Some say that 2016 is the year of Virtual Reality. In fact, HTC Vive and Oculus Rift were released early this year and PlayStation VR in October 2016. These provide premium VR experiences. You can move and make an action in VR world as you do in reality. To make things possible, they need external cameras and special controller. Thus, they all cost a lot.
On the other hand, a mobile VR is the better option to start. A mobile VR headset uses a smartphone as a display by placing the smartphone in front. Smartphone’s sensors replicate your head movement so you can have a 360-degree view. You can’t move around in VR world like HTC, Oculus, PSVR, and none of mobile VR provides this type of motion tracking. But, it may not be necessary to experience VR. And headsets are relatively cheap ranging from $10 to $120. And if you already have a smartphone, a headset is the only device you to start.
At the time of writing this post, Gear VR is the best among mobile VR headsets. It has a built-in sensor that tracks your head movement, which is connected and processed to a smartphone via USB port. This sensor is more accurate with lower latency than smartphone sensor. But, Gear VR is compatible with Samsung flagship phones. So, what option do owners of iPhones and other smartphones have?
Here are virtual reality headsets with positive reviews. If your smartphones are VR compatible devices, you can enjoy many Google Cardboard apps with them.
OCT17 VR 2.0 2nd Gen Virtual Reality 3D Glasses Goggle Headset
- Very inexpensive
- Individually adjustable lenses, front and back, left and right
- Fits 4.7 to 6 inch display mobile devices
- Holding a device on a sliding tray
- Holes on the side for a headphone or USB cable
- No magnetic button
Many headsets have a focus wheel to adjust lenses, but this headset can do that individually. Plus, you can also change a distance between the lenses. Price is very inexpensive, not much different from a price of Cardboard. If you just want to try out VR, spend extra $10 (or less) and get this headset over Cardboard.
DESTEK V3 Virtual Reality VR Headset with Magnetic Trigger, NFC
- Magnetic button
- NFC Tag
- 103 degree FOV
- Individually adjustable lenses, front and back, left and right
- Lightweight 276g = 9.73oz
- Fit 4 to 6 inch display mobile devices
- Special frame (included) for iPhone 5/S/C/SE
- Holes on the side for audio jack and USB cable
- Holes on the front for camera exposure
- Adjustable cradles for larger size devices
- Change to Thinner Sponge pad (included) for thicker devices or ones with a sturdy phone case
3rd version of DESTEK headset solved all problems of the previous version such as a narrow FOV and compatibility issues due to a location of power/volume buttons. And many features are added. According to a manufacturer, fully adjustable lenses allow you to use the headset without eyeglasses if a degree of myopia is within 600. A built-in magnetic button and NFC tag are enough reasons for you to choose DESTEK V3 over other simple and overpriced headsets.
Conclusion
I’ve tested some other headsets, but can’t recommend them. For example, Zeiss is simply not worth the price, neither is Homido. Except for Gear VR which is sensors to track your head’s movement, any mobile VR headsets are not worth around $100. Merge VR is around $80 and may be good because of comfort. But it also needs some improvements. So, for a budget (under $30), OCT17 VR 2.0 is recommended. With the fully adjustable lenses for this price, there is nothing to complain. If you want more immersive experience, choose DESTEK V3 as a mid range (around $50). Its has much wider FOV. Any size devices, even with a case would fit. For a premium (around $100), I can’t find anything worth their prices for now.