Revealed back at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018, the HTC Vive Pro has now started making its way into the hands on excited users, keen to experience all the new features. VRFocus’ Nina Salomons got hands on with the HTC Vive Pro and put an unboxing video together.
The HTC Vive Pro is designed to be an optional upgrade for users and does not replace the original head-mounted display (HMD) which is still currently available. The HTC Vive Pro’s main upgrades include the two OLED display with a resolution of 2880 x 1600 which is a 78 percent increase from the original HTC Vive’s 2160 x 1200. Integrated speakers are included for the first time along with a smaller, more lightweight form factor designed for longer use and easier adjustment for different head sizes.
In the unboxing video, Nina opens up the HTC Vive Pro HMD along with the link box which has had a redesign for this new version. The controllers and the base station are sold separately however a starter pack option is available for the HTC Vive Pro will includes the HTC Vive Pro HMD along with two Vive 1.0 controllers and two 1.0 base stations. This starter pack will cost $1099 (USD)/£1048 (GBP) with the HTC Vive Pro costing $799 (USD)/£799 (GBP) separately.
One of the many elements that are points out in the below unboxing video is that lack of light that the HMD lets in. This means that users will become more immersed in the experience as the chance of seeing the floor or surrounding area reduced greatly. This works with the new form factor to ensure that users find the HMD more comfortable and use it for longer periods of time thanks to the reduce weight and smaller size.
VRFocus’ Editor Kevin Joyce got hands-on with the HTC Vive Pro at CES 2018 saying: “The Vive Pro is essentially a small update to the HTC Vive, but in the areas that actually really matter. It’s hard to say anything discouraging about the changes to the HMD as they are all for the better – some more so than others – and to many of VR’s early-adopters will be seen as the right step forward for Vive to be making.”
For more on the HTC Vive Pro in the future keep reading VRFocus.