@Mods: please don't merge this thread with another thread! I'd like to get answers to my specific questions and don't want them to get lost in some giant VR discussion thread! Thanks
Hello my dear VR experts!
Long have I waited with actually ordering my first VR headset, but since it's the one piece of hardware I have been looking forward to the most during the last few years (especially after reading all those glowing reviews and reports from gaming sites - like this Destructoid review - and players alike!), I finally pre-ordered the Oculus Rift CV1 in late February. One reason for delaying my decision to get an OR was the initial shock when the Rifts announced price was much higher than what I anticipated and what was rumoured before. Since then I realised, however, how unrealistic a price tag between 300$ and 400$ would have been for such a piece of hardware and therefore pre-ordered the Rift with newfound motivation!
Now, after reading the - sometime even more glowing, like again the Destructoid review! - reviews of the Vive and about some issues of the OR like the "glaring effects" etc, I am considering to cancel my Rift-preorder and go for a Vive instead.
The following are my pros and cons for both headsets I see at the moment.
What I want from you guys is to comment on these individual points and point out any misconceptions I might have about either headset.
Oculus Rift:
Pro:
VIVE:
Pro:
To elaborate my thoughts about some of the points above:
Despite me stating that the higher than expected price was the reason that prevented from pre-ordering a rift in the beginning, I am by now convinced that VR hardware is worth the high price tag - going by all the reports that it revolutionizes playing/multimedia experience more than any monitor development before it! - and would even be willing to pay the premium price for the Vive if I got it's advantages over the Oculus Rift (above) right.
I know the full-room experience of the Vive won't be very accessible (I won't set up the Vive permanently in my living room), but since the experience seems to be so unique and new and because I always was a huge fan of the Holodeck in Star Trek, I would be willing to accept this inconvenience in addition to the steep price, even if I can only witness it sporadically. I'd also love to show it to friends visiting from time to time!
The point of earlier availability of the Vive is only a minor reason for me to chose it, but since I passed the Rift development kits and because I have been waiting for VR hardware that finally delivers on the promise of real immersion, I'd prefer to get into it rather sooner than later!
Questions:
Hello my dear VR experts!
Long have I waited with actually ordering my first VR headset, but since it's the one piece of hardware I have been looking forward to the most during the last few years (especially after reading all those glowing reviews and reports from gaming sites - like this Destructoid review - and players alike!), I finally pre-ordered the Oculus Rift CV1 in late February. One reason for delaying my decision to get an OR was the initial shock when the Rifts announced price was much higher than what I anticipated and what was rumoured before. Since then I realised, however, how unrealistic a price tag between 300$ and 400$ would have been for such a piece of hardware and therefore pre-ordered the Rift with newfound motivation!
Now, after reading the - sometime even more glowing, like again the Destructoid review! - reviews of the Vive and about some issues of the OR like the "glaring effects" etc, I am considering to cancel my Rift-preorder and go for a Vive instead.
The following are my pros and cons for both headsets I see at the moment.
What I want from you guys is to comment on these individual points and point out any misconceptions I might have about either headset.
Oculus Rift:
Pro:
- cheaper: 700€ (no shipping costs because I pre-ordered before April 1st) instead of 950€ (including shipping) for the Vive
- lighter => more comfortable to wear
- usable only seated
- delivery not before July
- potentially strange Facebook-like parts in Terms of Service (see this Kotaku article)
- comes without VR controllers
VIVE:
Pro:
- full room experience
- comes with VR controllers that seem to work extremely well
- I really like the idea of the front-facing camera that allows me to see my keyboard if needed
- delivery expected for May if I order now (according to this Eurogamer article)
- I have more sympathies for Valve then for Facebook
- very expensive (950€ including shipping for where I live)
- heavier (and therefore potentially less comfortable?) than the Rift
To elaborate my thoughts about some of the points above:
Despite me stating that the higher than expected price was the reason that prevented from pre-ordering a rift in the beginning, I am by now convinced that VR hardware is worth the high price tag - going by all the reports that it revolutionizes playing/multimedia experience more than any monitor development before it! - and would even be willing to pay the premium price for the Vive if I got it's advantages over the Oculus Rift (above) right.
I know the full-room experience of the Vive won't be very accessible (I won't set up the Vive permanently in my living room), but since the experience seems to be so unique and new and because I always was a huge fan of the Holodeck in Star Trek, I would be willing to accept this inconvenience in addition to the steep price, even if I can only witness it sporadically. I'd also love to show it to friends visiting from time to time!
The point of earlier availability of the Vive is only a minor reason for me to chose it, but since I passed the Rift development kits and because I have been waiting for VR hardware that finally delivers on the promise of real immersion, I'd prefer to get into it rather sooner than later!
Questions:
- Are the hardware requirements for playing ED Horizons the same for the Rift and the Vive?
- If I decide to cancel my Oculus Rift pre-order in order to go for the Vive instead: how do I cancel it? I pre-ordered it as a guest, e.g. without creating an Oculus account, and my "pre-order" information page doesn't seem to provide a "cancel order" button? Do I need to contact customer support "manually" to cancel the pre-order?
- Does the front-facing camera on the Vive work like intended, e.g. is it easy to use your keyboard via the camera feed?
- Is it realistic to expect the Vive to ship in May?
- Is my reasoning sound?
- Did I get something totally wrong?
- What is your opinion on the points I listed above?
Last edited: