Initial Impressions - Oculus Rift vs HTC Vive

[Magic Man]

you Keep forgetting that the Rift and Vive have different lenses! Thats Hardware

Not forgetting at all. The Rift lenses potentially suffer from greater godray issues than those of the Vive because of the design. Also, because the Rift uses graduated lenses to achieve focus adjustment it means you have to raise/lower the headset to focus, potentially affecting effective fov since you are no longer looking through dead centre. The Rift already has a smaller fov than the Vive.

The Rift though does give slightly better clarity because of the panel/lens choice.

Apples/Oranges.

Now when it Comes to Software - good luck getting ATW and SS any time soon!

You think Valve are new to the software development game? Hardware drivers?

Well it uses strictly the same 'ski mask' straps as the DK2

And? The mounting design they chose allows the straps to be removed/replaced if you want or even use some other form of mounting.

has no headphones like the DK2

The Vive has a headphone socket to allow you to connect whatever headphones/earplugs you want.

is front heavy like the DK2. With the same result over time (weighing over the nose in my case, leading to pain / discomfort)

Purely down to personal preference, face shape etc. Many reviewers have found the opposite.

with the added wire loom problem which is a surprising oversight for a device supposed to do room scale.

What problem? What oversight?

And as to stop the spreading of misinformation, the Rift has adjustable straps (not fixed), they are rigid but all dimensions can be adjusted with velcro, and it's also spring loaded.

The Rift straps are fixed in that they cannot be removed/replaced because they incorporate the rear LEDs and headphone connection pins.

This make it way more advanced than the DK2 and Vive in that regard,

Don't make yourself look daft, it's not "way more advanced" than the Vive at all. They are very, very similar. Each has a number of advantages and disadvantages over the other.

along with the hinged visor that you can slightly tilt up when you want to see outside (very useful, especially in ED since we need so many external tools).

It takes no effort to simply lift other HMD's neither, or use the camera in the Vive.

 

[dogbite]

To all those coming here for an objective opinion, consider those (like the OP) who have or have tried both the CV1 and the VIVE) to have valid yet personal opinions. Those who do not own both or either at the moment are either regurgitating all the usual fanboy arguments or trying to justify their purchase decision to themselves. There are plenty of unbiased reviews (and some biased ones) on Utube videos and tech sites to help one understand the strengths and weakness of each HMD. Watch and read as many as you need to make up your mind -they are both fine first gen devices. If you still can't figure out what you would be happy with, after doing your homework, wait to try both.

 

[Cmdr Menmnu]

wait... doesn't the vive already have ATW? See..


https://steamcommunity.com/app/250820/discussions/0/385429254939342922/


Is it true you can use SS witht he vive? Surely this is something you can just set in the nvidia control panel....

 

[dogbite]

Vive uses Interleaved Re-projection, the differences described here http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/vive-rift-playstation-vr-comparison,review-33556-5.html

 

[Surefoot]

I see someone is comically missing the point.. I have extensively tried both headsets. While the Vive brings room scale which is in itself a different kind of proposal (but lacking anything more than fun demos so far) it's so obviously a copy of the DK2 with what little Oculus left out at the time (fresnel lenses) that it's hard to miss. That comes with the same ergonomic issues.

Not forgetting at all. The Rift lenses potentially suffer from greater godray issues than those of the Vive because of the design.

That's your opinion, based on what ? In reality they both have fresnel lenses that create light artefacts. And in real usage the Rift's "rays" look more "natural" as in your brains can start forgetting them where the Vive's rays show distinct ridges that are a bit more intrusive. If you had really used both headsets, you'd know.

(let's ignore a few strawman arguments..)

What problem? What oversight?

That's the proof you dont know what you are talking about...

Each has a number of advantages and disadvantages over the other.

That's a bit fanboyish, in reality one product is clearly superior in quality (fabrication) and ergonomy, leading to superior sitting experience - for simulators and such. While the other has room scale which is IMHO a bit of a different application, that needs one more important precondition (having a free room with enough uncluttered space for moving around).

It takes no effort to simply lift other HMD's neither, or use the camera in the Vive.

I left that one for showing how you miss the point..

 

[Magic Man]

Oh dear, someone overdosed on pompousness didn't they...
You insist the Rift is of superior fabrication quality to the Viva, in what way?

Nope, don't know what the problems or oversight you are noting refers to, enlighten me...?

 

[Surefoot]

Agreed completely. I was at first hesitant to say that the lightness of the Rift would outweigh the comfort of the Vive, but it actually has with time. I have I guess 'broken in' my Oculus to the point where I don't feel the harshness of the facial pad as much.

