First you’ll need to get the Oculus Rift, which is available for $ 399 and comes with everything you need at the end of the headset and controller: the Rift headset itself, two sensors, two touch-sensitive motion controllers, and an Oculus Remote.
- Oculus Go review: mobile VR, minus the phone
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- Our review of Oculus Go
- Good Stuff
- Bad Stuff
- Connecting to Wi-Fi
- Was this answer helpful?
- Was this answer helpful?
- Adjusting Fit and Feel
- Set Up Account
- Install Device Setup App
- Watch the Safety Video
- Physically Connect the Headset and Sensors
- Welcome to the world of tomorrow
- What’s Included in the Kit
- Wearing the Headset
- Buying Recommendations: Choosing A Headset
- Valve Index | PC VR (~400,000) [Steam Page]
- Oculus Quest 2 | Standalone + PC VR (~$300) [Amazon Link]
- Oculus Rift S | PC VR (~$400) [Amazon Link]
Oculus Go review: mobile VR, minus the phone
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For several years now, consumer virtual reality headsets mainly come in two versions: tethered, which connect to a computer or console, and mobile, which are powered by a smartphone. This is starting to change, and one of the main catalysts is the Oculus Go headset, which is being marketed in nearly twenty countries today. The Oculus Go is one of several large “standalone” VR headsets in a category that includes the upcoming Lenovo Mirage Solo prototype and the Oculus Santa Cruz prototype. This is not the brightest or most technologically advanced headset on the market. But it’s the best simple mobile virtual reality that has ever been, and it gives fledgling VR apps and spaces to run independently,without having to compete for space on phones.
Unlike the Oculus Santa Cruz, the Oculus Go doesn’t include full motion controllers or futuristic inside tracking technology that allows users to walk around rooms without external cameras. It allows you to turn your head, but not bend over or walk. You can move his little controller like a laser pointer, but not fully mimic a virtual hand. It has basically the same features as Samsung and Oculus Gear VR, but as a dedicated hardware piece, not a combination of a smartphone and a plastic case.
Our review of Oculus Go
Good Stuff
- Works without a phone or computer
- Low but solid hardware
- Reasonable price
Bad Stuff
- Limited traffic tracking
- The app ecosystem is still uncertain
- Massive and silly looking – just like any VR headset
The headset also has technical specifications similar to that of smartphones. Its screen is a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 (1280 x 1440 per eye). It’s based on Qualcomm’s 2016 Snapdragon 821 processor, and the $ 199 base model includes 32GB of storage, while the 64GB version costs $ 249. These aren’t amazing components, or even live up to the latest Android smartphones, but Oculus promises to have optimized them especially well for VR applications. It also replaced the Gear VR magnifying glass-like lenses with higher-quality Fresnel lenses similar to those in the Oculus Rift.
Looking at the Oculus Go isn’t that much different than looking at the Gear VR. The image quality of the Gear VR depends on your phone, and my Galaxy S7 Edge displayed sharper and brighter colors than my Oculus Go screen. You can probably also measure some difference in the field of view or the lag. But over time, these differences become questionable. All the VR goggles are noticeably grainy and flashing, and the Oculus Go is no exception.
Oculus doesn’t try to troubleshoot the biggest VR hardware issues with Oculus Go. This includes the low resolution and limited field of view, but also the basic weight of the headset. The Oculus Go weighs 468 grams, almost exactly the same as the Oculus Rift and the newest HTC Vive. This is a significant drop from the Gear VR, which weighs over 500 grams with a smartphone. But like almost any VR headset, it eventually weighs down on your cheeks, leaving red marks that make you look like a caricature of extreme embarrassment. Speaking of embarrassment, people will think that you look silly wearing it. Yes, although everyone liked the movie Ready Player One.
So, if these issues are keeping you away from VR, Oculus Go probably won’t change your mind. Its app library is mostly identical to Gear VR, so you won’t be able to access many different experiences. Unlike Santa Cruz, which was designed to put a high-end desktop VR experience in a mobile package, the Oculus Go is more like a Gear VR sibling. But this is by far the best result in this family.
Oculus Go enhances the Gear VR in one great way: You don’t need a sophisticated Samsung phone to use it, so the headset is convenient for people with iPhones or other Android phones. It also fixes a lot of minor inconveniences that make the Gear VR unpleasant to use. The elastic headband has a comfortable split back design, and the Velcro straps slide through the plastic guides for easy adjustment. (If you have long hair, the split back works better for buns and ponytails as well.) The headset does not have a focus knob, but does come with a spacer for people who wear glasses, and the headset can be purchased with corrective lenses.
The headset strap guides conceal tiny speakers that direct the sound to your ears. They leak sound more clearly than headphones, but unless you’re in a very quiet place or playing very loud sounds, they’re a functional substitute. There’s also a headphone jack on the side as well as a Micro USB port – oddly enough, but not the newer USB-C port – for charging.
Cons: Dimmed by Oculus Link in Quest 2 at a lower price, no physical IPD regulation, at the end of its life cycle, still requires Facebook login.
Connecting to Wi-Fi
Your Oculus Quest 2 or Quest requires a Wi-Fi connection to access and use most features and content.
Hover over the clock on the left side of the universal menu. When the Quick Settings window appears, select it to open the Quick Settings panel.
Select the switch to turn on Wi-Fi, then select the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to and enter the password.
To check the security of your network, you can touch the name of the connected network to view additional information, including the protocol used (eg WPA / WPA2 PSK).
If you’re having trouble connecting your headset to Wi-Fi, check out our Wi-Fi troubleshooting tips.
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A media access control (MAC) address is a unique code assigned to a device to help identify it for networking purposes. You may need the MAC address of Quest 2 or Quest to connect to specific Wi-Fi networks or to pair the headset with other devices.
Hover over the clock on the left side of the universal menu. When the Quick Settings window appears, select it to open the Quick Settings panel.
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Adjusting Fit and Feel
Two terms that are often used when talking about headset customization and clarity are “IPD” and “lens spacing.”
The lens gap refers to the distance between the cleanest points on the two lenses inside the headset.
For the best image clarity, the spacing between the lenses should be as consistent with the IPD as possible. Quest headsets are best suited for an IPD from 56 to 70mm, which is about 95% of adults.
If you are unsure what your IPD is, the best way to ensure the most accurate measurement is to visit an optometrist.
You can also estimate your IPD using a mirror and a millimeter ruler. It’s easier for a friend to measure it for you, but you can measure it yourself by following these steps:
Without moving the ruler, open your closed eye and place your finger on the ruler in line with the pupil. Read the millimeter measurement under your finger for an estimate of your IPD.
To change the position of the lenses on your Oculus Quest 2, gently adjust the lenses by moving them together or apart. There are three lens spacing settings in Quest 2.
IPD scope | Lens gap setting |
61 mm or less | 1 (narrowest, 58mm) |
61 mm to 66 mm | 2 (center, 63mm) |
66mm or more | 3 (widest, 68mm) |
Remember that these are only suggestions, especially if your IPD is at or near the edge of the suggested range of each lens spacing setting. The best setting for you can depend on a number of factors, including things that can change with each use, such as where you are directing your eyes in the content or how the headset sits on your face when you put it on. Don’t hesitate to try a different lens gap setting to see if it will improve image clarity.
To change the IPD on your Oculus Quest, gently move the slider at the bottom-left corner of the headset from left to right.
Touch controllers: Remove the battery cover from the Touch controller, and then remove the battery. The controller serial number will be on the inside of the controller, under the battery, under the QR code.
Set Up Account
Before activating the headsets, we will make sure that you have properly set up the Oculus Business and Workplace Integration via Facebook.
- Open / WPA2 Wi-Fi network capable of 20Mbps with open connectivity to Facebook servers.
- A device with Android Oreo (8.0) or later
- Note: Currently, activation of the headset is not possible on Android tablets.
- Web server to host the application and OBB / large files to be deployed.
- Company e-mail account. Free e-mails like Gmail or Yahoo are not compatible at the moment.
- Enterprise apps cannot use an Oculus ID or platform SDK.
1.1 – You will receive a welcome email after purchasing and receiving Oculus Headsets for Business. Follow the instructions in the email to log into Workplace.
The welcome email is the only way to access your free Workplace account from your Oculus for Business purchase. Do not attempt to set up an Oculus for Business account before receiving the welcome email.
1.2 – Accept the Oculus for Business integration and accept the Oculus for Business order.
You can also login directly to Device Manager to accept when registration is complete.
Install Device Setup App
The Device Setup App will be used to activate your Oculus for Business headset. Remember to always use the latest version of the application.
2.1 – After confirming and accepting your orders, download the Device Setup App from Device Manager by following these instructions.
2.2 – After installing, log in with your Workplace credentials via Facebook.
However, if you don’t mind, Quest 2 has huge benefits. You can take it anywhere, use it anywhere, and let others try the kit in seconds. Quest 2 provides the lowest friction of any headset available today.
Watch the Safety Video
The software will play a short video that covers basic safety issues related to the Oculus Rift, such as appropriate age of use and environmental awareness. You cannot miss it.
If the Oculus software does not immediately guide you through the process of connecting your Rift and various sensors, you can manually start the process from the Home screen that appears. Click Devices, then Configure Rift, then Full Configuration to start the multi-step process to make the headset work with your computer.
Physically Connect the Headset and Sensors
This is the most technically demanding part of the process. You need to connect four cables to the computer. Connect the two webcam-like sensors to the USB 3.0 ports, then plug the headset cable into a different USB port and the HDMI output on the computer. When everything is connected, the software will show each device with a green check mark and OK.
On the next screen, you’ll be prompted to configure your input devices. The Oculus Rift comes with the Oculus Touch motion controllers and the Oculus Remote, and the Xbox One gamepad can also be used with the headset. Check at least the first two items and the Xbox controller if you have one, and click Next.
Each controller must be turned on and set to pair individually, with a separate screen showing how to pair. In the case of the remote control, it is enough to keep the middle button pressed. For the left Oculus Touch controller, hold down the Menu and Y buttons for two seconds. For the right Oculus Touch controller, hold down the Oculus and B buttons for two seconds. In all these cases, the software should automatically discover the controllers and pair them wirelessly with the computer.
When talking about motion and tracking in VR, people often refer to “degrees of freedom” or DoF. More degrees of freedom means more physical movements will be tracked through the goggles and mapped to a simulated representation.
Welcome to the world of tomorrow
With all this in mind, you should have everything you need to go out and buy a VR headset that fits your use case, whether it’s an entry-level HMD that doesn’t require building a PC for VR, or a tall one – an end device that combines a powerful headset with an equally powerful gaming PC. If you follow our tips and choose the parts that suit your budget and needs, you should be ready to engage in extraordinary interactive experiences that can change the way you think about video games. After going through the enticing unboxing and setup process that is…
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The Rift S is a good headset in a tough place. It is at the end of its life cycle, but many are likely to be used for many years to come. Considering only VR headsets, the Rift S remains a solid choice at one of the lowest price points – the Valve index tops at $ 1,000, and the Reverb G2 in between for $ 600.
What’s Included in the Kit
1 Oculus Quest headset
2 touch controllers
1 power adapter
1 charging cableWhile in VR, you can only see the virtual world, and you cannot see the obstacles in the real world. Take the time to remove all chairs and desks from the blue play area. There are security measures to get you free space to play, but do let others know to stay out of the blue zone of the game and be mindful of the boundaries when you’re in VR.
The main precautionary measures are the actual and virtual boundaries of the play area. You can imagine them as walls that you shouldn’t walk past. Here are photos of real and virtual space so you can see how they overlap.
Just watch your limits, let people know to stay away and you should be fine.
Wearing the Headset
1. Press the power button on the right side of the Oculus Quest headset.
After pressing it, the button should emit white light.
If the button turns red, it needs to be charged
with the charging cable.
2. Before putting the headset on, adjust the Velcro straps on the sides of the headset.
Pull the straps to tighten the headset and push it back in to
The bars are shown by the arrows.
3. To put on the headset, push the straps upwards and place the headset over your eyes. Use your left hand to put the straps on your head. If you wear glasses, put the headset on the front first.
