Need advice on which VR headset to get for desktop pc

[Derngek]

Hi all,

Sorry to be a bother. I could not find previous thread on VR headset guide. I was wondering which one would be the right one to get for gaming on steam VR. I currently have a rx 6900xt gpu running on my desktop and considering looking into VR at some point.

Any pointers or even web link to previous thread of the same subject will be much appreciated.
Many thanks.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hi all,

Sorry to be a bother. I could not find previous thread on VR headset guide. I was wondering which one would be the right one to get for gaming on steam VR. I currently have a rx 6900xt gpu running on my desktop and considering looking into VR at some point.

Any pointers or even web link to previous thread of the same subject will be much appreciated.
Many thanks.

There are 3 types of headset:

1/. Original style where you have satellite "radars" that scan the room constantly to find out where you are positioned by tracking both the headset and controller. In some respects this is "the old way" of doing things but does tend to give better accuracy with regards to controller movement in game.

2/. The newer versions which include a range of cameras around the headset that enable it to track where the controllers are in relation to it.

3/. An "offline" version that doesn't directly connect to the PC, usually you'd connect it to a mobile phone or something lower power that does all the processing. Basically, we're not even going to consider these, they're a cheap option that vastly compromises on experience.

For ultimate experience without thinking about price, the Valve Index is the one to go for. It's a Type 1 headset, and roughly around £900 for the full satellites, controllers and headset package. It's WELL worth the price. It's 2 x 1440 x 1600 screens. Plus you get Half Life: Alyx free with the headset. BUT they're hard to get hold of, stocks are low as they're so popular.

Headset - Valve Index® - Upgrade your experience - Valve Corporation

Fidelity first.

www.valvesoftware.com

Valve Index

Upgrade your experience.

store.steampowered.com

I'd say second runner up would be the HP Reverb G2 headset which is new to the scene and was designed along with Valve. It's a Type 2 headset with 2 x 2160 x 2160 screens. Controller accuracy is not as good as the Index though. Again, stocks are low as with all tech releases at the moment.

HP Reverb G2 | SystemActive

SystemActive is an Elite Partner of HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, nVidia , Varjo, RealWear, Pico, HTC. A leading supplier to the business and public sector since 1998.

systemactive.co.uk

HP Reverb G2 (Rev. 2) incl. Controller

› Resolution: 4320 x 2160 Px › Field of View: 114° › HD-certified VALVE On-Ear Speaker› incl. 2 Wireless Motion Controllers

bestware.com

Then really the next option is anything from Oculus with the Oculus Quest 2 being the mainstream option. BUT I would NEVER EVER RECOMMEND ONE. Even though they're quite substantially cheaper, you're really sacrificing the experience. PLUS, they're owned by Facebook who have been renowned to force you into having to log in with an active facebook account to get proper features, plus there are restrictions on the kinds of gestures you can do with the headset or else they ban you off the platform. NO JOKE. They're awful! And you can bet your bottom dollar that they'll keep adding more gestures and even words and phrases as it moves on.

Facebook’s Expanded VR Policies Disallow “invading personal space” and “sexual gestures”

As Facebook moved to require Facebook accounts to be used with Oculus headsets, the company also updated and expanded its VR policies which now dictate rules around “personal space” and “sexual gestures”. Facebook’s expanded VR policies, updated this week just ahead of the launch of Oculus Quest...

www.roadtovr.com

At the moment, I would say it really is down to the Index and Reverb if you want a half decent experience.

 

[Derngek]

There are 3 types of headset:

1/. Original style where you have satellite "radars" that scan the room constantly to find out where you are positioned by tracking both the headset and controller. In some respects this is "the old way" of doing things but does tend to give better accuracy with regards to controller movement in game.

2/. The newer versions which include a range of cameras around the headset that enable it to track where the controllers are in relation to it.

3/. An "offline" version that doesn't directly connect to the PC, usually you'd connect it to a mobile phone or something lower power that does all the processing. Basically, we're not even going to consider these, they're a cheap option that vastly compromises on experience.

For ultimate experience without thinking about price, the Valve Index is the one to go for. It's a Type 1 headset, and roughly around £900 for the full satellites, controllers and headset package. It's WELL worth the price. It's 2 x 1440 x 1600 screens. Plus you get Half Life: Alyx free with the headset. BUT they're hard to get hold of, stocks are low as they're so popular.

Headset - Valve Index® - Upgrade your experience - Valve Corporation

Fidelity first.

www.valvesoftware.com

Valve Index

Upgrade your experience.

store.steampowered.com

I'd say second runner up would be the HP Reverb G2 headset which is new to the scene and was designed along with Valve. It's a Type 2 headset with 2 x 2160 x 2160 screens. Controller accuracy is not as good as the Index though. Again, stocks are low as with all tech releases at the moment.

