Is HTC Vive worth it?
Is HTC Vive worth it?
I received the Rift DK1 through Kickstarter, but its performance was limited due to screen door effect and high latency. Still, it gave me some tolerance for the induced nausea. Later, when the price dropped and I got a GTX 1080, it felt great. I set up one of my rooms (about 30 square meters) for VR and really enjoyed it then. Over the past few years, with less content available, the novelty faded, and I haven’t used it more than a dozen times.
It remains an interesting piece of technology. Some games are surprisingly fun (like the archery game in the free lab collection from VALVe), and other experiences were very enjoyable (stereoscopic demos). However, I think these benefits don’t fully justify the cost according to others.
One scenario that stands out is if you plan to create content for VR. HTH.
As the owner of Vive + PSVR and a recent Rift user, I’d say the decision hinges on your goals. Room scale offers real value, but you’ll need ample space to use it effectively. The Vive beacons mounted on tripods make it somewhat portable, though it’s not ideal for large setups. Rift seems simpler with cameras, but achieving true room scale will increase cost and complexity.
If you can invest, the experience feels distinct from a typical monitor setup. Even with limited software, there are many free or discounted experiences. Some are great for one-time use, while others can be revisited over time. It makes me think about Beat Saber—still a fun VR demo, though not the best representation of what VR can achieve.