HTC Vive Cosmos Elite Review: Take Control with Precise VR Tools

Elite VR with Precision Tracking

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HTC Vive Cosmos Elite Review
Virtual RealityVR ReviewsInsights

Published: November 24, 2021

Rebekah Carter

Rebekah Carter

HTC Vive has quickly become one of the biggest names in the virtual reality (VR) landscape. Known for delivering incredible immersive experiences, the HTC Vive headsets are powerful, feature-rich, and ever-evolving.

With the HTC Cosmos Elite, the company introduced a new “tethered” VR headset for the Cosmos line-up to address some of the issues with the initial HTC Vive Cosmos.

The Elite still has some of the most impressive features of the HTC Vive Cosmos, however, such as the powerful set of 1440 x 1700 displays, offering up to 90 Hz in refresh rate.

With the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite, users can dive into an ultra-realistic VR experience, equipped with precision tracking, unforgettable visual appeal, and ergonomic hardware.

Let’s take a closer look at what the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite can do.

HTC Vive Cosmos Elite Review: Features

The Cosmos Elite builds on the initial Cosmos, so many of the features carry over from the first generation, including exceptional high-quality visuals. With the Cosmos Elite, you can expect things like incredible precise outside-in base station tracking.

This does mean you’ll need to spend a little time setting up your base stations before you can leap into the virtual world, but the additional computing power definitely makes an impact.

The Vive Cosmos Elite promises a state-of-the-art experience, defined by comfortable engineering, and modular features which allow you to take control of your VR world on another level.

The lighthouse tracking functionality means you can access a phenomenal 160 square feet of tracking, with state-of-the-art motion tracking too. Features of the Vive Cosmos Elite include:

  • Dual 3.4-inch diagonal screens (1440 x 1700 pixels each)
  • 90 Hz refresh rate
  • 110-degree FOV
  • Stereo headphone audio
  • Integrated microphone and headset button
  • USB 3.0 connectivity
  • G-Sensor and Gyroscope
  • Flip-up visor
  • Adjustable eye comfort settings
  • Steam VR tracking
  • Multi-function trackpad
  • Grip buttons and dual-stage trigger buttons
  • Room scale of 11.5 x 11.5 feet

The Cosmos Elite headset comes with a set of 2 base station sensors, 2 VIVE controllers, a headset cable, mounting kit, and variety of other tools to get you up and running.

There’s also access to the VIVEPORT and Steam environment, so you can easily launch games and interact with friends in a matter of minutes, without any stressful setup process.

HTC Vive Cosmos Elite Review: Benefits

The HTC Vive Cosmos Elite can look a little intimidating at first glance. There’s a lot of cables and hardware included. In particular, the headset cable can be a bit of a worry for people who want a fully immersive experience.

It’s hard to forget you’re not in the real world if you’re tripping over a cord. However, once you get past the initial explosion of tech, you can start to uncover what makes the Elite so special.

From the stunning displays to the incredible headphones, everything is built to ensure a truly immersive experience.

Additionally, unlike some of the other higher-end VR technology systems on the market, the Elite is surprisingly expensive, to the point where you can realistically imagine having some of these headsets dotted around the office for collaboration sessions.

Some of the major benefits of the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite include:

  • Beautiful visuals: The displays are some of the most attractive features of the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite. A set of ultra-high-definition screens give you 1440 x 1700 resolution per eye, so you don’t have to worry about things like screen door effects. You can also enjoy a fluid 90 Hz refresh– one of the fastest on the market. The overall experience feels even better when you consider the interpupillary distance dial, which helps you to get the perfect view in any situation.
  • Exceptional tracking: Precision tracking ensures you can interact with elements of your VR environment as though you’re really there. Simply launch a game from the VIVEPORT or Steam network, and you’ll be able to leverage external tracking through the base station 1.0 and Steam VR solution for a huge play space and great accuracy. Moving around feels completely natural, and it’s easy to lose yourself in the experience, even with the cable.
  • Fantastic ergonomics: The ergonomic experience offered by the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite is much better than you’d see from other VR headset providers. Everything from the lightweight design to the adjustable strap is designed to put ergonomics and comfort first. There’s also a handy perforated face plate, to allow for better airflow and cooling during long virtual reality sessions.
  • Ease of Use: A set of ultra-responsive controllers means you can scroll through menus and interact with VR content easily. General hand tracking works very well, and the menu button is easy to find when you’re submerged in a VR environment. The controller functionality, combined with easy access to things like Steam ensure you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting a collaboration app or tool set up.

Who Needs the HTC VIVE Cosmos Elite?

The Cosmos Elite from HTC Vive is a fantastic, surprisingly affordable headset for the age of virtual reality.

Though there are other headsets out there without the problem of tethering (which can be an issue for some users), it’s hard to find something with this much quality for the same price.

The resolution of the Vive Cosmos Elite is fantastic, and you’ll find yourself being highly appreciative of the passive cooling features built into the headset too.

It’s also worth noting this headset is quite accessible for people who don’t have a lot of prior experience working in virtual reality. It might be a good entry point for some business users.

HTC Vive Cosmos Elite Review: Verdict

Overall, the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite is a good choice for those in search of a reliable virtual reality experience. If you can get past a few little issues, like game selection problems and the cable for the headset, there’s a lot to love about this device. For affordable, high-definition virtual reality, the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite checks a lot of boxes.

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