Congratulations! VR setup is ready, check below tutorial.
The PSVR system is a good option for someone who already owns a PlayStation and wants to easily use VR on the equipment they already have. If you don’t want to pay $ 300 for Quest 2, you can find a PSVR bundle for a similar price.
Buying Recommendations: Choosing A Headset
Valve Index | PC VR (~400,000) [Steam Page]
Valve Index is Valve’s first solo VR headset (the original HTC Vive was the result of a collaboration between Valve and HTC) and offers what many consider an almost sublime VR experience at a very high price.
The Index offers a range of fine adjustments to the HMD optics to maximize your field of view, as well as a new type of handheld controller that allows full release. It uses lighthouse sensors to track outside and all around offers one of the best VR headsets for consumers – if you can afford it.
The full Valve Index Kit, including a headset, two controllers, and two lighthouse sensors, costs $ 400,000. That’s a gigantic increase over other PC VR options like the $ 400 Rift S. For most people, the big question is whether the massive improvements and quality-of-life features are enough to make the Index worth another $ 600.
Pros: Incredible optics and flexibility in fitting, Index Controllers provide increased interaction with the hand and the environment, and it is one of the best headsets on the market.
Cons: Extremely high price and lighthouse sensors limit portability.
Oculus Quest 2 | Standalone + PC VR (~$300) [Amazon Link]
Quest 2 is one of the most versatile headsets on the market.
For $ 200, you get a fully standalone headset that requires no other hardware, with a selection of the best experiences and games on any platform. However, the big trade-off is that you have to log into your Facebook account to even use the headset. Older Oculus users will need to link their Oculus and Facebook accounts – all content and access to the headset will depend on the Facebook account.
However, if you don’t mind, Quest 2 has huge benefits. You can take it anywhere, use it anywhere, and let others try the kit in seconds. Quest 2 provides the lowest friction of any headset available today.
But that’s not all – if you have a VR-enabled PC, you can use Oculus Link to connect your Quest to your computer via USB C and enjoy whatever experience the Rift can run on your Quest without interrupting your workflow. Quest offers the best of both worlds.
That being said, since the Quest is a standalone headset, everything is in the headset itself. This makes the front of the headset heavy and not super ideal for long gaming sessions. The Quest 2 is slightly lighter and smaller than its predecessor, but we found the optional Elite strap to offer the best and most comfortable experience compared to the standard Quest 2 strap.
Pros: Fully standalone headset and 6DoF controllers, no existing hardware required, portable, Oculus Link gives you access to the best of both standalone VR and PC VR.
Cons: Despite Quest 2 improvements, still heavy at the front, not comfortable for everyone, tracking from inside is less accurate than outside, requires Facebook login.
Oculus Rift S | PC VR (~$400) [Amazon Link]
The Rift S is a good headset in a tough place. It is at the end of its life cycle, but many are likely to be used for many years to come. Considering only VR headsets, the Rift S remains a solid choice at one of the lowest price points – the Valve index tops at $ 1,000, and the Reverb G2 in between for $ 600.
However, Quest 2 has the option to run VR content on PC at a quality level which is almost, if not equal to the Rift S experience. Plus, at $ 300, the Quest 2 is even cheaper than the Rift S.
As of October, the Rift S still requires you to be logged in to Facebook during setup, as does Quest 2. So if you don’t mind, it’s a cheaper and arguably better option for a Facebook VR PC for most users, Quest 2.
That being said, the Rift S has some tangible benefits. The Rift S fit system is generally more comfortable than the Quest. The Rift S from Lenovo uses the very popular halo bar design made popular by PlayStation VR.
The Rift S does not offer any form of physical IPD regulation. Quest 2 has basic physical adjustment, offering three positions between which the lenses can be switched. For the Rift S, the lenses are set to 63.5mm.
According to Facebook, Quest headsets “are best suited for an IPD from 56 to 70mm” (which Facebook says make up 95% of adults), while the Rift S is “best for users with a thickness of 61.5 to 65.5mm.” For those sitting out of reach or on the edges, this difference could be a game changer for the Rift S.