VR Headset Recommendations for Gaming

[Gin N Rum 5454]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking to purchase a high-end VR headset primarily for PC gaming. Here’s what I’m after:

• Primary Focus: Gaming (I won’t be running games natively on the headset; I’ve got a powerful PC for that).
• Budget: Around £1,000, but I’m flexible for the right headset.
• Display: I’m after cutting-edge panel technology with high resolution.
• Refresh Rate: Preferably high refresh rates for smooth gameplay.
• Field of View (FOV): Wide FOV if it enhances the experience (does it?).
• Other Features: Precision tracking and solid build quality are essential.
• Glasses Compatibility: So I do wear glasses but only for long distance viewing so I don't think that needs to be a concern for VR headsets but what do you lot think? VR head set screens sit right on your eyes pretty much yeah? So I shouldn't need to wear them during use. Just want to confirm that.

Quick System Specs:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
• GPU: AMD 7900 XTX
• RAM: 32GB DDR5

I’m familiar with what makes a good monitor—resolution, refresh rate, panel technology, etc. Does the same logic apply to VR headsets? Are there other important specs I should prioritise for VR?

My Experience with VR:

My only experience with VR was at college, where I used a Pico Neo 3. It was designed more for professional use than gaming, but I found it really cool to use. I’m now looking for something that offers a gaming-centric experience, with cutting-edge visuals and immersion.

Questions:

• What headsets should I consider in this price range? Your recommendations?
• Are there any upcoming models or cutting-edge tech worth waiting for? (Although purchasing during black Friday to save some money would be optimal, but if a headset worth waiting for is releasing in a few months, then I can wait)
• How important is a wide FOV for gaming, and what’s the best balance between FOV, refresh rate, and resolution?
• Should I worry about features like eye-tracking or modular upgrades?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[TetraSky]

The Quest 3 is probably the best headset within your budget you can buy right now and you can play PC games easily with it. Either with Airlink (comes free with the software you install) or through something like Virtual Desktop that you buy on the Meta store (not Steam), which offers more options and is generally considered the better option for streaming PC games wirelessly to your VR headset.

[Gin N Rum 5454]

1 hour ago, TetraSky said:

The Quest 3 is probably the best headset within your budget you can buy right now and you can play PC games easily with it. Either with Airlink (comes free with the software you install) or through something like Virtual Desktop that you buy on the Meta store (not Steam), which offers more options and is generally considered the better option for streaming PC games wirelessly to your VR headset.

Firstly, thanks for the recommendation.
What's good about that one compared to some others like the Pimax Crystal.

Also what are the important specs to look out for in a VR headset?
I really do care about quality over price, honestly don't mind bumping it up to says 1.2 maybe even 1.5 for the right headset.

[TetraSky]

42 minutes ago, Gin N Rum 5454 said:

What's good about that one compared to some others like the Pimax Crystal.

Well, mainly the price.

Other, better, VR headsets are ridiculously expensive or don't offer as good of a value.

Even that Pimax Crystal you mentioned is £1,275.00, which is why I had not mentioned it at all as it was way above your initial £1k budget. (It's $2.2k in Canada, vs $700 MSRP for the quest 3)

Personally, I wouldn't consider paying that much for a VR headset. But I know some people do believe it's worth it.

While the Quest 3 is not even half of that. Allowing you to spend more money on better hardware.

 

The Pimax is obviously better spec wise. High resolution per eyes and all that.

But it's also Wired for PC gaming. Unless you are willing to shell out even more money for the wireless module, which is not out yet I believe (if it will ever come out).

 

I love the freedom of being able to play VR wirelessly, not to be stuck in the same place. I can play in my living room, on the toilet, in my bedroom, wherever. As long as I have wifi connectivity. Turning around and getting tangled up in wires was not on my list of things I wanted to do with VR. Might be for you. I ain't judging.

In which case, the Pimax could certainly be good for you, especially if you have the money and are looking for better image quality compared to the Q3.

 

If you plan to play games that involves a lot of moving, the Q3 might be better due to how much lighter it is at 515g, versus 950g for the crystal.

The Q2 was 503g and I thought that was heavy, giving me a sore neck after a while. The Pimax would strain your neck for sure if you starting playing Beat Saber.

[Gin N Rum 5454]

14 hours ago, TetraSky said:

Well, mainly the price.

Other, better, VR headsets are ridiculously expensive or don't offer as good of a value.

Even that Pimax Crystal you mentioned is £1,275.00, which is why I had not mentioned it at all as it was way above your initial £1k budget. (It's $2.2k in Canada, vs $700 MSRP for the quest 3)

Personally, I wouldn't consider paying that much for a VR headset. But I know some people do believe it's worth it.

While the Quest 3 is not even half of that. Allowing you to spend more money on better hardware.

 

The Pimax is obviously better spec wise. High resolution per eyes and all that.

But it's also Wired for PC gaming. Unless you are willing to shell out even more money for the wireless module, which is not out yet I believe (if it will ever come out).

 

I love the freedom of being able to play VR wirelessly, not to be stuck in the same place. I can play in my living room, on the toilet, in my bedroom, wherever. As long as I have wifi connectivity. Turning around and getting tangled up in wires was not on my list of things I wanted to do with VR. Might be for you. I ain't judging.

In which case, the Pimax could certainly be good for you, especially if you have the money and are looking for better image quality compared to the Q3.

 

If you plan to play games that involves a lot of moving, the Q3 might be better due to how much lighter it is at 515g, versus 950g for the crystal.

The Q2 was 503g and I thought that was heavy, giving me a sore neck after a while. The Pimax would strain your neck for sure if you starting playing Beat Saber.

Oh my hardware is fine, I don't plan on upgrading it.

I am quite flexible on the price so lets just say 1.5k as a max

Going to be honest, I am not looking to play a lot of VR games, tbh I'm only interested in beat saber, metro awakening, into the radius,  blade and sorcery, if cables are the biggest downside of the pimax then that's fine by me, it seems that all vr headsets have at least one major con, i'm sorta just trying to find the one that has the the con i can deal with the easiest 

[Blasty Blosty]

18 hours ago, Gin N Rum 5454 said:

Field of View (FOV): Wide FOV if it enhances the experience (does it?).

Yes it does, very much enhances immersion and removes the "binocular" effect

 

18 hours ago, Gin N Rum 5454 said:

Glasses Compatibility: So I do wear glasses but only for long distance viewing so I don't think that needs to be a concern for VR headsets but what do you lot think? VR head set screens sit right on your eyes pretty much yeah? So I shouldn't need to wear them during use. Just want to confirm that.

I wear distance glasses and I do not need them for VR, as you say the display is right in front of your face

[Gin N Rum 5454]

52 minutes ago, Blasty Blosty said:

Yes it does, very much enhances immersion and removes the "binocular" effect

 

I wear distance glasses and I do not need them for VR, as you say the display is right in front of your face

thanks for the confirmations