Passthrough is very useful<\/td> God rays are quite noticeable<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nVarjo Aero<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Varjo Aero (Credit: Varjo)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAlthough I don’t own a Varjo Aero, I have had the pleasure of trying it on a number of occasions, and all I can say is that it is incredible. The visual clarity is breathtaking, it’s exceptionally comfortable, has a reasonable FOV, automatic IPD adjustment, and eye-tracking.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nI still can’t get over how clear everything was when I tried the Varjo Aero, which was as much of a jump in visual clarity as moving from the Rift S to the Reverb G2. The increase in visual clarity doesn’t just make things clear, and text readable, but it significantly increases immersion<\/strong>, as it feels much more like you are actually sitting in the cockpit of a plane, with fewer visual reminders that you are playing a VR simulator. <\/p>\n\n\n\nOne big downside of the Varjo Aero is the price, which is quite frankly astronomical.<\/strong> This is a headset that is really only intended for early adopters, prosumers, and businesses, and most people shouldn’t even consider it. <\/p>\n\n\n\nVarjo Aero also comes without built-in audio, which I have mixed feelings about. On the one hand, it is disappointing to have to add your own headphones, particularly when other headsets do such a good job with audio solutions, but on the other hand, it gives you the flexibility to use whatever headphones you like. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Varjo Aero also requires the use of external lighthouse tracking stations, which I am not a fan of for VR simulators. Due to the seated nature of DCS, external tracking really adds little to the experience but comes at a significant additional cost. However, if you plan on using the Varjo Aero for other purposes, then external tracking is the gold standard, and whilst fiddly to setup, provides extremely accurate tracking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the HP Reverb G2 being a fraction of the cost, and offering an excellent, albeit lesser, experience, it’s hard to recommend the Varjo Aero, except for those where money is no object or those who insist on having the absolute best. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Varjo Aero Specs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Resolution (Per Eye):<\/strong> 2880 x 2720Refresh Rate:<\/strong> 90HzLenses:<\/strong> AsphericFOV (Horizontal\/Vertical):<\/strong> 102\u00b0\/73\u00b0 (independently tested)Pixels Per (Horizontal) Degree (PPD):<\/strong> 35 (Max)Tracking:<\/strong> External SteamVR Tracking<\/p>\n\n\n\nPros And Cons Of Varjo Aero For DCS<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPros Of Varjo Aero For DCS<\/strong><\/td>Cons Of Varjo Aero For DCS<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>Amazing visual clarity<\/td> Relatively small FOV<\/td><\/tr> Very comfortable<\/td> Prohibitively expensive<\/td><\/tr> The sweet spot is huge<\/td> No built-in speakers<\/td><\/tr> Eye tracking<\/td> Requires external base stations for tracking<\/td><\/tr> Automatic IPD adjustment<\/td> Bulky headset<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHTC Vive Pro 2<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
HTC Vive Pro 2 (Credit: HTC)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe HTC Vive Pro 2 is a great option for those who want both excellent visual clarity and an improved FOV, without having to spend the significant amount required to get a Varjo Aero. The HTC Vive Pro 2 provides slightly better visual clarity than the HP Reverb G2 thanks to the higher-resolution panels, which provide 2448×2448 pixels per eye. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also has a much larger FOV than the HP Reverb G2, at approximately 114\u00b0 horizontally, although only 90\u00b0 vertically. This actually takes some getting used to, and some people have been underwhelmed by the FOV of the Vive Pro 2 due to the relatively unimpressive vertical FOV. However, this can be mitigated by using an aftermarket facial interface to reduce eye relief and largely eliminates this issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At less than half the price of the Varjo Aero, the Vive Pro 2 is a great headset, offering a larger FOV but slightly worse visual clarity.<\/strong> Once again, it has external tracking, via Lighthouse 2.0 stations, which can be purchased as part of a kit, or you can buy the headset separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe HTC Vive Pro 2 is an excellent headset for DCS, but it’s pricey and isn’t a huge leap forward compared to the HP Reverb G2.<\/strong> It does fill a gap in the market and will appeal to enthusiasts who prefer an external tracking solution. For anyone who already has external tracking stations from a previous VR headset, the HTC Vive Pro 2 will be a particularly compelling option.