What you need to know before buying a VR headset

You hear so much about virtual reality, do you now have to buy VR glasses or should you wait a little longer? Put very simply, there are few situations in which buying VR is essential, just as a smartphone was not indispensable in 2007. Yet the time of ‘early adopters’ and technology nerds who buy VR glasses is now over, the hardware and software have reached the point that almost everyone can handle it. The costs for high-quality virtual reality have also fallen enormously, which means we have reached the point of ‘impulse buying’. However, we do not recommend running directly to the store or visiting a webshop, first read what you need to know about buying VR glasses.

Is virtual reality suitable for everyone?

Virtual reality is suitable for almost everyone. If you are blind or visually impaired, buying VR glasses will not be obvious. You can also wear glasses with many virtual reality headsets, there are also companies that can cut lenses to size. A large number of virtual presentations have been optimized for stereoscopic 3D, you need two eyes to observe depth. However, we can state that in most cases limited vision does not mean that you will be excluded.

Buying VR is not recommended for very young children. Firstly, because of the pupillary distance of a child deviates too much from adults. Most virtual reality hardware does not offer an option to set the eye distance. In addition, the image is projected a few centimetres from the eyes while looking at a virtual distance in depth. 

It is not yet entirely clear whether this will have an effect on the developing brain. And children can have trouble distinguishing between reality and fiction, that is certainly true in virtual reality. In general we can say that buying VR glasses is too early for a child under 12 years old, the occasional short session in principle is harmless as long as it is always under supervision.

Perhaps the most surprising users are seniors. People who are less mobile for whatever reason can intensively enjoy virtual worlds. Think of a 360 video of the forest path where they used to love to walk, or applications that are specially made to combat pain that can reduce the use of medication. There are already many children who buy VR glasses for their parents with the app ‘Wander’, with which you can visit the whole world from your own living room based on Google Streetview.

Which VR glasses to buy?

We are currently being spoiled by manufacturers with the many VR glasses that you can buy. There is so much choice that you can hardly see the virtual forest because of the virtual trees. That is why we will briefly explain the main categories:

Photo / Video viewing: You prefer to watch a Netflix series or video on YouTube from a sitting (or lying) position using VR kiosk. The 3DoF glasses are very suitable for that. That means the ability to turn around, no further movement in space is needed. The Samsung Gear VR, the Oculus Go and the Pico G2 are suitable candidates. You do need a smartphone for the Gear VR. There are also many games at the level of good smartphone games.

For companies: This VR hardware is ideal for trade shows and events, especially in larger numbers.

Play games : If you are an avid gamer with a big gaming PC or laptop, you can buy VR glasses that you can connect to this computer. Then you enjoy the most beautiful graphics and the most extensive games. You can buy various VR glasses for this, such as the HTC Vive, the Oculus Rift S or the Valve Index.

For companies : For complex stakeholder presentations or during large exhibition events, the combi virtual reality headset and PC can offer enormous possibilities.

All-in-one : In 2019 there is a trend towards standalone virtual reality equipment such as the Oculus Quest, the Vive Focus and the Lenovo Mirage. No computer is needed and you can move freely. The choice of apps is still somewhat limited, this hardware does have a lot of potential.

For companies: The immersion that these all-in-one 6DoF glasses offer is very impressive, ask the supplier about all possibilities. For a 360 video, it offers no added value on standard standalone glasses.

Do you want to buy more VR glasses? VR presentations may be a better option during presentations and events. For example, you can set up a virtual cinema with a hundred Oculus Go and try syncing vr headsets. 

Then renting VR hardware is usually a better option, certainly, because you also receive additional support from the supplier. There is plenty of fun to experience with virtual reality, and VR is also suitable for business applications. Now you know what is possible, what will you choose?

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