Vive Pro Launch

[Sniperfox47]

I have no idea why this isn't up on here yet, but here goes:

 

 

http://ca.ign.com/articles/2018/03/19/complete-htc-vive-pro-preorder-and-purchasing-guide

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The price and release date for the HTC Vive Pro were announced today, and you can pre-order your own starting right now.  HTC also announced the price of the original Vive is dropping to $499 permanently, so if you'd rather save money on the best VR headset on the market (at least until the Pro releases), this is a great price.

 

The good news is the Vive pro officially releases today for pre-purchase with the units shipping early July. Seems they slightly missed their windows of Q1, but everything else seems to be to plan.

 

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The $799 HTC Vive Pro doesn't include accessories. That means no controllers, no base stations, and no wireless adapter (which hasn't released yet anyway).

The bad news is, it starts at 1000CAD, and doesn't include any of the controllers or tracking hardware. The headset is SteamVR 2.0 but the SteamVR 2.0 controllers and base stations sadly have not yet launched.

 

If you already have the SteamVR 1.0 controllers and base stations from the original Vive, the Vive Pro is compatible with them, but without any of the benefits of the new tracking (support for larger play spaces, more base stations, more accurate close-range distance tracking, info communicated via the IR signal, etc.)

 

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With the announcement of the HTC Vive Pro price and release date, HTC lowered the price on the original unit to $499.

They also knocked $100 off the orignal Vive. That's now 699CAD for those of you here in Canada, rather than the previous 799.

 

Word of warning to anyone looking to buy one, I was looking over the various options today and if you want the SteamVR 1.0 gear (controllers/lighthouses) to go with it, just buy a normal Vive on the side. At the moment a Vive is substantially cheaper than two controllers and two base stations.

 

I really don't know what to do. On the one side it's cheaper than I thought. On the other, none of the other hardware has launched to go with it. I'd love to see what people think and any suggestions other have. 

 

[Remixt]

Looks cool. Most VR stuff is too expensive for me to buy still, but I'm very excited to see an improved Vive. 

[thisforumsucksassdeletemya]

"the best headset on the market"

 

lol no obvious paid shilling there

[Sniperfox47]

Just now, violentnumeric said:

"the best headset on the market"

 

lol no obvious paid shilling there

...it is... The only thing "better" is the Samsung Odyssey, and there you have the crappy Windows MR controllers.

[Acrain7]

what is the benefit of the vive pro versus a vive? (i own a vive)

[Sniperfox47]

Just now, Genericplane said:

what is the benefit of the vive pro versus a vive? (i own a vive)

Higher resolution screens.

Built in audio that's better than the deluxe audio strap.

Readjusted weight distribution so it feels lighter (even though it's actually heavier).

A new link box with a single-cable tether and built in power button.

DisplayPort rather than HDMI.

Higher density screens for less screen-door effect.

 

And SteamVR Tracking 2.0 support which I summarized in the OP. Basically a new lighthouse tracking system that is lighter/cheaper/more accurate/does more. But the hardware for it isn't out yet.

[Majinhoju]

Are there places that carry these and let you demo this stuff?  I'm very curious but not curious to drop $1000 on it.

I did test out the Playstation VR at a local EB Games but the field of view was like walking around with tunnel vision.

[Sniperfox47]

5 minutes ago, Majinhoju said:

Are there places that carry these and let you demo this stuff?  I'm very curious but not curious to drop $1000 on it.

I did test out the Playstation VR at a local EB Games but the field of view was like walking around with tunnel vision.

It hasn't even shipped yet.

 

There have been demos at a few tech events like the Ready Player One movie announce event, but no retail demos.

 

There are a number of places that have demos of the classic Vive. I believe in the US Bestbuy does. I'm not sure where if there's any place here in Canada other than the VR arcades.

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

I don't see the point. the Vive is more than good enough as it is.

[dizmo]

Ehhhhh. Pass.

 

At this point one might as well just wait for the Vive 2.0. Especially considering this doesn't include any of the necessary controllers.

It just seems like a way to milk current Vive owners for more money.

[dizmo]

Just now, orbitalbuzzsaw said:

I don't see the point. the Vive is more than good enough as it is.

