the new HTC VR headsets

June 14, 2021

HTC Vive Pro 2 and Focus 3: the new VR headsets, one for gamers demanding virtual reality PCs, the other for businesses.

HTC Vive Pro 2 & Vive Focus 3 and for gamers or professionals

Pro Price $ 2,799 (launch June 2, 2021) | HTC Vive (Taiwan) | PCVR headphones (wired, Wi-Fi kit) | VR headsets comparison

The ViveCon conferences currently underway are an opportunity for HTC to present its new virtual reality headsets. A premium online presentation in English that can also be followed in your VR headset.

The presentation began with professional applications facilitated by virtual reality in the fields of energy, education, aerospace, automotive and healthcare.

Vive Pro 2 c features

HTC Vive Pro 2: the PCVR gaming headset

The Vive Pro 2 shows that HTC is once again leaning into the Steam VR ecosystem (as the Vive Cosmos was the company’s first PC R headset with its own inside-out tracking system).

HTC Vive Pro 2 comfort design

Features Vive Pro 2

  • 5K screen in 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye (4896 x 2448 pixels combined)

  • A native refresh rate of 120 Hz (limited to 90 Hz in wireless use)

  • Snapdragon XR2 processor

  • Impressive 120 ° FOV. The Field Of View is perfectly suited to the definition of the screen and among the widest on the market for complete immersion.

  • IPD manually adjustable from 57 to 77 mm, the inner shape of the foam makes it possible to wear glasses.

  • A dial on the back ensures a quick and personalized fit.

  • Spatialized sound with removable Hi-Res certified headphones and high impedance headphone support (via USB-C analog signal).

HTC Vive Pro 2 feature

A full range of high-end accessories

The Vive Pro 2 is compatible with the excellent accessories of the HTC range:

  • Cheers Facial tracker for tracking facial movements, which can also be used on the Quest 2. This allows you to give your facial expressions to your avatar in VR. Usable for social games or remote virtual meetings.

  • Sensors Long live tracker for a whole body tracking

  • Logitech VR Ink Pilot Edition, a real smart health connected pen for creating and drawing in virtual reality. Easy to use from the moment you type it in, it delivers control and precision, unleashing your creativity in virtual reality, on two-dimensional physical surfaces or in a three-dimensional room-scale space.It may also be possible to use the Wacom VR Pen.

  • Vive wireless adapter (but with the PC next to it and a good connection.

HTC Vive Pro 2 compatible PC

A good PCVR headset requires a gamer-oriented machine with the correct minimum characteristics:

  • Windows 10

  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 480 graphics card.

  • Intel i5-4590 or AMD Ryzen 1500 processor.

  • One USB 3.0 port.

See my selection of Compatible laptops for virtual reality.

HTC Vive Focus 3: professional autonomous headset

 

  • 5K screen in 4896 x 2448 pixels, with a refresh rate of 90 Hz.

  • Snapdragon XR2 processor

  • Impressive 120 ° FOV. The Field Of View is perfectly suited to the definition of the screen and among the largest on the market

  • IPD adjustable 57 to 77 mm.

  • The front and back foams are easy to remove for cleaning or changing. A dial on the back ensures a quick and personalized fit.

  • Integrated immersive audio system including 2 speakers in each branch of the headset.

  • In addition, the microphone is equipped with an ambient noise reduction system.

  • 4 integrated tracking cameras, as on the Quest.

  • Integrated ventilation system

As this is a stand-alone helmet, the battery is an important element. The latest generation processor ensures measured consumption. HTC had the good idea to add the display of the charge level on the headset.

Long live Business App Store

To support its new professional VR headsets, Vive is also launching its software and content store (including entertainment) and training. This could help appeal to businesses of all sizes.

For large companies, HTC has even set up a platform to manage your equipment fleet and user experience. As well as a solution to organize virtual reality training.

These offers are included free of charge for the first 6 months after activating the headset.

Launch date and price Vive Pro 2 and Focus 3

The ViveCon 2021 conference confirmed the very rapid arrival of its two new VR headsets

  • The Vive Pro 2 is marketed at $ 799 with two months free at Viveport Infinity and a $ 60 discount voucher. Or a purchase equivalent to 709 $.

Pre-orders are open and the headset will be available from June 3, 2021. The packaging includes the VIVE Pro 2 headset, the VIVE link box (2.0), and the DisplayPort and USB 3.0 cables

The price of Vive Focus 3 is set at $ 1,416 (it smacks of accounting conversion) and will be launched on June 24, 2021.

HTC Vive Pro 2 first review

HTC significantly improves its wired VR headset with a significant good in terms of graphics and processor, all in improving comfort and audio. The Pro 2 mainly benefits from very good accessories (whole body sensors, VR pen, facial tracking) which, however, raise the bill. Note that subscribing to the newsletter on the Vive.com site gives you a $ 60 reduction code from May 11 to 31, 2021. You also benefit from 2 months offered at Viveport Infinity (value of $ 30).

In reality, he positions himself in front of the HP Reverb G2 sold between 600 and 800 $ which is a little below characteristic level. For me the Vive Pro 2 has something to appeal to certain professionals such as VR arcades.

However, its price and its wired use with a good gaming PC limit it compared to the current benchmark of consumer VR headsets: theOculus Quest 2. For the Vive autonomous consumer headset, we will therefore have to wait a little longer to see the project. HTC Vive Air become reality.

VR headset comparison

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