HTC Vive Pro Bundle

fizzy · 30 May 2018 at 18:16

Hi All,

I've got a couple of friends who have the standard HTC vive, one of which has the deluxe audio strap. I've had a play around with both.

Been looking into getting one myself, and considering whether I should go for the Pro.

I've had a look on the HTC site, and they list a pro bundle with 2.0 lighthouses and "2018" controllers - but the bundle is the same price as getting the standard vive bundle AND the pro headset from here... :O

Any idea what's the benefits of the 2.0 Lighthouses and later controllers - looks like the controllers may simply be blue?

If nothing major it seems odd pricing for the pro bundle... if I get the standard bundle plus the pro headset I get the std headset "free" for the same price?

Or am I missing something? Is there a cheaper pro bundle with standard accessories?

Wrinkly · 30 May 2018 at 19:45

Just grab an Oculus Rift bundle and wait for gen 2.

silvagti · 30 May 2018 at 20:52

Wrinkly said:
Just grab an Oculus Rift bundle and wait for gen 2.

+1. If you want a headset now just get the Oculus. The Vive pro is ridiculously expensive for such a minor improvement in visuals. Buy an Oculus just now and put the money you've saved over the Vive pro towards a proper next generation headset in another year or two.

nightrider1470 · 30 May 2018 at 22:05

Or like me import samsung oddesey from usa

lokiss · 30 May 2018 at 23:44

fizzy said:
Or am I missing something? Is there a cheaper pro bundle with standard accessories?

There was, but I'm not sure if that was available in the uk as the discounted bundle. Oc were doing a package for £1300? I think. The 2.0 lighthouse offer compatibility with future product of unknown at this time, in the here and now all they do is increase the range two fold of your play area. Controllers appear to be no different, and unknown if they fixed the trackpad flaw.

The Pro does offer a visual upgrade, but it will cost you bigtime from a standing start of having to buy the lighthouses and controls. Personally id go with a standard vive bundle and take it from there after experiencing VR for a while. A pro can come later if you want more. A pity you missed on the free deluxe strap a few weeks ago, it comes standard on the pro, but costs on the vive.

fizzy · 31 May 2018 at 04:43

lokiss said:
There was, but I'm not sure if that was available in the uk as the discounted bundle. Oc were doing a package for £1300? I think. The 2.0 lighthouse offer compatibility with future product of unknown at this time, in the here and now all they do is increase the range two fold of your play area. Controllers appear to be no different, and unknown if they fixed the trackpad flaw.

The Pro does offer a visual upgrade, but it will cost you bigtime from a standing start of having to buy the lighthouses and controls. Personally id go with a standard vive bundle and take it from there after experiencing VR for a while. A pro can come later if you want more. A pity you missed on the free deluxe strap a few weeks ago, it comes standard on the pro, but costs on the vive.

Thanks. I did see an email about the free deluxe strap but guessed I had probably missed out on it. I've played a fair few titles now via mates vives, and was looking into what's the best available and the differences (if any) on the newer accessories. May hold out to see if the offer get's repeated at some point or if there's any info released on next gen. Probably just after a buy one knowing how things normally work out for me.

edit: Slight concern is my house is relatively new compared to my mates and has lower ceilings. I'm a tall chap so there's a good chance I might hit the ceiling while standing and flailing arms upwards, although would mean hands would be a little higher than my head. Guess I'll just have to be careful - or get a new house.

fizzy · 31 May 2018 at 06:11

After some thought and late night/early morning browsing and considerations on what I did and didn't like when using my mates vives, I've just ordered the rift bundle while the £75 offer was still on. Will give me something to play around with that is different to my mates, and can use as basis for next gen decisions too (if/when they are announced

).

Ravenger · 31 May 2018 at 11:00

fizzy said:
After some thought and late night/early morning browsing and considerations on what I did and didn't like when using my mates vives, I've just ordered the rift bundle while the £75 offer was still on. Will give me something to play around with that is different to my mates, and can use as basis for next gen decisions too (if/when they are announced ).

It's probably best to wait for daily deals on the Oculus Store to buy games with your credit, but it's highly recommended you get some of the Oculus exclusives, once you've played the excellent free games that come with the Rift (Robo Recall should be your first download!).

Good exclusives are:
Lone Echo (It's multiplayer component is free, worth trying just to try the amazing locomotion and sense of immersion).
Other Suns
Wilson's Heart
The Climb (Only worth it on a sale).

And that's just a start.
"Welcome to the Grid, Program', and 'Buckle up Dorothy, 'cause Kansas is going bye-bye.'

melmac · 31 May 2018 at 11:50

don't forget Eleven Table Tennis and Rec Room.

ArmitageShanks · 31 May 2018 at 15:48

You can get the Vive Pro with the starter kit (Vive 1.0 controllers and lighthouses) for £1050 directly from HTC. No need to buy the full Vive package, and the 2.0 stuff doesn't really add anything.

