Have you finally decided to take a plunge into the world of VR goggles and virtual reality gaming?
Then it is time to get to know one of the cheapest and the best VR goggles out there, the Oculus Rift CV1.
It is good to know that it was the first VR headset that got everyone pulled into the virtual reality scene and its name is almost synonymous with VR goggles.
The good news is that virtual reality is no more a concept and you can simply walk into a store and buy VR goggles for your gaming. But within a few years of their introduction, they are being continuously upgraded making it difficult to decide on the best one.
To make things easier for you we have put together this Oculus Rift CV1 review, so that you may find a great VR headset as your first one. Read on as we look into the capabilities of the headset in great detail.
Cheap Oculus Rift a Virtual Reality? Specs at a Glance:
Before we get into the finer details, here is a quick look at the features of the Oculus Rift CV1. The CV1 is a consumer version that is a much improved version of the DK1 (developmental kit).
- Two OLEDs with a resolution of 2160 x 1200 for better clarity
- A display size of 5.7 inches
- A high global refresh rate of 90 Hz
- 360 degree rotational and positional tracking for an immersive experience
- Horizontal field of view is 110 degrees
- Integrated headphones for a 3D audio effect
- Equipped with an accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer
- Download the [PDF] Oculus User Guide
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Best features
- Positional tracking
It provides a good immersion into the gameplay due to the low-latency constellation tracking system. As a result you feel as if you are really there instead of feeling nauseous or disoriented.
The constellation tracking system works by tracking your head movements. There are external infrared tracking sensors on the positional tracker that comes in the box and infrared sensors on the Rift headset. These two set of sensors work together to detect movement precisely and without any latency. So you feel as if you are really moving in the virtual world.
Oculus Rift – Best Amazon Price
- Field of vision
The Rift’s field of vision is higher than its competitors at 110 degrees. So you get a good amount of peripheral vision that reduces the boxed in feeling that you can get with other headsets.
- Integrated headphones
The headphones are in-built and are not in-ear like some other VR goggles. They are very comfortable and loud enough to give you a 3D sound experience.
- Seated gaming
Forget sore feet that you develop playing with VR goggles that only allow you to play the game standing. The improved tracking system in the Oculus Rift allows for a seated gaming experience that is equally immersing.
- Glasses? No problem!
The Oculus Rift has been designed to accommodate even users wearing glasses. By adjusting the strap you can fit the headset over your glasses. It easily accdomodates most standard frames. In case you do not have a very high power, then you can even ditch you glasses and use the in-built adjustment for a glasses-free gaming experience.
- Gamepad
The headset comes with a wireless Xbox one controller to enable a plug and play experience without the hassle of having to deal with third party hardware. However, you could also upgrade to a better gaming experience by separately purchasing the touch controllers.
- Easy setup
Unlike some of its competitors, the Rift is very easy to setup with just a USB and a HDMI port. If you already have a PC with the right configuration, then the whole setting up process hardly takes a few minutes. No more impatiently waiting before you can start playing your favorite game.
- Size
The CV1 might look bulkier and deceive you into thinking that it’s heavy. The Rift is actually light for its looks and is in fact much lighter than its competitors, making it very comfortable to wear.
- Game library
You won’t run out of games to play as you can choose from more than 50 games that are specifically designed to be played with the Oculus Rift. What’s even better, the headset comes with two free games to get you started straight out of the box.
- Great looks
The Oculus Rift is very stylish and sleek with its black color and a molded finish.
- Ergonomic
Any VR headset looks big enough to make you wonder how it would feel on your head. The Rift, despite its bulky looks has been designed with straps in place to effectively balance and distribute the weight on the front, top and back of the head. So you won’t feel fatigued when you play longer.
- Applications
The headset is not confined to the gaming space and can even be used for healthcare applications as a therapeutic device. They are also perfect for watching movies that are designed to be compatible with VR goggles taking movie watching to a great new level.
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Negative points
- Bulky – The overall design of the headset is a bit bulky than its competitors but makes up for it with its light weight.
- No motion controllers – Unlike its competitors, the Rift does not come with motion controllers in the box. However for an extra 200 bucks you can get the Rift touch controllers for a superior gaming experience.
- Powerful PC – To use the Rift, you need to have a powerful PC with an Intel i3-6100 or an AMD FX4350 or greater
- No Controller – The Rift headset only comes with an Xbox controller and if you need the touch controllers, you will need to purchase them separately.
Advantages over competition
Oculus Rift versus PlayStation VR
In terms of wearing comfort, the Oculus Rift has a fabric lining that feels soft against the skin unlike the Playstation VR and is also much lighter. The Oculus Rift also has a better resolution of 2160 x 1200 with two OLED displays while the Playstation VR only has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 that is vertically split, which further reduces the resolution per eye.
The Rift has a better field of vision with a 110 viewing angle against Playstation’s 100 degrees. Setting up the Rift is also much easier with fewer cables to deal with when compared to the more complicated set up of the Playstation’s VR.
Oculus Rift versus HTC Vive
Any headset is bound to feel heavy after some time of playing no matter how much support is provided. The Vive is heavier weighing 1.2 lbs while the Rift weighs only 1 lbs. The strain felt is definitely much lesser with the Rift due to its smaller weight and provision of straps that hold the headset in place.
The Vive comes with ear buds which cannot be even compared to the awesome integrated headphones of the Rift.
Conclusion
The Oculus Rift is a great buy whether you are a hardcore gamer or want your VR goggles to let you watch movies or transport yourself to some great destinations in the world. Sure there are other cheaper headsets that are only marginally lower in their price. When you get a better experience that is geared more towards the future, there is no reason why you should settle for anything lesser.
If you are wondering where to buy Oculus Rift, then you can find them either on their website or other online stores. You could even walk into a store and try one before buying it. For those of you, who are convinced but don’t want to exceed your budget, then you can even buy a cheap Oculus Rift when it is on sale. Go make one yours and indulge in some virtual reality fun!
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