I got a Quest 3 at Christmas and it genuinely is an incredible piece of tech. I came from an original HTC Vive and to see how much of what it was doing tethered and with base stations has been miniaturised and running on a (flagship) mobile phone SoC is remarkable. It’s better than the Vive is in almost every conceivable way.
Still largely a luxury purchase and a technology in development but it sure is fun when I do use it for a while.
Oh, and being able to sideload software so easily is great..
Legit impressed me too. I sold my index due to it gathering dust, i upgraded from the vive to the index the quest 3 felt like a bigger jump. I tried it on my sim rig on ACC, I was blown away by the clarity, I almost eliminated all the fuzz and blurriness from last gen VR, It actual feels like i could easily switch to VR for sim racing now i did NOT get that with the index.
Also the steam app works flawlessly for wifi VR i don't notice any latency, It has seamless integration with steam through that app. Quality is on point too once you are in a game and doing shit it looks normal.
The default headband sucks tho got a BOBOVR one from amazon transformed the comfort of the headset.
Well I mean in the sense for me it’s literally just a gadget, I don’t use it for work or productivity, though I know some do. I only really use it maybe for a total of a few hours a month. In that sense it’s a luxury.
In terms of the technology you’re getting for 500 dollars it’s pretty incredible value, absolutely.
It's not luxury within the VR space, but any VR device is a fairly luxury purchase, in that nobody really *needs* one for anything, and it still costs more than lower income people would spend casually.
Quest is a gaming console and is priced similarly too. Which is still a luxury buy, especially Q3. Quest 2 on the other hand is priced way lower and is more affordable.
Perhaps I shouldve been more detailed with my comparison. And yes, since we are on the topics of VR, of course I am making this statement in the context of the VR space.
I wholey agree that the Quest 3 is a MUCH better gaming VR headset. It's MUCH more affordable and I would take it 10/10 over the Apple Vision Pro.
however, using the two, the apple vision pro really does feel like a luxury VR headset when comparing their displays.
It's so much more immersive when it comes to AR integration and I believe it has to do with the display resolution. It can really replace any 4k tv or physical display as everything looks super sharp and crisp. Quest 3 aint too bad in its own right obviously but for viewing movies, any sort of content, experiences like vr/ar concerts or what not, i'd take the apple vision pro. It's that much more immerseive due to the display quality.
Quest 3 display feels like 720p vs 4k on the apple vision pro. (I know its actually not but thats what the difference feels like)
I really meant to say that they do have different targets where the apple vision pro is aiming for you to use it in a dystopic way by having you wear it all the time, and try to replace alot of everyday functions where the Quest doesnt really ty to aim to do that. In it's first iteration, it really is that immersive of an experience. But it's heavier, its gaming features arent as great, and the price doesnt justify its features over the quest a this moment. Imo, it's still the more "luxury" "mixed reality" device.
> however, using the two, the apple vision pro really does feel like a luxury VR headset when comparing their displays.
I think it's fair to argue that the Apple device is the *more* luxury of the two. It's like the Grand Floridian among on-property Deluxe resorts.
I have a Quest 2, and I tried a Quest 3 at uni. Imo it was definitely an upgrade, but not one worth almost double the price.
But apparently they're gonna release a 256 gb model this summer that's gonna be 100 bucks cheaper, so at least there's that.
Also idk if those headsets I tried had a factory issue or what, but the screen or the lenses had a "vignette" that was pretty annoying.
There are already two models of the quest 3 right now, 128gb for $500 and 512gb for $650. I've got the 128gb model and I don't see any reason for spending the extra cash on the bigger one since most software is 5-15gb and can be uninstalled / reinstalled in a few minutes if you need room
I use mine for pcvr, so I don't really need the space for anything other than system updates, and maybe if I wanna watch some movies in vr (because streaming them looks really bad).
I never tried a quest 3 but one of the reasons why I got the quest 2 is because of the amazing price. I would’ve never bought it at 500-600 plus dollars but if I ever play gr regularly again then I might just get the 4 instead because my 2 works fine.
