The Best VR Headsets
VR is the best way to experience the metaverse
Synopsis: We have amazing VR hardware offerings right out of the Web 3 gate. That said, we are probably in the “Myspace” era of the metaverse…close, but not quite there for mass adoption. At this stage, here are some of the best options. 😀
Newsletter Summary:
Now I’ve Seen It All 👀
Virtual Reality Hardware 😎
PODCAST Update 🎙️
Extra Resources ✨
Now I’ve Seen It All 👀
When I (D.J. Soto) resigned from a physical church in 2016, my initial goal was to plant physical churches. We attended church-planting conferences and sold all our stuff to prepare for a new life on the road.
At the same time, I started to read about the upcoming Oculus Rift (virtual reality headset). This was the first true consumer VR headset. VR enthusiasts would say this technology has been around for a long time. While that may be true, this is the first time in history that we could ship one from Amazon with a robust app ecosystem.
VR piqued my interest as a techie, but I initially hesitated to pursue this new technology because of the price tag. Back in 2016, you needed a powerful computer with a good graphics card to run virtual reality.
However, the more articles I read from those who actually experienced the Oculus Rift, the more I began to believe this technology was “legit.” It piqued my interest in such a powerful way that I spent about $2,000 to get a new PC as well as the Oculus Rift.
Today’s virtual reality hardware has come a long way. It’s cheaper, lighter, faster, and easier to use. Back in 2016, the setup was more complicated in that you needed a compatible computer and you also needed to set up external sensors to capture your movement.
I remember setting up the Rift for the first time. I put on the headset and saw a calibration grid. It was like the holodeck in Star Trek. Honestly, that moment was incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it. Mind you, it was just some blue lines that were sweeping across the horizons to calibrate the sensors, but it was definitely a moment of awe. It truly felt like I had been transported to a new dimension.
Virtual Reality Hardware 😎
The metaverse is best experienced in VR. Sure, PC mode exists for the flat screen user, but to be immersed in a 360-degree environment takes things to a whole new level.
We could talk about numerous VR hardware offerings out there, but ultimately, there are two (maybe three) that I would recommend: Quest 2, Valve Index, and possibly the upcoming Project Cambria / Quest Pro.
Meta Quest 2
If you are looking for a simple answer about which VR hardware to get, then the Meta Quest 2 is for you. This is the one I use and I think it’s great. As a matter of fact, my whole family has a Meta Quest 2 and they all love it as well.
The Quest team really nailed the design and simplicity. It just works. And that’s one thing to keep in mind: I’ve heard of people getting other VR hardware and while they may look good on paper, people have run into issues in setup and in troubleshooting.
Full Disclosure: VR MMO Church has received sponsorship dollars from Meta for webinars. However, we have always recommended the Oculus Quest even before a sponsored relationship was formed.
Reasons Why I like the Meta Quest 2
Easy to use
Extensive app library
Oculus Link Cable & Airlink Technology turns your “portable” Quest 2 into PCVR. This means you can experience higher-resolution games via Airlink or a Quest Link cable.
Portable
Reasons Why I don’t like the Meta Quest 2
Can get uncomfortable after some time
The field of view could be wider
Standalone specs could be more powerful
Incidentally, I did a quick poll on the VR MMO Church Discord server and the overwhelming response about what VR headset our community uses is the Meta Quest 2.
Valve Index
At VR Church, if you see avatars that look like they are moving more than just their hands and head like the Meta Quest 2, then you may have discovered someone using the Valve Index which has the capability of full-body tracking. I haven’t tried the Index, but those within our community who have the Index are big fans.
The Valve Index is definitely “cooler” than the Meta Quest 2 because of a better viewing experience and full-body tracking. Pastor Bismik from VR Church said that the first time he put on his Index he felt like “once he was blind, but now he can see” when talking about the visual resolution.
If it’s “cooler”, then why isn’t it the recommended VR headset? The answer is price and portability. The Quest 2 runs around $399 while the Index costs $999. Unless you are a VR enthusiast, the Quest 2 is much more economical and just as functional.
Also, portability is a huge issue. Want to take your VR to a friend’s house? With the Quest, easy. With the Index, very difficult. The Index requires external sensors to be installed on the wall or on stands. It’s not standalone like the Quest is and the Index will be wired to your computer.
Reasons to Purchase the Valve Index
Technically the best VR experience
Strong visual resolution
Full-body tracking (with add-ons)
Reasons Not to Purchase the Valve Index
Expensive
Lack of portability
Wired to the computer
At the end of the day, you won’t be feeling left out too much with a Meta Quest 2 and your budget will thank you. However, technology enthusiast who want the absolute best VR experience should take a close look at the Valve Index.
Project Cambria / Quest Pro
Hold the presses! Is there a new VR headset about to release? Yes, and it looks very interesting.
From what we can tell, there’s more power under the hood and it looks like augmented reality is coming into the mix. I don’t want to overuse the word “game-changer”, but this might be a good time to use that word.
While we won’t get official details until the Meta Connect 2022 conference, I suspect we are going to be introduced to the next generation of mixed reality. We are still early in this technology, and it’s already getting crazy out there.
Some may ask if they should wait for Project Cambria / Quest Pro. The answer depends on your budget because the price will be easily $1,000+. Reports say the price may even be $1,500.1
For some citizens of the metaverse, it may be worth every penny.
In the next newsletter, we’ll talk about the best social VR platforms.
PODCAST Update 🎙️
Pre-production of “The Future of the Church is the Metaverse” podcast is underway and recording will begin very soon. We have some sponsorships available for the podcast. If you are interested, please email Bishop D.J. Soto at djsoto@vrchurch.org.
https://www.laptopmag.com/features/meta-quest-pro
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