Talking VR - a VR guide for the new Millenium
In 1956, cinematographer Morton Heilig created Sensorama, arguably the earliest known example of an immersive, multi-sensory virtual reality headset. Heilig's spectacles combined full-color 3D video, audio, vibrations, smell, and atmospheric wind effects. The user would sit in an imaginary motorcycle while experiencing the streets of New York through the screen. An idea known at the time as "Experience Theater," Heilig first introduced it in his 1954 paper "The Cinema of the Future."
At the time of its conception, many science fiction books and films had already imagined characters being "trapped in virtual reality" or entering virtual reality. The earliest records include Manning's novel "The Man Who Awoke," which described a dystopian future and people being put in suspended animation during its "15,000 AD" chapter.
Consumer virtual reality headsets were first introduced by the video game industry in the early to mid-1990s and for space training by NASA in the late 1980s. However, they were not manufactured successfully, mostly due to a lack of technological knowledge. Until now, the idea of a virtual reality headset becoming widely available to the general public was a theme reserved for works of science fiction.
Following its decade-long hiatus at the start of the new millennium, a next-generation wave of virtual reality, led by tech leader Luckey Oculus, was quite literally kickstarted in the early 2010s with the funding campaign of the Oculus Rift headset, which raised a modest $2.4 million at the time. The company would later be acquired two years later by Facebook for a whopping $2 billion, and by 2016, over a hundred companies were developing VR products, including video games, headsets, controllers, treadmills, and haptic devices.
This guide will cover the equipment of virtual reality devices, what to avoid, and provide you with the best possible deals and experiences based on your budget.
The Google Cardboard, released in 2014,
was Google's attempt to stimulate the adoption of VR.
It was an inexpensive way to turn any compatible smartphone
into a "virtual reality viewer" - for a lack of better words.
The device would set you back a modest 30$ at release.
Treadmills to Consider
My advice is to never invest money that you can't afford to lose - and with rising prices due to increasing demand, treadmills are not ready to lose their value anytime soon.
Virtuix Omni One:
Backed by Mark Cuban and other notable investors, the Omni is an
omnidirectional treadmill that allows players to walk and run in 360
degrees inside video games and other virtual worlds. Enthusiasts can
enjoy monthly payment plans starting at $65 per month or make a $2,295
upfront purchase. This flexible payment plan makes all the difference in
accessibility. However, it is nearly a thousand dollars more expensive
than its competitor, Kat Walk.
The Omni is a compact, well-built
treadmill with foldability, allowing it to be easily stored in a closet.
Users have found the vest to be less comfortable compared to the Kat
Walk C's belt system, which means that full locomotion may be somewhat
more restricted. The build quality is apparent, and the treadmill is
expected to have a long lifespan in your living room.
Virtuix Omni One seems to be the market's standard,
as well as the choice of most consumers
as well as the choice of most consumers
KAT Walk mini S:
Feel the trembles under your feet when shooting, experience realistic earthquakes, falls, explosions, and any other events designed to trigger controller vibrations! This headset is currently marketed for 'professional' use and is not available for regular consumer purchase. It is the premium home-friendly VR treadmill with a built-in haptic module. It's notably built with consideration for space efficiency without sacrificing any of the features of its predecessor, but rather improving on them. We cannot comment on its durability as of now.
KAT Walk C:
"KAT Walk C is a personal VR Gaming Omni-Directional Treadmill - A KAT VR’s new generation solution that allows for 360 degrees of human motion, creating infinite movement area in VR on minimum physical space in reality."This is the direct competitor to the Omni One by Virtuix. It is the best
value for your money at a mere $1,330 upfront payment.
It uses a less
invasive belt than the Omni One and is smaller than the Mini S, with
fewer features. Users found it more comfortable than the Omni One, but
the lack of a monthly payment plan on this 'budget' treadmill might be a
deal-breaker for most. Users found it quite wobbly compared to its
direct competitor but overall preferred its noninvasive locomotion.
for adequate locomotion.
Headsets to Consider
Oculus Quest 2:
HTC Vive Pro 2:
The entry premium choice, with upgradeable components.
Valve Index:
PSVR:
