VR HMD comparison

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

Hey guys,

 

since PCVR tech is constantly evolving, we're probably all looking forward to innovation. Since I have been testing almost every headset extensively for several weeks, quite a few times I had been asked to make a comparison. I had made this comparison last year, but had lost it on the HDD. Now that I have found it, I thought I'd share it.

 

Ahead, as many pointed out, facial shape and focal characteristics give use PCVR players different results here and there. So, the data on me is:

IPD 66.8, deep eye-sockets, a very 3D western face, larger than average head, 20/20 eyesight, no far-sightedness.

 

Sharpness: The sharpness of the picture, reflected through effective Pixel per Degree or Pixel per Inch.

Sweetspot: The sphere in which your eyes can rest to get a clear picture while looking forward, very much tied to fit and fitting options.

Edge-to-Edge-Clarity: Consider your eyes in the sweetspot, and then move your eye-balls around and clarity falls off towards the edges.

Colors:  LCD panels have issues with greyish blacks and lack color, only 2 headsets have LCD panels with good blacks and popping colors. OLEDs are the creme-de-la-creme, 5/5.

FOV: Field of View, the angle of the environment you can see at once. In Reverbs pretty limited, in Pimax you go iMax. 

Tracking: Always 5/5 as I used Index Controllers on all headsets.

 

The headsets are considered with the Mods mentioned.

 

Reverb G1

1. Sharpness 4/5
2. Sweetspot 1/5
3. Edge-to-Edge-Clarity 2/5
4. Colors 3/5
5. FOV 2/5
6. Pros: First high-res headset, comfy, lightweight | Cons: No IPD adjust = no sweetspot, low FOV

 

Pimax 5K+ 204, Comfort Kit + Vive DAS mod

1. Sharpness 3/5
2. Sweetspot 3/5
3. Edge-to-Edge-Clarity 4/5
4. Colors 3/5
5. FOV 5/5
6. Pros: FOV 6/5, clarity | Cons: Terrible software (timesink!), needs tinkering, unreliable, problematic company

 

Pimax 8KX (where is my DMAS Pimax?)

1. Sharpness 4/5
2. Sweetspot 1/5
3. Edge-to-Edge-Clarity 3/5
4. Colors 3/5
5. FOV 5/5
6. Pros: Sharp, FOV 6/5 | Cons: Software, tinkering, unreliable, no sound, could never find sweetspot, heavy, mura, problematic company

 

Valve Index

1. Sharpness 3/5
2. Sweetspot 4/5
3. Edge-to-Edge-Clarity 4/5
4. Colors 3/5
5. FOV 4/5
6. Pros: Plug'n'play, software, does almost everything right, finding sweetspot | Cons: Strong glare, front-heavy

 

Cosmos Elite, GearVR LensMod (big difference, lens-type like Varjo Aero), forehead-foam thin replacement

1. Sharpness 3.5/5
2. Sweetspot 5/5
3. Edge-to-Edge-Clarity 5/5
4. Colors 4/5
5. FOV 3/5
6. Pros: Plug'n'play, software, Flip-up display, good comfort, after LensMod: clarity, sweetspot, colors pop | Cons: Absolutely requires modding, FOV just average, the speakers are somewhat loose

 

Reverb G2, JewCookie's close Face Gasket (VrCover's doesn't get you closer, avoid a purchase)

1. Sharpness 4/5
2. Sweetspot 3/5
3. Edge-to-Edge-Clarity 3/5
4. Colors 4/5
5. FOV 3/5
6. Pros: Sharpness, colors pop, comfort, lightweight | Cons: Needs modding, way too performance-demanding distortion profile

 

Vive Pro 2, 6mm PU-leather face foam, PU-leather head strap foam replacements

1. Sharpness 4/5
2. Sweetspot 3/5
3. Edge-to-Edge-Clarity 3/5
4. Colors 4/5
5. FOV 4/5
6. Pros: Resolution, colors pop, very comfortable (balanced weight), finding sweetspot, diffusion layer for softly-rounded pixels, wide FOV | Cons: Bad microphone, strong glare, less sharp due to the diffusion layer

 

 

Edited March 6, 2022 by SCG_Fenris_Wolf

[Dutch2]

No Samsung O+  ?

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

I only have the Samsung Odyssey OG

[chiliwili69]

Good summary!  Let´s see what the new HTC Vive 2.0 bring us...

[Spasticus]

Thanks for the comparison! I'm using the Quest 2 and it's okay enough to fight in but spotting is troublesome. And I can't figure out the best settings for spotting. 

