come out, so you can wash the gloves. They don't track position on their own, so you clip a tracker onto the back of each hand (VIVE Tracker 3.0 and Tundra Tracker all work, and Udexreal recommends base station tracking). A small module on your index finger adds a thumbstick, A/B buttons and vibration, but there's no physical trigger or grip, so your tracked fingers stand in for them. In SteamVR they show up as Index controllers. They're $529 a pair right now (down from $699), with dongles included but trackers sold separately, and they're currently sold out. An early hands-on from The Ghost Howls found the finger tracking good but not perfect, and Jacobfov's video review sums them up as better than other VR gloves, but not quite there yet.

ContactGlove3 + Magnetra3

ContactGlove3 comes from Melt Interface Technologies, the company formerly known as Diver-X. It tracks all five fingers with magnetic sensors and has built-in haptics. The bundle also comes with Magnetra3, a controller module that snaps onto each glove with magnets and adds a full-size thumbstick, trigger and buttons, so you can still play regular VR games. Pop it off and the gloves work on their own. Like UDCAP, you'll need a tracker on each hand (VIVE Tracker 3.0, Tundra Tracker), and everything connects through one included USB dongle. Battery life is 8 to 10 hours. It works with VRChat and Resonite. At $699.99 it's the second most expensive option here, and pre-orders from the Melt store ship in January 2027.

StretchSense Reality Glove

StretchSense makes motion capture gloves for film and animation studios, and the Reality Glove is its take on a VR glove. 32 stretch sensors in the fabric track all five fingers, and it connects straight to your PC over Bluetooth with no dongle. Battery life is up to 20 hours (with haptics off). There are no buttons. Instead you map gestures to stand in for Index controller buttons, and your thumb or wrist can steer a virtual joystick. The glove tracks your fingers and wrist rotation but not where your hands are in the room, so for VR you need to clip a tracker onto each wrist, like UDCAP and ContactGlove3. The current model is $495 a pair. The newer model is a different design that uses "ultrasound spatial tracking" removing the need for separate hand trackers. It's $895 and up for pre-order, shipping in Q4 2026. Note we couldn't find any hands on reviews of the new gloves yet, so keep an eye out for reviews to make an informed purchase.

These are community and third-party options, not products we support directly.

Are SteamVR Base Stations Being Discontinued?

But what about lighthouses? Well, the good news is we reached out to HTC, and they told us:

"If there is a plan to discontinue Steam VR Base Stations, we will ensure everyone is informed. However it is unlikely to happen at this time."

This isn't a commitment. But HTC still sells quite a few products that rely on base stations, like the VIVE Pro 2, VIVE Tracker 3.0 and the VIVE wands above. And they have numerous corporate clients who rely on the technology, from film studios using HTC's own VIVE Mars CamTrack for virtual production, to audio company Brandenburg Labs, whose Okeanos Pro headphones use base stations for head tracking, to VRArenas all over the world that still use Lighthouse based tracking.

Base stations can still be bought directly from HTC on their website: the SteamVR Base Station 2.0 is $229 and in stock. And if you were thinking of grabbing an extra lighthouse, buying directly from Valve while they're discounted is a good move. They still have stock in some regions. And if you already own base stations from an Index or Vive, they'll work with Beyond 2 and Beyond 2e right out of the box, along with your controllers and trackers.

And if you REALLY want to save, well you CAN get Base Station 1.0 on the used market. All the controllers listed above will work with the old base stations, and they can be found for much cheaper on eBay.

Thinking about making the jump? Beyond 2 starts at $959 and Beyond 2e at $1,159, after our price drop in August. And keep an eye out for the Halo Mount (here's the latest on shipping).

And if you don't have base stations at all, or you just want to watch a movie or play a flat game, we've got something coming for you too. We're working on a 3DoF mode for Beyond 2, which tracks which way your head turns (but not where it moves), so you can use your headset for flat experiences without any base stations. We'll share more here on the blog and on our YouTube channel soon.