Charlie | Byte Gremlin

Why Oculus Quest ISN’T the future of VR

October 5, 2020October 10, 2018 by Charlie

Note: Byte Gremlin uses Affiliate Links, which generate income to help support the site.

During Oculus’ most recent Oculus Connect 5 event, the company announced a product some pundits are hailing as the turning point for VR hardware.

At a glance, Oculus Quest appears to be exactly what everyone has been asking for out of VR. Priced at $400, it provides room-scale tracking (scaling up to vast multi-room experiences that may match or exceed Vive’s commercial arena tracking systems). It uses inside-out on headset tracking and therefore requires minimal setup. On top of that, it requires no separate PC to run. The entire headset is self contained, along with its two controllers that are a close match to the rift’s much admired move controllers.

As a self described VR evangelist, I sincerely wish I could tout this new development as an exciting new chapter in the evolution of VR hardware. Unfortunately, I can’t.

Apple Event September 2018

October 15, 2019September 12, 2018 by Charlie

Those of you’ve been keeping up with the Gremlin’s antics know that he’s a long time fan of the much famed fruit corporation, and that he worked behind the Genius bar for a few years.

Today, the Gremlin’s back to give you his take on Apple’s latest announcement event. As there’s approximately 30000054 articles about what was announced at this event, this is a pure opinion piece, focusing on what’s noteworthy from the POV of an Apple fan, former employee and early adopter of bleeding edge tech.

How to Build the Ultimate Sim-Pit

October 5, 2020September 9, 2018 by Charlie

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Warning, this guide may lead to domestic unrest, disinterest in the real world, and supreme joy.

The first time the Gremlin saw pictures of a home made cockpit, he immediately filed it into his mental drawer of cool stuff he would never do. It seemed impractical, expensive, and unnecessary.

That was then.

He’s since built his own cockpit, and fallen in love with the unparalleled immersion it provides. Stepping into the “pit” feels like the world’s coolest Disneyland ride that happens to be in my house. This guide is designed to help you conceptualize, design and build a sim pit of your very own.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Networking *(But Were Afraid to Ask)

October 5, 2020August 26, 2018 by Charlie

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Even for many seasoned technophiles, networking is bugaboo territory. Sure, we all know the basics. Put the WiFi router in a good spot. Use a secure password. Restart said router every six months when the internet craps out. But going the extra mile on setting up your network will make all the difference in speed and reliability. Whether you’re looking to cut out the lag from your frags, maximize performance to a server, or just make your browser tabs load faster, it pays to buy the right gear, and set it up the right way.

This guide is meant to cater to everyone, whether you’re planning on recreating the matrix in your attic, or you’re just looking for a simple upgrade over the box from your service provider. Not sure if you’d benefit from a more advanced network setup? We’ll cover that too.

The Ultimate Joystick Guide

October 5, 2020August 9, 2018 by Charlie

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Updated: 8/27/20 with more information on Logitech’s offerings, and info on calibrating the Warthog HOTAS

In the last few years, the flight sim genre has awoken from years of dormancy, as gamers flocked to epic experiences like Elite Dangerous, Star Citizen, War Thunder, and others.

These titles basically mandate the use of a competent joystick, and yet most of your buying options are years old, and lack a set of comprehensive reviews.

The Byte Gremlin is here to right this wrong. He’ll help you steer clear of the various dated and unreliable models out there so that you get the best product for your use case.

How a Bass Shaker Will Change Your Life

October 5, 2020July 29, 2018 by Charlie

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Whether you’re watching Avengers Infinity War at full volume, or playing a round of Fortnite, having a strong thumping bass is key to an immersive entertainment experience. There’s just nothing like the sensation of a fictional explosion rocking your couch, chair, or virtual reality cockpit.

A Guide to Creating the Best Home Theaters, Large and Small (Part 3)

October 15, 2019July 21, 2018 by Charlie

Part 3: The Room & Miscellanious

So you’ve got a projector or a shiny TV. You’ve got the best sound setup you can afford. (If you haven’t, check out Part 1 on Projectors & TVs, and Part 2 on Sound systems. What’s left?

The third leg of the Home Theater triumvirate is your space itself. This final section of the guide will delve into how to setup the best viewing space possible, as well as a series of miscellaneous products and advice for turning your TV nook into a true Cinema experience.

A Guide to Creating the Best Home Theaters, Large and Small (Part 2)

October 15, 2019July 15, 2018 by Charlie

Part 2 of this guide focuses on sound quality in home theater. If you haven’t already, check out Part 1. Looking for info on Acoustic Treatment, building a space, or adding finishing touches to your TV setup? Check out Part 3.

A Guide to Creating the Best Home Theaters, Large and Small (Part 1)

October 5, 2020July 8, 2018 by Charlie

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Home Theater.

The first time I heard the term, I pictured a million dollar house somewhere in Malibu, with fifty thousand dollars worth of equipment, and a butler.

But while it’s true that there are some pretty insane setups out there, the reality is, Home Theater can encompass anything from a pie in the sky luxury room, to a typical living room with a nice TV and a sound bar. Really, we’re taking about decent picture quality, decent sound, and a decent place to sit and enjoy it. With this guide, I’ll be covering the gamut of home theater, for anyone who wants to get more out of their movie, tv and gaming experience.

Recommended PC Builds for Every Task

October 5, 2020July 2, 2018 by Charlie

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For those considering building your own PC (which I highly recommend), I’ve created a set of recommended builds with various uses and goals in mind.

If you’d like to know more about how to compile a list of compatible parts yourself, check out my other guide here.

A quick note: Purchases made through links on this site earn me a commission, which will in turn support the future of this site. I only endorse products that I’ve personally used and loved, or thoroughly researched and genuinely recommend.