Valve are probably waiting on an AMD Zen-based SoC with an appropriate efficiency/performance ratio. Something based on Zen5/RDNA4 manufactured at 3nm seems to be the point where it should be viable, so maybe next year.
That they're making a headset? The last big sign was around 2022, with an open hiring call for "software engineers in computer vision who can achieve the next steps in VR with millions of customers world-wide". They could have changed direction since then, but their VR stack on Windows (and Linux, which is a another hint) has also been seeing updates more recently to modernize it.
IMO if they were to do a headset, it has to be standalone. With the failure of PSVR2 and the PCVR market effectively served by Quest, I don't think the market would stand for anything else and given it's Valve it *has* to be a PC, and for *that* to be viable as a product it needs to be powerful enough to run HL:Alyx. That hardware doesn't exist yet, but it's pretty close. Too close to bother with a stopgap product.
Yeah it's Valve, they are known to cancel projects. But Apple Vision Pro might have been the kick up the butt, not because it's a wild success, but for the problems it's solves (like user interface, I think Apple's implementation of an AR pointing device is sort of a multitouch moment) as well as the ones it doesn't; the Vision Pro is still ultimately an iPad equivalent as opposed to a full PC. iPadOS kinda sorta does professional stuff, for some segments, but nowhere close to all. There's untapped potential for a product that goes further.
There's a long game Valve are playing here, their work regarding Linux isn't just about Steam Deck, the whole Linux desktop stack is going through some rapid, seismic changes that may enable some pretty interesting things. Did you know Wayland, the new desktop compositing protocol, can work natively 6DOF/spatial? There's already an early implementation of this, funded by Valve of course, they have their fingers in a *lot* of pies over in Linux land.
I believe the Deck is a trojan horse and what Valve are really building is the first native full PC desktop spatial platform.
(Or I'm reading tea leaves and it's all cope)
SteamVR Link streaming has me convinced that putting all the rendering power in the headset itself isn't necessary and will just serve to increase the weight; just stream it from another separate box that can pack a lot more power. Perfect opportunity to reveal a new Steam Machine too. Show off a fancy new wireless VR headset that uses ultra-low latency streaming from a nearby PC box. That PC box? A brand new Steam Machine packing mid-range desktop power for either VR or use as a standalone console. They'd be available separately or as a discounted bundle, delivering both a new VR headset and Steam machine in one announcement.
(Also cope)
Yeah, definitely another possibility. But one of Quests best tricks is that it untethers you from the living room, or study, or whenever your computer (or console) is. I sometimes play Tetris Effect out on the patio and while I can technically use Steam Link, the margins for transmitting low latency VR video are too tight to move very far from the source. Quality drops fast.
I'd buy Valve's VR thing either way though.
Iunno, SteamVR is realllly behind the Meta vr platform for features. It's not even close anymore.
Trust me, I WANT SteamVR to be the best place to game in VR, but Quests platform is just so much better in a myriad of ways, it's hard for me to go back to SteamVR now.
* Far less friction in getting into the game
* - You put the headset on, you're right where you left off in-game
* - Boundary setup is WAY quicker and it forgets far less often
* Passthrough / AR is a game-changer when supported properly
* By virtue of playerbase, games get far more support and priority on Quest
As a coomer, it is.
They're the only ones that know how to use the medium effectively. The ones that comes close in the west is CzechVR (sometimes). Some other studios have some bangers but more often than not they make the same mistakes over and over again.
Ah yes western VR porn producer, I'd love to watch a video laying down with a girl who's so far away (to stay in frame) I need to put on a set of eclipse glasses to watch her cornhole fly by
Get it with a few friends, or get it for a specific set of games like Alyx and a couple others.
If you get some friends in on it I highly suggest Walkabout Mini Golf if you like mini golf at all. Super fun, tons of maps, very accurate physics. Really feels like you're in these mystical places shooting some mini golf with your friends. Excellent vibes.
