I examined HTC’s latest Vive Focus Vision, a cutting-edge, lossless virtual reality headset designed specifically for seamless PC gaming experiences.

HTC’s Vive Focus Invisible combines the best features of its Vive XR Elite, Focus 3, and Pro 2 to introduce a revolutionary VR headset that seamlessly merges visually-lossless PCVR with stand-alone mixed reality gaming.

I secured the chance to work with a cutting-edge, fascinating new device. I meticulously assessed its merits and scrutinized potential flaws, benchmarking it against preceding HTC models and top-tier VR headsets to determine whether it excels in gaming, professional applications, and casual usage alike. Despite lacking a traditional tethered connection, the Vive Focus remains impressive.

Lossless PCVR

While standalone VR headsets like the Meta Quest 3 or Vive XR Elite boast Wi-Fi connectivity for playing SteamVR games on PC, a wired link can significantly reduce latency and deliver a more refined visual experience.

HTC’s latest Vive Focus innovation enables seamless, visually lossless PC-based virtual reality experiences via a reliable DisplayPort connection. This technique minimizes the likelihood of visible compression artifacts and muddied textures.

To ensure seamless connectivity, consider investing in a reliable DisplayPort to USB-C adapter. Using HTC’s DisplayPort mode package, which includes a charger, various adapters, and cables, ensured seamless connection between the Vive Focus headset and graphics card.

While the resolution of each eye in a VR system typically reaches 2448 x 2448 pixels, it’s noteworthy that your graphics processing unit (GPU) is capable of rendering nearly double this amount – 4896 x 4896 pixels – at a smooth frame rate of 90 to 120 frames per second. Outputting to a 4K PC monitor requires more demanding processing capabilities than just any ordinary gaming desktop can deliver; hence, ensure you possess a powerful system capable of handling this task effectively. If you’ve built your own personal computer, you likely need the best possible graphics card to unlock its full potential.

As a PC-based VR headset, your computer handles the processing-intensive tasks, while the Vive Focus Visual serves as a sleek, wearable display. This laptop’s display screen offers crystal-clear visuals, perfectly suited for both productive work sessions and immersive VR gaming experiences.

I experienced no compression artifacts or lag during playtime on my high-performance Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics card. Traditional VR titles stood out, with each game I played appearing sharply and largely clear. The primary concern is HTC’s reliance on Fresnel lenses.

While many modern VR headsets opt for pancake lenses, Fresnel’s distinctive design stands out with its stepped, ridge-like pattern etched into the lens. This feature enables you to focus on scenes that are just a hair’s breadth outside your visual range, but unfortunately introduces an unwanted side effect: the appearance of sun rings in high-contrast images. These “god rays” can ruin an otherwise great experience.

I possessed three spacious, high-definition screens, boasting crystal-clear images and zero visual imperfections. HTC’s Vive Focus Imagination brings innovative capabilities, featuring Vive Desk, a virtual reality application that seamlessly integrates with the Vive Hub on your PC, allowing you to conjure digital screens that can be resized and strategically placed anywhere around your workspace.

The innovative device also enhances hand-tracking capabilities while accommodating seamless gaze-based entry. While the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional’s look-and-pinch system is less reliable, consistent practice and future updates could streamline its usability. The lens ridges become annoyingly prominent when I shift my focus away from center, as if another obstacle is suddenly blocking my line of sight.

While I prefer using a keyboard and mouse for work, the Vive Desk allows me to seamlessly drag windows across multiple screens and utilize my mouse cursor to operate virtual controls with ease.

While using the Vive Focus Plus, I can harness the device’s integrated rear battery for power and seamlessly connect via wireless link to Vive Desk, alternatively opting to access digital desktops through Digital Desktop or Immersed platforms to enjoy cinematic experiences, engage in immersive gaming, or stay productive on-the-go.

Standalone VR

The HTC Vive Focus standalone headset’s innovative technology is designed for seamless use with a personal computer. This bulky, 2-pound VR headset prioritizes comfort, featuring a convenient USB-C 3.2 port that supports seamless DisplayPort connectivity. Regardless, it also functions independently as a standalone headset comparable to the Vive XR Elite and Focus 3. I can freely disconnect and engage in recreational or physical activities without being confined to a wired connection.

Can I access the Viveport store with my Vive Focus Pro and will all video games from my Vive XR Elite library be available? Can I still survive in a world that’s full of challenges and difficulties? And can I also find time to exercise amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life?

With its ample 128GB of internal storage, users can confidently work from anywhere without worrying about running out of space, thanks to the option to expand up to 2TB via a microSD card. While the combined actuality view leverages dual 16MP passthrough cameras, it outperforms the Vive XR Elite’s rendering, which appeared slightly zoomed-in compared to reality.

While few standalone video games support eye-tracking, HTC has suggested that foveated rendering could potentially enhance image quality in mobile games. While Meta leveraged Quest Pro’s eye-tracking capabilities to animate avatars, the opportunity was largely left untapped, with builders failing to capitalize on this feature in their creations. While I don’t expect extensive developer focus on the Vive Focus’s eye-tracking capabilities.

Multi-user VR

Several features render HTC’s Vive Focus 3D an exceptional multi-user headset. Automated Inner-Primary Diameter (IPD) motors precisely adjust lens spacing to deliver optimal image sharpness. The innovative design features a built-in 20-minute rechargeable battery that enables swift and efficient swapping of the rear battery pack. The entrance and rear brake pads are easily removable and simple to clean.

The Vive Focus has become a staple in many location-based entertainment venues, offering an immersive experience for customers. Locations across the country now feature immersive VR experiences, with companies like Sandbox VR and The Void offering multi-player gaming in specially designed rooms nationwide?

HTC unveiled the Vive Focus Infinity, a significant upgrade to the aging Focus 3, combining the color passthrough of the Vive XR Elite with the PC-based VR capabilities of the Vive Pro 2.

Is the HTC Vive Focus Plus the right choice for you?

The Vive Focus Plus retails for $999, surpassing the Vive XR Elite’s price of $899. However, the XR Elite’s eye-tracking accessory costs an additional $199. For enthusiasts eager to harness the power of eye-tracking in their SteamVR experience, the Vive Focus 3’s advanced ocular capabilities make it an obvious top pick.

The Vive XR Elite’s reimagined design strikes a perfect balance between portability and aesthetics, its sleek, compact form evoking steampunk charm that adds an unexpected layer of appeal. While its pancake lenses offer improved clarity, the picture’s decision-making and passthrough view have regrettably suffered as a result. Despite my enthusiasm for the Vive XR Elite, making a fair comparison is challenging.

Compared to the Vive Focus 3, the Intelligent AR is a significant improvement. It’s also an automated guarantee for those who own a Vive Pro 2. You gain precise tracking capabilities, including eye-tracking, hand-tracking, and headset monitoring, all enabled by a cutting-edge system that eliminates the need for exterior base stations. The Vive Focus also boasts hot-swappable batteries and colour passthrough capabilities.

For those seeking standalone VR, it’s challenging to surpass the Meta Quest 3’s value at $500, while the newly released $300 Quest 3S offers an even more affordable entry point into this immersive technology. Windows PC gamers are particularly curious about acquiring one of the top-notch VR headsets compatible with their home computers.

Until October 17, 2024, HTC offers a special promotion for enthusiasts of the Vive Focus. By preordering, you’ll receive a Vive Wired Streaming Package, including a choice of three bonus game packs. The HTC Vive Focus standalone virtual reality headset is priced at $999 for the consumer edition and $1,299 for the business version, which includes device management features.