Four Ways To Play VR Games Under $400!

With the Holidays fast approaching I’ve noticed a LARGE amount of VR HMD’s (Head Mounted Display’s) popping up all over the place. A big issue with the influx of hardware options is that a lot of people still have not experienced virtual reality for themselves and thus have no way of knowing which option is the BEST without either travelling to demo stations or spending silly amounts of money.

First thing that needs to be understood is that the Oculus Rift CV1 + Touch and the HTC Vive are both GREAT products and are easily the top dogs of the VR HMD market allowing for users to walk around their rooms in 3D space and be tracked simultaneously. This in combination with hand tracking allows the users to have an unprecedented amount of control and interaction within a 3D VR environment.

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Having used both the Oculus Rift and Vive HMD’s thoroughly I can say that they each offer an equally amazing experience. Unfortunately these options require a more expensive PC setup and will cost you $799 for the Vive or $798 for the Oculus + Touch. This price is actually very LOW for the amount of advanced technology that is packed into such a small space, especially when you remember that there are countless hours of development put into the product as well.

Luckily there are a few cheaper options for enthusiasts out there who are looking to get into the mix without such a high price tag. These options vary greatly in specs and usage so be sure to research individual products before making a purchase.

1. PSVR (PlayStationVR) $399

Ergonomically designed the PlayStationVR HMD comes in just under $400 and looks like something straight from the future. It’s exciting times when the consoles begin running VR games and even more so when they do so with such speed and innovation. Although the tracking and controls are not as robust as some would like, the experience users are getting to-date are more positive than not! Check out this video showcasing PSVR!

I myself have not had the chance to try out the PSVR, but I am excited to check it out and feel the ergonomics for myself.

2. OSVR HDK2 (OpenSourceVR) $399

Created for hackers and developers alike, the HDK2 is a well made kit that allows users to quickly jump into VR and begin playing the games they want.

I’ve had a lot of experience with the HDK2 and I can say that it is a wonderful HMD with a lot of positives going for it. The open system and customization opportunities are attractive to developers and allow for the industry to advance much quicker than it could without such an outstanding product.

3. Pimax 4K (w/code LHPIMAX2) $295

Touted as the World’s First 4K HMD the Pimax UHD kit truly has a gorgeous display albeit at a low refresh rate that is on par with similar Mobile/Cardboard VR experiences. There’s been a lot of coverage the past few months on this HMD be sure to check out a few videos if considering this HMD!

My experience with the Pimax is somewhat limited, although I can say that it certainly does work with SteamVR as well as Oculus (with the use of ReVive) Using Hydra controllers or the leap motion gives you control in 3D space as well. Although the HMD is very sharp, the 60hz refresh rate is too low for me to play any movement games comfortably. Possibly great for sitting in  virtual theaters and viewing movies in HD.

4. DeePoon E2 (Black Friday) $209

Currently this is the cheapest option to get into Virtual Reality. Like all the options on this list it works with OpenVR as well as SteamVR/Oculus through ReVive. This also includes Leap Motion and Razer Hydra controllers. Nearly the same specs as the Oculus DK2 this HMD allows users to jump quickly into the game and be a part of the VR community!

In less than a week’s time I will be unboxing and reviewing the DeePoon VR HMD. At this time I have only seen videos of the product and heard testimony from others. I am excited that HMD’s are being manufactured that still offer quality VR experiences without the hefty price tag.

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them below or contact me at RealityCheckVR@vrspies.com