What is the best value virtual reality headset?

[john01dav]

I have an idea for a virtual reality game that I'd like to develop, but I don't currently have a VR headset (I do, however, have a pretty solid grasp of game development more generally, so I'm not jumping the gun here). I'd also like to be able to play games in VR, so something that just gets the job done to give me something to develop on isn't necessarily good enough.

 

I would go for one of Microsoft's VR systems, but their Linux support is *severely* lacking, creating both ethical issues (unencumbered competition helps everyone, and anything being exclusive to a particular platform is monopolistic/hurts competition) and practical issues (I use Linux). I also can't find any competitor with a similar or better price, and with decent quality (e.g. Google Cardboard just won't cut it). As such, I ask, what is the best value in a fully Linux-compatible VR headset? Ideally it would cost no more than any of the Microsoft VR non-options.

[Streetguru]

30 minutes ago, john01dav said:

 

Something used from HTC, as it should have decent VR support because of valve.

[john01dav]

1 minute ago, Streetguru said:

Something used from HTC, as it should have decent VR support because of valve.

I'm totally willing to get most things used, and I actually have quite a bit of used hardware, but used for a VR headset is a bit questionable. How hard is it to replace the face-contacting parts of it? I'd rather not get some random person's sweat all over me.

[Streetguru]

3 minutes ago, john01dav said:

I'm totally willing to get most things used, and I actually have quite a bit of used hardware, but used for a VR headset is a bit questionable. How hard is it to replace the face-contacting parts of it? I'd rather not get some random person's sweat all over me.

Just need to clean it off with rubbing alcohol or goo gone and put new foam, plenty of options, the vive is still going to be kind of expensive though

https://www.amazon.com/VR-Replacement-Comfortable-Leather-Increased/dp/B0744B6PSQ/ref=asc_df_B0744B6PSQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241965985900&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2717257747504694322&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031291&hvtargid=pla-457874943565&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Replacement-Memory-Headset-Accessories/dp/B079JW16JC/ref=asc_df_B079JW16JC/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241942515097&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2717257747504694322&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031291&hvtargid=pla-447860329083&psc=1

[Kilrah]

Quest, so you can code for android and be platform independent for your dev... otherwise yes, Vive seems to be basically your only option for decent linux support. Valve seem to be the only ones to care about making VR somewhat work on linux.