[AKA_Hollywood]

Thank you for the post.  Definitely seek your guidance on prior posts for set up and knowledge. 
 

I had a Reverb Pro and gifted it to a squad Buddy of mine. 
Run with the G2 now. 
 

I am curious, can you expand on your comment:

 

way too performance-demanding distortion profile

 

 

 

 

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

Hi @AH_Hollywood, yes sure.  

For the Reverb G2 to run at a 1:1 information:pixel relation in the center of its vision, it is required to run it in SteamVR at 100%, which is roughly 2x3100x3100 pixels at 90Hz. The distortion profile needs to bend the picture so strongly towards the outer segment of the lenses, that we effectively get a requirement of 19.2Mp at 90Hz. That's basically close to an 8K resolution at 60Hz.

 

So there's no GPU that can run this properly at 90Hz in IL-2 with at least some fidelity. As a result, the specs of the headset can't be used in IL-2 to their full extend. 

 

 

Other Dx11 games however, these who use Forward Rendering, can make use of Nvidia's VRSS technology. I have used this in quite a few games and it is fantastic, you can effectively run the headset at full resolution.

[AKA_Hollywood]

Thanks.  That makes sense. 
 

I appreciate all your feedback and expertise. 
A true trusted resource.  

 

 

 

[JG1337/Jolly_Junker]

Thanks! Exactly which mods are referred to for last two models, specifically?

[firdimigdi]

1 hour ago, JG1337/Jolly_Junker said:

Thanks! Exactly which mods are referred to for last two models, specifically?

I imagine the use of GearVR lenses for the Elite and the 3D printed (or VRCover) face gasket/padding for the G2.

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

1: GearVR Lens Mod for Vive Pro (needs distortion profile firmware mod) and Cosmos Elite (doesn't need a new distortion profile) 
Example of Vive Pro w/ lensmod vs Index , manual to mount it to the Cosmos Elite

 

2: Reverb G2 Facemask / Gasket for more FOV and much better clarity (!). Link to the instruction by VoodooDE, he's got the best solution I used too.

[JG1337/Jolly_Junker]

Thanks. Would the assessment for cosmos elite visuals also apply to regular htc cosmos?

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

I haven't checked the regular Cosmos, but I suppose a strong yes. I'd be really surprised if it was not the case.

[JG1337/Jolly_Junker]

Ok, thanks a lot!

I’m looking at the reverb and cosmos to replace an old Dell visor headset, as I prefer the in->out tracking setup. 

It seems I happen to already have the proper gearvr head set for modding the cosmos, but the experience with “halo” style head bands put me off a bit.

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

There are various batches of gearvr lenses and you need to have the fitting adapters 3D printed. Please be aware of that.

I thought the Cosmos Elite's halo strap was more comfy than the G2's hair dividing top band. Especially with the flip up, had I stick to it I'd have +1 carpet (malt beer, don't ask).

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

Comparison G2 vs VP2 here

 

Added to first post here:

 

Vive Pro 2, 6mm PU-leather face foam, VRCover Head strap foam replacements

1. Sharpness 5/5
2. Sweetspot 3/5
3. Edge-to-Edge-Clarity 5/5
4. Colors 4/5
5. FOV 4.5/5
6. Pros: Sharpness, colors pop, very comfortable (balanced weight), finding sweetspot, largest clarity yet, FOV | Cons: Bad microphone, glare like in the Index, Software in Beta, Motion Smoothing lacking, IL-2 not compatible yet.

 

Edited June 4, 2021 by SCG_Fenris_Wolf

[Jade_Monkey]

Thanks for the review. I really hope the IL2 compatibility gets sorted out quickly. Im dying to try it and i hope to receive teh Vive Pro 2 soon!

[chiliwili69]

6 hours ago, SCG_Fenris_Wolf said:

Edge-to-Edge-Clarity 4.5/5

 

Hey!  this is very very nice. I will then not cancel my pre-order!!

 

BTW, In the above summary you said 5/5 but here 4.5/5.

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

Thanks, yeah I set it to 4.5 first. But after checking again, I noticed really well clarity straight to the edges in the testHMD 1.2 environment's specialised test for it (circular text) while standing at 2m distance.

 

And I figured, heck, it can't be more than 100% so why call it 4.5 when it is full? 

 

 

[Max57]

Thanks a lot for this article !

Move from 5k+ to VP2 validated

 

[Odovacer]

Sooo, has the Vibe Pro 2 compatibility issue been sorted out yet? New to VR and IL-2 and digging around the VR threads there's not much mention of VP2, plenty on G2 and Q2. Saying that, the Oculus is not featured here!

[firdimigdi]

1 hour ago, Odovacer said:

Sooo, has the Vibe Pro 2 compatibility issue been sorted out yet?

 

Yup.

 

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

I'll add the Q2 (already here) and the Varjo Aero (waiting for delivery) soon. I might have to re-adjust the scales. ☺️

[Algy-Lacey]

This is great info you have shared, Fenris_Wolf.

 

Would you say that 'screen door effect', or rather, lack of it, comes under your heading sharpness?

 

I would guess that 'screen door effect' depends mostly on the HMD's resolution and type (LCD/OLED) and might not be an issue for any of the displays you have compared here.

 

I first tried VR with my old PC and Oculus Rift CV1 which had an OLED display and 2160 x 1200 resolution. There was noticeable 'screen door effect' (ie. you could see individual pixels) which was a real immersion killer.

 

After getting a new PC and after much deliberation I purchased a Valve Index and a HP Reverb G2. After trying the Index, I knew I had found the perfect HMD for my system and the Reverb G2 never came out of it's box.

 

The difference in image quality between the Rift and the Index was huge. The Index uses an LCD instead of OLED and has a higher resolution, and because of that there is almost no discernible screen door effect,  you really have to look for it to see it and the overall image is much improved.

 

Do you think you might add some comments about 'screen door effect' for each HMD? or do you find that none of these 2nd gen or 3rd gen headsets suffer from it?

For example, the Oculus Rift CV1 might have a Screen Door Effect rating of 2/5 and the Valve Index a rating of 4/5.

 

Thanks again for this comparison Fenris_Wolf, I'm sure that people looking to go VR will find it useful.

 

Happy Landings,

Algy-Lacey

[J2_Nedo]

19 hours ago, Algy-Lacey said:

After getting a new PC and after much deliberation I purchased a Valve Index and a HP Reverb G2. After trying the Index, I knew I had found the perfect HMD for my system and the Reverb G2 never came out of it's box.

Interessting, I use the Valve Index from the beginning (2019) and just now got the HP Reverb G2 for a few days from a friend for testing and comparing,
what can I say, the image is a little sharper, but after half an hour online flying I had to change back to the Valve Index, for me the smaller FOV is not acceptable, almost claustrophobic, but maybe that's because I'm used to the larger FOV of my Index. Nevertheless, I would recommend the G2 to newcomers, especially because of the price.

[J2_Steve]

I'm a Index user too, and highly recommend it because of the FOV, although my only comparisons have been to the down the Oculus route and most recently the Rift S and Quest 2. I'm tempted by the Varjo Aero, except the price is a bit much for me. So I'm sitting patiently waiting for the Index 2 to see what that can bring to the table 

[Algy-Lacey]

2 hours ago, J2_Nedo said:

Interessting, I use the Valve Index from the beginning (2019) and just now got the HP Reverb G2 for a few days from a friend for testing and comparing,
what can I say, the image is a little sharper, but after half an hour online flying I had to change back to the Valve Index, for me the smaller FOV is not acceptable, almost claustrophobic, but maybe that's because I'm used to the larger FOV of my Index. Nevertheless, I would recommend the G2 to newcomers, especially because of the price.

 

I had read that a Reverb G2 at 100% Steam SS was very demanding on even the best systems, rendering over 19 million pixels! I figured that my mid-range system wasn't up to it so didn't bother trying. I was able to run the Index at 100% Steam SS without motion smoothing / reprojection at 80Hz and still run IL-2 at almost max settings, Ultra preset. I'm very pleased with the Index, it's an all round great HMD IMHO.

 

IIRC without controllers the Index retails at a similar price to the Reverb G2 (without controllers), but if you don't have basestations / lighthouses already then purchasing these bumps the price of the Index up somewhat. I would recommend the Index to newcomers who don't have cutting-edge graphics cards.

