HTC Vive Tracker 3
The HTC Vive Tracker 3.0 is a wireless virtual reality tracking puck developed by HTC, released in 2021 as the successor to the Vive Tracker 2018. Designed to add high-precision SteamVR positional tracking to any real-world object or body part, the Tracker 3.0 is 15% lighter than its predecessor and offers up to 7.5 hours of battery life—75% longer than the 2018 model. The compact device (3.4" height, ~0.5 lbs) features a standard 1/4"-20 UNC threaded mount for attaching to cameras, props, or custom mounts, plus a pogo pin connector for accessory integration. For full-body tracking in applications like VRChat, users typically attach three or more trackers to their waist and feet using straps (sold separately), enabling their legs and hips to be tracked in addition to the headset and controllers—creating a complete avatar representation. The Tracker 3.0 is compatible with SteamVR Base Station 1.0 and 2.0, working with HTC Vive, Vive Pro, Vive Pro Eye, Vive Cosmos Elite, and other SteamVR-compatible headsets. Beyond social VR, the trackers are widely used for virtual production, motion capture, simulations, and tracking physical props like guns, swords, or sports equipment in VR experiences. Priced at approximately $130 individually or $440 for a three-pack, the Vive Tracker 3.0 remains the standard solution for adding tracked objects and full-body tracking to SteamVR experiences.
| HTC Vive Tracker 3.0 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | VR Tracker |
| Subtype | Body Tracking, Object Tracking |
| Platform | SteamVR |
| Creator | HTC |
| Developer | HTC |
| Manufacturer | HTC |
| Announcement Date | 2021 |
| Release Date | 2021 |
| Price | ~$130 single, ~$440 (3-pack) |
| Website | https://www.vive.com/ |
| Versions | Vive Tracker 3.0 |
| Requires | SteamVR Base Station(s), compatible PC VR headset |
| Predecessor | HTC Vive Tracker 2018 |
| Successor | None announced |
| System | |
| Operating System | SteamVR |
| Chipset | Custom tracking SoC |
| CPU | Embedded |
| GPU | N/A |
| Storage | |
| Storage | N/A |
| Memory | N/A |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | N/A (tracker) |
| Subpixel Layout | N/A |
| Peak Brightness | N/A |
| Resolution | N/A |
| Pixel Density | N/A |
| Refresh Rate | N/A |
| Persistence | N/A |
| Image | |
| Field of View | N/A |
| Horizontal FoV | N/A |
| Vertical FoV | N/A |
| Average Pixel Density | N/A |
| Peak Pixel Density | N/A |
| Foveated Rendering | N/A |
| Optics | |
| Optics | N/A |
| Ocularity | N/A |
| IPD Range | N/A |
| Adjustable Diopter | N/A |
| Passthrough | N/A |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | SteamVR Tracking 1.0/2.0 |
| Tracking Frequency | High-speed |
| Base Stations | Required (SteamVR Base Stations) |
| Eye Tracking | N/A |
| Face Tracking | N/A |
| Hand Tracking | N/A |
| Body Tracking | Yes (with multiple trackers) |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Yes |
| Update Rate | High-frequency |
| Tracking Volume | Base station dependent |
| Play Space | Room-scale |
| Latency | Low latency |
| Audio | |
| Audio | N/A |
| Microphone | N/A |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | N/A |
| Camera | N/A |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Wireless (to Base Stations), USB-C (data/charging) |
| Ports | USB Type-C |
| Wired Video | N/A |
| Wireless Video | N/A |
| WiFi | N/A |
| Bluetooth | N/A |
| Power | Lithium polymer battery |
| Battery Capacity | Internal |
| Battery Life | Up to 7.5 hours |
| Charge Time | USB-C charging |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | 3.4" height |
| Weight | ~0.5 lbs (15% lighter than 2018) |
| Material | Plastic housing |
| Headstrap | N/A (strap accessories available) |
| Haptics | N/A |
| Color | Black |
| Sensors | SteamVR tracking sensors, IMU |
| Input | 1/4"-20 UNC threaded mount, pogo pin connector |
| Compliance | SteamVR compatible |
History and Development
Vive Tracker Origins
Product line:
- Original Vive Tracker (2017)
- Vive Tracker 2018
- Object/body tracking pioneer
- SteamVR ecosystem
Tracker 2018
Previous generation:
- Established form factor
- Proven technology
- Community adoption
- Use case development
2021 Tracker 3.0 Release
Current generation:
- Weight reduction (15%)
- Battery improvement (75%)
- USB-C upgrade
- Refined design
Design Philosophy
Universal Tracking
Core purpose:
- Any object trackable
- Body part attachment
- Prop integration
- Flexible application
Lightweight Priority
Comfort focus:
- 15% lighter than 2018
- Body-mountable comfort
- Extended wear
- Minimal encumbrance
Extended Battery
Endurance design:
- 75% longer than predecessor
- 7.5-hour runtime
- Full session capability
- Reduced charging
Compatibility
Platform support:
- SteamVR 1.0 Base Stations
- SteamVR 2.0 Base Stations
- Wide headset support
- Ecosystem integration
Tracking Technology
SteamVR Tracking
Position system:
- Lighthouse technology
- Sub-millimeter accuracy
