Annual investigation into which VR headset to get proves too much (again!)

jarvis82 · 5 Jan 2021 at 18:30

I think I first thought about PC VR when my son got the PSVR headset when it came out 4 years ago. I looked into it then, and decided I'd wait. Each year (usually in the lead up to my birthday) I have another look, and each time I think surely there will be a clearer answer this year!

After my annual couple of days of reading forum posts and reviews, I'm still at a loss. I play shooters, FS2020 etc. I think its unlikely that I'd be seeing a great experience in FS2020 VR any time soon, as I prob lack the hardware. Also saw something about Skyrim VR, which peeked my interest.

The Index is out due to price - Especially as this will be my first serious VR experience (aside from using my son's PSVR a few years back), so spending upwards of a grand is prob best left for future VR developments, should I really enjoy the experience (though I'm sure I will).

Reverb G2 prob also out due to my hardware - running 2070 Super, and unlikely to be upgrading until end of this year.

Quest 2 seems like a good choice, but I read a good amount of online stuff that says the Rift S is still a more viable option for those who are essentially looking for PC VR.

Any thoughts or advice at all? I'm looking to finally take the jump this time I think, rather than waiting another year - That being said, lockdown 3 appears to be pushing people to run out and buy VR headsets! OCUK had plenty of Quest 2's this morning, and now they have none!

Thanks.

melmac · 5 Jan 2021 at 18:42

Quest 2. I use it with a 2070 Super and it's fine. It's better than the Rift S.

You will need a link cable for PCVR gaming (or one of the cheaper USB alternatives)
Or if you want to be free of wires, you will need a dedicated router for the Quest 2 and Virtual desktop software.
Would also advise getting a new head strap straight away along with new facial interface from VR covers.

SpiritOfTheAge · 5 Jan 2021 at 18:51

jarvis82 said:
Quest 2 seems like a good choice, but I read a good amount of online stuff that says the Rift S is still a more viable option for those who are essentially looking for PC VR.

Any thoughts or advice at all? I'm looking to finally take the jump this time I think, rather than waiting another year - That being said, lockdown 3 appears to be pushing people to run out and buy VR headsets! OCUK had plenty of Quest 2's this morning, and now they have none!

Thanks.

Hi, I've a fair amount of experience with a few headest over the last few years. Had the original rift, wnet to an Index and now have a Quest 2 as well as the index.

Get the Quest 2 and wonder why you wited so long. Sure it may not be the most comfortable out of the box but if you are not concerned about the facebook angle then it is hands down the best bit fo kit for the money and definelty the best in terms of flexibility. Wired, and wireless play powered by your PC when at home, plus stand alone play anywhere you fancy.

Excelllent visuals, OK audio (I found the original quest poor sound wise) seamless intergration in software and tools, really shows valve up in terms of ease of use and set up. It flows!

summary

Win win winner ****** chicken dinner!

jarvis82 · 5 Jan 2021 at 19:15

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated - Guess I'll go for the Quest 2 then!

bigmike20vt · 6 Jan 2021 at 08:16

jarvis82 said:
I think I first thought about PC VR when my son got the PSVR headset when it came out 4 years ago. I looked into it then, and decided I'd wait. Each year (usually in the lead up to my birthday) I have another look, and each time I think surely there will be a clearer answer this year!

After my annual couple of days of reading forum posts and reviews, I'm still at a loss. I play shooters, FS2020 etc. I think its unlikely that I'd be seeing a great experience in FS2020 VR any time soon, as I prob lack the hardware. Also saw something about Skyrim VR, which peeked my interest.

The Index is out due to price - Especially as this will be my first serious VR experience (aside from using my son's PSVR a few years back), so spending upwards of a grand is prob best left for future VR developments, should I really enjoy the experience (though I'm sure I will).

Reverb G2 prob also out due to my hardware - running 2070 Super, and unlikely to be upgrading until end of this year.