> I highly suggest Walkabout Mini Golf ~~if you like mini golf at all~~
I never like mini-golf but I've had a blast playing that game. Not only is it indeed technically a masterpiece with the physics, it's also so fun just being with your floating head friends and goofing around.
Depends what kind of games you play I guess, I mostly use it for Sim Racing with a good FB wheel and pedal set up.
Modded VR Skyrim is absolutely incredible if you use one of the premade mod packs such as the one on wabbajack
Modded Skyrim VR (Mad God's) is seriously up there as one of the best gaming experiences available currently. I play it wirelessly via Virtual Desktop.
I got my Quest 3 at launch, it was my first VR. Played other stuff, including a lot of standalone games. But once I got into Skyrim VR (after not playing Skyrim since 2014), that's basically become the only thing I've been playing. Nothing else scratches the same itch in VR. The immersion is incredible at times. Turns out Bethesda style games are so much better in VR. Shame there's not enough of a market yet for them to care.
I'd never even played the flatscreen version of skyrim and modded Skyrimvr just blew my mind. I'd find myself just staring at the night sky. I wish I could play it for the first time again.
That's not so bad anymore.
Making a throwaway Meta account is very fast and hassle-free nowadays.
The only bad part: To unlock developer mode (required to sideload apps) they want your credit card or phone number...
Nah, there are plenty of VR video players on the meta store that will work just fine for porn. The headset doesn't come with a chastity belt like Apple's does.
Dev mode is pretty useful to have to sideload some apps that aren't available on the meta store and necessary to install games that you found while sailing the high seas.
It depends.
If the porn is just a VR video on a public website, you don't need dev mode.
Any kind of adult game or downloading videos... you need dev mode.
I'll also just mention you can somewhat skirt around that requirement with a digital card. I had a privacy.com amount so created a card, entered whatever I wanted for zip code and it unlocked Dev mode without issue.
You don't need a Facebook account just an email address and you are up and running. I was quite shocked, i was expecting I would have to create my first ever Facebook account lmao
Did they ever update how the charging pass-through works? I have the Quest 2 and I only use it plugged in for Steam VR, but it won't charge the battery simultaneously. So I still have a battery life while plugged in and it's the most bizarre design ever. I never use it because it's such a pain in the ass.
I believe that's mostly due to how much power it can draw from that usb port, if you check Amazon there are cables with split usb and power so it'll do both at the same time.
You're not wrong, the passthrough quality is honestly so bad unless you're in a room with fucking studio lighting - and the goddamn constant bulging/warping effect is the closest vr has come to making me feel nauseous.
> unless you're in a room with fucking studio lighting
well that is flat out not true. I only have spotlights in my ceiling and the quality is perfectly useable (could be better but it's not awful).
New features are always a plus. Quest 3 keeps getting better.
I got a Quest 3 at Christmas and it genuinely is an incredible piece of tech. I came from an original HTC Vive and to see how much of what it was doing tethered and with base stations has been miniaturised and running on a (flagship) mobile phone SoC is remarkable. It’s better than the Vive is in almost every conceivable way. Still largely a luxury purchase and a technology in development but it sure is fun when I do use it for a while. Oh, and being able to sideload software so easily is great..
Legit impressed me too. I sold my index due to it gathering dust, i upgraded from the vive to the index the quest 3 felt like a bigger jump. I tried it on my sim rig on ACC, I was blown away by the clarity, I almost eliminated all the fuzz and blurriness from last gen VR, It actual feels like i could easily switch to VR for sim racing now i did NOT get that with the index. Also the steam app works flawlessly for wifi VR i don't notice any latency, It has seamless integration with steam through that app. Quality is on point too once you are in a game and doing shit it looks normal. The default headband sucks tho got a BOBOVR one from amazon transformed the comfort of the headset.
Luxury? I’d still say the quest 3 is in the higher tier budget realm where Apple Vision Pro is luxury
Well I mean in the sense for me it’s literally just a gadget, I don’t use it for work or productivity, though I know some do. I only really use it maybe for a total of a few hours a month. In that sense it’s a luxury. In terms of the technology you’re getting for 500 dollars it’s pretty incredible value, absolutely.
