I reviewed HTC’s new Vive Focus Vision, a lossless VR headset built for PC gaming

HTC ’s Vive Focus Vision combines some of the best features of its Vive XR Elite , Focus 3 , and Pro 2 to produce a new VR headset that supports visually lossless PCVR and mixed reality play in standalone mode .

I got a chance to assay this challenging new gadget . I explore its intensity level and dug for any weaknesses , equate it to previous HTC poser andthe serious VR headsetsto test if it ’s well - suit to gaming , work , and effortless economic consumption . Despite a classic tethered connecter , the Vive Focus Vision still manages to stomach out .

Lossless PCVR

Whilestandalone VR headset like the Meta Quest 3or the Vive XR Elite brag wireless connections to your computing machine to toy SteamVR game , a direct wired connexion can reduce latency and supply a clean image .

HTC ’s new Vive Focus Vision enables visually lossless PCVR via a DisplayPort connection . That mean it ’s unlikely you ’ll see any compression artefact and muddy texture with this method .

You ’ll need a DisplayPort to USB - cytosine adapter . I used HTC ’s DisplayPort mode outfit , which include a charger , plenty of adaptor , and cables to ensure you may connect the Vive Focus Vision to your art calling card .

While the resolution per eye is 2448×2448 pixels , your GPU will be deliver twice that amount at 90 to 120 frame per second ( fps ) . That ’s a more demanding undertaking than outputting to a 4 yard PC monitor , so verify you havea gaming desktopthat ’s up to the challenge . If you built your own PC , you ’ll need one of thebest nontextual matter plug-in .

As a PCVR headset , your computer does the profound lifting and the Vive Focus Vision dissemble as a head - rise display . It figure out well , with a screen crisp enough for productivity and VR gaming .

I did n’t find any compression artifact or lag while playing on my NvidiaRTX 4070 . Classic VR titles likeHalf - Life : Alyx , as well as every other game I act , depend discriminating and mostly unclouded . The only concern is HTC ’s use of goods and services of Fresnel lenses .

While most new VR headsets use pancake lenses , Fresnel is an older optical system that looks like stepped ridges etched into the lens . That lets you focalise on display that are only an inch from your eyes , but land an unfortunate side effect of visible ring of light in high - direct contrast images . These “ god rays ” can despoil an otherwise courteous experience .

For oeuvre use , I had three big , promising screen with no distractions or flaw in the image . HTC ’s Vive Focus Vision add up with Vive Desk , a VR app that connects to Vive Hub on my microcomputer to create practical screens that I can resize and place anywhere around my workstation .

It also defend helping hand - trailing and go for gaze input . It ’s not as reliable as the wait - and - pinchsystem of an Apple Vision Pro , but with more exercise and further enhancement , it could simplify use . The lens ridges are distracting when I search off - center , another strike against gaze input .

For workplace , a keyboard and black eye is still best , and Vive Desk get me drag window between practical screens and use my computer mouse pointer to control virtual controls .

I can also use the Vive Focus Vision ’s built - in rear battery for power and connect to Vive Desk wirelessly , or expend Virtual Desktop or Immersed to remotely connect to my computer to ascertain videos , play game , or work .

Standalone VR

HTC ’s Vive Focus Vision is optimized for use with a PC . It ’s a bulky , 2 - pound VR headset build for comfort , with a USB - C 3.2 embrasure that corroborate DisplayPort . However , it also works as a standalone headset like the Vive XR Elite or Focus 3 . I can unplug from the tether and plot or physical exercise wirelessly .

The Vive Focus Vision can get at the Viveport store and he games in my Vive XR Elite library employment . I can paint inFigmin XR , survive inZombieland , and workout inLes Mills BodyCombat .

The headset includes 128 GB of reposition that ’s expandable with a microSD card up to 2 TB , so do n’t care about ply out of space . The mixed reality aspect uses dual-16MP passthrough television camera and is better than that of the Vive XR Elite , which felt a flake zoomed compared to world .

Few standalone games patronize eye - tracking , but HTC order foveated interpretation is possible to increase sharpness in mobile games . Meta did n’t take full advantage of the Quest Pro ’s oculus - tracking beyond animating avatars , give it for developers that rarely bothered . I do n’t gestate much developer care on the Vive Focus Vision ’s eye - tracking either .

Multi-user VR

Several feature film make HTC ’s Vive Focus Vision an ideal multi - user headset . machinelike IPD motors adapt the lens spacing for optimum sharpness . A build - in 20 minute battery lets me raging trade the rear electric battery . Also , the front and rear launching pad are comfortable to take out and clean .

The Vive Focus serial is quite pop with location - based entertainment venues . stage business like Sandbox VR and The Void have locations across the country where groups toy in a large room designed specifically for multiplayer VR gambling .

HTC designed the Vive Focus Vision as an ideal ascent for the aging Focus 3 , incorporatng the colour passthrough of the Vive XR Elite and the PCVR power of the Vive Pro 2 .

Is the HTC Vive Focus Vision right for you?

At $ 999 , the Vive Focus Vision costs more than the Vive XR Elite , which is now $ 899 , but the XR Elite ’s middle - trailing accessory costs $ 199 . If you loveVRChat , know you want eye - tracking , and design to utilise your VR headset for SteamVR , the Vive Focus Vision is the obvious woof .

For standalone use , the Vive XR Elite ’s lighter , more compact design is easy to move around in and looks like steampunk gear , which I consider a bonus . Its pancake lenses are clearer , but the image resolution and passthrough sentiment are forged . Personally , Iprefer the Vive XR Elite , but it ’s a hard comparison .

Compared to the Vive Focus 3 , the Vision is a cleared rise . It ’s also an automatic yes if you own a Vive Pro 2 . You get eye - trailing , deal - trailing , an inside - out controller , and headset tracking without external base place . The Vive Focus Vision also has the vantage of hot - barter batteries and color passthrough .

If you favor standalone VR , it ’s hard to pound the $ 500 Meta Quest 3 ornew $ 300 Quest 3S. personal computer gamers might be more interested inthe secure VR headsets for Windows computer .

If you like the sound of the Vive Focus Vision , HTC has a promotional offer through October 17 , 2024 . If you preorder , you ’ll get a Vive Wired Streaming Kit with a choice of three bonus biz packs . The Vive Focus Vision costs $ 999 for the consumer translation and $ 1,299 for the business variant with gadget management .