What should I get as a first VR headset?

[Noctosphere]

Hello hello friends.

I'm starting to think about going into VR stuff. I'd like to learn more about it.
If I want to play some PC games in VR, what should I get? If I want to play "other games" in VR, what should I get?**
I know there are multiple brand out there, but are they all compatible with all PC games no matter what? Or are there some hardware restriction? My current GPU is a 3060 ti, but I'll also try to get a 5070 ti in due time (they are all unavailable/already bought by scalper at the moment), do you think it's enough to render games in VR?
If I want a headset with good visual, good audio, good immersion, which brand would you suggest me?
Money is not that much of a problem, but still, I would not pay 1500$ but a headset. I know they can be expansive (a couple hundreds bucks), but there is still a limit, you know

I have a few games I'd like to try in VR, but if you guys have extra suggestions that I should try, feel free to share them here too
Thanks


**By other games, I mean that there are mods for some console games, like Breath of the wild, that allows players to play in VR. I'd like to try this too

 

[LightyKD]

If you're just doing PC-VR you can find used Quest 2 headsets for fairly cheap. If you want proper AR passthrough as well as Batman Arkham Shadow, get a Quest 3S. I got the Q2 for Christmas and we back and also grabbed the Q3S just for Batman. Batman is TOTALLY worth it!

 

[Noctosphere]

If you're just doing PC-VR you can find used Quest 2 headsets for fairly cheap. If you want proper AR passthrough as well as Batman Arkham Shadow, get a Quest 3S. I got the Q2 for Christmas and we back and also grabbed the Q3S just for Batman. Batman is TOTALLY worth it!

I saw the Meta Quest 3S with Batman : Arkham Shadow for about 400CAD (around 250-300USD).
I'd just like to be sure, what are the pros of buying a newer gen headset over a previous gen?
Is it like more pixels/inch²? More precision with the remotes?
Or is there some hardware-to-hardware/hardware-to-software restriction?
Like, can a Quest3 run with an outdated gpu? Or can a Quest2 run latest games?

 

[LightyKD]

I saw the Meta Quest 3S with Batman : Arkham Shadow for about 400CAD (around 250-300USD).
I'd just like to be sure, what are the pros of buying a newer gen headset over a previous gen?
Is it like more pixels/inch²? More precision with the remotes?
Or is there some hardware-to-hardware/hardware-to-software restriction?
Like, can a Quest3 run with an outdated gpu? Or can a Quest2 run latest games?

1) If you're only using the headset with your PC then there isn't much of a difference outside of headset resolution and better processor.

2) If you are planning to buy games from the Quest Store than you need to consider the following

a - Some game only have VR versions on Quest (Triangle Strategy, Civilization 7 and Resident Evil 4 come to mind)

b- expect to see more Quest Store releases ditch the Q2 in favor of the Q3. It already started with Batman.

c - You get proper AR on the Quest 3. The passthrough cams on the Quest 2 are in black and white because they're infrared cams. The Q3 has fully colored passthrough cams. You could literally use the damn thing as a headset PC with a physical keyboard and mouse if you wanted to.

 

[Noctosphere]

1) If you're only using the headset with your PC then there isn't much of a difference outside of headset resolution and better processor.

2) If you are planning to buy games from the Quest Store than you need to consider the following

a - Some game only have VR versions on Quest (Triangle Strategy, Civilization 7 and Resident Evil 4 come to mind)

b- expect to see more Quest Store releases ditch the Q2 in favor of the Q3. It already started with Batman.

c - You get proper AR on the Quest 3. The passthrough cams on the Quest 2 are in black and white because they're infrared cams. The Q3 has fully colored passthrough cams. You could literally use the damn thing as a headset PC with a physical keyboard and mouse if you wanted to.

I checked for other headset, and the only one I saw that are "worthwhile" are the HTC and the Valve Index. The Valve Index seems way too overpriced compared to others (over 1000$), while the HTC, well... it has so many models, I'm not even sure which one I should go with.
Also, the Quest3 was released in october 2023, the Quest3s in october 2024. I would guess that the Quest4 is nowhere in sight? As in there is no point in waiting for it if I want to buy a VR headset, right?

 

[LightyKD]

I checked for other headset, and the only one I saw that are "worthwhile" are the HTC and the Valve Index. The Valve Index seems way too overpriced compared to others (over 1000$), while the HTC, well... it has so many models, I'm not even sure which one I should go with.
Also, the Quest3 was released in october 2023, the Quest3s in october 2024. I would guess that the Quest4 is nowhere in sight? As in there is no point in waiting for it if I want to buy a VR headset, right?

Correct, no word on a Quest 4 and it looks like Meta is putting serious money into pushing the Quest 3 and 3S.

 

[Noctosphere]

Correct, no word on a Quest 4 and it looks like Meta is putting serious money into pushing the Quest 3 and 3S.

