With the delay in the new Threadripper CPU's not being available, I decided to invest in a Varjo Aero HMD. Got it working last week and spent three hours playing Elite Dangerous: Horizons over the weekend. It works natively on Steam VR and my 1.0 Base Stations (2.0 recommended by Varjo), but you do need to use Varjo Base software to configure and run it. Advertised wait time was eight weeks. I got it in under five.
For perspective, my daily driver up until last weekend was a HTC Vive PRO 2, but the difference between the Aero and the PRO 2 is night and day. It's actually too good (will explain that later.)
I actually had to format and reinstall Windows 10 to get it to be recognized on my system (It was long overdue with Windows having 100GB of bloat). Something kept the USB 3.0 from being recognized and the HMD was only seen to be USB 2.0. I can say that Varjo tech support is excellent as I worked with them for three weeks to try and solve the issues. After the format / reinstall the HMD installed and performed flawlessly. So well, that I have not re-installed the Vive software and the PRO 2 is currently unplugged.
The good: When paired with a MSI SUPRIM X 3090 and Threadripper you can select VR Ultra with confidence. Aspheric lenses give butter smooth performance at a constant 90fps, incredible colors and blacks make for the most immersive experience I've ever had in Elite. Witchspace reminds me of a scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey! The real show stoppers are the crisp images. No squinting to make out text on the screen, no screen door effect, no god rays and simply jaw dropping graphics. Auto eye tracking and IPD adjustment makes sure what you see is perfectly in focus. The images are rock stable and react to the smallest of head movements. It feels like looking around naturally, no lag or tearing.
The bad: No built in audio. For me, this isn't a massive issue as I have a wireless 7.1 headset that fits over the HMD bands nicely, but some will want it. There is a standard audio plug in the HMD you can use, however. There are no forward looking cameras like on the PRO2, which makes dealing with the real world a little difficult, but it's a small price to pay. When using the Varjo Base desktop, I have my two monitors in the HMD display. Simply amazing resolution and clarity, you can interact on them as if you were looking at two real 32" screens. The worse "bad" thing is the headset is so good, the textures in the ship and station interiors all look, well, fake. With the PRO 2, there is a slight fuzziness that helps make the cockpit more believable. The Aero is so incredibly clear (you can see "scratches" in the dash of my Imperial Clipper), but the overall texture of the dash looks like clip art. I presume the textures are 4K, but when seen at 2,880 x 2,720 (7.8 MP) per eye through the Aspheric lenses, they look low res.
The biggest negative is, of course, the cost. Since getting the HMD working though, that concern is gone. It is costly, but you get extremely high quality in return. Beat Saber, DCS World, Sniper Elite VR, and other my VR Games are all PHENOMINAL with the Aero. It's a quantum leap over the Index, HP Reverb and Vive series.
Between my PRO2 and Aero, the Aero comes out on top in all categories. The difference between them is the same as going from a monitor to my original Vive HMD. There is no better residential VR experience available to the best of my knowledge.
Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with Varjo beyond purchasing an Aero from them. I paid full price for the unit and am not receiving any compensation for this post. My opinion is my own.
For perspective, my daily driver up until last weekend was a HTC Vive PRO 2, but the difference between the Aero and the PRO 2 is night and day. It's actually too good (will explain that later.)
I actually had to format and reinstall Windows 10 to get it to be recognized on my system (It was long overdue with Windows having 100GB of bloat). Something kept the USB 3.0 from being recognized and the HMD was only seen to be USB 2.0. I can say that Varjo tech support is excellent as I worked with them for three weeks to try and solve the issues. After the format / reinstall the HMD installed and performed flawlessly. So well, that I have not re-installed the Vive software and the PRO 2 is currently unplugged.
The good: When paired with a MSI SUPRIM X 3090 and Threadripper you can select VR Ultra with confidence. Aspheric lenses give butter smooth performance at a constant 90fps, incredible colors and blacks make for the most immersive experience I've ever had in Elite. Witchspace reminds me of a scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey! The real show stoppers are the crisp images. No squinting to make out text on the screen, no screen door effect, no god rays and simply jaw dropping graphics. Auto eye tracking and IPD adjustment makes sure what you see is perfectly in focus. The images are rock stable and react to the smallest of head movements. It feels like looking around naturally, no lag or tearing.
The bad: No built in audio. For me, this isn't a massive issue as I have a wireless 7.1 headset that fits over the HMD bands nicely, but some will want it. There is a standard audio plug in the HMD you can use, however. There are no forward looking cameras like on the PRO2, which makes dealing with the real world a little difficult, but it's a small price to pay. When using the Varjo Base desktop, I have my two monitors in the HMD display. Simply amazing resolution and clarity, you can interact on them as if you were looking at two real 32" screens. The worse "bad" thing is the headset is so good, the textures in the ship and station interiors all look, well, fake. With the PRO 2, there is a slight fuzziness that helps make the cockpit more believable. The Aero is so incredibly clear (you can see "scratches" in the dash of my Imperial Clipper), but the overall texture of the dash looks like clip art. I presume the textures are 4K, but when seen at 2,880 x 2,720 (7.8 MP) per eye through the Aspheric lenses, they look low res.
The biggest negative is, of course, the cost. Since getting the HMD working though, that concern is gone. It is costly, but you get extremely high quality in return. Beat Saber, DCS World, Sniper Elite VR, and other my VR Games are all PHENOMINAL with the Aero. It's a quantum leap over the Index, HP Reverb and Vive series.
Between my PRO2 and Aero, the Aero comes out on top in all categories. The difference between them is the same as going from a monitor to my original Vive HMD. There is no better residential VR experience available to the best of my knowledge.
Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with Varjo beyond purchasing an Aero from them. I paid full price for the unit and am not receiving any compensation for this post. My opinion is my own.
![BigBANGtheory [VR]](https://forums-cdn.zaonce.net/data/avatars/m/71/71385.jpg?1644873788){kind=avatar}
