Cool project, but nostalgic form-factor aside, I feel like going with a 4:3 screen was a questionable choice. A lot of games either won’t run or will run with letterboxing, further reducing your usable resolution.

(though HTC still sells compatible ones)

Not cheap, though. 1.0 lighthouses are $100. The 2.0 model is $230. Each. You’re probably better off buying a used Index kit if you can find one.

Which is honestly a pretty smart way to handle things, even if it feels frustrating. Valve doesn’t want to create a larger supply than there is demand for, because they stand to lose a lot of money. If they limit the initial supply they can get an idea of the rate at which people who joined the waitlist (a low effort, zero cost ask) are actually placing an order vs deciding not to. Once they have good data on that rate, they can ramp up production to meet the actual demand.