HTC Vive XR Elite
MSRP $1,099.00
“The Vive XR Elite is without doubt one of the most versatile mixed-reality headsets you should buy.”
Execs
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A VR headset you put on like glasses
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MR Gasket eliminates face strain
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Works nicely for PC VR
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Giant standalone app retailer
Cons
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Show decision is lower than Quest 3
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App retailer is smaller than Meta’s
The HTC Vive XR Elite is a uniquely versatile VR headset that converts into totally different varieties, providing you with the liberty to decide on which options you need at any time. Whereas it’s now a 12 months outdated, the Vive XR Elite retains getting higher and remains to be value contemplating.
Meta stands out because the maker of the Quest 2, the world’s hottest VR headset, however HTC’s answer is sweet sufficient to earn a spot on our checklist of one of the best VR headsets in your PC and one of the best VR headsets total.
Let’s dig into the main points and be taught what makes the Vive XR Elite particular.
3 ways to put on it
Consolation is important for wearable merchandise, and so they should regulate to suit folks of all styles and sizes. Sadly, VR headsets don’t have a superb monitor report in the case of long-term consolation.
HTC took a daring strategy to this downside, providing two methods to put on the Vive XR Elite at launch. A 3rd choice, my favourite, arrived later.
The usual methodology is a halo strap that tightens on the again, snugging a material cushion towards my face. The rear battery balances the visor for a good distribution of the headset’s 1.4-pound weight.
On this configuration, the Vive XR Elite is a bit heavy in comparison with the 1.1-pound Quest 3 however lighter than the 1.6-pound Quest Professional. HTC made an already comfy VR headset a lot better with an choice to take away the rear battery.
The second option to put on the Vive XR Elite is through the use of earpieces as an alternative of the halo strap and battery. On this mode, I put on it like a pair of glasses. It appears to be like like ski goggles and weighs simply 10 ounces (0.6 pound).
I take advantage of the cross strap that attaches to the again of every stem and rests throughout the highest of my head to take away any ear strain. It’s tremendous gentle and cozy on this configuration.
As spectacular as that’s, it will get higher. I really like the Quest Professional’s design because the visor floats in entrance of my eyes with out urgent into my face. HTC borrowed the thought and launched an non-compulsory combined actuality interface that replaces the magnetically hooked up cushion with a brow pad.
I take advantage of the Vive XR Elite with the MR Gasket, so I can see out the edges and backside. This lets me see my telephone and keyboard with out counting on the passthrough digicam view. It really works with the battery strap and in glasses mode.
Digital screens for my PC
Connecting to my PC is my favourite manner to make use of HTC’s Vive XR Elite. Utilizing the Vive Desk app, which is in beta testing, I can resize, tilt, and place three giant digital screens round me.
The Vive XR Elite’s passthrough mode is pretty crisp, making it simple to see my telephone, PC keyboard, and mouse. It’s higher than the Quest Professional’s however not as good because the Quest 3 or Imaginative and prescient Professional. Objects look a bit of zoomed in in comparison with their precise dimension, however my thoughts shortly tailored to this new actuality.
It took me a couple of minutes to high-quality tune the match and focus. To maximise sharpness, the built-in diopter dials let me regulate for every eye, a pleasant contact contemplating how many individuals have at the least a little bit of myopia. After this preliminary setup, I can put the headset on, join, and begin working in a couple of minute.
The 1920-by-1920 pixel-per-eye show decision is pretty much as good as most VR headsets launched earlier than 2024, however it’s not as sharp as a Quest 3 and much under the Imaginative and prescient Professional’s 4K decision. To compensate, I scaled my digital screens to the scale of 32-inch displays to make textual content simply readable.
It’s like a room-filling triple monitor setup with out requiring an enormous quantity of area, together with desk and wall mounts. For film followers, there’s an choice for a single, large 21:9 display screen that fills your whole view.
If I wished to hook up with my Mac, I might use Immersed or Digital Desktop. Each apps help Home windows and macOS throughout the preferred standalone VR headsets.
Standalone enjoyable
The Vive XR Elite additionally has a standalone mode. The library isn’t as giant as Meta’s Quest retailer, however there are a number of good titles.
HTC bundles just a few video games and apps to get you began with the headset earlier than visiting the shop. Most notable are Hubrisa fascinating sci-fi journey recreation, and OpenBrushan important VR portray app that’s obtainable on many VR headsets.
To make use of the standalone mode, you want the halo strap that features a battery pack. When you want to play in glasses mode, you possibly can join an exterior battery. I’ve a PrismXR Carina battery belt and that labored nicely.
The Vive XR Elite helps hand-tracking, has good combined actuality, and several other methods to outline a secure area to maneuver inside when totally immersed in a VR recreation. The expertise is kind of just like the extra well-liked Meta Quest headsets.
Is the Vive XR Elite best for you?
You’ll be able to order the HTC Vive XR Elite for $1,099. It’s a well-made VR headset with a considerate design that competes nicely towards choices just like the Meta Quest Professional.
In actual fact, with the $25 MR Gasket accent, the Vive XR Elite even matches the Quest Professional’s floating visor design. That, mixed with the XR Elite’s distinctive glasses mode, the Vive XR Elite is presently the lightest and most comfy VR headset that may wirelessly connect with your Home windows PC. When you’re at your PC already, you possibly can reduce your gear additional by plugging right into a USB-C port. That allows you to disconnect the battery and skip Wi-Fi in case your USB connection is sweet sufficient.
It must be talked about, after all, that the Quest 3 remains to be the headset most individuals should purchase. It offers the VR expertise most individuals need at a extra inexpensive worth. The Vive XR Elite can be not meant to compete immediately with the Imaginative and prescient Professional, after all, particularly at practically a 3rd of the value.
However if you need the choice of enjoying each PC and standalone VR video games, HTC’s Vive XR Elite can serve each functions, making it an important various to the Quest Professional.
There’s one final caveat earlier than you exit and purchase it, although: The Vive XR Elite is nearly a 12 months outdated. Which means a more moderen model might come out quickly. In actual fact, Qualcomm has already talked about HTC is engaged on a VR headset powered by the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2. That processor is quicker than the Meta Quest 3 and helps as much as 4K-per-eye decision. When you can wait till later this 12 months, you’ll doubtless get a improved model of this headset with higher efficiency and picture high quality.
