VR Headsets – 2016 is the year for Virtual Reality.
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VR Headsets are soon going to enter the mainstream.
When the crowd funded Oculus Rift project was launched in 2012 it signalled a new era for VR.
Virtual Reality, as a concept, has been around for decades. The first headset, The Sensorama was invented in 1962.
Thanks to smartphone technology, we have now reached a point where the hard ward is small and cheap enough that VR headsets can now be practical and affordable for the consumer.
VR for Smartphones
You can currently buy great headsets to use with your smartphones.
Checkout the Samsung Gear or our own favourite the Google Cardboard.
These great value as they use you smartphones display and accelerometers. We sell the Google Cardboard for just $30!
Read more or buy here: https://mac-ops.co.nz/google-cardboard/
In 2016 there are 3 big releases for gaming.
Oculus Rift
The Oculus rift was the first major player in the current generation of VR headsets.
The retail headset was released on 28 March this year. Facebook bought Oculus and hope to cash in on VR’s popularity. Facebook already supports 360 VR videos.
The Oculus Rift requires a powerful PC to operate and only runs on Windows. Oculus also sell a suitable game controller, the Oculus Touch.
The price including shipping comes to New Zealand is around $840
Playstation VR
The Sony Playstation VR headset is due to be released in October 2016. I expect this will be a popular choice as many people already own a playstation. There are already lots of developers working on games for the Playstation VR. The Playstation is also very reliable and I expect this headset will be the easiest to pick up and use.
You can use your old Playstation camera and Move controllers to add to the experience.
You can pre-order in New Zealand now for $629.
https://www.playstation.com/en-nz/explore/playstation-vr/
HTC Vive
The HTC Vive runs with the popular Steam gaming platform. Like the Oculus Rift, it also requires a high powered PC and currently only runs with Windows.
The HTC Vive looks like the headset with the highest specification and also has a new type of game controller designed to work with VR games.
The price in New Zealand is $949+$120 Shipping.
http://www.htcvive.com/anz/product/
Summary
VR is finally here. In the next years prepare to see games, films and even home videos move from 2D to 3D.
Hi Just wondering if you rent eitehr Oculus or HTC Vive VR headsets. I have an exhibition in Queenstown 20-24 March.
Thanks in advance
Hi Anita,
Sorry, we do not hire these out.
Thanks
Ben