That's what they used to say about the horse and carriage

[Drak3]

10 minutes ago, Majinhoju said:

Are there places that carry these and let you demo this stuff?  I'm very curious but not curious to drop $1000 on it.

I did test out the Playstation VR at a local EB Games but the field of view was like walking around with tunnel vision.

If it's anything like the Vive, retail demos will be something totally paid for by the store.

 

2 minutes ago, orbitalbuzzsaw said:

I don't see the point. the Vive is more than good enough as it is.

No, it and the Rift are decent, but thwy need alot of improvement.

[bcredeur97]

id like to try it and see how it compares to the original vive i had played with for a few hours and was... impressed but dissapointed by the resolution and stuff.

I think this one will be a little better... but you literally need 4K screens in front of your eyes IMO for VR to be a truly amazing experience.

But we probably won't get that anytime soon. At least not with current GPU's and tech. Maybe that LG thing someone had posted about recently, will come to pass in a few years.

[hobobobo]

Is the support for shitty eyes in it yet?

 

or is lasik the hip way to use vr?

[Sniperfox47]

Just now, hobobobo said:

Is the support for shitty eyes in it yet?

 

If you mean can you wear your glasses under it? Yeah, it's way better for that than the original Vive. The auto lens adjustment also works well with glasses.

[hobobobo]

Just now, Sniperfox47 said:

If you mean can you wear your glasses under it? Yeah, it's way better for that than the original Vive. The auto lens adjustment also works well with glasses.

That is nice, but im mostly about special lenses for the device

[Rune]

Eh, if we carry them at work I'll take a look. Not into buying the controllers and base stations separate.

[hobobobo]

4 minutes ago, Sniperfox47 said:

If you mean can you wear your glasses under it? Yeah, it's way better for that than the original Vive. The auto lens adjustment also works well with glasses.

Just to clarify, ive tried Vive with my glasses, and unless i get big roundish lenses - a bit a of the screen is out of focus and seeing the glasses themselves while in vr feels somehow weird

[Sniperfox47]

4 minutes ago, Rune said:

Eh, if we carry them at work I'll take a look. Not into buying the controllers and base stations separate.

When the SteamVR 2.0 stuff is available there will probably be a kit. The 2.0 lighthouses are still in fairly limited supply from Valve so that might have been what's held things up this long.

 

And just to clarify HTC themselves have officially said the 2.0 controllers they release for the Vive Pro will be updated Vive wands, not Valve's "Knuckles" controller.

[Acrain7]

5 minutes ago, hobobobo said:

Just to clarify, ive tried Vive with my glasses, and unless i get big roundish lenses - a bit a of the screen is out of focus and seeing the glasses themselves while in vr feels somehow weird

 

11 minutes ago, Sniperfox47 said:

If you mean can you wear your glasses under it? Yeah, it's way better for that than the original Vive. The auto lens adjustment also works well with glasses.

if im honest its easier to see withought glasses, though maybe thats different with far sighted people. (im near sighted myself)

[Bcat00]

Meh, the VR fad is pretty much over at this point. The only way they will ever make it big is by these companies working with VR arcades to make it popular enough that price makes a steep drop. 

 

 

[Brooksie359]

33 minutes ago, dizmo said:

That's what they used to say about the horse and carriage

Also what people said about basically every screen resolution that was created.

[laminutederire]

34 minutes ago, Drak3 said:

If it's anything like the Vive, retail demos will be something totally paid for by the store.

 

No, it and the Rift are decent, but thwy need alot of improvement.

Most important they need games

[Trixanity]

A bit off topic but what on Earth ever happened to the Rift? It was the next big thing for several years and then HTC just went "got ya bitch" and beat them to the punch and was way better. That's my interpretation at least. 

 

It seems like the Vive is where its at and nothing coming from the other team. What the hell happened?

[Rune]

2 minutes ago, Trixanity said:

A bit off topic but what on Earth ever happened to the Rift? It was the next big thing for several years and then HTC just went "got ya bitch" and beat them to the punch and was way better. That's my interpretation at least. 

 

It seems like the Vive is where its at and nothing coming from the other team. What the hell happened?

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