HTC Vive Focus Vision review: A lovely PCVR that doesn’t lose | Digital Trends

HTC’s Vive Focus Vision combines some of the best features of its Vive XR Elite, Focus 3, and Pro 2 to create a new VR headset that supports lossless PCVR and mixed reality gaming. independently.

I got a chance to try out this interesting new tool. I reviewed its strengths and dug up any weaknesses, comparing it to HTC’s previous models and the best VR headsets to assess whether it’s suitable for games, work and general use. . Despite the old tethered connection, the Vive Focus Vision still manages to stand out.

Lossless PCVR

While standalone VR headsets like the Meta Quest 3 or Vive XR Elite connect wirelessly to your computer to play SteamVR games, a direct connection can reduce latency and provide a cleaner image.

HTC’s new Vive Focus Vision enables lossless PCVR with a DisplayPort connection. That means you’re less likely to see artifacts and smears in this mode.

You will need a DisplayPort to USB-C adapter. I used HTC’s DisplayPort mode kit, which includes a charger, multiple adapters, and cables to make sure you can connect the Vive Focus Vision to your graphics card.

Although the resolution per monitor is 2448 × 2448 pixels, your GPU will be rendering twice that amount at 90 to 120 frames per second (fps). That’s a lot more work than producing a 4K PC monitor, so make sure you have a gaming PC that’s up to the challenge. If you’ve built your own PC, you’ll need one of the best graphics cards.

Like PCVR headsets, your computer does the heavy lifting and the Vive Focus Vision acts as a head-mounted display. It works well, with a cool enough screen for VR productivity and gaming.

I didn’t see any compression artifacts or lag while playing on my Nvidia RTX 4070. Classic VR titles like Half Life: Alyxalong with every game I played, it looked sharp and mostly clear. The only concern is HTC’s use of Fresnel lenses.

While most new VR headsets use pancake lenses, a Fresnel is a classic optical system that looks like nerves embedded in a lens. That allows you to focus on displays that are only inches from your eyes, but brings the negative effect of visible light rings in high-contrast images. These “god rays” can ruin an otherwise great experience.

For work use, I had three large, bright screens with no interruptions or errors in the image. HTC’s Vive Focus Vision comes with a Vive Desk, a VR device that connects to the Vive Hub on my PC to create screens that I can adjust and place anywhere near my workspace.

It also supports manual tracking and accepts optical input. It’s not as reliable as Apple’s Vision Pro’s pinch-and-pinch feature, but with a little more practice and refinement, it can make it easier to use. The lenses of the lens diverge when I look away from the center, one against the human eye.

For work, the keyboard and mouse are still the best, and the Vive Desk allowed me to drag windows between virtual screens and use my mouse pad to use virtual controls.

I can also use the built-in battery on the back of the Vive Focus Vision for power and connect to the Vive Desk wirelessly, or use Virtual Desktop or Immersed to remotely connect to my computer to watch videos, play games or work.

Autonomous VR

HTC’s Vive Focus Vision has been optimized for PC use. It’s a 2-kilogram VR headset built for comfort, with a USB-C 3.2 port that supports DisplayPort. However, it also works as an independent headset like the Vive XR Elite or Focus 3. I can break free from the tether and play or train without the phone.

Vive Focus Vision can access the Viveport store and play in my Vive XR Elite game library. I can paint inside Figmin XRsurvive me Zombielandand exercise with Les Mills BodyCombat.

The headset includes 128 GB of storage that can be expanded with a microSD card up to 2 TB, so you don’t have to worry about running out of space. Mixed reality uses two 16MP cameras and is better than the Vive XR Elite, which felt a little zoomed in compared to reality.

Few stand-alone games support eye tracking, but HTC has said that offering a more immersive experience can add edge to mobile games. Meta didn’t take full advantage of Quest Pro’s eye for more than animated avatars, leaving it to creators who rarely bothered. I don’t expect a lot of development attention in terms of tracking the Vive Focus Vision.

Multi-user VR

Several features make HTC’s Vive Focus Vision an ideal headset for many users. Automatic IPD motors adjust the position of the lens for maximum clarity. The built-in 20-minute battery allows me to be a hot-swapper on the back. Also, the front and back covers are easy to remove and clean.

The Vive Focus series is very popular for space-based entertainment. Companies like Sandbox VR and The Void have locations across the country where teams play in a large room designed specifically for VR gaming.

HTC has created the Vive Focus Vision as the perfect upgrade for the aging Focus 3, which includes the more colorful Vive XR Elite and the PCVR power of the Vive Pro 2.

Is the HTC Vive Focus Vision right for you?

At $999, the Vive Focus Vision costs more than the Vive XR Elite, which is currently $899, but the XR Elite’s eye tracking device costs $199. If you like VRChatknow that you want to follow the eye, and you plan to use your VR headset for SteamVR, Vive Focus Vision is the obvious choice.

For standalone use, the lightweight design of the Vive XR Elite is easier to move around and looks like steampunk gear, which I consider a bonus. Its pancake lenses are sharper, but image resolution and field of view are worse. Personally, I prefer the Vive XR Elite, but it’s a tough comparison.

Compared to the Vive Focus 3, the Vision is a clear improvement. It’s also standalone if you have a Vive Pro 2. You get eye tracking, hand tracking, an internal controller, and headset tracking in addition to external base stations. Vive Focus Vision also has the ability to replace hot batteries and more colors.

If you prefer standalone VR, it’s hard to beat the $500 Meta Quest 3 or the new $300 Quest 3S. PC gamers may be most interested in the best VR headsets for Windows computers.

If you like the sound of the Vive Focus Vision, HTC has a promotional offer until October 17, 2024. If you pre-order, you’ll get the Vive Wired Streaming Kit with a choice of three bonus game packs. Vive Focus Vision costs $999 for the consumer version and $1,299 for the business edition with device control.