For Black Friday, HP has just lowered the price of its HP Reverb G2 headset to only $299, a massive $300 price drop from its original $599 MSRP. That's now $100 cheaper than the base model Meta Quest 2 and is now the VR headset to get for the budget conscious. The HP Reverb G2 is also well known to be one of the best headsets you can get right now for sims like racing games and Microsoft Flight Simulator.
HP Reverb G2 VR Headset for $299
The HP Reverb G2 is a phenomenal VR headset for VR sims like racing games and Microsoft Flight Simulator because of its superior display. It's definitely a more recommended headset for that use than the Quest Pro, even when it was listed at a higher price. The Quest's biggest claim to fame is untethered, standalone play, and that's something no other VR headset can emulate. But if you don't care for the untethered aspect, the G2 is a headset that's superior to the Quest in many ways, and not just the price.
HP Reverb G2 Has the Better Display
There are several reasons why the HP Reverb G2 normally costs more than a Quest 2, but the display is probably the biggest. The G2 has two separate LCD panels, one for each eye, with a resolution of 2160x2160 pixels per panel. In contrast, the Quest 2 uses a single fast-switching LCD panel with a resolution of 1832×1920 per eye. That's about 30% more pixels in favor the G2. The HP Reverb G2 also features smooth, manual IPD adjustment from 60mm to 68mm. Because the Quest 2 uses a single LCD, there are only three fixed IPD adjustments (58mm, 63mm, and 68mm). If you're playing games that rely on visual fidelity more than intense arm movements, the G2 is the winner.
HP Reverb G2 Has the Better Headstrap
The G2 has a comfortable padded headband that does a good job of offsetting the weight from the front visor; it's nicely balanced and prevents neck strain. The Quest 2 on the other hand includes a simple headstrap out of the box that makes the visor very front heavy (especially since it also has a battery). You'll need to pony up $60 to get the Elite headstrap.
HP Reverb G2 Has the Better Audio
The G2 also wins on the audio front. Similar to the Valve Index, the G2 has a pair of headphones that rest a tiny distance away from your ears. That preserves your ambient hearing and prevents your headphones from getting soaked in your sweat. The Quest 2 has no headphones or earbuds out of the box. Instead it has a speaker in the visor that pumps out shrill, tinny audio. There's a headphone jack that I'd highly recommend you take advantage of (external headphones cost extra, of course).
Oculus Quest 2 Has the Better Tracking
Tracking fidelity is where the Quest 2 wins. The G2 uses WMR-based inside out tracking using a total of four cameras to follow your controller movement. The tracking is decent, but can't be compared with the Quest 2, which has outstanding tracking despite the fact that it also uses an inside-out system. The G2 tracking has improved when HP refreshed the hardware in 2021, but the Quest 2 still wins out in this respect. But if tracking sensitivity is paramount, like for Beat Saber, then the Quest 2 might be a better pick for you.
Looking for more discounts? Take a look at our guide to the best Black Friday deals.
from IGN All https://ift.tt/8NPhqTe
https://ift.tt/XumSnNK
Share your thoughts here.