When used with Vive Pro 2, the Vive Wireless Adapter doesn’t support the full resolution or 120 Hz mode.
The adapter currently operates at 1224×1224 per eye 90 Hz when used with Vive Pro 2.
HTC says it will increase the resolution to 1632×1632 “soon”, presumably via a firmware update.
The Vive Wireless Adapter first shipped in late 2018 for $299. HTC currently sells it for $349, which includes parts needed to affix it to the Cosmos & Pro headset series.
Even the upcoming resolution falls far short of Vive Pro 2’s full per-eye resolution – 2448×2448. The Vive Wireless Adapter uses a high bandwidth 60 GHz signal, but it looks like HTC is running into the bandwidth limit with Pro 2.
HTC announced the Vive Pro 2 earlier this week using the same design as the original but switching out the OLED panels for much higher resolution LCDs capable of going to 120Hz in wired mode. The headset also uses HTC’s new wider field of view lenses. If you already own SteamVR base stations & controllers, or plan to purchase those from Valve separately, the headset alone is priced at $799. The headset will ship from June 4. A full kit of Vive Pro 2 with SteamVR base stations and HTC’s original “wand” controllers will be available from August for $1399.
Do you already have the Vive Wireless Adapter? Are you planning to pair it with the Vive Pro 2? Converting from wired to wireless mode isn’t exactly an instantaneous change, so we’re curious how owners are planning to use this hardware. Let us know in the comments below what your plans are.
It’s been a big week for virtual reality (VR) hardware announcements thanks to HTC Vive’s very first ViveCon 2021 event. The all-in-one Vive Focus 3 was finally unveiled after much teasing whilst the big surprise was the Vive Pro 2, HTC new flagship PC headset. While both devices have plenty of tech built-in one thing they don’t have is eye-tracking which will be made available later in the year as an addon.
Eye-tracking will come by way of Chinese company 7invensun whose technology VRFocus has previously come across in Pimax and other headsets. 7invensun’s involvement wasn’t part of the main ViveCon Keynote yesterday, instead revealed by HTC China President Alvin Wang Graylin who confirmed that the Droolon F2 eye-tracking module would be available for customers in Q3 2021, priced at $299 USD.
That’s double the price of the company’s previous eye-tracking module which was available for HTC Vive headsets retailing at $149. What’s more unusual is the fact that neither headset has eye-tracking natively built-in considering the HTC Vive Pro Eye has been available for several years now. Especially where the Vive Focus 3 is concerned. The standalone headset is purely aimed at the enterprise market which is where eye-tracking would be most applicable, offering analytics and training use cases. The Vive Pro 2 bridges both the consumer/enterprise markets so keeping the cost down is understandable, plus very little content actually uses eye-tracking.
Graylin’s Tweet also mentions that the Droolon F2 eye-tracking module will be available in ‘most markets’. Considering 7invensun’s tech has mostly been for the Chinese market the launch could be the first time customers in Europe and the US can easily acquire its eye-tracking. Vive Focus 3 and Pro 2 owners will have to wait a few months to find out.
The eye-tracking module adds to the ever-growing list of accessories for the HTC Vive platform. The most recent additions include the Vive Tracker 3.0 and the Vive Facial Tracker. If you want a VR platform with lots of accessory options then HTC Vive has definitely got you covered.
7invensun has a long history with HTC Vive being one of the startups involved in the Vive X accelerator programme. As further updates on other hardware partners are released, VRFocus will let you know.
Neither the HTC Vive Pro 2 nor the Vive Focus 3 feature integrated eye-tracking, but support will apparently come via an add-on device in the future.
As announced by Vive China President Alvin Wang Graylin, both headsets will be compatible with the new Droolon F2 Eye-Tracking module that’s set to ship later this year. You may have heard that name before – in 2019 we reported that the first generation of the device, created by Chinese startup 7invensun, would support the Vive Cosmos.
Vive Pro 2 And Focus 3 Eye-Tracking Confirmed (Kind Of)
Don’t hold your breath for a big western launch, though. Both the Droolon F1 and even the add-on the company made for the original Vive in 2017 were promised as worldwide releases but we never really saw them reach North America or Europe in a meaningful way. HTC itself didn’t mention the device in any of our pre-briefings, so we’re not likely to see the kit make a big splash in the west.
That said the device does have US pricing – Droolen F2 is shipping in Q3 for $299. That’s double the price of the F1.
It’s curious that Vive Pro 2 itself doesn’t have integrated eye-tracking given that the previous version of the device, the Vive Pro Eye, did. Eye-tracking has several uses for VR headsets, including foveated rendering that can improve performance by only fully rendering the part of the display you’re directly looking at. That said, it’s also true that there’s little in the way of consumer-level software that integrates the feature right now.
