So..... just when I was mentally contemplating patting myself on the back for thinking of it, I learn that I thunk too soon, and others were having the same speculation. 

The problem is that while the Valve Index base specifications have turned a lot of heads, the price turned lots of those heads ruefully right back towards the Oculus Rift S

What I was wondering was, is there a way to get the Index prices down a bit?

The first bit of good news was I found that the Index will gladly accept either Valve lighthouses version 1.0 or 2.0

And right now, as many people get ready to upgrade, complete Vive headset/lighthouse combos can be found for extremely low prices on craigslist, ebay and etc, for as low as $100

So that's one leg of the price triad possibly addressed, as you could potentially grab an entire Vive and its lighthouses, for less than the lighthouses alone are going for right now, new.

The second leg is the controllers. Theoretically, the Vive wands should work at least partially with the Index, so the first suggestion might already provide a solution for the second issue. (controllers)

If not, the upcoming  Pimax sword controllers will almost certainly be compatible and will also almost certainly debut for a much cheaper price than the full Index controllers, which would be another bit of savings towards the big issue in the room, the initial $1000 asking price of the Index.

Which means that the third gorilla in the room, the overall price of a complete Index package might be addressed by judicious alternate sourcing of the controllers and lighthouses, bringing the initial expenditure down to a more comfortable level, for many.

 

If I remember correctly you are currently on a Rift Hiflyer? Is this going to be your next headset?

They are back ordered until september at least, and i'm not that patient..........