VR Headsets

A virtual reality (VR) headset is a mounted device (you guessed it, on your head) that provides you the user with a bonified VR experience. Before we go any further, let’s have a refresher on what VR is. A simulated experience akin to being in a parallel world, VR is available with anything from gaming, military training, and increasingly being used now for educational purposes. The origins of VR are a bit blurry. In the 1950s a gentleman by the name of Morton Hellig wrote about an “Experience Theatre” which would draw the viewer into a virtual world. In fact, the same Hellig came up with a product called the Sensorama along with 5 short films that would accompany the experience.

By the 90s VR was being used across a range of sectors and its use began to skyrocket. Besides being immersed in a virtual world, users continue to be impressed by the sense of depth that comes with VR. It is one thing to watch something and even be surrounded in a 3-D fashion. But good VR makes you feel as if you’ve been submerged into something which is an entirely unique feeling.

On the headset side, VR is especially popular with the medical field. Medical students strap on a VR headset where they can then perform surgical procedures in a controlled and safe environment. Accidents happen, nobody dies, and the student learns from his or her mistake and forges ahead. With military training the U.S. Armed Forces were early adopters, training cadets in the safest manner possible. Now, with military training the headset does have one disadvantage. Many VR headsets are made for indoor use, away from heat and preferably a cool environment. The military in many instances would like to be outside but have adapted accordingly.

So now that we understand VR, let’s get to the good part – the headset offerings. One of the best VR headsets on the market today is the HTC Vive. In the VR headset world, the Oculus Rift was long regarded as the irrefutable leader. When the HTC Vive was first released the Rift took an immediate backseat. Room-scale tracking and two motion controllers rendered the Vive a world apart from the Rift. Oculus caught up quickly, hitting the lab and now matching the Vive in many respects. But hardcore VR heads (and headsets) still claim the Vive’s room-scale tracking is superior.

As a stand-alone device, the Oculus Go is a fantastic option. This apparatus does not require a smartphone or even a PC to run exceptional experiences. Reasonably priced at $199 (other VR headsets can easily go north of $500), the visuals are impressive, and its content library comes standard with over 1,000 movies, games and apps.

Lastly, if you’re not running military exercises or performing heart surgery as a 5th year medical student, odds are you’re gaming. And if you’re gaming, then the PlayStation VR is your best bet. Sony’s VR option requires a PS4 and that’s about it. Plug this baby in and you’re off to the most exhilarating afternoon you could imagine – indoors that is, in your parent’s house despite you being 28, unemployed, and desperately seeking an identity. All kidding aside, even if that is you, this is a cool way to forget your problems and drown out your Mom’s constant criticism. After you put this headset down though do review some job boards.