As expected, HTC announced not one but two new VR headsets at its ViveCon virtual event today: the HTC Vive Pro 2 and the HTC Vive Focus 3.
The Vive Pro 2 is a PC VR headset aimed at both enthusiast consumers and enterprise use, while the Vive Focus 3 is a standalone device aimed squarely at the enterprise market. Both are launching in the coming weeks.
HTC Vive Pro 2
Vive Pro 2 looks much like the original Pro, which itself was an update to the first Vive. Its shell features a mix of the original Vive’s black and the Pro’s navy but, otherwise, the design is essentially the same, with an adjustable headband and built-in speakers. The kit features LCD displays offering 2448×2448 per-eye resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 120 degree field of view (FOV). There’s also adjustable IPD and support for existing Vive and SteamVR peripherals, though no eye-tracking support as seen in the Vive Pro Eye. You can see a full spec run down right here.
As with the original Vive Pro, HTC is selling Vive Pro 2 in two different forms. The base headset alone will be available for pre-order for $749/£659 and HTC plans to start shipping on June 3rd, when the price will increase to $799. This option is designed for people that already have the essential SteamVR kit: at least two base stations and either a pair of Vive wands or even the Valve Index controllers. The device is available to everyone.
A full kit, meanwhile, includes two 2.0 base stations and the Vive wands. It will launch on August 4 for $1399/£1299.
HTC Vive Focus 3
The Vive Focus 3, meanwhile, builds upon the original Focus and Focus Plus with an all-new design. Running on Qualcomm’s XR2 chip (the same used in the Oculus Quest 2), the kit’s display specs are largely comparable to the Pro 3 – 2448×2448 per-eye resolution and 120 degree FOV but with a 90Hz display. The headset features four-camera inside-out tracking and new controllers that look much like the Oculus Touch devices.
Interestingly, the device has a swappable battery at the back of the headset and features a magnesium alloy frame. Focus 3 will also come loaded with enterprise-focused software including access to the Vive Business AppStore, a marketplace for generalized enterprise applications. Again, you can find a full spec run down right here.
Unlike Pro 2, Vive Focus 3 will be sold to businesses, though HTC says it will also be available on “some consumer channels” for smaller outlets to purchase. It will cost $1,300/£1,060, which includes a 24 month warranty and services suite. The company would not confirm if a consumer version of the device might be in the works for the future.
HTC confirmed to us that it will continue to sell its Cosmos consumer headset too, as well as the original Pro and Pro Eye for now.
What do you make of the Vive Pro 2 and Vive Focus 3? Let us know in the comments below!
It’s the start of ViveCon 2021 and as expected HTC Vive has some big hardware news lined up. With reports initially teasing a possible HTC Vive Pro 2 the keynote today has confirmed its existence as well as plenty of juicy details including price, launch date and some very exciting specifications.
The Vive Pro 2 will be HTC’s new flagship virtual reality (VR) headset. It’s still tethered to a PC but it comes with a range of improvements to enhance your gaming experience. So yes, the Vive Pro 2 is going to be for consumer and enterprise customers alike. Mostly retaining the same shape and style as the original Vive Pro, the 2021 model now comes with a striking Black/Blue design – two colour combos seem to be a new fashion trend.
As for what’s inside, the Vive Pro 2 now boasts a 5K resolution, fast-switching panel with real RGB sub-pixels display delivering 2.5K to both eyes. The refresh rate has been upped to 120Hz for buttery smooth gaming, plus there’s even more to see as a new bespoke dual stacked-lens design provides a 120-degree field-of-view (FoV).
Inter-pupillary distance (IPD) is still manually adjustable to fine increments, the quick-adjustable sizing dial at the back remains, and HTC has ensured the weight balance is evenly distributed so the Vive Pro 2 should be comfortable for longer gameplay sessions. While it supports third-party headphones the Vive Pro 2 comes with its own Hi-Res Audio Certified headphones so you’re ready to go right out of the box.
“At ViveCon we redefined premium VR for both businesses and consumers, with stunning 5K resolution and 120-degree field of view setting a new benchmark for PC VR and all-in-One headsets. Vive Pro 2 delivers an amazing immersive experience, with beautifully fluid visuals, comfort, and precise tracking, for when every pixel and polygon counts,” said Graham Wheeler, HTC VIVE EMEA General Manager in a statement.
The Vive Pro 2 is fully compatible with the SteamVR ecosystem, working with 1.0 and 2.0 Base Stations, Vive Wireless Adapter, Vive controllers, and the Valve Index controllers. Plus, all generations of the Vive Tracker and the new Vive Facial Tracker will work with the headset.
