The best virtual reality experience starts with the right headset. While software solutions and tracking technology make a huge difference to the overall immersion, you can’t do anything without a great headset.
Fortunately, the number of options on the market is growing at an incredible rate, giving enterprise teams, individuals, and professionals more variety.
In the XR environment, HTC VIVE and Varjo are two of the better-known companies, popular for their cutting-edge technology. The HTC VIVE Pro is the state-of-the-art headset built to follow in the footsteps of HTC VIVE’s initial flagship product.
Alternatively, the Vargo VR-3 is among the most recent creations from the leading Varjo team, offering an affordable but comprehensive experience for virtual reality beginners.
Today, we’re going to take a closer look at the functionality of both the HTC VIVE Pro and the Varjo VR-3 to help you decide which one you need.
HTC VIVE Pro Features
The HTC VIVE Pro is a high-resolution headset for virtual reality in the modern world. Built to deliver incredible immersive experiences, with access to SteamVR base stations, the VIVE Pro gives teams and indivduals access to a new world of possibilities.
With advanced capabilities like 3D spatial audio, and optimised ergonomics for long-wear comfort, the VIVE Pro is one of the most popular choices in VR technology today.
Features include:
- AMOLED screens with 2880 x 1600 resolution
- Ergonomic design with adjustable IPD
- Optimal centre of gravity
- Adjustable head strap with padded foam
- Up to 10 x 10m of tracking space
- Steam VR base station 2.0
- High-res 3D spatial audio
- Intel WiGig power performance
- 360-degree controller and headset tracking
- Wireless freedom
- Chaperone technology
- Removable headphones
- 24% increase in head area to reduce strain
- Sub-millimeter precise tracking
- 90 Hz refresh rate
- 110-degree viewing angle
Varjo VR-3 Features
Another example of a high-performance headset in the VR landscape, the Varjo VR-3 was built specifically for the enterprise environment.
Marketed alongside an XR alternative for mixed reality, the VR-3 is brimming with functionality designed to take team collaboration and productivity to the next level.
This amazing headset promises the industry’s highest resolution, as well as the highest possible field of view, for deeper immersion.
With Varjo VR-3, you get a headset capable of going beyond the basics you’d usually expect from headsets intended for the consumer market. There’s access to things like Ultraleap V5 tracking for capturing your motion accurately, and 200Hz eye tracking too.
Just some of the impressive features of the Varjo VR-3 include:
- Fantastic 115-degree field of view
- 70 PPD resolution
- Comfortable ergonomic design
- Accurate 200Hz eye tracking
- Ultraleap hand tracking
- Broad 3D software compatibility
- 90Hz frame rate
- 2880 x 2720 pixels per eye
- IPD adjustable range
- Excellent set of 2 LCD screens
- 6 DoF inside-out
- 99% colour accuracy
- Full-frame bionic display
- Lightweight materials throughout
- 3 point precision fit headband
The Varjo VR-3 headset is an incredible piece of technology, clearly intended for companies ready to take virtual reality a little more seriously.
The incredible clarity of the images within this headset mean you can access a new level of immersion with your teams. You’ll even have the world’s fastest and most accurate integrated eye-tracking system, to help your team members stay in the moment.
HTC VIVE Pro vs Varjo VR-3: Which is best
There are a number of overlapping features worth mentioning when evaluating the Varjo VR-3 and the HTC VIVE Pro.
For instance, both of these solutions are compatible with a wide range of software solutions, so you can access the applications you need to enable collaboration and productivity. Both tools are also intended to give you the best possible level of comfort.
IPD management and adjustment options are present in both headsets, so users can create the experience they’re most comfortable with.
However, when you really get into it, the differences between the HTC VIVE Pro and Varjo VR-3 are too significant to overlook.
While the HTC VIVE Pro is an impressive update from the previous technology, it can’t compete with the Varjo VR-3 in terms of professional performance.
Though both headsets have a 90 Hz refresh rate, the Varjo offers the world’s highest resolution at the wildest field of view.
At the same time, the Varjo gives you integrated hand-tracking and eye-tracking functionality, whereas you only get SteamVR tracking with the HTC VIVE Pro. This isn’t to say the VIVE Pro doesn’t have its value.
The VR headset is wonderfully easy-to-use, comfortable, and brimming with features which make it an excellent entry point for a lot of companies making their first steps into the VR world.
If you’re looking for something affordable but still feature-rich enough to give you more of a professional experience than you’d get from other base-level headsets, the VIVE Pro is definitely a good pick.
However you will need to consider upgrading to the Varjo VR-3 if you want industry-leading experiences for your teams.
Choosing Your VR Headset
Both the VR headsets from Varjo and HTC VIVE are an excellent insight into how virtual reality technology is growing increasingly accessible in the enterprise environment.
With the HTC VIVE Pro, companies can access an updated version of the original HTC VIVE technology, sure to impress in a range of situations.
The VIVE Pro is easy to use, ergonomic enough for short periods of use, and fantastic for creating immersive experiences for team members.
However, for the true market-leading experience in VR technology, the Varjo VR-3 definitely takes the trophy.
The headset matches everything the VIVE can do and then some, with extensive tracking functionality already built-in and incredible resolution you won’t find in other devices of a similar design.
Of course, it’s worth noting you’ll pay extra for the quality you get from the Varjo – but this might be worth it depending on your requirements.
