HTC VIVE Focus 3 Review: The Best Enterprise VR Headset?
If you are looking for a standalone VR headset that offers best-in-class graphics, ergonomic comfort and applications that will transform the way you work, you might want to check out the HTC Vive Focus 3.
The Vive Focus 3 is HTC’s latest standalone VR headset for enterprise customers, and it comes with impressive features and specs that make it stand out from other VR headsets on the market.
The HTC VIVE Focus 3 is a game changer in the realm of commercial and enterprise VR, offering a compact, yet immensely powerful solution to businesses and organizations. With VIVE's focus (pun intended) on providing a polished enterprise VR solution to both digital businesses and traditional industries (engineering, construction, etc.), the Focus 3 is one of the best ways to introduce immersive technologies to the workplace.
There is nothing stopping consumers from buying it either; VR enthusiasts can enjoy the headset's incredible immersion, unmatched by anything currently on the market due to its impressive specs.
Release Date And Price
The HTC Vive Focus 3 was announced on May 11th, 2021, and it was released worldwide on June 27th.
The headset costs $1,300, which makes it one of the most expensive standalone VR headsets available, but also one of the most powerful and versatile. Although the price is high, it also includes tech support and a suite of high-quality business services, such as VIVE Business Streaming software. These essential add-ons help increase productivity and Quality of Life (QoL), making enterprise VR implementation straightforward.
Display And Field Of View
One of the most impressive features of the Vive Focus 3 is its display. The headset has two 2.88-inch LCD panels with a resolution of 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye . That’s a whopping 5K/6MP per-eye resolution, which is higher than any other standalone VR headset on the market!
The display also has a refresh rate of 90 Hz, which ensures smooth motion and reduced latency. Yes, 90Hz is lower than some HMDs such as the Valve Index, but since this headset is geared towards enterprise rather than entertainment, 90Hz is more than enough.
The Vive Focus 3 also boasts a wide field of view (FOV) of 120 degrees, which is significantly larger than most other VR headsets. A wider FOV means more immersion and less tunnel vision, as there are no black borders on the edge of your vision ( I'm looking at you, Quest 2 ), and you can see more of your virtual surroundings without moving your head.
Processor And Storage
The Vive Focus 3 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 platform, which is designed specifically for XR (Mixed Reality) devices. The Snapdragon XR2 is based on Snapdragon 865 chipset, which is one of the most advanced mobile processors available. It supports high-performance graphics, AI processing, audio processing, computer vision and more.
The headset also has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage; due to the small, optimized size of VR/AR applications, this plenty enough to suit your business needs. In combination with cloud storage and streaming software, such as VIVE Business Streaming or Virtual Desktop, you won't have to worry about running out of space.
Additionally, the device has a micro SD card slot that supports up to 2TB of external storage. This means you can store plenty of apps, games, and media files on your device in case you want to be able to access all your resources in one place without any extra hassle.
Battery Life And Design
The headset has a unique design that features a rear-mounted battery pack which helps balance the weight distribution of the headset and reduces pressure on your face. Making the HMD more comfortable to wear, this will let you stay immersed for much longer than a fabric strap.
The battery pack is also removable and swappable. You can easily replace it with another one when it runs low, or charge it separately with a USB-C cable. The battery life is estimated at around two hours per charge, so it may be wise to have a couple of battery packs ready if you plan on using the device for prolonged periods of time.
The headset also has moisture-proof materials that are easy to wash. The face cushion and rear padding are removable and machine-washable, making it ideal for hygiene-conscious users or for use in shared environments such as an office or "Immersion spaces" (VRcades, hired spaces, etc.)
Controllers And Tracking
The Vive Focus 3 comes with new controllers that have been redesigned for better ergonomics and functionality. Capacitive sensors in the controllers detect your finger movements for more natural interactions in VR. They also have hall sensors that track their orientation without relying on cameras or magnets, which reduces the weight of components and thus improves ergonomics.
Using AA batteries that can last up to 15 hours per charge, the controllers connect to the headset via Bluetooth Low Energy to maximize battery life.
The headset itself uses inside-out tracking technology called HTC Vive Inside-Out Tracking. Similar to the Meta Quest 2, the headset uses infrared beams to track movement. The HMD has four cameras that track your head movement, as well as your controller position without the use of external sensors or base stations.
Audio Quality
The Vive Focus 3 delivers high-quality sound with its built-in directional speakers. These speakers are located near your ears but do not cover them completely, allowing you to hear both virtual sounds as well as real-world sounds around you.
The speakers also have spatial audio technology that creates realistic sound effects based on your location in VR. For example, if someone talks to you from behind or above you in VR, you will hear their voice coming from that direction.
This adds a new dimension of immersion/realism to experiences such as training simulations and conference calls. Whether it’s hearing the whirring of a sawblade as you cut a virtual steel sheet, or hearing your colleagues as if they were actually beside you in Immersed VR, spatial audio is an essential factor contributing to immersion.
Conclusion
The HTC VIVE Focus 3 VR headset is an impressive standalone HMD and one of the best enterprise VR headsets available in the market. It offers a high-resolution display, comfortable design, and excellent performance. The headset is perfect for businesses that require VR technology for training, simulations, and other applications. With its advanced features and capabilities, coupled with Vive's many enterprise tools, the HTC VIVE Focus 3 VR headset is an excellent investment for any business looking to take advantage of VR technology.