*sigh* looks like I will finally need to buy VR gear - Half Life: Alyx formally announced.

Forums › Gaming › *sigh* looks like I will finally need to buy VR gear - Half Life: Alyx formally announced.

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#2382250 28-Dec-2019 16:45

LostBoyNZ:

I'm hoping Valve will announce the Index for NZ & Australia early next year, but now that it's sold out for a few months in the US, I imagine that's even less likely. Valve doesn't give any advance notice when it's going to be available in order countries, it just is available one day.

If anyone does want to try VR though, I rent the Index, Quest (soon with Oculus Link cable too), Rift / Rift S, Vive / Vive Pro, HP Reverb and a few others. I've got a site up at http://www.virtualrealityrental.co.nz

Good plug! I may hit you up before making a purchase.

Given that you must have spent plenty of time with all the systems, which is the best available in NZ currently? (I.e not Index!)

LostBoyNZ

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#2382291 28-Dec-2019 20:54

gehenna:

I could be keen to rent the index for a few days and see how it feels in my space at home. I'll check out your site.

Thanks, do feel free to PM me with any questions too :)

Item:

Good plug! I may hit you up before making a purchase.

Given that you must have spent plenty of time with all the systems, which is the best available in NZ currently? (I.e not Index!)

Thanks, but yeah that's a very good question. There's no one perfect headset for all use cases, but there's absolutely some that are better than others.

For all round gaming, I'd actually personally choose the Oculus Quest. I love the wireless nature, the controllers are great, the tracking works really well, and if you want to play PC VR games you can (you do need a good USB cable though, or Oculus' own 5 meter one). If I could choose one headset for my own use, it'd be that one. But with a good set of headphones, as the built-in speakers aren't great.

For someone into racing games or flight sims etc though, greater resolution is much more important, and I'd say the HP Reverb is amazing for that.

If you've got a high end PC with an Intel CPU though, and PC VR gaming is what you want (and you have a high budget), the HTC Vive Pro bundle with the wireless adaptor that PB Tech do is pretty good. The best tracking out there (same system as the Index uses), and the resolution is very good. I'd say the weak point is the controllers, but they can always be upgraded to the Index controllers one day if you wanted.

Powershop referral: Get $150 of credit spread over 12 months with this link: https://secure.powershop.co.nz/r/grahamp-q8PwhBv?p=1827

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Virtual Reality rentals for birthdays, gaming weekends, trade show booths, holidays, family gatherings & more

https://www.virtualrealityrental.co.nz/ - Including the Quest 3, Pimax Crystal Light, PlayStation 5 consoles and more...

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#2383243 31-Dec-2019 11:29

LostBoyNZ:

Thanks, but yeah that's a very good question. There's no one perfect headset for all use cases, but there's absolutely some that are better than others.

For all round gaming, I'd actually personally choose the Oculus Quest. I love the wireless nature, the controllers are great, the tracking works really well, and if you want to play PC VR games you can (you do need a good USB cable though, or Oculus' own 5 meter one). If I could choose one headset for my own use, it'd be that one. But with a good set of headphones, as the built-in speakers aren't great.

The Quest was definitely on my list, but had concerns about the way the link cable is going to work - it doesn't actually render directly to the unit in my understanding but streams a capture of it? Fidelity is going to be important to me and I have a beefy PC, but I am also reluctant to spend the big bucks on the Vive Pro...at least until I am satisfied that I am going to use the thing plenty!

Primary usage would be connected to my PC and not as a portable unit.

Do you think the Rift S would therefore be the best option for me, or do you maintain that the Quest is the better overall experience?

Cheers!

LostBoyNZ

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#2383320 31-Dec-2019 14:50

Item:

The Quest was definitely on my list, but had concerns about the way the link cable is going to work - it doesn't actually render directly to the unit in my understanding but streams a capture of it? Fidelity is going to be important to me and I have a beefy PC, but I am also reluctant to spend the big bucks on the Vive Pro...at least until I am satisfied that I am going to use the thing plenty!

Primary usage would be connected to my PC and not as a portable unit.

Do you think the Rift S would therefore be the best option for me, or do you maintain that the Quest is the better overall experience?

Cheers!

That's correct yes, the image is rendered on the PC and then compressed slightly (in particular around the corners, but I hear it's very hard to tell). But it sounds like the Rift S would be the better choice for you yes. If you didn't need it to be a portable unit, the Rift S is more comfortable (not so front heavy). Plus it's $90 off at the moment.

The Rift S sadly doesn't have a physical IPD slider (to adjust the space between the lenses / screens), but it supports 58 to 72mm. I imagine most places you'd go to purchase glasses would likely be able to measure your IPD (the distance between your eyes) to see if you're outside of that common range. But you cna also do it at home with a ruler and a mirror (some instructions, although a bit word-y, here: http://doc-ok.org/?p=898 ) or some phones like iPhone apparently have an Eye Measure app here: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/eyemeasure/id1417435049

Powershop referral: Get $150 of credit spread over 12 months with this link: https://secure.powershop.co.nz/r/grahamp-q8PwhBv?p=1827

---

Virtual Reality rentals for birthdays, gaming weekends, trade show booths, holidays, family gatherings & more

https://www.virtualrealityrental.co.nz/ - Including the Quest 3, Pimax Crystal Light, PlayStation 5 consoles and more...

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