If you're in the market for a new virtual reality headset, your timing is impeccable. There are three new headsets that you can pre-order starting today and your options are quite varied. On the Oculus front, the new Oculus Quest is a standalone headset with motion trackers and inside-out tracking with an uprated screen resolution and onboard processing for entirely wireless operation.
The Oculus Rift S is a sidestep from the original Rift with a slightly improved resolution, inside-out tracking, new motion controllers, but a PC tether that lets you enjoy high-end PC visuals on the headset with the attached wire.
Both headsets are $400 all in, making for an attractive entry-level price point for new virtual reality users.
However, if you want something a little more high-end, Valve's Index is also up for pre-order starting today and it's very impressive. Its resolution is a comparable 1,440 x 1,600 per eye, equating to a 2,880 x 1,600 resolution picture. It has new, enhanced lenses to reduce glare during dark scenes and expand the visual sweet spot. It also has an enhanced refresh rate of 120Hz as standard, with the option of a 144Hz "overclocked" mode for experimental experiences.
The field of view has been expanded to around 130 degrees, which should make a big difference to in-game immersion. It also has twin, stereo pass-through cameras for augmented reality and boundary detection, new Valve knuckle controllers, and support for the Lighthouse 2.0 sensors that the Vive Pro supports.
All of this is rather expensive though, with a full system costing $1,000. The headset alone is $500.
Which would you buy?