HTC Vive will be selling the Vive Pro 2 in both kit and headset-only forms. If you already have a SteamVR setup and wish to upgrade then pre-orders are going live today, with a special discount promotion during the pre-order period offering the device for £659 GBP/ $749 USD/ €739 EUR. The Vive Pro 2 will officially launch on 3rd June 2021. The full HTC Vive Pro 2 kit will go on sale in August, retailing for £1299 / $1399 / €1399. It’ll include the Vive controllers and Base Station 2.0.
For continued updates from ViveCon 2021, keep reading VRFocus.
You can get HTC’s new Vive Pro 2 with two base stations and better controllers for less than the price of the full kit coming in August.
Announced alongside the Vive Focus 3 today, Vive Pro 2 is first launching as a headset-only version designed for people that already have SteamVR trackers and controllers. It’s available to pre-order from today and ships in early June for $749. Once it’s started shipping the price will increase to $799. The full kit, meanwhile, includes two base stations and two Vive wands for $1,399 and lands in August.
But you can order everything you need to play the Vive Pro 2 today for less than the price of the full kit, and swap out the dated Vive wands for Valve’s Index controllers.
Vive Pro 2 With Index Controllers +2.0 Base Stations – $75 Off
You can order the individual components over on Steam. A single 2.0 base station costs $149, so it’s $298 for a pair. They’re out of stock at the time of writing, but come and go quite often. Then a pair of Index controllers cost $279. Add that to the price of the pre-order promotion and it’s $1,326 for the entire kit. Not the biggest price cut perhaps, but don’t forget you’re getting controllers that are much better than the wands, and HTC itself confirmed to us they’ll work with Pro 2.
Even if you waited until after the promotion and bought the headset alone at full price, it would still come to $1,375.
Why are the Index controllers better than the wands? Because they released a few years after and featured several big updates. The controllers have sensors to tell when each finger is wrapped around the grip, for example, and there’s both an analog stick and a small trackpad as opposed to the wands’ singular, large trackpads. Plus the grip allows you to release the controller from your grasp and not fall away.
But we do have two other options to talk about too.
Vive Pro 2 With Older SteamVR Accessories – $120 Off
There’s another cheaper option out there, too, though it involves slightly downgrading your kit in some small ways instead. HTC still sells the original base station ($134.99) and Vive wand ($129.99) on its accessories page. A pair of each brings you to $529.96, thus taking everything to a total of $1,278.96 with the promotion and $1,328.96 without it. Again, the downsides to these older versions are negligible – the base stations are a little noisier, aren’t quite as solid for tracking (though still basically faultless) and only support up to two stations at a time (2.0 can support four), while the Wands are essentially the same. Again, HTC confirmed to us in a pre-brief session that these older devices work.
Vive Pro 2 With Base Station 1.0 And Valve Index – $100 Off
Okay, time for the best of both worlds option. You could order two original base stations from HTC ($269.98) and the Valve Index controllers ($279) which would, with the promotional price, bring you to $1,297.98 ($1,347.98 afterward). That’s just a little more than $100 off with the better controllers. The base stations aren’t quite as good but, honestly, it’s hard to notice the difference. That makes this deal the best of both worlds and, in our opinion, it’s definitely worth spending the extra $20 over the previous set to get the better controllers.
If you are thinking about picking up the Vive Pro 2 full kit, then, make sure to look into these alternatives first. Just remember you have until early June to take advantage of the Vive Pro 2 promotion and keep checking Steam for stock on the individual components.
Will you be picking up the Vive Pro 2 with any of these options? Let us know in the comments below!
Die VIVECON ist gestartet und HTC hat die Vive Pro 2 und die Vive Focus 3 vorgestellt. Während sich die Vive Focus 3 ausschließlich an Unternehmen und professionelle Anwender und Anwenderinnen richtet, ist die Vive Pro 2 auch als Upgrade für Enthusiasten gedacht.
Vive Pro 2 und Vive Focus
Die HTC Vive Pro 2 wird auf ein 5K LCD-Panel (2,5K pro Auge) mit RGB-Subpixeln setzen. Dabei wird HTC ein “Dual-Stacked-Lens-Design” verwenden, welches großflächige Klarheit auf einem Sichtbereich von 120 Grad verspricht. Beim Dual-Stacked-Lens-Design kommen direkt zwei Linsen hintereinander zum Einsatz.
