John Chad, Bachelor Degree in Computer Science & Computer Engineering.
Russel Collins
If you’re looking to get into virtual reality (VR), there are several things that need to be taken into consideration before purchasing your first VR headset. One of these factors includes what type of experience do you want? Knowing all the different factors and what sets apart each VR Headset may help you decide which VR Headset to get.
In this article, we will let you know exactly how VR works and why it can enhance your overall gaming experience along with giving you several different good options for all kinds of budgets.
Virtual Reality has been around since long before video games were even invented. The technology was used by NASA during training missions where they would train astronauts using simulations. In fact, one of the original purposes of Virtual Reality was to simulate dangerous situations such as spacewalks without putting actual astronauts at risk.
Over time the technology became more popular among gamers who began playing with VR headsets like Nintendo’s Virtual Boy. However, over the years, Virtual Reality slowly fell out of favor because of its price tag, which made the devices too expensive for most people to purchase. As prices dropped, however, many consumers have begun taking advantage of VR once again. With recent improvements in display technology, along with better graphics cards and processors, today’s best VR headsets are affordable enough to make them usable for everyday folks. Even though not everyone needs a high-end VR headset right now, if you decide to take part in the VR revolution, this article will provide you with all kinds of information regarding all the different VR Headset factors, before we proceed with that though, we will show you our recommended headsets.
Top 5 Best VR Headset for DCS World
| Model | Our Review | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Oculus Quest 2 | Mid-End VR Headset, one of the cheapest options. |  |
| 3D VR Virtual Reality Headset | Worst of all the options, but very cheap, only go with this one if you're on a tight budget. | |
| HTC Vive Cosmos | High-End VR Headset, one of the best ones in the market currently. | |
| HP Reverb G2 | Another High-end headset, very good although not quite as good as the HTC VIVE. | |
| Oculus Go | Another Mid-End VR headset, even more popular than the Oculus Quest | |
Take a step into the future with the next generation of Oculus. Redesigned from the ground up, Oculus Quest 2 features an all-in-one gaming system built for virtual reality. With balanced weight distribution, new lenses, and a flip-up design, Quest 2 lets you play how you want to play. Play solo or team up with others. And forge friendships in the most immersive multiplayer experiences available with Oculus Quest 2.
This 3D VR Virtual Reality Headset is specially designed with comfortable material. There is more padding on the face that touches your skin, and there are straps to keep the headset balanced while you wear it. It can be used with glasses and is more lightweight than other VR headsets. The view through the VR glasses looks pretty clear, you get a wider peripheral view than some at this price because we use a large lens, and you’ll see every pixel in glorious 1080p HD reality. These virtual reality glasses have built-in adjustable headphones which provide 3D surround stereo sound field sound quality. You can hear every sound from any angle. A clear voice allows you to hear exactly what you need to do when entering the world of virtual reality.
The most versatile headset yet with premium virtual reality features. Take a reality check with an ultra-bright display and a redesigned head strap to fit more people more comfortably. Integrated on-ear headphones are removable and the flip-up design makes it easy to jump between reality and VR in seconds. Lighthouse tracking brings objects to life, while ease of use makes VR feel limitless. The Vive Cosmos goes where you go and puts control at your fingertips with a flip-up design, a comfort-focused headset and controllers that work in any environment, plus high resolution graphics and crystal clear audio. Roomscale 1 headset tracking enables 360 motion tracking so you can move in any direction throughout your playspace without any external sensors. With 2880 x 1700 combined Pixel resolution, LCD panels reduce the distance between Pixels, minimizing the screen door effect that can be a barrier to immersive content. With 6 camera sensors for wide angle inside out tracking all over your space – near or far – your virtual world will come to life. Vive Reality System lets you navigate seamlessly between virtual experiences!
Take virtual reality to the next level with the HP Reverb G2 VR (Virtual Reality) Headset! This headset drops you into realistic environments and immersive worlds that allow you to see, move, and interact with digital content. The wide 110-degree field of view allows you to take in your environment while the two 2160 x 2160 LCD panels keep it just as clear as a crystal without any mura. Get closer than ever with a 6 meter cable, letting you stretch your legs without losing connectivity.
Oculus Go is a standalone VR headset that has everything you need to try out VR. With crystal clear optics and state-of-the-art 3D graphics, the headset feels more like a personal theater. Simply move your head to aim the controller and press the trigger to select an item. With it’s ergonomic design, Oculus Go is lightweight and can be worn for hours on end.
What’s DCS World?
DCS World is a free open source flight simulation program designed specifically for use on computers running Windows 7 through 10. It allows users to create their own aircraft models and customize parts to fit specific specifications.
Users also have access to thousands of pre-made aircraft assets from various manufacturers including Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, and others.
You don’t necessarily need a powerful computer system to run DCS World, but it does require certain hardware specs. For instance, you should ensure that your PC meets Microsoft DirectX 12 requirements. You’ll also need 1GB of RAM and a minimum of 2 GB of GPU memory. This software is compatible with all versions of the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Samsung Gear VR, Google Daydream, and Playstation VR headsets.
The bottom line is that DCS World is highly recommended for anyone interested in creating custom aircraft cockpit interiors, designing new airplanes, or just simply enhancing existing ones. Although there are other programs available, no other program comes close to offering such realistic quality control features and customization capabilities within the same package. At least with DCS World, you won’t have to pay extra money to add additional functionality or design elements.
What’s VR Gaming & What about Motion Sickness?
