HTC has announced that the Vive Pro headset will cost $799 and is scheduled to ship on April 5th. However, this price doesn’t include the base stations or the controllers which will be coming separately. The headset itself is on pre-order and you can make the purchase today.
“With the Vive Pro we are delivering the best quality display and visual experience to the most discerning VR enthusiasts. Our goal has always been to offer the most premium VR platform available and to drive adoption for VR,” said Daniel O’Brien, HTC Vive General Manager, US. “By lowering the price of the current Vive, we are making VR more accessible while expanding the potential market for developers. Whether you’re a VR enthusiast or new to the platform, there’s never been a better time to join the most complete VR platform available.”
Increase in display
The Vive Pro headset is quite an improvement from the last generation Vive headset which offers 2880 x 1600 display along with 37% PPI increase and 78% pixel increase. While some people may see this as a small stepping stone, it really isn’t. This increase actually offers a lot more capacity in vision inside the virtual world.
Improved design
The Vive Pro also comes along with the redesigned face cushion that provides more comfort while experiencing the VR world. The face cushion contours to most face shapes with new cloth-lined foam, while the nose rest covers any nose shape thanks to a unique flower petal-inspired design.
You’ll also notice that the headset design is a lot different that the Vive Deluxe Pro strap. It has a curvature to it that provides an optimal center of gravity. The new chassis evenly distributes the weight of the device creating comfort in VR. Ther is also a 24% increase in face gasket surface area for lowered stress.
New technology
They’ve also included a feature called Chaperone which re-creates a virtual outline of your environment, enabling the user to see and feel the current surroundings without the need of removing the HMD.
The Vive Pro will also be able to be compatible with multiple base stations that allows you to expand the play boundary. It will be able to host more people and allow you to move around in an expansive play-place.
The most exciting part about the Vive Pro is that it allows you to play without being tethered to a computer. Using Intel’s WiGig technology, you will be able to move around freely with 6DoF in one of the most advanced headsets in the market. This attachment device will be coming soon to the market.