Vive Pro 2: Upgrade auch für ältere PCs
HTC Vive wird bei der Vive Pro 2 weiterhin auf das SteamVR-Tracking von Valve setzen. Ihr benötigt für den Betrieb also Lighthouse-Stationen der ersten oder zweiten Generation, um die Brille im Raum zu tracken. Auch bei den Controllern wird es keine Veränderungen geben. Ihr könnt aber die Vive Pro 2 mit den Controllern der Valve Index oder anderen Controllern verwenden, die von SteamVR unterstützt werden. HTC wird mit der Vive Pro 2 das Rad also nicht neu erfinden, aber ein spannendes Upgrade für Menschen bieten, die bereits eine Brille mit SteamVR-Tracking besitzen.
Damit ihr nicht zwangsläufig euren PC für den Betrieb der Vive Pro 2 upgraden müsst, hat HTC Vive gemeinsam wohl mit NVIDIA und AMD ein System entwickelt, um die Stream-Kompression zu optimieren. Hierdurch soll es möglich sein, auch mit schwächerer Hardware die Vive Pro 2 zu betreiben. Wenn euer PC also flott genug für die Vive Pro 1 war, soll er theoretisch auch mit der Vive Pro 2 arbeiten können.
Falls ihr die Vive Pro 2 als Upgrade bestellen wollt, dann könnt ihr dies ab sofort tun. Durch einen aktuellen Rabatt kommt ihr auf einen Preis von 739 Euro für die VR-Brille ohne Tracker und ohne Controller. Ab 4. Juni wird es auch ein Komplettpaket für 1.399 Euro geben.
HTC today announced the Vive Pro 2, an upgraded version of the Vive Pro headset which first launched in 2018. The new version of the headset brings a huge upgrade to resolution, along with a boost to field-of-view, while retaining compatibility with previously released accessories like the Vive Wireless Adapter and Vive Facial Tracker. The headset itself will sell for $800 with a release date of June 3rd, while a full kit including controllers and base stations will be priced at $1,400 with a release date in July.
HTC first launched the Vive Pro back in 2018. Aside from its hefty price, which straddled the line between high-end consumer and enterprise, it was a well built headset. The Vive Pro 2 looks to be a return to form in both design and awkward price positioning, bringing an impressive leap in resolution and a boost to field-of-view.
Let’s take a quick rundown of the full specs (a few details are still unknown but we’ve reached out to HTC for more info):
Vive Pro 2 Specs
Resolution
2,448 × 2,448 (6.0MP) per-eye, LCD (2x)
Refresh Rate
90Hz, 120Hz
Lenses
Dual-element Fresnel
Field-of-view
120° diagonal
Optical Adjustments
IPD, eye-relief
IPD Adjustment Range
Unknown
Connectors
USB 3.0, DisplayPort 1.2
Cable Length
Unknown
Tracking
SteamVR Tracking 1.0 or 2.0 (external beacons)
Controllers
Vive wand controllers, rechargeable battery
Audio
On-ear headphones, USB-C audio output
Microphone
Dual microphone
Pass-through Cameras
Yes
Resolution & Lenses
Image courtesy HTC
The biggest upgrade to the Vive Pro 2 is surely the new displays. While the headset moves away from OLED in favor of LCD, the resolution has jumped from 2.3MP (1,440 × 1,600) per-eye on the Vive Pro to a whopping 6.0MP (2,448 × 2,448) per-eye. That gives the headset a class-leading resolution, handily beating out headsets like Quest 2 at 3.5MP (1,832 × 1,920) per-eye, and Reverb G2 at 4.7MP (2,160 × 2,160) per-eye.
In addition to a jump in resolution, the new LCD displays also boost refresh rate from 90Hz to 120Hz. A new dual-element lens design takes the Vive Pro 2 diagonal field-of-view to 120° (up from 110° on Vive Pro), according to HTC.
To push all those pixels, HTC says that Vive Pro 2 is the first headset to support Display Stream Compression, allowing it to handle the huge 719MP per-second throughput on DisplayPort 1.2 when running at full resolution and framerate.
Same Solid Design as Its Predecessor
Image courtesy HTC
While the Vive Pro 2 internals have been upgraded, the outer headset is largely the same design as the Vive Pro, which has proven to be a well designed bit of hardware with great ergonomics and smart cable management. This of course means the Vive Pro 2 is sticking with SteamVR Tracking, apparently using the same sensor layout as the original.
Vive Pro 2 also includes a welcome range of ergonomic adjustments, including a dial on the back for tightening the headstrap, an eye-relief adjustment, and an IPD adjustment.
The headphones are also the same as the original headset which we didn’t find to be the best at launch, though they saw some post-launch improvements which brought them up to par.