Quest 2 seems like a good choice, but I read a good amount of online stuff that says the Rift S is still a more viable option for those who are essentially looking for PC VR.

Any thoughts or advice at all? I'm looking to finally take the jump this time I think, rather than waiting another year - That being said, lockdown 3 appears to be pushing people to run out and buy VR headsets! OCUK had plenty of Quest 2's this morning, and now they have none!

Thanks.

If you are ok having a Facebook account imo the quest 2 is the best "my 1stnvr headset" you can buy. It's half the price of the G2, less than 1/3 of the price of the index, it is accross the board a decent all rounder specs wise, nothing stands out specs wise but its always good enough imo, it's standalone as well as pcvr AND optionally supports wireless pcvr.

The quest 2 is frankly incredible value for money so long as you are ok with Facebook.
I own / have owned a DK2, CV1, quest 2 and reverb G2. Whilst as a PCVR device the G2 edged it, IF I could only keep 1 I think it would be the quest 2 and that is before considering £300 Vs £650

andybird123 · 6 Jan 2021 at 09:51

As someone who has both a G2 and a Quest 2, it basically comes down to this - if you mainly want to do PC VR and want the best image quality, get the G2; you can reduce the supersampling to suit your hardware and the image will still look better than running the quest 2 on similar settings and when you upgrade your PC the headset is ready

if you want wireless, or really want to save money, get the quest 2, but still budget to replace the headband as the stock cloth one is a bit crap, but for me the image quality and latency of the quest 2 was not "worth" the cost saving to me, the only reason we have one and kept it is because I managed to get £350 for my Vive on ebay which was going to go to my son but that covered the quest 2, if we were only going to have one headset it would definitely be the G2

jarvis82 · 6 Jan 2021 at 17:00

bigmike20vt said:
If you are ok having a Facebook account imo the quest 2 is the best "my 1stnvr headset" you can buy. It's half the price of the G2, less than 1/3 of the price of the index, it is accross the board a decent all rounder specs wise, nothing stands out specs wise but its always good enough imo, it's standalone as well as pcvr AND optionally supports wireless pcvr.

The quest 2 is frankly incredible value for money so long as you are ok with Facebook.
I own / have owned a DK2, CV1, quest 2 and reverb G2. Whilst as a PCVR device the G2 edged it, IF I could only keep 1 I think it would be the quest 2 and that is before considering £300 Vs £650

andybird123 said:
As someone who has both a G2 and a Quest 2, it basically comes down to this - if you mainly want to do PC VR and want the best image quality, get the G2; you can reduce the supersampling to suit your hardware and the image will still look better than running the quest 2 on similar settings and when you upgrade your PC the headset is ready

if you want wireless, or really want to save money, get the quest 2, but still budget to replace the headband as the stock cloth one is a bit crap, but for me the image quality and latency of the quest 2 was not "worth" the cost saving to me, the only reason we have one and kept it is because I managed to get £350 for my Vive on ebay which was going to go to my son but that covered the quest 2, if we were only going to have one headset it would definitely be the G2

All good advice, thanks. House needs a new roof this year, and we've a baby arriving next week; so my money is tied up for a while! The VR is a joint birthday present from some immediate family members, thus cost is a significant factor. So I've gone with the Quest 2...I think its certainly a good first step, and am looking forward to it. Are all Rift S games, compatible with Quest via the PC link, or are there other factors that affect this??

bigmike20vt · 6 Jan 2021 at 21:13

All are compatible AFAIK. If this is your 1st dabble with VR enjoy.... When I 1st got my DK2 I had to pick my jaw from the floor so many times and the Q2 is a far better beast than that.

McPhee · 7 Jan 2021 at 00:13

jarvis82 said:
Are all Rift S games, compatible with Quest via the PC link, or are there other factors that affect this??

Almost anything that works on Rift will work on Quest 2, either via USB cable, or wirelessly using Virtual Desktop or ALVR.

Definitely worth looking at setting it up for wireless PCVR. That's the big game changer.