Thinking of treating your family to a little virtual reality this vacation? Don’t have a clue where to start? Do not worry.
From Google’s inexpensive Cardboard VR viewer to Sony’s new PlayStation VR, this guide will help you figure out what makes sense for your family’s interests, needs and budget. Here are your options if you want to dip your toe in the water, wade knee deep, or really want to swim with the big VR fish.
Remember that virtual reality is a rapidly changing technology, so always check out company websites, professional reviews on sites like CNET, and user reviews before taking the plunge.
Virtual Reality Viewer: Best for families with young children
Virtual reality viewers are low-cost, handheld devices that offer three-dimensional views and the feeling of being somewhere else. Viewers’ lenses add depth to static images or animations, but they don’t allow you to interact with your surroundings. To use it, download any app labeled “VR” on iTunes or Google Play, launch the app and insert your smartphone into the viewer. Most viewers use their phone’s button or other simple input to control the action.
main features
• Cheap
• Compatible with most smartphones and iOS or Android apps labeled “VR” (except View-Master which uses specially designed apps)
• More like a 3D movie than real VR
• Best suited for educational content and games
• The selection of high-quality apps is currently quite limited. Check out The New York Times VR virtual reality stories and these recommendations.
products in this category
• Google Cardboard ($14.99)
Literally made out of cardboard, this handheld device that you build yourself is a fun, novel way to experience virtual reality. Use with any smartphone and iOS or Android VR apps. Google offers many different viewers, including the steampunk-looking Google Tech C-1 Glass VR Viewer ($14.99).
• SmartTheater Virtual Reality Headset ($19.99)
This is a comfortable viewer with adjustable lenses, a head strap, and an easy-to-use trigger input. Comes with a portable cardboard motion controller to add some pizzazz to games. Works with most smartphones and any iOS or Android VR app.
• View Master Virtual Reality ($29.99)
Geared more towards learning than play, the View-Master is available in a range of packs to explore dinosaurs, space, wildlife and more. Each pack includes pluggable picture scrolls (your phone will provide the horsepower). Works with most smartphones and specially designed View-Master iOS or Android apps.
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VR Headsets: Best for big kids and tweens
VR headsets are increasing in price and features. They are similar to spectators in that you download VR apps from the App Store and insert your phone into them. Headsets work with exactly the same apps as viewers (with the exception of Samsung Gear VR and Google Daydream View), but give you a more immersive experience.
The advantages of headsets are that they are more comfortable to wear, fit better (prevents light leakage), have better lenses, and often have headphone jacks. Because of this, some people like to use them to watch videos. They don’t make the videos three-dimensional, but they offer a personal cinematic experience. They also typically have built-in game controllers in the headset itself or work with handheld controllers, giving you more options in apps than you would with a simple viewer.
main features
• More expensive as a spectator
• Compatible with most smartphones (except Samsung Gear VR and Google Daydream View) and iOS or Android apps labeled “VR”
• More believable you are experience but limited ability to interact with your surroundings
• Good for gaming, educational content and watching movies
• The selection of high-quality apps is currently quite limited. Check out The New York Times VR virtual reality stories and these recommendations.
• Headsets have minimum age requirements set by manufacturers; Check the age before you buy.
products in this category
• Merge VR Glasses ($79)
This large purple headset is made from flexible foam and features audio jacks and two input buttons for easy game control. Works with most iOS and Android VR apps.
• Google Daydream View ($79; shipping November 2016)
This lightweight plush fabric headset is specially designed for Google’s brand new Daydream VR platform. The platform includes Daydream-compatible phones (like the company’s Pixel phone), apps, and controllers. Daydream View comes with a controller and the company says there will be 50 apps at launch, including games, educational content and streaming services.
• Samsung Gear VR ($99)
Designed exclusively for Samsung phones, the Gear VR features an input pad on the side of the headset and works with Bluetooth controllers, allowing you to navigate games with ease. Works with Gear VR compatible games (including Minecraft Gear VR Edition).
• VR Kix Virtual Reality Headset ($49.99)
Customizable lenses, a custom fit, and a smartphone tray that you can customize to fit your phone make the Kix a great option for high-quality VR on any smartphone. Works with most iOS and Android VR apps.
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Consoles: Best for ages 12+
Currently the only VR gaming console offered by Sony. The company’s just-in-time-for-the-holiday PlayStation VR headset works with the PlayStation 4. If you don’t already have a PS4, you can buy the PlayStation 4 Slim or a PlayStation 4 Pro (also brand new for the holidays) and the PSVR. The headset and console horsepower deliver an immersive, interactive VR experience.
main features
• Expensive
• Limited to Sony PlayStation
• Fully immersive and interactive; Potential for motion sickness
• Games tend to be mature but plentiful, including Batman Arkham VR, 100ft Robot Golf, Final Fantasy XV VR, Battlezone, and Resident Evil 7.
• The minimum age recommended by Sony is 12 years old.
products in this category
• PlayStation VR Launch Bundle ($499.99)
Includes everything you need to turn your PS4 into a VR machine including a headset, camera, two motion controllers, a game and cables.
• PlayStation 4 Slim ($299.99); PSVR sold separately
This redesigned, slimmer version of the PS4 features improved graphics, a lighted controller and runs quieter.
• PlayStation 4 Pro ($399.99); PSVR sold separately
Better graphics, faster action, and optimized to work better with certain “Pro-Enhanced” games
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Super Powered Headsets: Best for teens
You may have heard of the menacing-sounding Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. These are the ultra-powerful VR headsets that offer a fully immersive experience; some call it “the holodeck” in reference to the alternate reality of Star Trek. Both require powerful, high-end PCs (which cost over $500).
main features
• Super expensive
• Compatible games (eg Everest VR is exclusive to Vive) and powerful computers required
• Full interactivity with your environment
• Games tend to be mature, including The Assembly and Deus Ex Mankind Divided.
• Best for families with teenagers; The minimum manufacturer age of Oculus Rift is 13 years; Valve says the Vive is “not for kids”.
products in this category
• HTC Vive ($799)
Offers a “room-scale experience”. If your kids are playing on the Steam gaming network, then surely they’ve seen advertisements for the HTC Vive since it’s made by the same company, Valve, that owns Steam. Steam offers a few Vive-only games designed to take advantage of this headset’s unique abilities.
• Oculus Rift ($599)
Includes everything to make VR a reality except the computer: a headset, a sensor, a remote control, cables, an Xbox controller and a game.
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