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHTC Vive Pro 2 Specs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Resolution (Per Eye):<\/strong> 2448×2448Pixels Per (Horizontal) Degree (PPD):<\/strong> 24.9Tracking:<\/strong> External SteamVR Tracking<\/p>\n\n\n\nPros And Cons Of HTC Vive Pro 2 For DCS<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPros Of Vive Pro 2 For DCS<\/strong><\/td>Cons Of Vive Pro 2 For DCS<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>Market-leading visual clarity<\/td> Expensive compared to HP Reverb G2<\/td><\/tr> Cost-effective externally tracked headset<\/td> Comes with outdated HTC Vive controllers<\/td><\/tr> Large FOV<\/td> Requires external SteamVR tracking stations<\/td><\/tr> Excellent audio<\/td> Atypical shape of FOV<\/td><\/tr> High refresh rate<\/td> Can get quite hot when in use<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nValve Index<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Valve Index (Credit: Valve)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe Valve Index was initially released in June 2019, but still stands up well to the competition today. It still provides a very commendable level of visual clarity and an FOV that most other headsets can’t compete with. It has a resolution of 1440×1600 per eye, which is below the HP Reverb G2 and well below the HTC Vive Pro 2, but it is still very reasonable for most activities, and the large FOV partially compensates for this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Valve Index is also one of the most cost-effective ways to get started with an externally tracked VR headset.<\/strong> If you already have a Valve Index, I’m not sure that I would be rushing to upgrade to one of the other options on this list, but equally, I struggle to recommend it over some of the alternatives. The HP Reverb G2 offers much better visual clarity for half the price, and the HTC Vive Pro 2 is better in most ways for only a bit more money. <\/p>\n\n\n\nValve Index Specs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Resolution:<\/strong> 1440×1600Refresh Rate:<\/strong> Up to 144HzLenses:<\/strong> Fresnel LensesFOV (Horizontal\/Vertical):<\/strong> 108\u00b0\/104\u00b0 (independently tested)Pixels Per (Horizontal) Degree (PPD):<\/strong> 14.8Tracking:<\/strong> External SteamVR Tracking<\/p>\n\n\n\nPros And Cons Of Valve Index For DCS<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPros Of Valve Index For DCS<\/strong><\/td>Cons Of Valve Index For DCS<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>Above average FOV<\/td> Older than competitors<\/td><\/tr> Terrific refresh rate<\/td> Hard to read cockpit instruments<\/td><\/tr> Very comfortable<\/td> Requires external tracking<\/td><\/tr> Market-leading audio<\/td> Less suited for DCS than others<\/td><\/tr> Good value externally-tracked headset<\/td> Lower resolution than others<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nPimax 8KX<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pimax 8KX (Credit: Pimax)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nIf FOV is really important to you, then you will no doubt have read about Pimax VR headsets, which offer up to 170\u00b0 horizontal FOV. On paper, the Pimax 8KX looks incredible, with a resolution of 3840×2160 per eye, and it really is an impressive headset, but it’s not quite as good as the raw specs would suggest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The combination of the huge FOV and great visual clarity makes the Pimax 8KX a great choice, but the visual clarity isn’t actually any better than the HP Reverb G2 because the available pixels are spread across a larger FOV.<\/strong> In addition, there is some distortion at the edges of your field of view that some people may find distracting. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhere the Pimax 8KX really shines for DCS players is that it provides such a wide FOV, coupled with great visual clarity, giving you a massive advantage in terms of situational awareness in dogfights, while being able to see your cockpit instruments easily, and being able to identify targets at distance much easier than some other headsets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once again, this is a VR headset that requires external tracking stations, which adds to the cost, without adding much benefit for the typical VR simmer. Pimax is also a company that has experienced some growing pains, with issues concerning headset build quality, and software performance. Thankfully, I think most of these issues have been largely resolved, and Pimax seems committed to the VR industry and certainly enjoys pushing the boundaries of what is possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pimax 8KX Specs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Resolution:<\/strong> 3840×2160Refresh Rate:<\/strong> 90 HzLenses:<\/strong> Fresnel lensesFOV (Horizontal\/Vertical):<\/strong> 159\u00b0\/103\u00b0 (independently tested)Pixels Per (Horizontal) Degree (PPD):<\/strong> 22.6Tracking:<\/strong> External SteamVR Tracking<\/p>\n\n\n\nPros And Cons Of Pimax 8KX For DCS<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPros Of Pimax 8KX For DCS<\/strong><\/td>Cons Of Pimax 8KX For DCS<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>Breathtaking FOV<\/td> Some visual distortion at the peripheries<\/td><\/tr> Great speakers<\/td> Very expensive<\/td><\/tr> Visual clarity similar to Reverb G2<\/td> Requires very high-end computer hardware. <\/td><\/tr> Very comfortable<\/td> Build quality is less impressive than others.