HTC Vive Pro 2 overview: An glorious 5K headset for the VR trustworthy | Engadget

The HTC Vive Pro 2 is a VR fanatic’s dream. Its 5K 120Hz show delivers the sharpest desktop VR expertise I’ve ever seen. And whereas its design hasn’t modified from the 2018 mannequin, it is nonetheless very comfy to put on for prolonged classes. But its excessive worth and reliance on outdated controllers make it a troublesome promote. And let’s be sincere, it’s going to take lots to dethrone the $299 Oculus Quest 2 as the perfect VR headset for mainstream customers.

That’s not who HTC Vive is actually focused at, although. Like the standalone Vive Focus 3, this headset is clearly geared in direction of professionals. But in contrast to that machine, it additionally has a lot to supply players. For them, spending $1,399 on your entire Vive Pro 2 package deal could be price it to play Half Life: Alyx in the very best quality attainable. And for those who’ve already invested within the earlier Vive Pro or Valve Index, you may nab the brand new headset by itself for $749.

Just you should definitely hold monitor of which Vive Pro is which, as a result of they appear virtually an identical. The Pro 2 encompasses a black and purple colour scheme, however its entrance facia, strap and headphones all look the identical as earlier than. The distinction turns into clear when you placed on the Vive Pro 2, although: Its 5K display affords 2,448 by 2,448 pixels per eye, an enormous leap forward of the 1,440 by 1,600 pixels from the Pro. Plus the Pro 2’s LCDs have RGB sub-pixels, which helps make all the things look sharper nonetheless. The display can even refresh at as much as a 120Hz, which is noticeably smoother than the earlier 90Hz panel, and I appreciated the broader 120-degree discipline of view, which makes digital worlds really feel all of the extra immersive.

These specs could sound acquainted, as a result of the Vive Focus 3 additionally has the identical 5K display, it simply occurs to have a slower 90Hz refresh charge. But I got here away much more impressed with the Pro 2, as a result of it could actually simply run any PC VR sport or app. The Focus 3, in the meantime, has a restricted collection of cell titles, and I used to be by no means capable of efficiently stream higher-end VR from my gaming PC. And, actually, even when I bought that to work, streaming remains to be a transparent step down from working natively.

I revisited outdated and newer video games on the Pro 2, and all the things simply appeared improbable. I saved getting distracted by the detailed environments in Half Life Alyx — a sport that appeared nice on the Index, however has an additional degree of polish with the Pro 2’s decision bump. It’s form of just like the bounce from 1080p video to 4K. You may not discover the distinction at first look, however when you begin inspecting the finer particulars like grass and wooden grain you may inform you’re working with extra pixels.

Hopping again into Superhot virtually felt like I used to be taking part in Superhot 2. I might make out a lot extra element within the sport’s cyberpunk introductory room. And although its aesthetic is comparatively easy, the sport’s enemies, weapons and environments all appeared extra detailed than I remembered. I additionally spent extra time than I anticipated gawking at nearly all the things within the VR model of Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. That sport already appeared spectacular on a traditional monitor, however in 5K VR I might admire Senua’s intricate character mannequin much more.

As spectacular as all the things appeared, although, I actually want HTC had upgraded the Pro 2’s controllers. Its full package consists of the identical monumental wands that got here with the unique Vive in 2016. They work decently sufficient, however they are not almost as ergonomic as Oculus’s contact controllers, and even the Focus 3’s gamepads. They’re notably archaic after experiencing Valve’s hand-tracking Steam VR controllers, that are bundled with the Index. Since it is a SteamVR headset as effectively, you possibly can at all times use the Index gamepads with the Pro 2, however that is one other $280 on prime of an already costly headset.

It additionally would have been good to see HTC Vive improve the Pro 2’s design a bit. It’s nonetheless very comfy, because of its plush cushioning alongside the back and front, in addition to its balanced weight distribution. But the corporate might have taken just a few cues from the Valve Index. Near-field audio system would have been a stable improve from on-ear headphones, particularly because the Pro 2’s cans tended to make my head really feel heat. The headset’s shows additionally generate a good quantity of warmth as effectively, which led to some sweaty play classes.