In order to fully understand VR gaming, you must first learn about the concept of motion sickness. Simply put, motion sickness occurs when our inner ear detects movement while our eyes stay fixed on something stationary. When this happens, our brain interprets this sudden shift in perspectives as nausea. Since people tend to move around while viewing screens, VR developers have created special head tracking mechanisms that allow us to look freely around a scene instead of being forced to stare straight ahead.
With proper positioning, a user experiencing mild symptoms of motion sickness could comfortably view images on a screen up to 100 inches away. Now let’s imagine you wanted to immerse yourself in the real-life experiences of a fighter pilot inside an F-18 Super Hornet or drive down the streets of LA in a brand new Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
How much easier would it be to enjoy those types of activities if you had a VR helmet on? That’s right! Today’s top VR headsets can completely eliminate any chance of feeling sick while enjoying immersive gameplay. Because of this, VR gaming refers to a broad range of applications beyond traditional video games. While VR headsets come equipped with motion sensors, cameras, displays and advanced processing power, they typically rely on external apps to provide content. These apps include movies, music, videos, photographs and social media updates. Many companies have already developed specialized platforms for downloading and streaming interactive entertainment. A great example of this is Facebook’s Oculus Home app. This application lets users browse through millions of pieces of content via their favorite websites and services, including Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus and Spotify.
Why is a good VR Headset important for gaming?
When discussing reasons why VR headsets are essential tools for modern-day gaming enthusiasts, it helps to break down three main categories: immersion, comfort, and accessibility. Immersion is defined as the degree to which a person feels he/she exists within the simulated environment. Comfort relates to the level of physical stress experienced by the wearer due to excessive weight, heat, or pressure buildups. Finally, accessibility means ease of usage and affordability.
For starters, immersion plays a huge role in determining whether or not someone enjoys a particular activity. Let’s say I’m lying back on my couch watching TV. I am only able to see the action on the big screen thanks to the remote control in my hand. But suppose I decided to watch this exact same show while wearing a VR headset. Any objects placed near my face would seem to float directly above the tip of my nose. Once again, the viewer wouldn’t realize that he/she wasn’t really present in the real world.
On another note, comfort can become a serious issue when trying to wear heavy equipment for extended periods of time. After all, we aren’t machines. Our bodies produce a variety of fluids that expand throughout our internal organs and muscles whenever we stand upright. Imagine having to hold onto a 200-pound machine while walking across hot coals. Or perhaps you’ve tried standing waist-deep in water while holding a large surfboard. Both scenarios result in uncomfortable sweatiness, chafing and pain. Luckily, VR headsets offer lightweight designs that minimize discomfort and fatigue. Furthermore, many modern VR products feature adjustable straps and padded cushions that reduce the amount of effort required to keep a device positioned properly against your face. Lastly, accessibility is easily achieved with a wide variety of products that cost anywhere between $199-$999 depending on the manufacturer and model selected.
Important Factors when choosing a VR Headset
Now that we’ve gone over each category separately, below are several key points to consider when shopping for a suitable VR product.
Brand – There are dozens of brands currently developing VR products, but very little marketing differentiation exists between similar products. Therefore, it becomes extremely difficult to compare competing products unless you read reviews posted online. Most reputable sites will publish unbiased feedback written by expert reviewers who have tested multiple models, giving you insight into the pros and cons associated with every single option.
Frame Type & Fit – Finding the perfect frame size takes patience and skill. Generally speaking, larger frames provide greater stability and support to prevent dizzying movements. On the flip side, smaller frames often cause eye strain and blur vision. To find the ideal combination, check the sizing chart provided by the company you intend to buy from. Also, remember that different manufacturers use different-sized heads, so always try to select a headset that fits correctly.
Motion Tracking Technology – Motion sensing technologies determine precisely where a user looks based upon camera data. Depending on the current state of development, products vary greatly regarding the number of degrees of freedom supported. Usually, higher numbers indicate better performance and accuracy.
Field Of View – Field of view determines the area visible in front of the lens. Most lenses cover approximately 110° horizontally and 90° vertically. Higher field views increase visual awareness allowing players to see farther in front of themselves.
Display Resolution – High-resolution displays provide sharper details and brighter colors resulting in superior image quality. Keep in mind that lower resolutions do exist, but they usually suffer from limited pixel count.
Connectivity Options – Connectivity options relate to the ability to connect to a network wirelessly or wired. Wireless solutions typically possess faster refresh rates, wider fields of view and enhanced durability. Wired alternatives generally utilize standard Ethernet cables and deliver consistent performance regardless of distance.
Battery Life – Battery life varies per model and ranges anywhere between 4 hours and 24 hours. More battery capacity translates to longer sessions outside of the home, if it requires to be connected by USB to your PC then it won’t have battery life and it’ll work as long as it’s connected to your PC.
Price Range – Price tags differ significantly between comparable products. Low-end offerings tend to perform worse compared to mid-range and high-end counterparts.
Overall Value – VR headsets represent significant investments that entail considerable costs. Therefore, it makes sense to choose a product that possesses excellent value for the dollar spent. Remember, cheap doesn’t mean bad. It merely indicates that the product offers fewer features, longevity, and reliability than other more expensive units.
We hope this list of key considerations helped to shed light on the benefits of owning a VR headset. Before buying anything, always ask yourself “Are these features necessary?” And “How well does this product suit my personal preferences?” Above all, please remember that VR headsets are intended for fun.