Since September 12, the Vive Cosmos can be pre-ordered. What are the advantages of the Vive Cosmos from HTC and what does the competition offer?
The VR technology is slowly establishing itself on PC. There are also initial ideas among the MMOs. For some time now, the VR MMO OrbusVR has been available on Steam, which has made a first step in this direction. In the meantime, there is also a wide range of technology.
Since September 12, you can now pre-order the VR headset Vive Cosmos from HTC. What does the new headset offer, and who might benefit from the purchase? In the following, we will look at…
- what the VR headset Vive Cosmos from HTC offers
- the specifications
- the competition
- and what is coming in 2019
What does the Vive Cosmos offer?
The resolution offers good 1440×1700 pixels and features a 90Hz LCD display with a field of view of 110 degrees. The VR headset Vive Cosmos supports both Steam and the in-house app store Viveport.
Heise, who have already used the headset, emphasize especially the significantly improved wearing comfort compared to the Vive Pro. For the audio output, the proven headphones from the previously sold Vive deluxe audio straps are used. However, in the Cosmos, these are now permanently installed.
Who is the Vive Cosmos aimed at?
The Vive Cosmos is primarily aimed at gamers with its price of 799 euros. This price includes not only the headset but also the controllers and, as a pre-order bonus, a one-year Viveport Infinity subscription.
The Vive Pro remains available on the market but is aimed more at companies or professional users with a price of nearly 1500 euros for the complete package.
When is the VR headset Vive Cosmos available?
Since September 12, you can pre-order the VR headset Vive Cosmos. It will officially be available from October 3. If you pre-order the headset, you will receive a one-year Viveport Infinity subscription.
Specifications of the Vive Cosmos
In the following table, we have listed the official values of the HTC Vive Cosmos for you. Particularly interesting here is the display: it features a 90Hz LCD display, while other VR headsets usually offer an AMOLED display.
| Brief Highlights: | 1.
Unexpected presence with spatial 3-D audio. 2. Higher display resolution, improved ergonomics, and a simpler headset and cable design allow you to comfortably immerse yourself in your world. 3. “Chaperone” technology |
|---|---|
| Displays: | Dual 3.4-inch diagonal |
| Resolution: | 1440 x 1700 pixels per eye (2880 x 1700 pixels combined) |
| Refresh rate: | 90 Hz |
| Field of view: | Max 110 degrees |
| Audio: | Stereophones |
| Input: | Integrated microphones, headset button |
| Connections: | USB-C 3.0, DisplayPort (DP) 1.2, proprietary connection for modifications |
| Sensors: | Accelerometer |
| Ergonomics: | Flip-up visor Adjustable pupil distance |
Technical Data Controller
| Built-in sensor: | Gyroscope and
accelerometer Hall sensor Capacitive sensors |
|---|---|
| Input: | System button
Two application buttons Trigger Bumper Joystick Grip button |
| Battery: | 2 x AA alkaline batteries |
Is the purchase worth it? The Competition of the Vive Cosmos
How does the competition for the Vive Cosmos look? In the following, we will take a look at the competitors. If you are looking for a suitable MMO for VR, check out Orbus VR Reborn: The MMO relaunched in April 2019:
For beginners: Oculus Rift S
The VR headset Oculus Rift S attracts especially with its low price of 449 euros. The Gamestar sees the wearing comfort significantly improved compared to the old model, and the tracking is also convincing. The poor sound and the lack of innovation compared to the previous model are particularly criticized.
The black levels are slightly worse than the old model, and you also have to forgo manual adjustment of the eye distance. Trying it out is therefore mandatory to see if the headset really fits you.
For wireless: Oculus Quest
The VR headset Oculus Quest comes from the same company as the Oculus Rift S, but has two major differences: First, it is wireless, and second, you do not need a high-end PC, as you load the games onto the system memory of the headset via Wi-Fi. The Oculus Quest also costs 449 euros, like the Oculus Rift S.
Testers from Curved especially praise the easy setup and the very fair price: For 449 euros, you get an “all-in-one VR system” because besides the headset, you don’t need to buy any additional accessories. The in-house store also offers an enormous variety of games.
For enthusiasts: HTC Vive Pro
The VR headset HTC Vive Pro is at the technical and pricing forefront of VR headsets. For Golem, the headset is considered to be the “best headset we have tried so far.” This is mainly due to the very high wearing comfort, even for glasses wearers. The sound quality is very good, and the picture quality is high resolution.
The most significant criticism is the very high price: the device costs 1399 euros. Although the device is also available from various retailers for just under 900 euros, it only includes the headset and a connection box. You will need to buy additional accessories. It is an advantage if you already own accessories from an old device; otherwise, you will have to dig deep into your pockets.
For all-rounders: Valve Index VR
The VR headset Index VR comes from Valve. The system is mainly aimed at gamers and is conveniently backward compatible with HTC Vive games and the controllers and base stations of the HTC Vive. For the Valve Index without accessories, you pay 539 euros, while the complete package with controllers and Lighthouse 2.0 base stations costs 1079 euros.
Testers from Gamestar regard the Valve Index as the best overall VR package. This is mainly due to the good sound and great wearing comfort. The price is too high compared to the Oculus Rift S, which offers only a slightly worse picture but costs only 439 euros.
For the console: Sony Playstation VR
The VR headset Playstation VR from Sony is made for the in-house console. Techstage praises the high wearing comfort and the adjustment options, as well as the very simple setup.
The price is also praised: You can get the second-generation headset for just 259 euros, and for just under 560 euros, you get a decent package with some games. Compared to other high-end devices, the graphics quality is lower, and the resolution is less; however, the Playstation VR headset is suitable as an inexpensive entry.
If you want to play online with the VR headset, you will still need a Playstation Plus subscription.
Do you want to know which MMO you can play in 2019 with a VR headset? The game Nostos from NetEase could be one of them:
