The issue with the Pico4 mask

[chiliwili69]

Yes, the Pico4 is a great device in many senses. But IMHO it fails in one fundamental thing: The design of the mask.

I thought the fault was me and my face shape, but hey!  The Index (and also G2) were fitting very well to my face shape. So, I am not problem.

 

I have been comparing the Index and the Pico4 one infront of the other.

 

Here just lenses size comparison, (yes, the pico4 lenses at so great!):

 

 

Here the same but with the masks:

 

 

The Pico4 mask is not as soft as the Index, but that´s not the problem.

The problem is that the Pico4 is basically resting in your face using only the upper side of the mask, there is little pressure or contact in the sides and in the bottom part.

I suposse the sides has been designed to allow glasses, so they left some more space.

And the bottom width of the mask is smaller and with little contact to the cheeks.

 

I like to do scuba/snorkel, here a picture to compare them:

 

A good scube mask is carefully designed to perfectly fit in the face, so no air/water leaks.

When I put my scuba mask or my Index mask, they perfectly fit with my face, I feel that pressure along all my face. Well and equally distributed in the upper, bottom and sides of the mask. 

 

In the Pico4, this doesn´t happen. I would say 80% of the contact (pressure) is based on the upper side. And this after 1-2 hours you notice it.

 

I don´t know if Pico could release other types of mask or other companies like VRCover could make better designs.

 

[dburne]

Face shapes can be very different - of all the VR headsets I have had I found the Index to be the most uncomfortable by far. Thing is one will not know until they try. If it is fairly common to be uncomfortable I am sure third parties will eventually offer custom masks.

Edited October 28, 2022 by dburne

[chiliwili69]

29 minutes ago, dburne said:

Thing is one will not know until they try.

Yes, indeed. Not only confort but many other details are also very personal. That´s why the best solution is try it and sell the loser.

 

I have been taking more pictures about the curvature of the mask.

 

Here you can see that the Index cover better the laterals with an smaller radius:

 

 

 

Ergonomy is a very important science as well. VR is not only about optics, electronics and software.

 

I hope more people would have the same issue than me. 

 

Hopefully the future Deckard face mask, comming from Valve, should not be very different to the Index....

 

[dburne]

IIRC that steeper curve of the Index mask as seen in your last photo there was the reason mine was so uncomfortable for me.

[chiliwili69]

I put this post in reddit, so more people with the same issue can contribute:

 

 

Also, I wrote to VRcover and they said more people reported too and they are already looking a developing a number of things for Pico4. Great!

 

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

It's great that they develop alternative masks. I prefer leather masks which I can swipe off.

 

I like the design of the Pico mask. I don't like tissue though, neither hwre nor any other headset. I want my leather! Have some soft light bleed from the temples as long as the headset is in, but on the upside no foggy lenses at all. 

 

It's by far the most comfortable headset on the market to me, beats the Index as well - for me - as dburne said, it's due to face shape, and the perfectly balances weight. It would be great if it had leather. Yes.

Edited October 28, 2022 by SCG_Fenris_Wolf

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

Silicone cover for Quest 2 from vrcover solves the light leakage/mask problem of thinner heads

 

$9,- guys

 

@chiliwili69

Edited October 28, 2022 by SCG_Fenris_Wolf

[chiliwili69]

10 hours ago, SCG_Fenris_Wolf said:

Silicone cover for Quest 2 from vrcover solves the light leakage/mask problem of thinner heads

 

Thanks Fenris for the tip, from where did you get this info?

 

Anyway, my problem is not the light leakage, in fact I have not light leak.

My problem is that the device is resting 80-90% of the total pressure just in the upper part. And because of that, the laterals and the bottom part (cheeks) don´t contribute to keep the device firmly fixed to my head.

 

I could get the silicone cover from Quest2 and then put some foam inside as I desire to get the required pressure from the sides and bottom, but the problem is that I really don´t like silicone in contact with my skin. I doesn´t breath. So, meanwhile I will need to find some alternatives that I can do myself.

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

10 hours ago, chiliwili69 said:

 

Thanks Fenris for the tip, from where did you get this info?

 

Sebastian Ang / MRTV, then tried mine, it works. Maybe try to rearrange the fitting for your case, mine sits evenly. You can rotate it downwards, loosen or tighten the strap.

 

Your problem should be solvable by the fact alone that you can rotate the headset up and down at the front, rotate it down further to then have it on your cheeks as well. I don't really understand what the issue is.. for me the lateral and bottom parts sit evenly ^-^

 

Or maybe check VRcover for the coming leather solutions, if you don't like silicone...

Edited October 29, 2022 by SCG_Fenris_Wolf

[chiliwili69]

On 10/29/2022 at 9:21 PM, SCG_Fenris_Wolf said:

Or maybe check VRcover for the coming leather solutions, if you don't like silicone...

 

I have ordered this cotton one from VRcover:

https://eu.vrcover.com/collections/all/products/vr-cover-for-oculus™-quest-2

 

Let´s see how can I use it for the Pico4, with some extra foams I had from previous headsets...

[102nd-YU-cmirko]

https://eu.vrcover.com/products/facial-interface-foam-replacement-basic-set-for-oculus™-quest-2?variant=36808786051221

 

I had this upper set and made some DIY tape masking so I can see my joysticks (and have tea while in 3d space :)) 

[chiliwili69]

It seems that I am not the only one with the mask problem:

 

 

[102nd-YU-cmirko]

I really don't need a battery pack for it, charger is 20W fast and charging updates in pauses of flights makes it last enough for an evening of gameplay. I ordered prescription lenses from vr optician and will wait for vrcover or somebody to produce a replacement gasket, the current face mask is much too hard for my face ?‍♂️

 

Edited November 2, 2022 by 102nd-YU-cmirko

[Crocogator]

apparently the face gasket was made for east asian faces, whereas index has the opposite problem. a universal design like quest actually suits nobody very well.

[chiliwili69]

This could be interesting for Pico4 owners...

 

 

[dburne]

Wow a Kickstarter for a face cushion.

[102nd-YU-cmirko]

https://www.printables.com/model/316629-pico-4-increased-fov-face-gasket

 

this slightly increases FOV and it's easy to setup and print on https://www.treatstock.co.uk/ or a similar website..., I'm using a 12mm leather cushion attached to the gasket with velcro and it's perfectly aligned and comfortable (on my face™️) ^^

 

[chiliwili69]

more options for Pico4 mask: