HTC Vive Cosmos Review
HTC Vive Cosmos: Quick Overview
- Lighthouse tracking - base station 1.0 provides up to 160 sq. Feet of play space for those that demand the best in Vive VR gaming..Memory: 4 GB RAM or more. Operating system: Windows 10, Windows 11. Screen: Dual 3.4" diagonal. Connections: Micro-USB charging port
- Crystal-clear graphics - see the virtual world through a 2880 x 1700 combined Pixel resolution. All-new LCD panels reduce the distance between Pixels, minimizing the screen-door effect.
- Flip-up design - go easily between reality and virtual reality with the flip-up design, without disrupting your VR journey.
- Vive port - Get the most out of VR with Infinity. Enjoy unlimited access to hundreds of VR games, apps, and videos.
- Vive reality system - Vive reality system lets you navigate seamlessly between virtual experiences. Discover new content, launch titles from your library, play a video, or browse the web.
VR has progressed from a theoretical experience to reality, literally. It seems like every week there’s a new VR headset on the market. HTC Vive helped create VR as we know it today. It was also the first mainstream consumer headset to ship with motion controllers.
VR gaming has in the recent past experienced stiff competition amongst the big players. All the new VR headsets are geared to improving the VR experience, with HTC Vive Cosmos playing catch up in an already crowded field. Vive Cosmos comes in with few developments over its predecessor, the original Vive. The high-end, PC-powered VR headset offers a more open hardware design and a high quality screen.
Features: 4.5/5
Controls: 5/5
Resolution: 5/5
Price: 4/5
What We Like
- Sharp and clear display
- Large gaming library
- Works without external sensors
- Comfortable controllers
- Easy to use motion controls
What We Don’t Like
- Uses cables
- To use you need a Display-Port 1.2 port
- It’s expensive
Compared to the original Vive, Vive Cosmos has a combined resolution of 2880 X 1700 (split between each eye). Graphics and text are pretty clear. LCD panels minimize the distance between the pixels. When paired with real RGB displays, they reduce screen-door effects. The field of view is still around 110 degrees, which is the standard for other VR headsets.
It does not require external tracking beacons but uses cameras. The overall rating of Vive Cosmos is positive with its new motion controllers, which is a major improvement from the previous Vive. The built-in tracking offers six degrees of freedom to let you move in all directions. Unconstrained VR experience allows you to focus on being immersed in the videos or games.
Built to fit almost any head size, adjusting the earpieces, rear dial and head strap are all pretty straightforward. The headset is lightweight and well balanced. In case you are looking for an amazing experience in VR, then this is the best option.
The built-in headphones, six cameras, and the head strap makes it look just like the modern VRs. Its faceplate is removable for installation of mods for a further amazing experience. To take a break during use, you can flip the Cosmos up just like most Windows MR Headsets.
Who is this Product for?
Gaming enthusiasts finally have relief from the challenges brought along by ‘Nintendo like’ products. Vive Cosmos boasts plenty of content options, both gaming and more experiential titles. You can either buy titles individually or opt for a Viveport Infinity subscription. The subscription gives you access to 100s of top-rated VR videos, games and apps.
Its features and hardware form its basis for sales across the VR market. Furthermore, it has some similarities to the business-focused Vive Pro. Despite the efforts to create a splendid VR kit, HTC has failed in the interface set up . In case that’s not an issue for you, then HTC will be the option to consider.
What’s included?
Vive Cosmos is a complete set of VR Headset. Inside the packaging, there are the Cosmos controllers which may be bulkier than the Oculus Touch. They require AA batteries each for them to run. Their design is crafted to include buttons and bumpers. Finally, it’s the VR headset itself. The headset design is quite attractive but for comfort when wearing for long hours, it can be uncomfortable.
Overview of Features
The Vive Cosmos headset is colorful with a dark-blue and black aesthetics. There are 6 cameras; 4 mounted on the sides of the headset and 2 on the front of the headset. Upgrading to 1700 X 1440 display resolution, Vive Cosmos outdoes Oculus Quest and HTC Vive Pro 1600 X 2160 pixels.
The motion controllers are another major boost to the VR Headset. It’s now in competition with Oculus in terms of controls having brought in a completely new set of controls. Compared to the initial Vive controls, the controllers are curved triggers in rounded grips, which are easily controllable by the index and middle fingers. They feel comfy in the hands and less rigid. The plastic ring around the controllers’ buttons feature translucent bands on the edges and middle that glow on turning on the controllers.
Vive Cosmos supports the head tracking feature that eliminates the need for base stations or sensors. Using the 6 cameras positioned on the VR headset, you can monitor the surroundings. Oculus was the only VR that had the aspect, and this’ is a great move for HTC. However, Vive Cosmos faces challenges in setting up the camera with frequent errors on a dark environment. Update: HTC has released an update to dismiss the lighting error messages when using the headset.
Vive Cosmos relies on SteamVR on your PC, supporting the Viveport software. Viveport runs on its pop-up menu and lens to let you make the selection from your right controller. The interface is simple to use with tiles representing the scrollable software right from your analog stick on the controller. Although Viveport runs its own VR software store, using SteamVR, you can as well run SteamVR games on HTC Vive Cosmos.
Using cables is one drawback because the world is going wireless. The physical connection requires you to be aware of the cable position from your computer. The cable is stiff, therefore difficult to break and long enough to give free use of the VR Headset, although you can easily trip over it.
Alternative
- Top VR gaming library: Blast, slash and soar your way through the top library in VR gaming. Oculus Rift S lets you play hundreds of games and exclusives already available in the Oculus store, with so much more to come.
- Improved optics: Stare down the competition with next-generation lenses and a sharper display. Improved optics deliver bright, vivid colors and reduced “screen-door” effect.
- Ergonomic design: Keep your head in the game thanks to a Halo headband redesigned with speed in mind. Rift S stays securely and comfortably in place with a quick twist of the fit wheel, so it can take-or double take-your fastest reactions.
- Oculus touch controllers: Arm yourself with our updated Oculus touch controllers. Your slashes, throws and grab appear in VR with intuitive, realistic precision, transporting your hands and gestures right into the game.
- Oculus insight tracking: take a step forward with Oculus insight. It translates your movements into VR No matter which way you're facing and provides room-scale tracking without external sensors.
Despite Vive Cosmos supporting advanced features, it doesn’t justify its $700 price. The Oculus Rift S costing $400 offers almost the same features as it does. Additionally, there’s the HP Reverb that has exceptional resolution priced at $600.
Considering the cable use, HTC Vive, the Rift S, and HP Reverb share the snag. Oculus Quest beats them with the complete untethered setup to experience epic Virtual Reality. The other headsets will have to upgrade to avoid becoming ineffectual.
Tutorial
We have gone further to help you learn and understand further on Vive Cosmos. Check out this video tutorial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7Ev-FP8Cqg).
Conclusion
HTC’s passion for tech innovation is the driving aspect for the sales. They are focused on frequently upgrading their devices to deliver to their users. Vive Cosmos’ new and improved controllers, easy setup, inside-out tracking, flip-up visor design and improved pixel display make it way better than the original Vive. If you have your heart set on VR and don’t mind dealing with cables, consider purchasing this headset.