Alright!! Well, there is only one last thing I'd like to make sure of.
If I go for the Quest3s, I've got this offer (for 400CAD, which is about 280USD). It includes the headset and the remotes, Batman Arkham Shadow and 3 month of Meta Quest+. Is there anything else I should be aware of? Because I do see some other offers, like a "Comfort set" and an "Immersive set". Are these stuff that I should get too? Like addons I would eventually need? (ie. getting intense discomfort over time). Or are these "Premium included" stuff that I won't be able to purchase later? (Unless I buy another whole set for the full price)

 

[LightyKD]

Alright!! Well, there is only one last thing I'd like to make sure of.
If I go for the Quest3s, I've got this offer (for 400CAD, which is about 280USD). It includes the headset and the remotes, Batman Arkham Shadow and 3 month of Meta Quest+. Is there anything else I should be aware of? Because I do see some other offers, like a "Comfort set" and an "Immersive set". Are these stuff that I should get too? Like addons I would eventually need? (ie. getting intense discomfort over time). Or are these "Premium included" stuff that I won't be able to purchase later? (Unless I buy another whole set for the full price)

Get the following

- sweat guard (you don't want your sweat seeping into the soft face guard)

- rubber grips. (Just like the Wii Remotes you want to protect your Quest controllers)

- battery bank (it doesn't have to be one made specifically for the quest if you're willing to jerry-rig a strap for it but if you plan to play long sessions or watch a lot of video with your quest, you will want one)

 

[Noctosphere]

Get the following

- sweat guard (you don't want your sweat seeping into the soft face guard)

- rubber grips. (Just like the Wii Remotes you want to protect your Quest controllers)

- battery bank (it doesn't have to be one made specifically for the quest if you're willing to jerry-rig a strap for it but if you plan to play long sessions or watch a lot of video with your quest, you will want one)

Sweat guard, do you have something to suggest? Or just a piece of cloth would do the job?

Rubber grip, you mean like covers? Should I loook for shockproof cover? Also, are third-party covers reliable enough? If so, which brand would you recommand me? Also, should I get wrist strap or are they included?

As for the battery bank, I don't plan to travel with it, so do you think that, with a long enough wire, I could just play with the headset plugged in a power source?

 

[LightyKD]

Sweat guard, do you have something to suggest? Or just a piece of cloth would do the job?

Rubber grip, you mean like covers? Should I loook for shockproof cover? Also, are third-party covers reliable enough? If so, which brand would you recommand me? Also, should I get wrist strap or are they included?

As for the battery bank, I don't plan to travel with it, so do you think that, with a long enough wire, I could just play with the headset plugged in a power source?

Honestly the three things I suggested I also need to pick up this weekend so we're in the same boat . If I find anything good I'll let you know.

 

[Noctosphere]

Honestly the three things I suggested I also need to pick up this weekend so we're in the same boat . If I find anything good I'll let you know.

Alright then, thanks a lot for your help.
Order has been made.
It should be on its way and I should get it during the weekend

 

[LightyKD]

Alright then, thanks a lot for your help.
Order has been made.
It should be on its way and I should get it during the weekend

Sweet! Congrats and welcome to the club.

 

[Noctosphere]

Sweet! Congrats and welcome to the club.

I feel like I forgot to insist on that important question, but as of now, I "only" have a RTX 3060ti, is that going to be enough to run latest games in VR?
To give you an idea, with my current config, I can easily run Cyberpunk at ultra (minus a few tweak like path tracing), at 2560x1440, at around 30-40 fps.
I plan to get a rtx 5070 ti, but they are currently unavailable everywhere due to scalping, so it's gonna take at least a couple ofo ths before I can dream of getting my hands on one.

 

[LightyKD]

I feel like I forgot to insist on that important question, but as of now, I "only" have a RTX 3060ti, is that going to be enough to run latest games in VR?
To give you an idea, with my current config, I can easily run Cyberpunk at ultra (minus a few tweak like path tracing), at 2560x1440, at around 30-40 fps.
I plan to get a rtx 5070 ti, but they are currently unavailable everywhere due to scalping, so it's gonna take at least a couple ofo ths before I can dream of getting my hands on one.

Dude, I do all my PC-VR gaming on a Steam Deck. You will be fine

 

[LightyKD]

@Noctosphere when you get a chance, consider joining the VR group: https://gbatemp.net/group/304/info

I played a bit of Moss a moment ago ( PC version with my Quest 2 connected to my Steam Deck). This game puts Nintendo to shame!!! Seriously, if they had a Mario game that played like Moss, that game would instantly be GOTY.

 

[urherenow]

Don't get all held up on dates. Quest 3s < Quest 3. The 3s is "budget", and not a whole lot cheaper than the Quest 3. The reason why I like the Quest 3 over other headsets, is price, It can be used as a standalone, and as a standalone, you can sideload an apk and play it. I play mame4droid from time to time. Some things play better with other drivers (like the mesa turnip drivers found here). Ryujinx, if you still have an apk for it, is somewhat playable with certain versions of those drivers...

I played around for about 30 minutes with the PSVR2 with adapter. Without controller compatibility or other special features, such as eye tracking, it's rather unbearable to play with that. Better looking screen be damned.

 

[Reploid]

If you're just doing PC-VR you can find used Quest 2 headsets for fairly cheap. If you want proper AR passthrough as well as Batman Arkham Shadow, get a Quest 3S. I got the Q2 for Christmas and we back and also grabbed the Q3S just for Batman. Batman is TOTALLY worth it!

batman is playable on 2, alien as well

 

[LightyKD]

batman is playable on 2, alien as well

I know but I doubt every person reading this thread wants to jailbreak their Quest 2.

 

[Deleted member 671727]

Honestly? I play my VR games on an old Rift 1.
i like the tracking and the immersive Sound it delivers.
The tracking is made by 3 sensors (i use 3). 2 in the Front of the room and 1 in the back.
If you play games like half life alyx, its way better than a headset with built in tracking, because you need tracking on the back for some actions.
My Quest 1 and 2 are struggling with the tracking and the sound from the quest 1 is garbage compared to the rift. But would i recommend the rift 1 today? No. I would go for a Quest 3 (not the S Version). My son has it and the lenses alone are Worth the money. Super sharp crystal clear.

 

[Reploid]

I know but I doubt every person reading this thread wants to jailbreak their Quest 2.

Activating developer mode is far less intrusive and easier to get into even for legality lover