ZEISS VR ONE Review
I was excited to get this one. Its another cardboard meets ski goggles solution but Zeiss have a reputation for making the best lenses on the planet. But for $100, how good could it be?
Smart phone Trays
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The unit comes with a tray either for the iPhone 6 or the Galaxy S5. My phone is a Motorola Droid Maxx so I was expecting to have to modify one of the trays to fit. The trays are only $10 each so I ordered one of each.
They have a survey on their website for which phone they should support next. Turns out my Droid Maxx fits into the tray for the S5 just fine. There is a little wiggle from side to side and the headphone and usb sockets are in different places. This can all be fixed in 20 minutes with a craft knife and some foam rubber. |
Droid Maxx in Galaxy S5 tray
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Optics
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The optics in the VR ONE look more like those found in a DK2 than the puny little ones in a cardboard. They give a much wider field of view when compared to cardboard lenses.
Cardboard lenses are "flat" where as these, like those found in a DK2 are anamorphic and require the rendering software to pre warp the image. They also appear to introduce some chromatic aberration. On the other hand they are huge and gorgeous and even with the image warping, I still found Space Terror VR (which renders flat) easier to look at and more fun with this device than with cardboard lenes. With that being said, this means cardboard has better pixel density and doesn't require an expensive post processing step during rendering, both of which are relevant concerns for phone based devices. |
Big lenses, the tray and the center strap
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ergonomics
This thing is a beast. It is significantly larger and heavier than my MK2 headset. It is also hotter because of the enclosed face design. A feature shared with all other "ski google" designs out there. The center strap which goes over the top of your head is a requirement.
That being said, the phone is much more securely located and overall the viewing experience is significantly better.
I might at some point start hacking plastic off the Zeiss VR ONE. I think I can reduce the weight considerably without doing too much structural damage but not before GDC!
That being said, the phone is much more securely located and overall the viewing experience is significantly better.
I might at some point start hacking plastic off the Zeiss VR ONE. I think I can reduce the weight considerably without doing too much structural damage but not before GDC!
A discussion on bottoms?
Both of my HMD designs had open bottoms and blinders at the sides . That is to say the user could see reality if they looked down. Nearly every other HMD out there is of the ski goggle type and completely shuts out reality. There are 3 reasons why I like having an open bottom to my HMD.
- Less heat build up because of better air flow. It's more comfortable and probably better for your eyes.
- My HMD is about half the weight of anything else out there.
- The little chunk of reality at the bottom of your field of view helps you tolerate experiences that might otherwise cause simulator sickness. It also means you can safely and easily play games standing up that require you to pivot on the spot like Space Terror VR.
Summary
Would I recommend the Zeiss VR ONE? Yes. If you want to dip a toe into VR, it allows you to get started working with the phone you probably already own, in a comfortable environment for a very reasonable price. It's also built like a tank. I guess the Mk2 just got retired.