Virtual reality headsets in comparison

Virtual reality, or VR for short, is a world created by a computer in which you can immerse yourself, move around and perform actions. The virtual environment is perceived through visual representation, sound and touch. In contrast to augmented reality, in which you perceive your real environment alongside virtual objects, virtual reality users are completely immersed in the virtual environment. This embeds you in the virtual world and creates the feeling of a new reality. This effect is known as immersion. Virtual reality is used in various areas, but the technology is particularly popular in the entertainment sector and for simulations.

To be able to immerse yourself completely in the virtual world and achieve a feeling of immersion, you need the right equipment. By using VR glasses, you can isolate yourself from the real world and immerse yourself in the virtual world. VR glasses, also known as a head-mounted display, are equipped with two displays, special lenses and a holder for the head. There are different types of VR glasses. Some need to be connected to a computer, others work wirelessly or can be used with a smartphone. There are 3 types of VR glasses in total: Tethered head-mounted displays, untethered head-mounted displays and smartphone-based VR glasses.

• Tethered head-mounted displays: This type of VR headset is connected to a computer or console.
• Untethered head-mounted displays: The virtual reality glasses work wirelessly and without a computer.
• Smartphone-based: With this hardware, a smartphone must be mounted on the front of the device. In this case, the smartphone serves as the display.

In addition, input devices such as a 3D mouse, a flystick, a data glove or similar devices are required to interact with the virtual world. Various VR glasses are available on the market. They differ in terms of the quality of the image, the controls, the price and the additional hardware required. The best-known providers are Facebook(Oculus headsets), HTC with the HTC Vive and Sony with Playstation VR.

The controls vary depending on the VR headset, but are usually controlled by body movements. The 6 degrees of freedom are often used for control in virtual reality. Freedom of movement in 3 degrees of freedom, for example, allows a user to change their position along the X, Y and Z axes, i.e. to move to the left, right, front, back, up and down. If VR glasses offer all 6 degrees of freedom, the field of vision can also be changed by rotating around the user’s own axis. With certain headsets, an external controller or other input device may be required to move around in virtual reality. Sensors are needed to detect body movements in the virtual world. These take on the task of tracking. Some VR glasses have these sensors integrated directly into the glasses themselves. Others require external tracking stations to be set up. Some VR glasses are also equipped with an “eye-tracking system” that allows the user to change their field of vision by moving their eyes.

We now introduce you to the market-leading virtual reality headsets and compare them with each other. The Oculus Rift was announced in 2012 and was primarily intended for the gaming category. Two years later, Facebook took over Oculus VR. Since then, further VR headsets have been launched by Oculus. These include the Oculus Go, Oculus Rift S and the Gear VR, which can be transformed into a portable virtual reality headset with the Samsung Galaxy smartphone. The Oculus Quest has also been available since May 2019. In addition to the Oculus VR headsets, other well-known VR headsets, such as the HTC Vive, are also available. This VR headset was launched in 2016 and is characterized by similar specifications to those of the Oculus Rift. In the following section, we will provide an overview of the various Oculus models and the HTC Vive headset.

The Oculus Go came onto the market in 2017. The headset can be used wirelessly and without an additional smartphone. In our opinion, this is a pragmatic and inexpensive solution.

Advantages

The headset weighs 468 g, sits comfortably and has an attractive design. In addition, a large selection of content enriches this virtual reality headset. At just under CHF 300 for 64 GB and around CHF 250 for 32 GB of storage space, the Oculus Go is the cheapest of the VR glasses presented in this blog post.

Disadvantages

The headset only offers 3 degrees of freedom. This means that only movements along the X, Y and Z axes are possible, but rotations around its own axis are not recognized. In addition, the headset takes a very long time to charge.

The Oculus Rift S went on sale this year in 2019. It is the successor to the Oculus Rift and works via a computer connection. This VR headset can be operated using inside-out tracking and two controllers.

Advantages

The Oculus Rift S offers 6 degrees of freedom. Therefore, in addition to tracking on the X, Y and Z axes, the VR glasses can also recognize rotations around their own axis. At 415 g, the Oculus Rift S is the lightest of the VR glasses listed here.

Disadvantages

One point of criticism of the Oculus Rift S is the downgrade of the display. Although the resolution is very good, the headset does not offer as good black and color values as its predecessor, the Oculus Rift, which relied on an OLED screen. With a price of just under CHF 500, it is significantly more expensive than the Oculus Go.

The Oculus Quest has been on sale since 2019. The virtual reality headset works without a computer connection, as the software runs directly on the device. In addition, no external tracking stations are required as with the HTC Vive.

Advantages

The Oculus Quest offers 6 degrees of freedom and is characterized by the Guardian system, which displays wall and floor markings in the application as soon as the user approaches the limits they have defined. This VR headset is ideal for use at a trade fair. It is quick to set up and can be used without a computer connection. It also offers a large selection of content.

Disadvantages

Weighing in at 571 g, the Oculus Quest is the heaviest of the virtual reality glasses listed here. It costs just under CHF 500 for 64 GB of storage space and just under CHF 600 for 128 GB. Another point of criticism is that the headset is not equipped with built-in headphones.

The HTC Vive was launched in 2016 and is equipped with wireless synchronization. The tracking cover provides a 360° play area with a surface area of 3.5 x 3.5 m.

Advantages

The HTC Vive offers 6 degrees of freedom, has a built-in microphone and built-in speakers. Regular software updates keep the virtual reality headset up to date. Precise 360° controllers and headset tracking ensure realistic movements in the virtual world. The weight is equivalent to the Oculus Go at 468 g.

Disadvantages

The HTC Vive costs around CHF 650, making it the most expensive model presented here. It also takes a while to set up and use the virtual reality headset. We therefore do not recommend this headset for use at a trade fair, despite the very accurate tracking.

For us, the Oculus Go virtual reality headset is a game changer. It is a pragmatic and inexpensive interim solution that works well wirelessly and without the use of an additional smartphone. The new Oculus Quest is ideal for trade fairs, as it can be used immediately without the need to install additional tracking stations, as is the case with the HTC Vive. The tracking is sufficient, but not comparable with a tethered headset or additional tracking stations. In addition, the Oculus Quest virtual reality headset offers 6 degrees of freedom, thanks to which the immersion can be perceived more intensively. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at any time.

If you are more interested in augmented reality headsets, you can find out more about the Hololens 2 AR headset in the blog post “Congratulations Microsoft on the Hololens 2“.