Wrinkly · 31 May 2018 at 17:43

ArmitageShanks said:
You can get the Vive Pro with the starter kit (Vive 1.0 controllers and lighthouses) for £1050 directly from HTC. No need to buy the full Vive package, and the 2.0 stuff doesn't really add anything.

It's still not worth considering. If you read a lot in VR and can put up with the wonky controller tracking, get an Odyssey, otherwise just grab the Rift as nothing comes close to the Touch controllers yet.

ArmitageShanks · 2 Jun 2018 at 22:33

Wrinkly said:
It's still not worth considering. If you read a lot in VR and can put up with the wonky controller tracking, get an Odyssey, otherwise just grab the Rift as nothing comes close to the Touch controllers yet.

I'd rather have the best tracking and the best resolution possible. If I were getting into VR now I'd go for the Vive Pro starter bundle. But if you want cheap, then sure, get a Rift or Odyssey.

Wrinkly · 2 Jun 2018 at 23:56

ArmitageShanks said:
I'd rather have the best tracking and the best resolution possible. If I were getting into VR now I'd go for the Vive Pro starter bundle. But if you want cheap, then sure, get a Rift or Odyssey.

Ignorance seems to follow the Vive around. Why would you not go for a Pimax 8k headset which has a better resolution and supports the same tracking systems? You can upgrade to the V2 Lighthouse and the Knuckles, while everyone else waits for gen 2

fizzy · 3 Jun 2018 at 00:43

Was a quick prompt delivery and arrived yesterday. A work colleague who apparently got a rift early commented how nice the packaging is now.

Had a few technical issues setting up. Firstly headset wouldn't work on the hdmi port on my 980ti - used a dvi-hdmi adapter on the dvi port and that was fine. Don't know if it's a limitation of the card when using a display port and ultrawide monitor. Then going through the setup wizard at the bit where you team up the controllers, it kept on teaming then reporting a "hardware error". Upon restarting the wizard it wouldn't find the HMD video or usb connection. Sorted that by moving the USB 3 connection from a "fly lead" back plate connector to an on board, and all ok now. Guess that was a power draw issue?

Now set up and working great. Been playing beat saber (great, but need to get more songs.

, Rez (really trippy and loads of potential motion sickness) and just had a blast on robo recall.

Really like the controllers over the vives myself, and I used to notice the rings in the lenses which don't seem present on the rift. Found I had the HMD a bit tight as I was smudging the lenses with my eyelashes or something but slackening things off and setting the straps up properly sorted that too.

Non technical issues included taking my hanging light down as I kept on head butting it

- looking to get a low profile LED ceiling light or get wall lights fitted. Plus clearing the room and moving things around to make a nice play area - but that would have been the case whichever one I got.

Not got my £75 voucher/code yet though - will have to chase that.

I agree that for the best system technically the vive pro kit is probably best, + the Pimax when it's available - but for simple fun the rift works a treat for now.

...and I've only punched the ceiling once so far.

Rilot · 3 Jun 2018 at 11:32

Wrinkly said:
Ignorance seems to follow the Vive around. Why would you not go for a Pimax 8k headset which has a better resolution and supports the same tracking systems? You can upgrade to the V2 Lighthouse and the Knuckles, while everyone else waits for gen 2

You don't like the Vive, we get it. Is there any need to trash every thread about it and to call owners ignorant? I'm not happy and any more of this will result in a suspension.

melmac · 3 Jun 2018 at 13:33

ArmitageShanks said:
I'd rather have the best tracking and the best resolution possible. If I were getting into VR now I'd go for the Vive Pro starter bundle. But if you want cheap, then sure, get a Rift or Odyssey.

Would you really though? If you hadn't got into VR by this stage and were looking around at what was out there the question you would be asking is why is the Vive Pro so expensive compared to the other headsets on the market. And, the majority of people would be saying it's just a minor resolution bump over the original Vive. You really think after reading all the information available that somebody on the fence about VR would pick the Pro over the original Vive or Rift at current prices?

You forgot to list the original Vive as one of the "cheap" headsets.

fizzy · 3 Jun 2018 at 16:17

Mods - you can close this topic since I got a Rift.

melmac · 3 Jun 2018 at 18:34

fizzy said:
Mods - you can close this topic since I got a Rift.

Enjoy the Rift

Make sure you play Robo Recall ASAP and if can get Eleven Table Tennis. Two of the best experiences in VR.

Also, consider buying a custom VR faceplate to replace the stock plate and foam that the Rift has. About the same comfort but less sweaty and doesn't leave marks on your face!!

kration · 3 Jun 2018 at 22:49

fizzy said:
Mods - you can close this topic since I got a Rift.

Good decision. I've got a Vive but at the current price point and performance the Rift is a steal.

Let's all just settle into the 1st Gen of VR and see what the next Gen brings.

Wrinkly · 4 Jun 2018 at 11:28

Rilot said:
You don't like the Vive, we get it. Is there any need to trash every thread about it and to call owners ignorant? I'm not happy and any more of this will result in a suspension.

I have nothing against the Vive. I have simply pointed out that it is over priced in the current market. If you are going to spend money on VR, is it not wise to do some research first?