I set up 1.0 base stations once in 2016 when I got the OG HTC Vive and never took them down (except that one time when I had open it up to glue a lens back in). Now I shelved the Index and left them there for the time being.

(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.

they ran out of spare lighthouses

Shit, my vaccum cleaner has pulled a lighthouse off the shelf few weeks ago and I did not check whether it's working...

None of the headsets with inside-out tracking are as good as lighthouse-based tracking (Frame included), but they come close enough in most cases that the difference is irrelevant.

Could be, I don't know. I played HL Alyx on it with the Oasis drivers and it worked really well for me.

I meant the announcement. 😛

The do work mechanically, so that's to be expected.