HP Reverb G2 | SystemActive

SystemActive is an Elite Partner of HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, nVidia , Varjo, RealWear, Pico, HTC. A leading supplier to the business and public sector since 1998.

systemactive.co.uk

HP Reverb G2 (Rev. 2) incl. Controller

› Resolution: 4320 x 2160 Px › Field of View: 114° › HD-certified VALVE On-Ear Speaker› incl. 2 Wireless Motion Controllers

bestware.com

Then really the next option is anything from Oculus with the Oculus Quest 2 being the mainstream option. BUT I would NEVER EVER RECOMMEND ONE. Even though they're quite substantially cheaper, you're really sacrificing the experience. PLUS, they're owned by Facebook who have been renowned to force you into having to log in with an active facebook account to get proper features, plus there are restrictions on the kinds of gestures you can do with the headset or else they ban you off the platform. NO JOKE. They're awful! And you can bet your bottom dollar that they'll keep adding more gestures and even words and phrases as it moves on.

Facebook’s Expanded VR Policies Disallow “invading personal space” and “sexual gestures”

As Facebook moved to require Facebook accounts to be used with Oculus headsets, the company also updated and expanded its VR policies which now dictate rules around “personal space” and “sexual gestures”. Facebook’s expanded VR policies, updated this week just ahead of the launch of Oculus Quest...

www.roadtovr.com

At the moment, I would say it really is down to the Index and Reverb if you want a half decent experience.

Thanks for the clear and detailed description of all 3 VR headsets, much appricated. I guess you get what you pay for.
Looks like I will need to wait patiently for valve index. On the positive note it will at least buy me more to to save up for it before they come back in stock again.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Thanks for the clear and detailed description of all 3 VR headsets, much appricated. I guess you get what you pay for.
Looks like I will need to wait patiently for valve index. On the positive note it will at least buy me more to to save up for it before they come back in stock again.

The Index is quite incredible.

You may find this helpful, it's a checker that will automatically check Steam for when the Index comes back on sale and alert you:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ValveIndex/comments/et8pjp

 

[Derngek]

The Index is quite incredible.

You may find this helpful, it's a checker that will automatically check Steam for when the Index comes back on sale and alert you:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ValveIndex/comments/et8pjp

Thanks again. I will bookmark the valve checker.

 

[AgentCooper]

There are 3 types of headset:

1/. Original style where you have satellite "radars" that scan the room constantly to find out where you are positioned by tracking both the headset and controller. In some respects this is "the old way" of doing things but does tend to give better accuracy with regards to controller movement in game.

2/. The newer versions which include a range of cameras around the headset that enable it to track where the controllers are in relation to it.

3/. An "offline" version that doesn't directly connect to the PC, usually you'd connect it to a mobile phone or something lower power that does all the processing. Basically, we're not even going to consider these, they're a cheap option that vastly compromises on experience.

For ultimate experience without thinking about price, the Valve Index is the one to go for. It's a Type 1 headset, and roughly around £900 for the full satellites, controllers and headset package. It's WELL worth the price. It's 2 x 1440 x 1600 screens. Plus you get Half Life: Alyx free with the headset. BUT they're hard to get hold of, stocks are low as they're so popular.

Headset - Valve Index® - Upgrade your experience - Valve Corporation

Fidelity first.

www.valvesoftware.com

Valve Index

Upgrade your experience.

store.steampowered.com

I'd say second runner up would be the HP Reverb G2 headset which is new to the scene and was designed along with Valve. It's a Type 2 headset with 2 x 2160 x 2160 screens. Controller accuracy is not as good as the Index though. Again, stocks are low as with all tech releases at the moment.

HP Reverb G2 | SystemActive

SystemActive is an Elite Partner of HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, nVidia , Varjo, RealWear, Pico, HTC. A leading supplier to the business and public sector since 1998.

systemactive.co.uk

HP Reverb G2 (Rev. 2) incl. Controller

› Resolution: 4320 x 2160 Px › Field of View: 114° › HD-certified VALVE On-Ear Speaker› incl. 2 Wireless Motion Controllers

bestware.com

Then really the next option is anything from Oculus with the Oculus Quest 2 being the mainstream option. BUT I would NEVER EVER RECOMMEND ONE. Even though they're quite substantially cheaper, you're really sacrificing the experience. PLUS, they're owned by Facebook who have been renowned to force you into having to log in with an active facebook account to get proper features, plus there are restrictions on the kinds of gestures you can do with the headset or else they ban you off the platform. NO JOKE. They're awful! And you can bet your bottom dollar that they'll keep adding more gestures and even words and phrases as it moves on.

Facebook’s Expanded VR Policies Disallow “invading personal space” and “sexual gestures”

As Facebook moved to require Facebook accounts to be used with Oculus headsets, the company also updated and expanded its VR policies which now dictate rules around “personal space” and “sexual gestures”. Facebook’s expanded VR policies, updated this week just ahead of the launch of Oculus Quest...

www.roadtovr.com

At the moment, I would say it really is down to the Index and Reverb if you want a half decent experience.

Yo good buddy. That was a thoroughly good assessment of VR. What say you that we make it (or a close approximation of it) a sticky in the peripherals section of the forum? VR is only going to get more popular and that post of yours would be a great jumping off point for those who want to take the plunge 👍

EDIT - I’ve just taken the executive decision and made it happen... sometimes one forgets that they already have the power to do such things 😶