Better than owning a Valve Index in time for Half-Life: What could be better than owning a Valve Index in time for Alyx? Stick an LED mod on the front of it and go wild while repeating "Get up, Mr. Freeman". Or even a clever combination of letters, symbols, and pictures suitable for affixing to the visor of a VR headset.

This is what the MiniDex LED MOD offers, a programmable little screen on which you can program any picture, word, or creation you like. This USB stick-sized mod can be loaded into the "flank" of the Valve Index (the front trunk under the Valve Index's visor, which provides access to a single USB port for power) and beams out from under the headset's visor.

MiniDex LEDs can store over a dozen custom designs, and their messages can be customized directly from a PC with Minidex software installed via a micro USB cable. Choose wisely at checkout, as the LEDs are currently red or blue and cannot be changed with the included software.

Compared to the $999 price of the Valve Index itself, the $40 MSRP of the MiniDex LED is not bad. Shipping to the U.S. is free, but there is a charge for shipping to other countries.

Modifications like the MiniDex LED are possible thanks to a small indentation Valve has placed under the Index's translucent visor. This tiny space has only one USB port, but modders can create and try out custom hardware to enhance the look and comfort of the headset.

Several dual-fan cooling mods are already in production for the Valve Index, including those from MiniDex and the Chilldex, which is currently being successfully funded on Kickstarter. These reportedly pull hot air away from the player's face for a more comfortable and cooler VR experience, and I pray they prove to be worth using in practice. Anything to get rid of the sweat-damp face cushion.