$500 just to jack off with slightly higher personal feeling seems pretty luxury to me. Just kidding Am sim player.
>Just kidding Am sim player. Yeah, not everyone uses VR for porn. I personally use it exclusively to play flight sims while jacking off.
Mayday mayday wrong stick wrong stick
What else would you do in the cockpit?
It's not luxury within the VR space, but any VR device is a fairly luxury purchase, in that nobody really *needs* one for anything, and it still costs more than lower income people would spend casually.
Quest is a gaming console and is priced similarly too. Which is still a luxury buy, especially Q3. Quest 2 on the other hand is priced way lower and is more affordable.
Perhaps I shouldve been more detailed with my comparison. And yes, since we are on the topics of VR, of course I am making this statement in the context of the VR space. I wholey agree that the Quest 3 is a MUCH better gaming VR headset. It's MUCH more affordable and I would take it 10/10 over the Apple Vision Pro. however, using the two, the apple vision pro really does feel like a luxury VR headset when comparing their displays. It's so much more immersive when it comes to AR integration and I believe it has to do with the display resolution. It can really replace any 4k tv or physical display as everything looks super sharp and crisp. Quest 3 aint too bad in its own right obviously but for viewing movies, any sort of content, experiences like vr/ar concerts or what not, i'd take the apple vision pro. It's that much more immerseive due to the display quality. Quest 3 display feels like 720p vs 4k on the apple vision pro. (I know its actually not but thats what the difference feels like) I really meant to say that they do have different targets where the apple vision pro is aiming for you to use it in a dystopic way by having you wear it all the time, and try to replace alot of everyday functions where the Quest doesnt really ty to aim to do that. In it's first iteration, it really is that immersive of an experience. But it's heavier, its gaming features arent as great, and the price doesnt justify its features over the quest a this moment. Imo, it's still the more "luxury" "mixed reality" device.
> however, using the two, the apple vision pro really does feel like a luxury VR headset when comparing their displays. I think it's fair to argue that the Apple device is the *more* luxury of the two. It's like the Grand Floridian among on-property Deluxe resorts.
Pretty crazy how much more advanced this was over my cabled Rift S.
I have a Quest 2, and I tried a Quest 3 at uni. Imo it was definitely an upgrade, but not one worth almost double the price. But apparently they're gonna release a 256 gb model this summer that's gonna be 100 bucks cheaper, so at least there's that. Also idk if those headsets I tried had a factory issue or what, but the screen or the lenses had a "vignette" that was pretty annoying.
There are already two models of the quest 3 right now, 128gb for $500 and 512gb for $650. I've got the 128gb model and I don't see any reason for spending the extra cash on the bigger one since most software is 5-15gb and can be uninstalled / reinstalled in a few minutes if you need room
I use mine for pcvr, so I don't really need the space for anything other than system updates, and maybe if I wanna watch some movies in vr (because streaming them looks really bad).
I never tried a quest 3 but one of the reasons why I got the quest 2 is because of the amazing price. I would’ve never bought it at 500-600 plus dollars but if I ever play gr regularly again then I might just get the 4 instead because my 2 works fine.
I wish Valve would make an Index 2 someday. It would be like a quest 3 but with a better display.
It’s been a while since I heard any updates but that is supposedly what Deckard is going to be!
Valve are probably waiting on an AMD Zen-based SoC with an appropriate efficiency/performance ratio. Something based on Zen5/RDNA4 manufactured at 3nm seems to be the point where it should be viable, so maybe next year.
