This moment, what is the best VR headset to use with Steam games?

[joeburr]

I have had my eye on the new Quest 3 to buy for my wife for Christmas but I have seen a couple comments saying it doesn't work well with all games in Steam. So thought I'd ask people in the know. I've never used VR in any capacity up til now. Thank you for any suggestions.

[Kage Goomba]

Valves set would be my pick - won't force you to use facebook/meta to do anything and frankly after watching its use in real life - just better imho - but I'd still not invest in one hoenstly.

I prefer hardware that has no strings attached - your already using steam so no real change there.

[Boblin the Goblin]

As far as quality wise, I've heard the Index is great but very pricey. It also has the downside of needing to be wired to a computer. But, this also allows for the games and such to be better.

For a budget one, the Quest 2 I've heard is great. You get wireless use but the downside is the limited software availability along with it being tied to your Facebook account. Meaning, if your account gets banned, you can't use the device unless you make a new account. Which means you have to purchase stuff again.

[Kage Goomba]

Publicado originalmente por SlowMango:

As far as quality wise, I've heard the Index is great but very pricey. It also has the downside of needing to be wired to a computer. But, this also allows for the games and such to be better.

For a budget one, the Quest 2 I've heard is great. You get wireless use but the downside is the limited software availability along with it being tied to your Facebook account. Meaning, if your account gets banned, you can't use the device unless you make a new account. Which means you have to purchase stuff again.

Wireing bit can be mitigated easily - and its quite adaptable <the index>

Pricey yes - but worth the investment - IF I was to double down on VR - Id go index for sure.

[joeburr]

Thanks everybody. I appreciate your input. Valve Index it is. Kind of pricey. I'm guessing I need the entire VR kit to run any games in VR. That's $999. I mean, I can't get by bare bones with any less correct?

[Kage Goomba]

Publicado originalmente por joeburr:

Thanks everybody. I appreciate your input. Valve Index it is. Kind of pricey. I'm guessing I need the entire VR kit to run any games in VR. That's $999. I mean, I can't get by bare bones with any less correct?

There's a number of considerations when investing in a VR system.

Also your budget may balloon.

1: You get what you pay for - cheap is cheap - spendy tends to inferr quality. Not unlike a new PC Build. TREAT YOUR HARDWARE WITH CARE!

2: There are "levels" (not sure how else to describe this) of VR - the head set alone is just a glorified display - but if you want enhance controls and such - you'll need the head tracking IR accessories.

3: Eyesight - often overlooked - many end up getting custom lenses - others find it horrible to wear glasses while using it. This gets expensive!

4: Cooling - yet an another little surprise - they get toasty - may need to mitigate.

5: Hardware - your PC may not be up to spec - be prepared to adjust.

6: Last but not least - don't ever assume or presume the games you want to play will work out of the box.

This last part is key.
There is an insane level of VR Snobbery - the VR community is a MINORITY - they are very small group of people in population - this means while demand may sound high - it isn't as high as you think.

So keep your expectations in check in terms of what can be done and what isn't doable - It's a very new world and takes a great deal of adapting - so if your going to do this - be ready to adjust and be flexible - there many alternative solutions to many problems VR users encounter - just don't start becoming a self entitled user when you get there.

Better off helping solve the problem then joining the tiny angry crowd. - yep I'm bitter - just throwing it out there to stave off the future embarrassment when you get there.

In the end - treat this as a journey and a learning experience - it will be challenging and it won't be straight forward - but you just might find yourself enjoying the trip overall.

Hopefully you will use it frequently and it won't collect dust when you get it up and running. :)

*yep I researched this quite a bit - which is why I'm on the fence even now*

[joeburr]

Thank you Kage and everyone else for your input. I think I'll be going with the Valve.

[Chika Ogiue]

Publicado originalmente por SlowMango:

For a budget one, the Quest 2 I've heard is great.

They're onto Quest 3 now, but it will likely suffer the same problem as Q1 and Q2. That is, controller support for anything on Steam is terrible. Cost aside, I'd go with any headset where controller support is decent in a range of games. Sadly, Quest just never got it.

Yes, it's great playing HL Alyx wirelessly (when/if your Wi-fi can handle the strain) but it's not so great having to keep thumbsticks pressed in just to get their directional input recognised.

But honestly, having used several headsets, unless there's a specific game you want to play in VR, I wouldn't even bother. It's pricey, and there's little available to justify that price.

[Kage Goomba]

Publicado originalmente por Chika Ogiue:

Publicado originalmente por SlowMango:

For a budget one, the Quest 2 I've heard is great.

They're onto Quest 3 now, but it will likely suffer the same problem as Q1 and Q2. That is, controller support for anything on Steam is terrible. Cost aside, I'd go with any headset where controller support is decent in a range of games. Sadly, Quest just never got it.

Yes, it's great playing HL Alyx wirelessly (when/if your Wi-fi can handle the strain) but it's not so great having to keep thumbsticks pressed in just to get their directional input recognised.

But honestly, having used several headsets, unless there's a specific game you want to play in VR, I wouldn't even bother. It's pricey, and there's little available to justify that price.

So much truth.

I'd only see maybe 2-3 games that are worth the effort - and only one of those is AAA rated (imho)

The market is just not that big to me.

HL Alyx , Elite Dangerous (partial as support wasn't given to Odessy), Room VR (tiny game really)

The list gets dismal from there.

Its still very much a novelty - but one that would cost me easily 2000 USD by the time its properly setup.

Not to mention you need space to set it up - and I'm worried it will be neglected and not used.
Takes a bit to set it up and get going - at least with my Switch and my Steam Deck (soon) - I can just pick it up and go.

Not bashing on the VR option for the OP - its an investment - so be prepared to go all in on it basically. I backed out as the cost was just too high for me.

Doesn't mean it sucks - its just not ready.....for me.