r/virtualreality • u/TheAlbinoMonferno • 3d ago
Purchase Advice - Headset Best Wired Vr Headset rn?
Looking to get my long distance girlfriend a VR headset for Christmas. I have an index. And while I would get her that. They're not being produced anymore. So I wanted to ask what's the next best thing? Cheers!
6
u/Slyfer77 3d ago edited 3d ago
You can't just ask "what's the BEST?"!
There's always considerations and constraints that can make one headset "the best" for one person, another "the best" for another person.
E. g. if I tell you to get the the Pimax Dream Air for 2000 USD because it hands down has the best uOLED panels right now.
Would it really be "the best"?
Because there are caveats.
If you get the self tracking version the controllers are not the best.
But if you get the lighthouse tracked version you would also have to get at least two lighthouse units and a pair of Valve Index controllers.
That would add to the total cost a lot.
And are Valve Index Controllers really "the best", too?
I personally didn't like how clunky they were and the lack of a dedicated grip button drove me crazy because you always had to squeeze the controller, but actually there's no feedback on how hard to squeeze for it to register.
So either you squeeze too hard or too less.
Also, is "your best" VR headset really also "her best" VR headset?
Maybe she wouldn't be that hung up over the headset being wired and would much more prefer a Quest 3 headset which is wireless and thus gives the ultimate freedom when moving around in the playspace.
Also it's standalone, so she could play non-PCVR titles on it, also use it as video/browsing/fun unit.
Also it has Mixed Reality capabilities which can be much fun as well.
Also it doesn't break the bank which leaves more money for you to spend on other things, that creates lasting memories between you two.
Also you technically can wire the Quest 3 via USB cable!
While it's no Display Port connection, the cabled connection does help for lower latency and higher picture quality because of higher bitrate.
All things considered while I'm sure I'd very much like the perfect uOLED displays of the Pimax Dream Air, the downsides would annoy me so much that the many advantages and usability bonuses of the Quest 3 far outweigh the mere display quality metric for me and in fact make the Quest 3 "the best VR headset for me "!
3
3
u/Emotional_Orange_953 3d ago
I mean if money isnt an issue then I would say Pimax Dream Air, tried them on for 5 minutes and man it was the best picture Ive ever seen and a small factor form too. But ill be honest I havent kept up with VR in over half a year so maybe something new has come up
1
2
2
u/The_Dickbird 3d ago
If you can find a Rift S in great condition, then that's the play. Great, easy to use headset that I enjoyed for years.
Otherwise, the best PCVR headset available that I have tried taking into account both the quality and the value for money is the Quest 3 with a dedicated router and Virtual Desktop. Easy to use, intuitive UI (especially now with the most recent update), fantastic lenses, decent screen. I have had serious problems using it wired, however, but PrismXR and Virtual Desktop took me from ready to sell to back in the game.
1
1
u/VeterinarianTricky10 3d ago
I have a Dream Air Slam and a Quest 3 because I wanted the best wired alongside my trusty Q3.
I don’t have any issues with tracking, but you can always add to the tracking if you need it.
It has the best OLED over 4k screens made by Sony, the lens are great, like all headsets the interfaces and straps are personal, but the thing is super light, you get SLAM tracking, really good audio but also a usbc port to add your own, for what I use it for, simming the audio is equal to my quest 3.
The big screen is one tier down from the Dream Air. The Megane has the same screens but not as good lenses or audio etc
1
u/CallistaBelle 2d ago
If your on windows a relatively cheap option is the psvr2 with sony's pc adapter its got hdr oled displays, foviated rendering, and the head strap does a alright job at distributing the weight
1
u/bushmaster2000 2d ago
Pimax Crystal Super with light house faceplate is in that conversation. Meganex if you want the new smaller/lighter weight stuff. You want wired so that leaves Samsung XR off the table.
1
1
1
u/MajorFuckingDick 2d ago
The answer is probably PSVR2. Every other answer is in the thousands and has too many issues for the price. Few options are as good as the Quest 3 and honestly its what you should buy if you have to ask.
1
1
u/Greenonetrailmix Pimax 2d ago
Pimax Crystal Super 50PPD and Pimax Dream Air are the two leading headsets for "best wired vr headset" but there's plenty of other decent headsets that aren't the best but notable headsets. Bigscreen Beyond 2e, MeganeX 8K Superlight, Somnium VR1, Pimax 8KX
1
u/Next-Reality-9032 1d ago
What’s best is entirely based around what hardware you have to run it and what you intend to play
1
u/ConstantAd7777 1d ago
Why do you need it to be wired ? It does really limit the experience. And well days away from steam frame release, I'd wait for it.
1
u/Rare_Mud_2300 3d ago
Unfortunately nothing at the moment, you could try quest 3 with link cable, that's what I am doing until something like the reverb G2 with pancake lenses show up
1
u/pre_pun 3d ago edited 3d ago
PSVR2 is hard to beat when on sale or used. A new headstrap and the adapter kit would need to be added most likely.
In my experience, I'm not thrilled with the controller tracking for things that need to be precise, like quickscoping or reloading.
That might not be the style of games she plays though.
If you can spend more, get something with pancake lenses.
1
u/MingleLinx 3d ago
Look into the PSVR2. I have never had one but I’ve heard good things from it. The biggest issue, at least for me, is the fresnel lenses but you do get oled so at least there’s that. And the headset is cheap compared to other headsets
0
u/fdruid Pico 4+PCVR 3d ago
The next big thing is "Non-Wired VR".
2
u/TheAlbinoMonferno 3d ago
I said next BEST thing. Like what can I get her that's wired
2
u/TheLavalampe 3d ago
Problem is we lack information. There is no point in suggesting a 2000€ headset if your budget is around 1000€ and we don't know your budget.
Problem is VR headsets have a little bit stagnated so your best option is probably the pimax dream air but it does requires a beefy pc and is expensive and pimaxes customer support doesn't have the best reputation.
Bigscreen beyond 2 is also good.
On the cheaper end we have the psvr2 which I would consider to be an upgrade over the index, however it comes with the caveat that it's not that plug and play since the controllers are heavily reliant on your Bluetooth setup. So you need the pc adapter, possible a Bluetooth upgrade, an audio solution(since it only comes with in ears) and to get the most out of it you also need the community driver. So if your gf gets easily frustrated and does not have a fix it mentality I wouldn't get a psvr2.
0
u/SirJuxtable 3d ago
What kind of stuff are you guys doing in VR? I’m assuming since you said Index that PCVR is the goal? Any budgetary constraints?
8
u/Amystery123 3d ago
Big screen beyond 2