It feels like it’s been a long time since we’ve had a new HTC Vive VR headset to get excited about, and it feels like it’s been even longer since the brand has released a device that’s specifically designed for VR gaming on a PC. In the years since the launch of the HTC Vive 2 Pro and HTC Vive XR Elite, HTC’s main focus has been the enterprise market, but now it’s turning its attention back to gamers with what looks like a truly brilliant device.
The HTC Vive Focus Vision is a standalone mixed reality headset, but don't let that fool you. It looks more like the successor to what we consider to be one of the best VR headsets ever created for PC gaming, the HTC Vive 2 Pro.
The Vive Focus Vision has one of the most comprehensive specs I’ve seen on a standalone device like this, even compared to the Pico 4 Ultra, which takes the Meta Quest 3’s specs a step further. It has a 2248p pixel density per eye, two eye-tracking cameras, automatic IPD adjustment, and a 120-degree field of view.
Connecting a headset like this directly to one of the best graphics cards means you won’t suffer from any image compression like you would with a USB-C connection when playing on a PC. For avid SteamVR users, this headset could be the new go-to option, as the Quest 3, Pico 4 Ultra, and even the PSVR 2’s PC adapter all use some form of USB-C connectivity.
Shen Ye, Global Product Manager for HTC Vive, said: “PC gamers can now bring the same high-end headsets used in VR arcades into their homes. We’re taking things to the next level with built-in eye tracking, color-streaming stereo cameras for depth-corrected mixed reality, and even an IR sensor for better hand tracking in low-light conditions.”
Impressively, you’ll also be able to quickly swap out the Focus Vision’s battery thanks to the detachable battery packs that have two hours of continuous playtime each. As an added bonus, the headset has four indicator LEDs that indicate how much battery you have left, similar to some of the best Meta Quest accessories. Swapping out backup batteries in an emergency sounds easy because there’s a built-in backup battery that can keep your headset in an extended standby mode for up to 20 minutes.
As the brand's product director stated, you won't need to use tracking modules like in the case of the Vive 2 Pro. The Focus Vision has four built-in tracking cameras and two 16MP full-color cameras for a mixed reality experience. There's also an infrared spotlight to help with tracking, a proximity sensor, and depth-sensing capabilities.
You might be starting to worry about how much all this will cost. Surprisingly, the HTC Vive Focus Vision has stayed true to the price of the Vive 2 Pro, with a launch price of $999.99 / £999.99. Available for pre-order todaybut I have not been given a specific date for when the device will be shipped to the first buyers.
Pre-orders include a Vive Wired Streaming Kit for DisplayPort mode at no additional cost, and you can choose from three popular game bundles as a complimentary bundle.
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