Is This What Y'all Have Been Doing in Secret in VR?! Kind of Regret Not Buying The Oculus VR Headset before The Price Hike

harshbdmmaster718 on 27/08/2022 - 19:28
Last edited 27/08/2022 - 19:28

https://youtu.be/EY2Tk_6dH2A

Nobody told me you could do stuff like this. This looks like a lot of fun lol NGL.

Cheapest Quest is $630 right now. Is there any chance there will be an irresistible deal in the future that's closer to the previous price?
Or have I missed that boat.

Would like to hear some insight into the VR market, like whether there will be any upcoming competitor products from other big brands that can do the same thing for less than the Quest VR.

I am interested in a unit that can do all this in one package. I don't have a modern up to date PC right now.

Computing Virtual Reality Headset

Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 27/08/2022 - 19:40

    Quest just had a price rice recently - prob nothing good sale wise till black friday

    • harshbdmmaster718 on 27/08/2022 - 19:53
      -1

      Yeah what's the dealio? They are having a massive sale on their other Meta products here https://store.facebook.com/au/portal/products
      Portal TV and Portal 10" are both roughly 70% off. They don't care for the budget conscious customers anymore for their VR products? I am guessing some of the added profit is through the "game store download" purchases that they have on there, so they probably want their customers to be loaded.

      I know they upgraded the base model to 128GB. But they could have released a bigger top model such as 512GB and kept the 128GB model price the same or for less?

      Or maybe the next "Quest" is going to be a huge upgrade, so it's taking longer than they expected. The higher price does make the current quest feel more premium.

      • morebunnings on 27/08/2022 - 20:35
        +1

        Facebook subsidises the quest 2 massively, with the hope of selling more units to expand their base, and making money off their app store (like how xbox and play station make more money from their game sales than their hardware sales). The subsidy worked, as they have sold 15 million headsets.

        Hardware cost guestimate for the quest 2 is around $800usd. That's the price you can pay for a business headset via their business website, which isn't subsidised and doesn't have to connect to their app store. This indicates the consumer headset is still heavily subsidised, with a new retail of $400usd

        The next quest will be a lot better, but word on the street is fb/meta will sell it as a premium headset, keeping the quest 2 (or a slightly upgraded non-premium headset similar to the quest 2) as their entry model.

        End of the day quest 2 is still great hardware for the price, and probably won't go down in price again any time soon.

        If I was you I'd wait for the developer conference to see if any new headsets are announced (16 sept), and then either get the quest if nothing is announced, or decide if you want to spend the extra for a premium or basic headset version depending on what was announced (everything in this post is just industry rumors).

        Got my headset on black Friday last year for $479, with a free $100 Amazon voucher. Also have got $172 referral credit for the oculus store via the ozbargain referral link. Seems to have dropped off lately though.

        Hope this helps you decide :)

        • harshbdmmaster718 on 27/08/2022 - 21:21
          +2

          Wow what a comment. Your shared insight into the Quest is impressive, I am going to quote you now but please don't take that as me dismissing the rest. Your comment held my interest from beginning to end.

          "The next quest will be a lot better, but word on the street is fb/meta will sell it as a premium headset, keeping the quest 2 (or a slightly upgraded non-premium headset similar to the quest 2) as their entry model."

          This is good news, either an expensive more premium headset or an upgraded Quest 2 either way I will be interested in weighing up both those options.

          "If I was you I'd wait for the developer conference to see if any new headsets are announced (16 sept), and then either get the quest if nothing is announced, or decide if you want to spend the extra for a premium or basic headset version depending on what was announced (everything in this post is just industry rumors)."

          Great so 16th September I will put that in my calendar. Hopefully out of the two things you mentioned it will be the latter.

          "Got my headset on black Friday last year for $479, with a free $100 Amazon voucher. Also have got $172 referral credit for the oculus store via the ozbargain referral link. Seems to have dropped off lately though.

          Hope this helps you decide :)"

          Yeah turns out I was right and the price had dropped to $429 in the past. No $100 Amazon voucher though but a $200 price hike is a bit steep for me.

          Your comment has very much given me the average dumb consumer my bearings and it has helped a lot thank you.

        • trankillity on 28/08/2022 - 21:20

          The other likely cause for the price hike is the removal of Facebook as an account requirement for Meta headsets. The bean counters likely worked out the value of the data they could use from your social profile and had to raise the price of the headset to compensate.

          • harshbdmmaster718 on 28/08/2022 - 22:07

            @trankillity: I might not understand how data works behind the scenes, but I assumed if you already have a facebook account and create a Meta account separately (even with a different email) they will make that connection and all the data from both accounts would be linked to you.
            In other words I think the whole Meta account thing is just to make people feel easier about it.
            I could be wrong though I haven't read through the T&C's.

            Or, they could have predicted that most customers would think what you wrote (your social profile is not linked to Meta) and decided to raise the price anyway thinking it would be accepted because customers "believe" their facebook data is not linked.

            • trankillity on 29/08/2022 - 04:11

              @harshbdmmaster718: Previously, yes. Now, not so much. With the introduction of the Meta accounts, there is no required link at all to a Facebook account. You do not need one to use a Meta headset.

  • HairyChickens on 27/08/2022 - 19:43
    +1

    Is This What Y'all Have Been Doing in Secret in VR?!

    Been doing other things too ;)

    • cookie2 on 27/08/2022 - 19:53

      I'm intrigued but there's a major part of me that feels it's best not to know more.

      • harshbdmmaster718 on 27/08/2022 - 19:55
        +1

        Probably something to do with this https://www.juxtapoz.com/media/k2/galleries/36920/hajimes_8_…

      • vikvance on 27/08/2022 - 20:00

        Do a search on Youtube for "VR Kanojo" if you're curious.

        Pewdiepie has a really funny video on it too.

        • harshbdmmaster718 on 27/08/2022 - 20:05

          Oh the VR girlfriend experience. Well you have to try everything at least once right?

          Meanwhile I was thinking more along the lines of "sex with robots" but I guess it's not too far off lol.

          By the way I learned of this AI Chatbot recently and was honestly thinking of giving it ago (the free version of course), just havent got around to it but I am still curious. It's called Replika chatbot.

  • scrimshaw on 27/08/2022 - 19:48
    +1

    That's Blade and Sorcery. You can find mods for it on NexusMods https://www.nexusmods.com/ although you have to properly read the instructions to see if the mod is compatible with the Quest (called Nomad) or PC version. The vast majority of mods made do not work on the Quest version of the game.

    • harshbdmmaster718 on 27/08/2022 - 19:56

      Alright thanks for that. Blade and Sorcery now I know what it's called.

      Now to find a decent deal on a Quest. And yes I know those who got one last year are probably laughing at me right now.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 27/08/2022 - 19:59

        If it makes you feel better it comes with beat sabre now, which has only gone on sale a very few select times iirc

        • harshbdmmaster718 on 27/08/2022 - 20:01
          -1

          I saw that game before. Don't really get the hype surrounding it. Better than nothing I guess, but I am against myself paying an extra $200 when it was $430?

          Another game that looked pretty good but I'm not sure if it's available for VR, Anger Foot.

          • onetwothreefour on 27/08/2022 - 20:08

            @harshbdmmaster718: Beat sabre is really fun. I'm one of the lucky ones who bought a quest before the price hike but it was delivered after so I also got beat sabre for free. That as well as the $47 referral bonus and I got a pretty good deal.

            • harshbdmmaster718 on 27/08/2022 - 20:16
              +1

              @onetwothreefour: But $200 price hike though.

              I didn't want to mention this since I risked sounding like a complete idiot. But maybe someone technical knows.
              Is there any benefit to paying $200 extra, regarding the data they collect or the T&C's after they changed their company to Meta??
              I thought for a second that might be the reason for the price hike that no one knows about, they changed the T&C's so somehow your data won't be used against you or sold to other companies or something??

              • onetwothreefour on 27/08/2022 - 20:19

                @harshbdmmaster718: It was only a $150 increase but still a lot.

                Not sure about that, most people online seem to think it's because they have a new model coming out which will be more expensive so raising the price of the current model will make it more attractive to buy the new model.

                • harshbdmmaster718 on 27/08/2022 - 20:21

                  @onetwothreefour: "most people online seem to think it's because they have a new model coming out which will be more expensive so raising the price of the current model will make it more attractive to buy the new model."

                  Alright thanks. Looks like I will be waiting for the new model then hope they announce it soon.
                  I will feel like an even bigger idiot if I pay $150 extra for the old model towards the end of it's life cycle. Meanwhile if the new version is way better in terms of comfort and performance then I guess the extra cost will be actually worth it.

                • pufffdragon on 28/08/2022 - 00:45

                  @onetwothreefour:

                  they have a new model coming out which will be more expensive so raising the price of the current model will make it more attractive to buy the new model.

                  Huh?? Lol

                  • harshbdmmaster718 on 28/08/2022 - 15:17

                    @pufffdragon: 1234 means mean the new "premium" model will be not much higher in price than the "cheaper" model, so it will give customers the illusion that the new premium model will be more affordable or higher in value for the extra money spent.

  • AustriaBargain on 27/08/2022 - 20:00
    +3

    Wait until VR tech matures, don't spoil the experience by seeing the gradual progression first hand. Look at Apple's AR headset, it looks like a pair of ski goggles. Ten years form now we will have comfortable VR goggles and fill arm and finger tracking, maybe even some kind of force feedback glove that makes it feel like your fingers are wrapped around something with weight.

    • harshbdmmaster718 on 27/08/2022 - 20:03

      Yeah I have heard that the Quest needs additional expensive accessories to get the best out of it.
      What I can remember was a external battery pack to balance the weight, and a soft silicone eye cover which is more comfortable than the stock one.

      The next version will probably be slightly more expensive, but probably not need any of these extras to give you a great experience.

      Further down the line, it would be great if it was not this heavy brick in front of your eyes.

      • scrimshaw on 27/08/2022 - 20:21

        My replacement headstrap is around $40 to 50 AUD and the knuckle straps (highly optional accessory) only costs $11 aud, shipped from China.

        You can just place a powerbank into your pants pocket and route wires to the back of your head to keep it out if the way. There's no need to strap a heavy counterweight if you bought a decent head strap

        That said all of these accessories are just for comfort, you can definitely still enjoy playing in short bursts even with the default head strap and no power bank.

        • harshbdmmaster718 on 27/08/2022 - 20:23

          "That said all of these accessories are just for comfort, you can definitely still enjoy playing in short bursts even with the default head strap and no power bank."

          Alright thanks for all the tips. Yeah I have heard of lower priced accessories, reviews seemed to be mixed though. But even some of the official Meta accessories got some shit reviews so you can't win em all.

          Just imagine if on the upcoming Quest the amount that it sticks out in front of your face was reduced by half though, that would do wonders in terms of comfort I imagine.

    • Yan47 on 27/08/2022 - 22:41
      +1

      10yrs from now who knows what will happen. Why not try enjoy the experience now. VR has come along way the past few years. If you’re on the fence right now and don’t have a pc maybe wait 6-12months but what ever you get now you’ll have a great experience. Maybe invest in a decent pc or take a leap at oculus.

      Also that video shown in this post. Wouldn’t advise jumping into that for first timer VR users. Instant sickness. Ease yourself into VR.

      • AustriaBargain on 27/08/2022 - 22:48

        Facebook must be working on a headset to compete with Apple's, something really next-gen that will make their previous headsets feel like a mess of cheap plastic and wires. I just think you shouldn't wear off the novelty on first-gen gear. First gen-games with first-gen controllers.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2022 - 20:20
    +3

    VR is still new technology, it seems to have plateaued in advancement, all improvements at this stage seem to be rather minor.

    the bonus is that it's still very expensive, and i refuse to give money to the zucc, so my decision is made for me.

    • harshbdmmaster718 on 27/08/2022 - 20:24

      "the bonus is that it's still very expensive, and i refuse to give money to the zucc, so my decision is made for me."

      Good point. I was open to alternatives to the Quest (all in one unit). But it seems like there aren't many at the moment?

      • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2022 - 22:38

        not really, no. all alternatives cost more, for more or less the same device. i don't think the technology is worth it at the moment, i've never seen the appeal of VR devices, they fall short of what i would consider actual VR (ready player one).

  • harshbdmmaster718 on 27/08/2022 - 20:28

    Someone reported my title. I guess they weren't happy with me using the yanky term "Y'all". 😂

    • CrowReally on 27/08/2022 - 21:19

      Oh, thanks for notifying us!

      • harshbdmmaster718 on 27/08/2022 - 21:24

        Were you the reporter with anti american sentiment? lol I think using the word "Y'all" is relevant because Meta is an american company.

        • CrowReally on 27/08/2022 - 22:13

          Nope, wasn't me.

        • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2022 - 22:33

          it wasn't me either, but facebook as a company is about as inner city liberal as it gets, whereas "'y'all" is a term that originates from the south, about as far from inner city liberal as it gets.

    • afoveht on 27/08/2022 - 22:16

      Pretty sure that most of those who say "y'all" wouldn't take kindly to being called Yankees.

  • nomoneynoproblems on 27/08/2022 - 21:34
    +1

    If you have a Ps5, psvr2 is coming next year. It probably won’t be cheap but it’s the first next gen mainstream headset that’s right around the corner. Oculus is the only one that are doing stand alone headsets so you’re out of luck in that department.

    • harshbdmmaster718 on 28/08/2022 - 15:13

      "Oculus is the only one that are doing stand alone headsets so you’re out of luck in that department."

      Alright. Did not know that. Thanks.

    • harshbdmmaster718 on 30/08/2022 - 19:43

      I just now realised that Sony makes the PS5.

      For some reason in my head it's called Playstation 5 so the brand was Playstation.

      Probably will be an impressive experience, I remember watching a youtube video about Sony developing a future headset something with dual 4k screens and fully immersive or something sorry I can't remember the details but you could probably find it if you search youtube. I think the video had people speaking Japanese but with subtitles.

      Anyway the only thing that sucks for me would be having a cable going from the headset to the PS5. Unless they make it wireless. Oh and the fact PS5 on it's own costs a huge amount I think similar in price to the Quest.

  • Hoofee on 28/08/2022 - 11:14

    Is the HTC Vive dead these days?

    • harshbdmmaster718 on 28/08/2022 - 15:29

      Probably. Because I have never heard of the brand HTC before.
      I would not consider handing my money over unless they were reviewed as clearly superior to the Quest.
      On the other hand if Sony just released a portable VR device I would probably prefer that one over the Quest.

    • ngengerous on 30/08/2022 - 13:10

      Not dead, but very old. I still have mine, but the screen is much lower res than anything released these days.

  • Tomcruise on 28/08/2022 - 22:34
    +1

    I looked into a VR headset a while back, but couldn't find that much Pron for it. When more is availble I'll look into getting a headaet.

    • harshbdmmaster718 on 30/08/2022 - 19:45

      If you are planning to use it 100% for pron, maybe your money is wasted on something that you just use to watch 360 video?

  • MilkDX on 31/08/2022 - 10:33

    I've had a HTC Vive pro for a few years. There are a couple of newer models from HTC and the Index (which is practically not available in Aus) but the improvements appear to be quite minor.
    Index' finger tracking has very limited support in games so you're basically paying for the experience in Alyx.

    I bought the Vive Pro for the higher resolution than the Vive and the "outside in" precision tracking as there's no point aiming a gun at something more than a couple of metres away with janky tracking. It is obv more expensive for the privilege.

    VR is about immersion, so resolution, graphics quality (particular when a PC drives it rather than being standalone), tracking precision, room-scale tracking, and comfort all contribute hugely.

    The new game lineup has certainly slowed down, probably because it's no longer good enough to just make a one-trick vr experience game anymore, and the market is clearly smaller than the general games market.

    Ultimately, there are experiences you can have in VR that are unlike anything else and hard to forget, like the combine striders in Alyx, docking at a station in Elite Dangerous, shanking an approaching zombie in Saints & Sinners, and many more.

    VR prn is not 360 video.

  • harshbdmmaster718 on 24/09/2022 - 17:58

    Hey guys. Looks like the Meta Connect event is October 11th 2022 so still hasn't happened yet.

    But I found this video showing a new VR that looks pretty good and kind of what I had in mind for a newer VR headset.
    https://youtu.be/XSt6oFwZne0

    As you can see it's called the Pico and the headset is way thinner than the Quest 2. It is how I imagined a new VR headset will be like, it is more similar in thickness to the DJI goggles and I think less heavy as well. From what I can remember in the video it also has better viewing angles (90 degrees) and pixels per inch than the Quest 2.
    Oh and I forgot, it also has HAND TRACKING! Wow so no more need for controllers unless you want to use them like for FPS games. You can just use your hands for most things which would feel a lot more natural I think. Also has these things they will be selling as "Fitness trackers" but you can put them on your legs for full body tracking with the Pico.

    Ok the bad news, in the video it says it will be released for the Euro market only. So not sure how long it will take until it's available in Australia.

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