HTC Vive Deals. Any around Atm?

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  cille745 on 11/02/2019 - 13:29

  +1

  Why the Vive if you don't mind me asking? You can get the rift for $529 at the moment. I did this comparison a while ago before I got my Rift. I haven't seen the Vive at the sub $700 for a while

  • 

    Beanvee on 11/02/2019 - 13:31

    -1

    Main reason is to avoid the influence of Facebook. Other people also say the FOV is slightly better on the Vive. I've heard one is better than the other for the letterbox effect, but I forget which one.

    • 

      cille745 on 11/02/2019 - 13:40

      +1

      Influence of Facebook? I know they own oculus but what do you mean by influence
      One has more godrays and one has more screen door effect so overall I'd call that pretty even. With a 3rd sensor the oculus comes to $619 (not that you necessarily need it), so still $230 cheaper than vive, + you also get
      - decent headphones included
      - 7 free games
      - Native support with both oculus home and steam
      - More comfortable headset
      - Better touch controllers

      I know you're trying to stick to your beliefs but imo you'd be throwing away quite a bit of money to get the vive

      • 

        Beanvee on 11/02/2019 - 13:45

        I haven't bought either, I'm waiting for second gen. Just listing off what I've heard.
        Considering how much controversy Facebook has been in for exploiting privacy on Android devices even when the app isn't logged in, people don't trust Oculus on PC either.
        I would prefer to support the Vive because they support an open source VR platform, and paid exclusivity rubs me the wrong way. But largely it will depend on what second gen unit is objectively better.

        • 

          thereisriceandcurry on 11/02/2019 - 13:51

          +1

          @Beanvee: My recent readings tell me that 2nd gen VR is the all in one units coming out this year that dont need trackers.

          It seems to me that the companys made a decision not to develop the pc connected headsets because at the moment the bottleneck isnt the head unit tech, its the gpu. And that the full use of the head units werent being taken up so why make it even better when ppl mostly dont have the gpu to power them. Eg the vive pro, or even the crazy 4k chinease one.

          But, having an all in one system, that tracks "inside out", while not being as technically capable as the first gen, will prbably be more uptake because a basic experience at lower cost without the trackers and likely lower gpu requirements

          True 2nd gen, will probably only come around in a few years when the current crop of 7nm gpu crazy ones settle in pricing

          • 

            Beanvee on 11/02/2019 - 13:54

            +1

            @thereisriceandcurry:

            True 2nd gen, will probably only come around in a few years

            I can wait that long. I've waited this long so far. From what I've read Oculus' all-in-one is only a Snapdragon 845, that's pretty low compared to a mid to high end desktop GPU.

            • 

              thereisriceandcurry on 11/02/2019 - 14:01

              @Beanvee: Exactly. Hence why I think true 2nd gen, will probably be actually 3rd gen, after the crop of these all in ones

  • 

    thereisriceandcurry on 11/02/2019 - 13:40

    I've spent the last few days researching this. From what I can see, pro vive:
    - the Vive is a technically superior product
    - The quality of tracking of unit and wands out of the box is flawless, without needing to add extra sensors as in the rift
    - even after a 3rd or 4th tracker, tracking of the rift isnt as smooth and consistent as vive
    - wider spacial movement (room)
    - despite both FOV stated 110deg, people have noted that Vive feels taller and wider slightly
    - wiring is easy, stations just need power dont need to run to usb's back to pc
    - valve knuckles soon?

    Pro Rift
    - its cheaper by almost aud300
    - supposedly slightly less screendoor effect
    - more intuitive and immersive controllers

    With all the new all in one VR sets coming out this year I would think the Vive would take a price cut. But, alas, AU TAX

    • 

      cille745 on 11/02/2019 - 13:42

      I've actually heard the opposite, that out of the box the vive has the superior tracking, but once you add 3 and definitely 4 sensors the rift becomes better + those knuckles don't look cheap

      • 

        thereisriceandcurry on 11/02/2019 - 13:47

        The knucles will definitely be expensive when they come out. But the wands are decent so wont need replacing quickly.

        Re the extra trackers, it seems its user dependant then. Certainly I've read that even with 4 rift trackers it only comes close to the vive, but I suppose it all depends on the set up and clear vision.

        The price difference is compelling though

        • 

          cille745 on 11/02/2019 - 13:54

          @thereisriceandcurry: yeah at the end of the day that's why I got the rift + I don't have the room for room scale so it just made more sense

          • 

            thereisriceandcurry on 11/02/2019 - 14:00

            @cille745: I think thats a big thing. Generally the thought currently is if you dont have a decent room size for the vive, and not particullary fussed about the tech being top notch, then the rift is too cheap to dismiss an otherwise very approxible experience

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  Tapek on 11/02/2019 - 14:24

  Gumtree second hand for around 500-550, just gotta keep an eye out.

  I am on the lookout for one as well, waiting for 1 in my area to pop up.

  Just got my Pimax and need controllers and lighthouses until the Pimax versions come out later this year (or next) - unfortunately not compatible with Occulus hardware

• 

  JW3B on 11/02/2019 - 15:43

  I wouldnt be purchasing a vive in 2019, its a 3 year old product at this point. As others have said the steamVR platform is technically superior, and the best roomscale vr system on the market, It also has an upgrade path to fullbody tracking, deluxe audio strap & wireless etc.

  Oculus have essentially abandoned the rift & pcvr segment along with the constellation tracking system entirely and are moving into mobile inside out tracked units. The "Rift S" is going to be a pcvr headset but will be inside out tracked, essentially an Oculus Quest but pc tethered rather than mobile.

  HTC & Valve seem to have parted ways, with htc announcing the cosmos inside out tracked unit, not using steamVR tracking and are trying to segment themselves away from steam/valve. It's unlikely we will see a new steamVR product from HTC in the future as clearly valve are looking to take over the hardware side of things, which is a good thing imo.

  In addition to this Valve are currently developing the "Knuckles" controllers along with there own pc steamvr HMD, both of which dev kits are out in the wild and in use with developers and at very least the Knuckles are very close to a retail unit.

  The valve hmd is supposed to have 135 degree fov according to the leaks and use steamVR 2.0 tracking & higher res displays which will be a considerable upgrade over an Original vive.

  I would suggest waiting to atleast GDC19 next month where its rumored that valve will be Announcing the knuckles and the new valve hmd, potentially along with Half life VR as a bundle.

  Pimax are doing some cool stuff with the 5k+, but its not readily available and is very very expensive.

  Microsoft's mixed reality platform is interesting if you want to try vr at a low entry cost, but the platform is dead in the water atm, and the 2 camera inside out tracking is very limiting compared to steamVR tracking.

  TL;DR Valve are the only company doing anything with proper pcvr in the near/distant future. Wait until GDC19 next month where new next gen products may be announced from them.

  • 

    thereisriceandcurry on 11/02/2019 - 15:58

    I agree with all points.

    I will add this, though. Being 3 yrs old puts it at a point where its had a lot of price cuts and is reasonably cheap compared to when it was released. Same principle as the Ryzen 2600/RX580 system I just picked up for 700.

    No doubt Valve will release a new better HMD. Will it be current vive price cheap? Probably not. If it is >fov, >res, itll be >2k.

    Could be argued its a great time to buy a Vive lol. Just wish theyd drop the price like occulus did for rift

    • 

      JW3B on 11/02/2019 - 16:16

      I agree, but in Australia atleast the vive still sells for $939 brand new from htc and around 1k at most retailers, which is crazy. Even used they sell for around $600-700.

      HTC are notorious for huge markups on the hardware side. Next gen hardware example, the steamVR 2.0 base stations valve sells to devs for $60usd each. They use less parts and are simpiler/cheaper to manufacture than the 1.0 Base stations but HTC sells those same 2.0 base stations for roughly the same or more than the 1.0 units (only available in japan atm).

      There is also the element that Valve will subsidize the new hardware prices with software sales on steam. Which means a possibility of selling the hardware at minimal profit, cost or even at a loss. Something which HTC cant do.

      • 

        thereisriceandcurry on 11/02/2019 - 16:43

        Very interesting. Im sure the valve HMD will be awesome. Seems to be the only peeps develloping for wired vrpc.
        Very excited to see what they come out with. Certainly the res and fov should be awesome

        Having said that, Harvey Normal local said they can do $839. Im tempted to go and get it, and swallow the extra 40 as my punishment for not ordering with the ebay code, and a premium to have it today. lol For the moment I think my Ryzen2600/RX580 will do fine with the vive, but prob not so well with anything newer (1080p vs new ones prob >1440p)

        • 

          JW3B on 11/02/2019 - 17:25

          @thereisriceandcurry: $839 is a good price for new, you'll be wanting to get the Deluxe audio strap also, it makes the comfort and overall ergonomics so so much better compared to using the standard strap with earbuds or headphones. The vive is an amazing peice of kit and im sure you'll enjoy it for many years to come! Wireless is also a fantastic upgrade for down the track, it really makes it that much more immersive. r5 2600 + rx580 should be fine also, as long as its a 8gb VRAM model.

          You'll also be able to upgrade to the knuckle controllers down the track too, being part of the steamVR ecosystem. A weak point for the vive is the wand controllers, very average and have a design flaw with the trackpads that was never fixed (even for the vive pro updated controllers they never fixed the flaw). Thankfully they are fairly easy to repair DIY with some disassembly + glue when they inevitably break out of warranty.