Vive Wands Are Still Kicking
HTC’s Vive wand controller has been largely unchanged since its launch in 2016 | Image courtesy HTC
Vive Pro 2 will continue to lean on HTC’s Vive wand controllers. Those opting for the ‘full kit’ version of the headset will receive the Vive wand controllers and base stations, both supporting SteamVR Tracking 2.0. That of course means that you can use any SteamVR Tracking compatible controller with the headset, including the Valve Index controllers if you so choose.
While many consumer headsets have moved away from the Vive wand and their large trackpads—instead opting for thumbsticks, buttons, and grip triggers—HTC says some still prefer the wand-style controllers, especially in enterprise-use cases where they can be easier to learn for users who aren’t used to gaming controllers.
Compatibility with Vive Wireless Adapter & Facial Tracker
The Vive Wireless Adapter is a pricey add-on that removes the cable | Image courtesy HTC
Vive Pro 2 will have compatibility with Vive accessories like the Wireless Adapter and recently released Facial Tracker.
The Vive Wireless Adapter will support up to 90Hz on Vive Pro 2, though it isn’t clear if it will support the headset’s full resolution (we’ve reached out to HTC for more details).
Of course the headset will also support any accessory in the SteamVR Tracking ecosystem, like the Vive Tracker or Tundra Tracker.
Vive Pro 2 Price and Release Date
Image courtesy HTC
The headset-only version of Vive Pro 2 has a release date of June 3rd and a price of $800. HTC will begin pre-orders of the headset today with a $50 pre-order discount.
The full kit version of Vive Pro 2 (which includes the headset, controllers, and base stations) will be released in July and priced at $1,400.
There’s been a reasonable amount of teasing info released regarding HTC Vive’s plans for its first ViveCon event next week, with it being a given that a new virtual reality (VR) headset will be revealed. However, there have been hints that more than one device will feature, with a new report indicating that HTC plans to unveil Vive Focus 3 and Vive Pro 2 headsets, both firmly geared towards enterprise use cases if the pricing is accurate.
In documents reportedly seen by Protocol, HTC will be announcing the Vive Focus 3 Business Edition, the next iteration of its standalone headset range, and the Vive Pro 2, continuing its line of tethered PC VR headsets. Prices then briefly appeared on an e-commerce website called Alzashop which supposedly listed the Vive Focus 3 Business Edition for €1,474 ($1,771), whilst the Pro 2 retailed for €842 ($1,012). If they’re even remotely accurate then HTC is most definitely looking at the business end of the market.
This would certainly track considering HTC’s recent Twitter teases which said: “Now that the accessories are out of the way, let’s get down to business.” Referring to the recent launch of the new Vive Tracker and Vive Facial Tracker. Plus there’s the little mention on the ViveCon website that it’ll feature “game-changing VR headsets.” While no specifications have been released just yet Protocol does mention that the devices will be available at the end of May.
There’s now less than a week to go until ViveCon 2021 and if you wanted any more confirmation of HTC Vive’s focus towards enterprise use cases then look no further than the event session talks. These are all geared around collaboration, training, health, design, and the arts. The only one even remotely gaming-oriented is location-based entertainment (LBE) so there could be some surprises there.
Plus, if you sign-up for the event you’ll be in with a chance of winning “a next-level Vive VR system” the website proudly mentions, so that’s always a bonus.
ViveCon 2021 runs from 11th May at 5 pm BST until 12 May, with day one focused on the keynote and day two hosting all the developer sessions. For further updates as they come in, keep reading VRFocus.
According to a report from Protocol, HTC will unveil two new headsets at ViveCon next week – the Vive Focus 3 Business Edition and Vive Pro 2.
Protocol found mentions of both devices in company documents, and reports that both were also briefly listed on Alzashop, a European ecommerce site.
The Vive Focus 3 Business Edition will be a standalone enterprise headset following up the Vive Focus Plus, while the Vive Pro 2 will be a high-end PC VR successor to the original Vive Pro.
According to the Alzashop pages, the Vive Focus 3 Business Edition will retail for €1,474 (approximately $1770) and the Vive Pro 2 for €842 (approximately $1012). Protocol reports that both devices will be available to purchase by the end of the month.
HTC’s previous comments suggested its standalone headset would not be a Quest competitor. This lines up with the Protocol report, which indicates that the Vive Focus 3 is aimed at an enterprise market and, priced somewhere around $1700, comes nowhere close to the Quest 2’s $299 starting price, and still more than double the $799 starting price of the Quest 2 business edition.
The Vive Pro 2 looks to be a successor to the original Vive Pro, which was mostly discontinued in March 2020, spare for a few Vive Pro Eye models.
