HTC Vive Pro 2 review

HTC Vive Pro 2 review

Two minute review

Are you looking for a high-end virtual reality headset? The HTC Vive Pro 2 will take you into ultra-high-resolution virtual reality worlds with its 5K display, which is simply the best VR display available to the average person today. But this incredible display is coupled with other hardware items that should be taken as caveats to the premium experience. The original HTC Vive put home VR on the map, with its precise tracking and high-resolution display. Competition has heated up since its debut in 2016, with the Oculus Quest 2 and Valve Index impressing VR gamers. But with the HTC Vive Pro 2, HTC is ready to reassert its position as the top-of-the-line VR headset maker to beat when it comes to PC virtual reality. And, in terms of specs, the HTC Vive Pro 2 is easily one of the most powerful high-end VR headsets around. Boasting a 5K display (2.5K each eye) with a silky smooth 120Hz refresh rate, this is the most visually stunning VR headset we've ever put on our heads. It's also one of the richest-sounding, thanks to its on-ear headphones and Hi-Res Audio capabilities.

HTC Vive Pro 2

(Image credit: Future) But that's not the most comfortable thing: HTC has done well to make the Vive Pro 2 easily adjustable to fit many head shapes and glasses wearers, but there's still a lot of weight in the headphones and a lot of volume in the design, not to mention the restrictions naturally caused by its nature attached to a computer. Plus, that high-resolution screen generates a lot of heat, so much so that we had a hard time gaming without fogging up the lenses very quickly.

HTC Vive Pro 2

(Image credit: Future) HTC Vive Pro 2 also continues to use an exterior-interior tracking system. In the good environment, this is a three-precise method to repérer the joueur in the world of virtue virtue, but cela conduit à une procédure de configuration more complicée, nécessite plus de câblage et de prizes murales et limite les endroits où le jeu it's possible. Finally, the wand-like controller layout of the Vive family is starting to show its age: Tall and heavy, the trackpad layout may be better suited for business applications, but now often feels at odds with control schemes. towards which current virtual reality titles are directed. , which now generally favor the presence of traditional control sticks, along with motion movements. So there are caveats. But this headset still comes highly recommended - this display will wow VR gamers who only experienced VR hardware a generation or two ago. If HTC can tackle the other parts of the package, it will reclaim its place as the best-in-class RV maker.

Price and availability of HTC Vive Pro 2

Pre-orders for the HTC Vive Pro 2 are now open, with general sale starting June 4, 2021. The headset-only variant will start at a special reduced price of €659 / €749 / €739. The complete kit , which includes Base Station 2.0 and VIVE controllers, is available from June 4 for €1,299 / €1,399 / €1,399. This is certainly a high-priced VR headset, positioned similarly to the valve rating, and much higher than the Oculus Quest 2 (which has lower specs to match its lower price). Keep in mind that you'll also need a high-end PC for the HTC Vive Pro 2 to perform at its best. Money can be saved by the fact that existing HTC Vive accessories can be paired with the Vive Pro 2, including previous generation track stations and controllers. But you'll have to find a lot of change if you're new to VR.

HTC Vive Pro 2

(Image credit: future)

Integrated

Rather than opting for an all-in-one wireless headphone design for the HTC Vive Pro 2, HTC focuses on high-end virtual reality capabilities that can only be achieved by connecting to a well-connected PC. 
Especificaciones de PC recomendadas para HTC Vive Pro 2
Minimum: Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350 (equivalent or better) / Memory: 8 GB RAM (or more) | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX1060 or AMD Radeon RX480 (equivalent or better) | OS: Microsoft Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 | Video output: DisplayPort 1.2 (or newer) | USB ports: 1x USB 3.0 (or newer) advised: Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350 (equivalent or better) / Memory: 8 GB RAM (or more) | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 (equivalent or better) | Video output: DisplayPort 1.4 (or newer) | USB ports: 1x USB 3.0 (or newer) | Operating system: Microsoft Windows 10 And the numbers it's aiming for are very impressive. It offers a 5K resolution display (2.5k per eye) and aims to maintain a silky smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It's a much sharper display than what's present with the Oculus Quest 2, and the Quest 2 can target frequencies as well. 120Hz refresh rate only on select titles. It's not just a matter of resolution with the screen, but also the quality of the panels used. The headset contains a quick-switch LCD with RGB sub-pixels and IPD adjustable bezels that support a 120-degree field of view. It's wide enough to capture the action out of the corner of your eye, thanks to a dual-stack lens design. It's a very advanced optical system, with the LCD screen being smaller compared to previous models, supposedly for better heat management, although in practice that's not the case.

HTC Vive Pro 2

(Image credit: Future) Pushing that many pixels can legitimately excite your team at what to expect from your PC, and HTC's main focus is on avid (and professional) users here. You'll need a powerful machine to get the most out of the Vive Pro 2. But HTC has done its best to better take the strain off its components: It's worked with Nvidia and AMD to optimize screen-stream compression for VR headsets. It enables faster compilation and recompilation of visual data between PC and headset by reducing the large resources required to make the 4K display shine. DisplayPort 1.2 is also supported, even with DisplayPort compression active. The HTC Vive Wireless adapter will also be supported, though users will not be able to achieve the 4896 x 2448/120Hz native resolution and frame rate target offered by the connected configuration.

HTC Vive Pro 2

(Image credit: Future) Those who opt to purchase the complete HTC Vive Pro 2 package will also receive a pair of powered cuboid track stations and a pair of wand-style controllers. The controllers are essentially the same design HTC has been using for years: reliable and durable, they have a circular touchpad, trigger, and pressure-sensitive grips, under a large track ring. They're still fine and supported and recognized by just about every VR game you can find on Steam, but they're starting to feel a little dated compared to Valve Index's "knuckle" controllers and the more compact Oculus Touch controllers.

Comfort and compatibility

HTC has made some tweaks to its headset to improve the ergonomics of the HTC Vive Pro 2. In addition to the adjustable IPD slider, it makes sure its headband fits and locks quickly thanks to a numbering system, while its face La La interface it is wide enough to accommodate eyeglass wearers. Weight is distributed evenly to prevent neck strain, but it's still a bulky helmet. It really does feel trapped in its design, especially once you've folded away its built-in in-ear headphones. These 3D spatial sound speakers hover over the user's ears, meaning you'll always have an idea of ​​what's going on in your real environment. But they can be turned up loud thanks to the volume controls on the cup. Audio streaming is another highlight here, with deep, rich bass sounds meaning you won't necessarily need to bring your own headphones to the party; The audio interface is also Hi-Res certified, which means you can plug it in for audiophile headphones. through headphones and enjoy a more detailed sound experience if you wish.

HTC Vive Pro 2

(Image credit: Future) Where the HTC Vive Pro 2 is less comfortable is in the amount of heat its screen generates. With the screen wrapped close to your face, it is very hot and foggy. We struggled to find a fit that would keep the helmet snug and secure against our face, while also preventing the lenses from fogging up, a problem that was exacerbated by goggles. This is a problem that varies from person to person, but better ventilation around the glasses might have prevented the problem altogether; Personally, I'd accept a bit of bleed from outside light if it would neutralize the fogged lenses. Those looking for a non-connected all-in-one headset from HTC should look at the recently revealed HTC Vive Focus 3, though it's primarily aimed at business users. Current HTC Vive owners can take solace in the fact that all existing HTC VR accessories will be compatible with the new HTC Vive Pro 2, meaning you won't need to buy any equipment other than the headset if you're already using it. LIVES. Trackers of any generation, the VIVE Facial Tracker, Vive Controllers wand '' o los accesorios Steam VR como los controladores Valve Index knuckles''. Oculus controllers are not supported.

Start

If there's one thing that might not be so accommodating for the budding VR gamer, it'll be the continued reliance on base stations for tracking with the HTC Vive Pro 2. Aside from connecting to PC, this is another speed hurdle. . . , hassle-free VR...

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