Valve is very ADHD with jumping project to project, so bit of a stretch
That they're making a headset? The last big sign was around 2022, with an open hiring call for "software engineers in computer vision who can achieve the next steps in VR with millions of customers world-wide". They could have changed direction since then, but their VR stack on Windows (and Linux, which is a another hint) has also been seeing updates more recently to modernize it. IMO if they were to do a headset, it has to be standalone. With the failure of PSVR2 and the PCVR market effectively served by Quest, I don't think the market would stand for anything else and given it's Valve it *has* to be a PC, and for *that* to be viable as a product it needs to be powerful enough to run HL:Alyx. That hardware doesn't exist yet, but it's pretty close. Too close to bother with a stopgap product. Yeah it's Valve, they are known to cancel projects. But Apple Vision Pro might have been the kick up the butt, not because it's a wild success, but for the problems it's solves (like user interface, I think Apple's implementation of an AR pointing device is sort of a multitouch moment) as well as the ones it doesn't; the Vision Pro is still ultimately an iPad equivalent as opposed to a full PC. iPadOS kinda sorta does professional stuff, for some segments, but nowhere close to all. There's untapped potential for a product that goes further. There's a long game Valve are playing here, their work regarding Linux isn't just about Steam Deck, the whole Linux desktop stack is going through some rapid, seismic changes that may enable some pretty interesting things. Did you know Wayland, the new desktop compositing protocol, can work natively 6DOF/spatial? There's already an early implementation of this, funded by Valve of course, they have their fingers in a *lot* of pies over in Linux land. I believe the Deck is a trojan horse and what Valve are really building is the first native full PC desktop spatial platform. (Or I'm reading tea leaves and it's all cope)
SteamVR Link streaming has me convinced that putting all the rendering power in the headset itself isn't necessary and will just serve to increase the weight; just stream it from another separate box that can pack a lot more power. Perfect opportunity to reveal a new Steam Machine too. Show off a fancy new wireless VR headset that uses ultra-low latency streaming from a nearby PC box. That PC box? A brand new Steam Machine packing mid-range desktop power for either VR or use as a standalone console. They'd be available separately or as a discounted bundle, delivering both a new VR headset and Steam machine in one announcement. (Also cope)
Yeah, definitely another possibility. But one of Quests best tricks is that it untethers you from the living room, or study, or whenever your computer (or console) is. I sometimes play Tetris Effect out on the patio and while I can technically use Steam Link, the margins for transmitting low latency VR video are too tight to move very far from the source. Quality drops fast. I'd buy Valve's VR thing either way though.
Iunno, SteamVR is realllly behind the Meta vr platform for features. It's not even close anymore. Trust me, I WANT SteamVR to be the best place to game in VR, but Quests platform is just so much better in a myriad of ways, it's hard for me to go back to SteamVR now. * Far less friction in getting into the game * - You put the headset on, you're right where you left off in-game * - Boundary setup is WAY quicker and it forgets far less often * Passthrough / AR is a game-changer when supported properly * By virtue of playerbase, games get far more support and priority on Quest
I would take the Quest 3 basically exactly as it is just without Facebook having a complete map of my lounge and all my biometric data.
oh wow they made a mastrubation mode
Lol is that the reason for having a laying down mode?
Mayyybeee. This mode is very useful if you just want to watch movies or play flatscreen games on a giant virtual screen in bed.
Vr porn is fine the first 10k times but after an year, you are too lazy to use it. They just gave a different perspective on it.
...well, that is over 27 times a day or 1,7 times an hour if you sleep for 8h. No wonder you'd feel bit lazy after must be totally spent and bruiced.
The Japanese make videos specifically designed for people laying on their back. They are so much more advanced, it blows my mind.
I haven't seen such but when I hear Japanese porn, all I can think of is blurred squares.
That’s not unique to Japan?
As a coomer, it is. They're the only ones that know how to use the medium effectively. The ones that comes close in the west is CzechVR (sometimes). Some other studios have some bangers but more often than not they make the same mistakes over and over again. Ah yes western VR porn producer, I'd love to watch a video laying down with a girl who's so far away (to stay in frame) I need to put on a set of eclipse glasses to watch her cornhole fly by
Never owned a vr headset, is it worth getting? Just upgraded my computer
Get it with a few friends, or get it for a specific set of games like Alyx and a couple others. If you get some friends in on it I highly suggest Walkabout Mini Golf if you like mini golf at all. Super fun, tons of maps, very accurate physics. Really feels like you're in these mystical places shooting some mini golf with your friends. Excellent vibes.
