# Most durable base stations? **URL:** \ **Category:** Other Tech Talk\ **Created:** [July 27, 2021, 7:31am UTC](https://forum.openmr.com/t/most-durable-base-stations/36619 "2021-07-27T07:31:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wilcovertegaal](https://forum.openmr.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@wilcovertegaal](https://forum.openmr.com/u/wilcovertegaal)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 7:31am UTC](https://forum.openmr.com/t/most-durable-base-stations/36619/1 "2021-07-27T07:31:20Z")
I am using my Pimax 5K PLUS HMD with two base stations that came with the HTC Vive that I bought in 2016. Two years ago I had to replace one of them; now both appear broken. If I need to replace them, what would be the best option in terms of durability? The HTC Vive 1.0 base stations’ tracking was perfectly fine with me, I don’t need better performance. But given the price tag, I don’t really look forward to replacing them every couple of years. So what would be my best option? Valve? HTC’s 2.0 base stations? Any other that I don’t know of? Thanks for sharing your thoughts! ---
**Author:** ![wilcovertegaal](https://forum.openmr.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@wilcovertegaal](https://forum.openmr.com/u/wilcovertegaal)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 1:41pm UTC](https://forum.openmr.com/t/most-durable-base-stations/36619/3 "2021-07-27T13:41:05Z")
OK so basically I have one option to choose from 😂 I thought HTC did their own version of SteamVR 2.0 base stations, but apparently not. Any good address to buy them from, anyone? I’m in the EU area. Valve’s website lists them as out of stock. ---
**Author:** ![wilcovertegaal](https://forum.openmr.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@wilcovertegaal](https://forum.openmr.com/u/wilcovertegaal)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 5:44pm UTC](https://forum.openmr.com/t/most-durable-base-stations/36619/5 "2021-07-27T17:44:15Z")
Thanks mate! Keeping a keen eye on the Steam store. ---
**Author:** ![dogbite](https://forum.openmr.com/user_avatar/forum.openmr.com/dogbite/32/1793_2.png) [@dogbite](https://forum.openmr.com/u/dogbite)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 10:11pm UTC](https://forum.openmr.com/t/most-durable-base-stations/36619/6 "2021-07-27T22:11:03Z")
I have been using a pair of V1 bases for a couple of years. They where used when I bought them for what would have been $80 bucks each. I spend more on beer. ---
**Author:** ![wilcovertegaal](https://forum.openmr.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@wilcovertegaal](https://forum.openmr.com/u/wilcovertegaal)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 6:33am UTC](https://forum.openmr.com/t/most-durable-base-stations/36619/7 "2021-07-28T06:33:30Z")
They are like $120 now on eBay, no warranty or anything. Given the luck I have been having with them, I am hesitant to take such an offer. ---
**Author:** ![drowhunter](https://forum.openmr.com/user_avatar/forum.openmr.com/drowhunter/32/16109_2.png) [@drowhunter](https://forum.openmr.com/u/drowhunter)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 6:33am UTC](https://forum.openmr.com/t/most-durable-base-stations/36619/8 "2021-08-04T06:33:18Z")
> [@anon35930221](#): > > DONT turn them off after you are done playing. The stopping and starting of the motors puts heavy wear on the motor I really would like that show Mythbusters to come back. ---
**Author:** ![wilcovertegaal](https://forum.openmr.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@wilcovertegaal](https://forum.openmr.com/u/wilcovertegaal)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 12:14pm UTC](https://forum.openmr.com/t/most-durable-base-stations/36619/9 "2021-08-04T12:14:22Z")
Out of stock - are they ever going to restock them as a separate item? ---
**Author:** ![dogbite](https://forum.openmr.com/user_avatar/forum.openmr.com/dogbite/32/1793_2.png) [@dogbite](https://forum.openmr.com/u/dogbite)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 8:52pm UTC](https://forum.openmr.com/t/most-durable-base-stations/36619/10 "2021-08-04T20:52:09Z")
> [@anon35930221](#): > > Also make sure to just leave them running, DONT turn them off after you are done playing. The stopping and starting of the motors puts heavy wear on the motor. The motors generate heat when running. Heat= friction=wear. They also vibrate when running. I see no reason to assume or expect more failures from turning them on per session than leaving the motors running constantly for years. On the contrary. I have been turning my V1s on pretty much every day (in line switches) for a couple of years and they were used items when purchased them. Sure chances of failure could be reasonably considered more likely with more moving parts but it should also be considered more likely when parts are moving more of the time or all of the time. I am certainly open to any data comparing failure rates of the 2 generations you might be privy to, if such an analysis has even been done this early in V2s life. ---
**Author:** ![VR247](https://forum.openmr.com/user_avatar/forum.openmr.com/vr247/32/9321_2.png) [@VR247](https://forum.openmr.com/u/VR247)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 12:43am UTC](https://forum.openmr.com/t/most-durable-base-stations/36619/11 "2021-08-05T00:43:07Z")
My v1 basestations have been running non stop for 5 years. Hope I don’t jinx myself but still work perfectly. ---
**Author:** ![Soarin](https://forum.openmr.com/user_avatar/forum.openmr.com/soarin/32/15044_2.png) [@Soarin](https://forum.openmr.com/u/Soarin)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 1:28am UTC](https://forum.openmr.com/t/most-durable-base-stations/36619/12 "2021-08-06T01:28:21Z")
As with automotive engines mechanical wear as it builds up inertia when you switch it on is considerable. Stopping and starting a car engine incurs as much mechanical wear as about a full hour of steady operation. To say you should never switch it off to reduce wear? Uhhh, unless you provide scientific data I am not inclined to believe it. ---
**Author:** ![dogbite](https://forum.openmr.com/user_avatar/forum.openmr.com/dogbite/32/1793_2.png) [@dogbite](https://forum.openmr.com/u/dogbite)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 2:00am UTC](https://forum.openmr.com/t/most-durable-base-stations/36619/13 "2021-08-06T02:00:30Z")
> [@Soarin](#): > > To say you should never switch it off to reduce wear? Uhhh, unless you provide scientific data I am not inclined to believe it. Not sure why that statement was directed at me as I never said that. I was questioning the person who did make that recommendation. ---
**Author:** ![drowhunter](https://forum.openmr.com/user_avatar/forum.openmr.com/drowhunter/32/16109_2.png) [@drowhunter](https://forum.openmr.com/u/drowhunter)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 1:26pm UTC](https://forum.openmr.com/t/most-durable-base-stations/36619/14 "2021-08-07T13:26:44Z")
> [@dogbite](#): > > I have been turning my V1s on pretty much every day (in line switches) for a couple of years and they were used items when purchased them. Haha me too! Bought them used when I realized Pimax were jabronies. And have inline switches and alexa smart plugs on em when i’m too lazy to reach up for the switch. ---
**Author:** ![dogbite](https://forum.openmr.com/user_avatar/forum.openmr.com/dogbite/32/1793_2.png) [@dogbite](https://forum.openmr.com/u/dogbite)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 1:55pm UTC](https://forum.openmr.com/t/most-durable-base-stations/36619/15 "2021-08-07T13:55:38Z")
> [@drowhunter](#): > > and alexa smart plugs on em when i’m too lazy to reach up for the switch. Ya this playing games can be so tiring. Trying to train the dog to get the beer. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://forum.openmr.com/uploads/default/original/2X/1/19863a63bd0f452a38669829a92f279c59ddd490.png) [@system](https://forum.openmr.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2021, 1:55pm UTC](https://forum.openmr.com/t/most-durable-base-stations/36619/16 "2021-10-06T13:55:42Z")
This topic was automatically closed 60 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.