Welcome to the world of virtual reality! Today, we dive into the review of HTC Vive Focus 3, the brand new standalone VR headset. Priced at a hefty $1300, this headset is specifically targeted at the business and enterprise markets. However, HTC has showcased its potential for gaming, leaving many curious about its capabilities. In this article, we’ll answer burning questions like how it compares to the Oculus Quest 2, its suitability for VR gaming, and whether it’s worth the investment for consumers. So, let’s dive right into it!
Contents
Unboxing and Design
The Vive Focus 3 comes packaged with two newly designed VR controllers that resemble the Oculus Touch controllers. The headset itself has a sleek and premium design with a matte black finish and glossy black front faceplate. It weighs approximately 785 grams and utilizes four cameras for full six degrees of freedom inside-out tracking. The built-in open-back speakers deliver good quality audio, while a 3.5mm audio jack is also provided for personal headphones. Additionally, the headset features a micro SD card slot for expanding the internal storage up to two terabytes.
Display and Performance
The Vive Focus 3 boasts a 120-degree horizontal field of view, thanks to its Fresnel lenses and a single low persistence LCD panel with a resolution of 2448 by 2448 pixels per eye. With an optimized XR2 chipset from Qualcomm, this headset outperforms the Oculus Quest 2 on paper. It offers a smooth gaming experience at 90Hz, surpassing its competitor in various aspects.
Gaming and PC VR Streaming
While the native game library is relatively small at the moment, the Vive Focus 3 performs well in gaming. The visuals are sharp, and the wider field of view eliminates the screen door effect. HTC also offers support for wired and wireless PC VR streaming, making it compatible with both Steam and Viveport. The streaming quality can be adjusted, and the experience is seamless when using the Oculus Quest link cable or future Vive streaming USB cable. The only downside is that you cannot charge the headset and play PC VR content simultaneously.
Comfort and Limitations
The Vive Focus 3 features a sturdy head strap with adjustment options and a quick release button for easy on/off. It accommodates glasses comfortably, and the rubber nose gasket prevents light leakage. However, this headset has its downsides. The lenses have a small sweet spot, making it difficult to achieve perfect clarity outside the center of the field of view. Additionally, the fan noise can be distracting, and the lack of microphone passthrough limits its usability for online multiplayer content.
Conclusion
While the HTC Vive Focus 3 offers a solid foundation for a great VR headset, it falls short in several areas. The lenses, although providing a wide field of view, have a small sweet spot, affecting text readability. Furthermore, the loud fan noise and limitations in both software and comfort make it less appealing to consumers. At its current price point, it’s difficult to justify the investment for consumers, especially with the more affordable and versatile Oculus Quest 2 available in the market. However, for business customers, the unique features, such as the swappable battery pack and internal SD card slot, make it worth considering.
FAQs
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Q1: Is the HTC Vive Focus 3 suitable for gaming?
- A1: While primarily targeted at the business market, the Vive Focus 3 can be used for gaming. However, its limitations and price make it less appealing compared to other options available.
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Q2: Can the Vive Focus 3 be used for PC VR streaming?
- A2: Yes, the Vive Focus 3 supports wired and wireless PC VR streaming, allowing users to play Steam and Viveport content.
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Q3: How does the Vive Focus 3 compare to the Oculus Quest 2?
- A3: On paper, the Vive Focus 3 outperforms the Oculus Quest 2 in terms of specifications. However, in terms of overall experience, the Oculus Quest 2 offers a more versatile and consumer-friendly option.
Conclusion
While the HTC Vive Focus 3 showcases potential, it falls short in several aspects, making it difficult to recommend for consumers. However, for business customers, its unique features and potential for enterprise use make it a worthwhile consideration. As HTC continues to improve their software and address the headset’s limitations, we may see a more formidable contender in the future. For now, however, the Oculus Quest 2 remains the preferred choice for most VR enthusiasts.