I have to mention there are replacement facial pads available from 3rd parties, i received mine not long ago and they are awesome. Perforated pseudo-leather and soft

 

[Wasp0]

I have to mention there are replacement facial pads available from 3rd parties, i received mine not long ago and they are awesome. Perforated pseudo-leather and soft

Link please?

Thanks

 

[Alec Turner]

Link please?

Thanks

Don't know if Surefoot got one of these but here's one ...

https://vrcover.com/shop/

 

[Wasp0]

Don't know if Surefoot got one of these but here's one ...

https://vrcover.com/shop/

Thank you Alec

 

[Coolbeans]

I got the delux cover set for the rift about a month ago from vrcovers. Do yourself a favor and get one. Makes a world of difference. Sooo much more comfortable.

 

[Meanstreak242]

I think there's 1 key difference here that everyone has left out. Each and every one of us have different shaped heads, different eyes, different IPDs, and so on. What looks good to one person may look poor to another. VR is very subjective, the only way to truly know which setup works better for you is to try them side by side.

 

[Surefoot]

Yeah i got the vrcovers. I confirm what Coolbeans said, they make a world of difference. As a side effect they'll reduce the "vr marks" on your face after long sessions...

 

[Korben Dallas]

I just got my Rift this morning. Having used the VIVE extensively for about half a year now, I agree with everything OP stated.

The Rift is a world of difference with the VIVE and I can increase the graphic options quite significantly without stutter. Something I can only dream of with the VIVE.

I start with VR Medium on a laptop with a GTX 1070 in 2.2:

I can bump SS and HMD Quality both to 1.25
Effects: HIGH
AA: MLAAx2

Oculus all the way here for me.

The only thing I would say about the VIVE is that the facecushion is more comfortable.

 

[Kyennamo]

This has been discussed many times over.

I myself made a topic asking for advise on this subject about a month ago. Unfortunately, i was given tons of misinformation. Most of which stated the 2 were so close, whatever choice i made wouldnt make that much difference in ED. But that turned out to be the biggest load of crap.

Unfortunately, the Vive fanclub cant resign themselves to the fact that ED looks like crap in the Vive (compared to the Rift). And it is a CLEARLY (word used ironically) an inferior experience......by a lot.

They continually spread misinformation claiming "the Vive is just as good as the Rift for ED". Which it definitely is NOT (i own both). Im not sure if it is because people hate Facebook (which i do) or because people are trying to justify their choice to themselves for purchasing an inferior experience (for ED). Either way, claims that the vive is anywhere near as good as the Rift for ED are flat out false.

Thats not to say the Vive isnt great. I was gonna return mine after seeing how poorly it performed with Elite dangerous. But then I played lightblade VR, zombie trainer, the lab and a few others. After that i was hooked on roomscale.

So....i guess what i am trying to say is, Ask yourself "why am i buying an HMD?".

If you want the best possible ED VR experience stay FAR FAR away from the Vive. But....if you want roomscale and an "adequate" ED VR experience the Vive is a fine choice. Just be well aware you are getting a largely inferior Elite Dangerous VR experience in exchange for superior roomscale.

 

[shadragon]

Both units are excellent VR HMD's

If all you want to do is sit and play Elite, get a Rift. If you want a full scale room experience with several programs, get a Vive.

I have a Vive and don't begrudge Rift owners a single thing. Both are better then the FOVE.

 

[Alec Turner]

Both units are excellent VR HMD's

If all you want to do is sit and play Elite, get a Rift. If you want a full scale room experience with several programs, get a Vive.

I have a Vive and don't begrudge Rift owners a single thing. Both are better then the FOVE.

Just curious - did you ever get the Fove working with ED or were you stumped by the Windows 10 issue? (no need to go into details )

 

[vic]

Both units are excellent VR HMD's

If all you want to do is sit and play Elite, get a Rift. If you want a full scale room experience with several programs, get a Vive.

I have a Vive and don't begrudge Rift owners a single thing. Both are better then the FOVE.

Have you actually tried the FOVE?

 

[shadragon]

Have you actually tried the FOVE?

Yes. The fit is worse than my Vive and the quality of the materials feels cheaper. Plus side, the cords are much lighter and simpler to install.

Just curious - did you ever get the Fove working with ED or were you stumped by the Windows 10 issue? (no need to go into details )

The latest set of FOVE drivers are out, which supposibly fix the last issues, but I've not tried them yet. I have to remove my Vive, install the FOVE. My PC is in a tight space and a PIA to work on.

To date, I've not gotten it to work with E, but don't take that as a final answer as I've not had a lot of free time to fiddle with it.