<\/td><\/tr> Combination of clarity and FOV is impressive<\/td> Requires external tracking. <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nBest VR Headset For DCS – Breakdown By Feature<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The best VR headset for DCS will depend on your individual priorities. For me, visual clarity is top of the list, whereas others will prioritize FOV, comfort, sound, or a range of other features more highly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your priorities will also depend on what types of aircraft you fly in DCS, and how you like to fly. Those who engage in intense air-to-air combat might benefit from a higher FOV to gain a situational awareness advantage. Others may value greater visual clarity, allowing you to spot features at greater distances or being able to read all of the instruments and MFDs in your cockpit without having to move your head and body to see them clearer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Field of View<\/h3>\n\n\n\n If FOV is your top priority, the Pimax 8KX is the clear winner. With 170\u00b0 horizontal FOV (159\u00b0 when independently tested) and visual clarity that meets that of the HP Reverb G2, it is a very impressive headset. The HTC Vive Pro 2 and Valve Index also have larger than average FOVs, although the Valve Index has a level of visual clarity that is now a little lower than similar competing headsets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Comfort<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The HTC Vive Pro 2 and Varjo Aero are the most comfortable headsets on this list and can be worn for hours without issue. The only headset that has any significant comfort issues is the Meta Quest 2, and even these can be largely resolved by using the Elite Strap with Battery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unless you are planning to spend more than 4 hours in DCS VR per day on a regular basis, most of the current headsets are perfectly comfortable for DCS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Visual Clarity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n If you want the absolute best in visual clarity for DCS VR today, the Varjo Aero stands out as the best of the best. However, it comes at an eye-watering cost and most people shouldn’t even consider it. The HP Reverb G2 is the best VR headset for DCS for most people when it comes to visual quality. There is no screen-door effect, all of the cockpit instruments are readable without having to lean forward, and the sweet spot is acceptable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In terms of externally tracked VR headsets, the HTC Vive Pro 2 is a terrific option, offering slightly better visual clarity as well as a larger FOV than the HP Reverb G2, but at more than twice the price. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Price<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The HP Reverb G2 offers the best value for money and is often on sale for as little as $400. This makes it cheaper than even the Quest 2 once you factor in the Elite strap, and you get a considerable amount for the money. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Special mention should also go to the Quest 2, which still offers great value, but is a headset better suited to someone who wants to have lots of different VR experiences. The HTC Vive Pro 2 also provides good value for someone who really wants external tracking and excellent visuals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Varjo Aero is the outlier in the price category, and it very much depends on whether you want the very best at any cost. I suspect that the next wave of VR headsets will reach similar levels of visual clarity to the Varjo Aero at a much-reduced price point, so the question is whether you are prepared to wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Versatility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The Meta Quest 2 is easily the most versatile of all the headsets on this list, but it still provides a good level of performance in DCS, either with the wired Link cable or wirelessly with Air Link or Virtual Desktop. Unless you’re 100% sure that you are going to spend a lot of time playing VR simulation games, Quest 2 is a really solid choice, and I very much doubt you would be disappointed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking past the Quest 2, the HP Reverb G2 is a great option due to the ease of use and inside-out tracking, which avoids much of the setup and expense of externally tracked VR headsets. I’ve logged 100s of hours with the HP Reverb G2 in DCS and find the tracking to be very good, and I wouldn’t be tempted to use an externally tracked headset in preference to it, unless it had features that far exceeded it, at an acceptable price point. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
DCS is the best combat flight simulator you can play today, with a wide range of meticulously modeled aircraft and stunning maps to play on. Playing DCS in virtual reality<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1749,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1732"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1732"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1732\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2185,"href":"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1732\/revisions\/2185"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1749"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1732"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1732"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1732"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"HP](\"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/best-vr-headset-for-dcs-hp-reverb-g2.jpg\")
![\"Meta](\"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/best-vr-headset-for-dcs-quest-2.jpg\")
![\"Varjo](\"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/best-vr-headset-for-dcs-varjo-aero.jpg\")
![\"HTC](\"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/best-vr-headset-for-dcs-htc-vive-pro-2.jpg\")
![\"Valve](\"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/best-vr-headset-for-dcs-valve-index.jpg\")
![\"best](\"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/best-vr-headset-for-dcs-pimax-8kx.jpg\")