 

Algy-Lacey

[Dagwoodyt]

20 hours ago, J2_SteveF said:

I'm a Index user too, and highly recommend it because of the FOV, although my only comparisons have been to the down the Oculus route and most recently the Rift S and Quest 2. I'm tempted by the Varjo Aero, except the price is a bit much for me. So I'm sitting patiently waiting for the Index 2 to see what that can bring to the table 

Even if an Index2 never materializes, for the time being I am not seeing any new HMD worth the expense and effort to upgrade to right now. The Index has adequate fov, great audio and mic that make using an HMD less of an effort than others available atm. Using eyeglasses with the Index is no problem for me so I don’t need custom inserts. I tried WMR in both versions of Samsung O and disliked it intensely. I have two base stations mounted atop my monitor and they work fine with Il-2 and DCS. With a 3080Ti and 5900x I am getting 8-9 second frame times in the BoM I-16 escort mission on Ultra with 159% Steam SS per FpsVR, no AA. I am not using icons to follow contacts. Even if I were to buy an Aero I doubt I would spend much more time in VR after the “new” wore off. I think we are at a point now where simply dumping more money into the next shiny object doesn’t make sense.

Edited February 10, 2022 by Dagwoodyt

[chiliwili69]

22 hours ago, J2_Nedo said:

but after half an hour online flying I had to change back to the Valve Index, for me the smaller FOV is not acceptable, almost claustrophobic, but maybe that's because I'm used to the larger FOV of my Index

 

This was also my case, and also the reduced edge-to-edge clarity:

 

https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/67855-valve-index-vs-reverb-g2-my-view-with-through-the-lens-pictures/

 

But I can also recommend the G2 since it is a very good headset for the price.

19 hours ago, Algy-Lacey said:

I was able to run the Index at 100% Steam SS without motion smoothing / reprojection at 80Hz and still run IL-2 at almost max settings, Ultra preset. I'm very pleased with the Index, it's an all round great HMD IMHO.

 

Yes, this is also a nice thing of the Index. You can run in 80Hz mode and this reduce significantly the load to CPU and GPU. So, game settings can be increased.

 

As Fenris was explaining in another post, at the end is the total amount of pixels what it matters for OpenVR which is the API used by SteamVR with IL-2.

 

at this table you will see all the pixels needed for every VR headset and every SteamVR %SS:

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gJmnz_nVxI6_dG_UYNCCpZVK2-f8NBy-y1gia77Hu_k/edit#gid=1836884624

 

There is also a factor which is the extra layer software used by non Valve devices (WMR, HTC, Oculus, etc). This also decrease a bit the performance when OpenVR is used.

 

There is a benchmark called OpenVR Benchmark:

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gJmnz_nVxI6_dG_UYNCCpZVK2-f8NBy-y1gia77Hu_k/edit#gid=576083284

[spreckair]

@SCG_Fenris_Wolf Thank you for all of the work that you do to help us be informed.  So, at the end of the day which headset do you find yourself using the most?

[slikslik]

Hi SCG- Fenris Wolf.  I'm also curious, as to which of the HMD sets you use for IL 2.  Pimax has the wide FOV, but is there a HMD that is so much better, that FOV is secondary for IL?  Thanks my friend...take care...

[sg_hubsghub]

I've been exploring the intricacies of VR display technology, particularly focusing on LCD vs OLED, subpixels, field of view (FOV), and pixels per degree (PPD). Here's a summary of my findings:

• LCD vs OLED Displays in VR:

  • LCD (RGB Stripe) displays have three subpixels per pixel (red, green, blue), resulting in sharper images and less screen-door effect.

  • OLED (PenTile) displays typically have two subpixels per pixel, offering deeper blacks and more vivid colors but potentially less sharpness.

• Subpixel Count and Image Clarity:

  • Subpixel count is more indicative of image sharpness than resolution alone. For example, a headset with an LCD RGB display will have more subpixels and potentially sharper images than an OLED PenTile display at the same resolution.

• Field of View (FOV):

  • FOV varies based on individual headsets and user's head shape, affecting how wide the virtual environment appears.

  • Horizontal FOV is more critical than vertical or diagonal as humans are more sensitive to changes on the horizontal plane.

• Pixels Per Degree (PPD):

  • PPD is calculated as horizontal pixels divided by horizontal FOV.

  • It's a crucial metric for understanding how dense the pixel placement is within a headset's FOV, affecting image sharpness.

• Comparing VR Headsets:

  • When evaluating VR headsets, consider not just the resolution but also the type of display, subpixel count, and PPD.

  • This approach offers a more comprehensive understanding of the headset's visual performance.

• Challenges in Comparing Headsets:

  • Many factors influence the visual experience, including god rays, glare, foveated rendering, and the required GPU/CPU power.

• Personal Testing and Research:

  • Through-the-lens photos and personal testing with different headsets can provide practical insights into these specifications.

This exploration reveals that VR headset displays are complex, and multiple factors contribute to the overall visual experience. Feel free to check out my post for more details on any of these points!