The Valve Index remains a worthwhile investment.
The Valve Index remains a worthwhile investment.
Hey! I have been wanting to buy a VR headset for 2-3 years now, Valve Index being the best candidate because of the controllers and 144Hz and compatibility with Steam out of the box (I do own some VR games already). I recently had opportunity to try out the Oculus quest 2 and it seems much more user friendly - no PC required, no cable, 2 minutes setup, half the price. It is not perfect but for trying out the VR experience its amazing. So what do you guys think about the Index? Is it still worth buying? The display is not the best, the cable sounds very annoying and the price is still high in my opinion. If it only got -10% sale or a wireless module I would buy it, but Valve does seem to do well without any discounts on it anyway. How much better experience is the Index / htc vive VR compared to standalone VR headset?
The Quest has its downsides. You’ll need a Facebook account and support from Facebook. The Index also has drawbacks—it’s been around for over two years and costs a lot. Both headsets are solid in VR, each with advantages and disadvantages. If you’re unsure about your VR plans, the Quest is a better choice thanks to its low cost and wireless options. The Index offers stylish controllers and feels more premium, but it requires a more complex configuration. Keep in mind that a new Quest Pro is on the way. Personally, I own an Index and have used it since launch; it works well for me. Valve has already updated it with a base station, so I didn’t face any issues. Still, based on what I know now, I might have chosen a Quest 2 to save money.
There aren't many other concerns besides the price. I've heard they offer solid support and even provide replacements when needed. They've also improved the headset over time, making parts like the cable holder more durable. Since I have some funds in my Steam wallet, the cost shouldn't be a major hurdle. It looks like Valve is developing its own standalone headphones with competitive pricing, which could become a strong rival to their current quest line. However, official details might still be months or years away.