Best upgrade from HP G2 v2?

[CybrSlydr]

The Reverb G2 has been a great entry into VR.  I got it for a great price about a year ago and it doesn't need towers.  

But, I think it's time to consider getting something better.

Varjo brought down the Aero to $1k, Bigscreen has their mini-OLED for $1k, Pimax now has the Crystal...  There are quite a few choices, so I figured I'd ask you folks what would be the best in DCS.  

DCS is the only thing I do with VR, so I don't need controlers or anything.  I much prefer not needing base stations, but I understand it's something I might just have to accept at this point.

My #1 priority is visual quality.  The G2 is sharp, but colors are bad, especially when I have an OLED for a PC monitor.  FOV is #2 - I wouldn't want to get anything that's smaller in FOV from my G2.  I'd prefer to stay away from Pimax, since they're Chinese (don't talk to me about my Winwing controllers... lol), so I'm already hesitant about Pimax.

I have a 13900k, 4080 16GB, and 32GB RAM, so I've got plenty of machine for VR, especially after 2.9.

Thank you for your consideration. 

[nachomaga]

I'm in the same boat (G2 V1 here), so I will follow this thread.

Varjo is really tempting, but from what I read, vertical FOV is smaller than Reverb G2 and I think is important.

I have no problem with Pimax is from china, everything nowadays is made in china. Perhaps you are talking about customer support. Anyway, my problem with Pimax is the weight and size. I have Pimax 8K to replace my G2. But is collecting dust right now. Didn't get performance that I get used in the G2 (even with OpenXR and a lot of tweaks and testing) and for long flight sessions feels heavy and bulky. Crystal it seems has almost the same weight.

At the end I suppose I have to wait.

[evanswillo]

Currently I also have a G2, but I am also intending to upgrade v soon. I am keeping a very close eye on Somnium VR1 developments. Check out Somnium Discord for blog updates. Really depends on your Price Point and how long you are prepared to wait.

Edited November 3, 2023 by evanswillo

[CybrSlydr]

I'm personally leaning towards the Bigscreen.  Small, light, micro-OLED, and a "competitive" price-point.  However, I'm also of the opinion that waiting for their V2 with more features like eye tracking and the like might be a better idea, though that'll be years and years from now.

[Twwhitey]

Same situation and setup for me as well… I’ve had the G2 since it was released and feel like I’m ready for an upgrade.  Was intrigued by the Bigscreen option initially but based on all commentary sounds like Dynamic Foveated Rendering is a perf game changer so eye tracking in a next headset is a must.  Leaning hard in the direction of the Aero despite the fact is I really despise the wiring a few base stations bring to the office/VR setup but it is what it is.  I do have to admit it just seems like the Aero is a premium device that has by now had a few years now of real refinement in the Varjo Base software which is huge plus.  I’d LOVE to go with the Pimax Crystal with the inside-out tracking (no base stations) but the whole battery thing, the clunky/bulky form factor and the Pimax reputation put me off…

im also intrigued by the Somnium device and follow the news there but sounds like we’re months off from a release and you’ll likely have to deal with months of software & system refinement for such a new offering (not too mention it also require base stations so I’m not sure what the big upside would be in waiting).

I will say I recently sucked it up and made the switch to the 60Mhz refresh rate in the G2 which wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought - I have zero issues with it at this point and maintaining 60fps with a 13900k/4090 (with no DLSS and no motion smoothing) is WAY easier so I’ve actually been able to crank up some options visually and render resolution which has honestly breathed some life back into the G2 for me…. But the 50% off Aero does beckon..

[Nedum]

Hi,

 

my previous Headset was the HP-G2. I switched to the Pimax Crystal because of 4 major important points.

1. Resolution, the resolution should be at last as good/high as the one from the G2

2. Lenses with a sharpness of most of the view field

3. Colors and black

4. Eye tracking

The only current headset that could fix all of those points, is the Pimax Crystal

The only competitor, the Bigscreen, has no eye tracking, so a No-No for me.

 

If you can wait, wait for the Somnium VR1. It's sound s like the best VR headset each user can take the best from.

https://somniumspace.com/

 

 

[Tusk.V]

14 minutes ago, Nedum said:

Hi,

 

my previous Headset was the HP-G2. I switched to the Pimax Crystal because of 4 major important points.

1. Resolution, the resolution should be at last as good/high as the one from the G2

2. Lenses with a sharpness of most of the view field

3. Colors and black

4. Eye tracking

The only current headset that could fix all of those points, is the Pimax Crystal

The only competitor, the Bigscreen, has no eye tracking, so a No-No for me.

 

If you can wait, wait for the Somnium VR1. It's sound s like the best VR headset each user can take the best from.

https://somniumspace.com/

 

 

Crystal is the way to go, especially with 72hz right around the corner.