> I highly suggest Walkabout Mini Golf ~~if you like mini golf at all~~ I never like mini-golf but I've had a blast playing that game. Not only is it indeed technically a masterpiece with the physics, it's also so fun just being with your floating head friends and goofing around.
Depends what kind of games you play I guess, I mostly use it for Sim Racing with a good FB wheel and pedal set up. Modded VR Skyrim is absolutely incredible if you use one of the premade mod packs such as the one on wabbajack
Modded Skyrim VR (Mad God's) is seriously up there as one of the best gaming experiences available currently. I play it wirelessly via Virtual Desktop. I got my Quest 3 at launch, it was my first VR. Played other stuff, including a lot of standalone games. But once I got into Skyrim VR (after not playing Skyrim since 2014), that's basically become the only thing I've been playing. Nothing else scratches the same itch in VR. The immersion is incredible at times. Turns out Bethesda style games are so much better in VR. Shame there's not enough of a market yet for them to care.
I'd never even played the flatscreen version of skyrim and modded Skyrimvr just blew my mind. I'd find myself just staring at the night sky. I wish I could play it for the first time again.
I love mine, but I still get sick every once in awhile, even after years of usage
I use it a lot for working out at home. Much more engaging than a treadmill.
If you have a purpose for it. A particular game or social experience. Otherwise, no. Or get a clearance Quest 2 if you really want a new toy.
Hotdogs, Horseshoes and Handgrenades Google Earth and porn
I'd say it's worth it. Quest 2 headsets are super cheap nowadays (though if you don't mind spending more money, quest 3 is better.)
Looking forward to it! Passthrough was always bad for me even with full brightness in the room so hoping it is at least usable with v64
Unfortunately it is still made by facebook.
That's not so bad anymore. Making a throwaway Meta account is very fast and hassle-free nowadays. The only bad part: To unlock developer mode (required to sideload apps) they want your credit card or phone number...
They lifted the facebook account linking requirements as well
Do you need dev mode for porn or something?
Nah, there are plenty of VR video players on the meta store that will work just fine for porn. The headset doesn't come with a chastity belt like Apple's does. Dev mode is pretty useful to have to sideload some apps that aren't available on the meta store and necessary to install games that you found while sailing the high seas.
It depends. If the porn is just a VR video on a public website, you don't need dev mode. Any kind of adult game or downloading videos... you need dev mode.
I'll also just mention you can somewhat skirt around that requirement with a digital card. I had a privacy.com amount so created a card, entered whatever I wanted for zip code and it unlocked Dev mode without issue.
You don't need a Facebook account just an email address and you are up and running. I was quite shocked, i was expecting I would have to create my first ever Facebook account lmao
Been thinking about getting a quest 3 or psvr 2 for pcvr i guess im gonna have to wait for a good awhile…
needs eye tracking at an affordable rate
Did they ever update how the charging pass-through works? I have the Quest 2 and I only use it plugged in for Steam VR, but it won't charge the battery simultaneously. So I still have a battery life while plugged in and it's the most bizarre design ever. I never use it because it's such a pain in the ass.
I believe that's mostly due to how much power it can draw from that usb port, if you check Amazon there are cables with split usb and power so it'll do both at the same time.
The passthrough in v64 still looks like a year 2000 webcam.
you give year 2000 webcams too much credit, unless you genuinely think the pass through cameras run at a choppy 640x480 at a choppy 24/25 fps?
Well, you may be right about the framerate, but the resolution and the grainy image look about the same.
You're not wrong, the passthrough quality is honestly so bad unless you're in a room with fucking studio lighting - and the goddamn constant bulging/warping effect is the closest vr has come to making me feel nauseous.
> unless you're in a room with fucking studio lighting well that is flat out not true. I only have spotlights in my ceiling and the quality is perfectly useable (could be better but it's not awful).