- 6DoF tracking
- Room-scale capable
Base Station Compatibility
Supported systems:
- SteamVR Base Station 1.0
- SteamVR Base Station 2.0
- Multiple station support
- Large tracking volume
Tracking Quality
Performance:
- High precision
- Low latency
- Stable tracking
- Reliable positioning
Physical Design
Dimensions
Size specifications:
- Height: 3.4 inches
- Compact puck form
- Mountable size
- Unobtrusive
Weight
Mass improvement:
- Weight: ~0.5 lbs
- 15% lighter than 2018
- Body-mount friendly
- Comfortable attachment
Mounting System
Attachment options:
- Thread: 1/4"-20 UNC
- Standard camera mount
- Universal compatibility
- Custom mount support
Pogo Pin Connector
Accessory interface:
- Data connection
- Accessory integration
- Custom hardware
- Development support
Battery
Battery Life
Power specifications:
- Runtime: Up to 7.5 hours
- 75% improvement over 2018
- Full session duration
- Extended use
Battery Type
Power source:
- Lithium polymer
- Rechargeable
- Internal battery
- Reliable power
Charging
Power management:
- USB Type-C port
- Fast charging
- Data + power
- Modern standard
Use Cases
Full-Body Tracking
Avatar representation:
- Recommended: 3+ trackers
- Waist tracking
- Foot tracking (both feet)
- Complete body representation
VRChat
Social VR:
- Popular application
- Dancing avatars
- Full-body expression
- Community standard
Motion Capture
Professional use:
- Animation capture
- Performance recording
- Lower cost than traditional mocap
- Indie-accessible
Virtual Production
Film/video:
- Camera tracking
- Prop tracking
- Real-time visualization
- Production workflows
Prop Tracking
Object integration:
- Weapons (swords, guns)
- Sports equipment
- Custom props
- Real object → virtual
Simulation Training
Enterprise:
- Training scenarios
- Equipment tracking
- Body position
- Professional applications
Tracker Configurations
3-Tracker Setup
Basic full-body:
- 1× Waist tracker
- 2× Foot trackers
- Hip + leg tracking
- Popular configuration
5-Tracker Setup
Enhanced tracking:
- 1× Waist
- 2× Feet
- 2× Knees/Elbows
- Improved tracking quality
7-Tracker Setup
Maximum tracking:
- 1× Waist
- 2× Feet
- 2× Knees
- 2× Elbows
- Full articulation
Headset Compatibility
HTC Vive
Original Vive:
- Full compatibility
- Base station sharing
- Established workflow
HTC Vive Pro Series
Pro headsets:
- Vive Pro
- Vive Pro Eye
- Professional use
Vive Cosmos Elite
Cosmos tracking:
- External tracking mode
- Base station required
- Full compatibility
Other SteamVR Headsets
Extended support:
- Valve Index
- Pimax headsets
- Any SteamVR tracking headset
Accessories
Strap Kits
Body mounting:
- TrackBelt (waist)
- TrackStraps (feet)
- Third-party options
- Secure attachment
Camera Mounts
Production use:
- Standard tripod mount
- Camera attachment
- Virtual production
- 1/4"-20 compatible
Custom Mounts
DIY integration:
- 3D printed mounts
- Custom solutions
- Prop integration
- Community designs
Pricing
Single Tracker
Individual purchase:
- Price: ~$130
- Single unit
- Add-on purchase
- Incremental expansion
3-Pack Bundle
Multi-tracker:
- Price: ~$440
- Full-body starter
- Volume discount
- Common purchase
Comparison with Body Tracking Solutions
| Feature | Vive Tracker 3.0 | Tundra Tracker | SlimeVR | Quest Body Tracking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | SteamVR tracker | SteamVR tracker | IMU-based | Camera-based |
| Tracking | Lighthouse optical | Lighthouse optical | Sensor fusion | AI vision |
| Base Stations | Required | Required | Not required | Not required |
| Battery Life | 7.5 hours | 7+ hours | 10+ hours | N/A |
| Accuracy | Sub-millimeter | Sub-millimeter | Good (drift possible) | Approximate |
| Weight | ~0.5 lbs | Lighter | Very light | N/A |
| Price (3-pack) | ~$440 | ~$330 | ~$200 | Included |
| Ecosystem | SteamVR | SteamVR | SteamVR + Quest | Quest only |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Sub-millimeter SteamVR tracking accuracy
- 7.5-hour battery life (75% better than 2018)
- 15% lighter than predecessor
- Standard 1/4"-20 UNC mount (universal)
- USB-C charging and data
- Base Station 1.0 and 2.0 compatible
- Pogo pin connector for accessories
- Proven reliable technology
- Wide application (body, props, mocap)
- VRChat community standard
Limitations
- ~$130 per tracker ($440 for 3)
- Requires SteamVR Base Stations
- Base stations additional cost
- Not compatible with standalone headsets
- Strap accessories sold separately
- SteamVR ecosystem only
- Setup complexity for body tracking
- Multiple trackers needed for full-body
- External tracking infrastructure required
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | SteamVR tracking puck |
| Tracking | SteamVR 1.0/2.0 compatible |
| Battery Life | Up to 7.5 hours |
| Weight | ~0.5 lbs (15% lighter than 2018) |
| Height | 3.4 inches |
| Mount | 1/4"-20 UNC threaded |
| Connector | Pogo pin |
| Charging | USB Type-C |
| Base Stations | Required (1.0 or 2.0) |
| Price | ~$130 single, ~$440 (3-pack) |