How much it costs to get into VR gaming in South Africa

mylesillidge

mylesillidge

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VR gaming for R6,000 in South Africa

South African gaming enthusiasts looking to get into virtual reality (VR) gaming can expect to pay between R6,000 and R30,000 for a headset, depending on their chosen device.

VR gaming allows for a more immersive experience. It applies a three-dimensional artificial environment to computer games to make you feel like you are in the game.
 
Just grates me that in SA we have a margin on a margin and sometimes its 3 times.
Quest 2
Ie 4,783.94 South African Rand vs R5999 here
1716063845130.png
 
Get no warranty from meta though, mine packed up just after 3 months and they wouldn't entertain any support because I was in South Africa, even if I sent it back at my cost.
 
Enjoyed the vision pro, but the cable and battery are a nuisance - will be great as it improves.
 
Do your own research

This writer misunderstood a bit and I really hope this isn't anybody's first impression of VR as I've been a fan of the scene since 2018 and got my first quest 2 in 2022 before its price raised to $400(it was lowered after 3's release)

The Quest series' entire point is being COMPLETELY STANDALONE
No extra device is needed to run games

The smartphone apps main use being monitoring battery, streaming video and my main use being buying games for it

The quests run on smartphone CPUs (Snapdragon series) The quests being insanely optimised being able to run many new games. (while suffering on graphics)

Personally I use the PC app for steam link which allows it to play PCVR games over air link or a usb C cable (PCVR is insanely resource intensive and need very good specs which is the reason why the Quest is so popular)

The Quest Pro and Vision Pro are ENTERPRISE headsets (The Quest 3 is better than both IMO)

Quest Pro came before the Quest 3 and has essentially the same features
The Vision Pro cant even really run games and isnt even really a VR headset (more AR) and is a laughbly expensive waste of time.

Dont go for a PSVR 2 unless you already own a PS5

If i would have to choose a HTC headset or Valve Index would be my choice if I were to have the money for PCVR although im not an expert in PCVR headsets

If you want to get into VR and have the cash I would go for a Quest 3 or Quest 2
 
Soappy said:
Do your own research

This writer misunderstood a bit and I really hope this isn't anybody's first impression of VR as I've been a fan of the scene since 2018 and got my first quest 2 in 2022 before its price raised to $400(it was lowered after 3's release)

The Quest series' entire point is being COMPLETELY STANDALONE
No extra device is needed to run games

The smartphone apps main use being monitoring battery, streaming video and my main use being buying games for it

The quests run on smartphone CPUs (Snapdragon series) The quests being insanely optimised being able to run many new games. (while suffering on graphics)

Personally I use the PC app for steam link which allows it to play PCVR games over air link or a usb C cable (PCVR is insanely resource intensive and need very good specs which is the reason why the Quest is so popular)

The Quest Pro and Vision Pro are ENTERPRISE headsets (The Quest 3 is better than both IMO)

Quest Pro came before the Quest 3 and has essentially the same features
The Vision Pro cant even really run games and isnt even really a VR headset (more AR) and is a laughbly expensive waste of time.

Dont go for a PSVR 2 unless you already own a PS5

If i would have to choose a HTC headset or Valve Index would be my choice if I were to have the money for PCVR although im not an expert in PCVR headsets

If you want to get into VR and have the cash I would go for a Quest 3 or Quest 2
Click to expand...
Enterprise meaning they are made for big companies for work and showcases which are still pretty gimmicky and not worth the money I.E. why anybody who has experience in VR would never recommend you them
 
I also DESPISE apple for releasing a gimmicky mess of a AR headset which put VR into mainstream again as expensive garbage which overshadowed the amazing tech that is the Quest 3
 
Depends on what experience you want?

Cheapest by far is just to get a quest 2 and use it in standalone mode.

But I would highly recommend using it with a pc, especially for things like VRChat, you will need the optional USB C 10meter cable it costs about R150-300 and you need a decentish PC:

Core i5 9th gen or up , or Ryzen 5 2nd gen or up.
32Gigs of Ram, VRChat needs a lot of ram , 16GB is the bare minimal but I would suggest 32gb from the start as big worlds need it.
GFX Card, Bare minimum you can use is a Geforce 1060 but I would suggest a Geforce 3060 so you dont have to use scaling.

So you need to add that too.

Wootware has decently priced quests but by far its cheaper to direct import from amazon.com.
www.wootware.co.za

Consoles - Wootware

Browse Consoles at Wootware & get quick delivery & superb service!
www.wootware.co.za www.wootware.co.za

Oh and dont get me started on a full body setups and importing a Valve Index into south africa, your going to spend upwards of R20-30K just to be able to move properly in VRChat ....
 
Those stat dumps in the article are odd, no one who hasn't used it will understand what:
It features two RGB cameras with 18 pixels per degree, providing 10x the resolution of the Quest 2 and three times the resolution of the Meta Quest Pro.
Click to expand...
Will mean without a comparison. Having both headsets, you're not using pass through on the Quest 2 except to quickly check if person/object/pet around you. Quest 3 you can actually use it to check messages, and at one point used it for streaming a tour of an apartment. Camera improvements also mean setting boundaries is miles better/faster.

Regarding its displays, the Meta Quest 3 features a resolution of 2,208 x 2,064 pixels per eye.
Click to expand...
And the Quest 3 has 2 panels instead of 1 like the Q2, so it's substantially sharper. Q2 only center is in focus so you can read, Q3 the entire panel is in focus and you can read text anywhere. Recently used Virtual Desktop with new update for multi-monitor support to work in for a bit at another place, since didn't have extra monitors there, works really well. Q2 you can forget it.

And why not also mention refresh rates for these? They also do 120Hz. This is wrong/outdated (since April 2021 as experimental toggle, normal/dev enable feature since Sep 2022) @mylesillidge
It features two 1,920 x 1,832-pixel displays — one for each eye — and a maximum refresh rate of 90Hz.
Click to expand...
Not mentioning field of view for any of these is also a missed opportunity.

Why not mentioning eye tracking for PS or Quest Pro? The foveated rendering allows better performance/fidelity.

I know this is basically a filler article, but would have been nice if there was a little more effort.
 
Paid around R70000 for the pc rig and vr combined.

Now I can play beerpong with other weird people like me on the moon.
 
Soappy said:
Do your own research

This writer misunderstood a bit and I really hope this isn't anybody's first impression of VR as I've been a fan of the scene since 2018 and got my first quest 2 in 2022 before its price raised to $400(it was lowered after 3's release)

The Quest series' entire point is being COMPLETELY STANDALONE
No extra device is needed to run games

The smartphone apps main use being monitoring battery, streaming video and my main use being buying games for it

The quests run on smartphone CPUs (Snapdragon series) The quests being insanely optimised being able to run many new games. (while suffering on graphics)
Click to expand...
Just adding that Q3 titles that have Q3 optimized graphics are actually pretty decent compared to PC VR, though PC VR is still better imho.
Soappy said:
Personally I use the PC app for steam link which allows it to play PCVR games over air link or a usb C cable (PCVR is insanely resource intensive and need very good specs which is the reason why the Quest is so popular)

The Quest Pro and Vision Pro are ENTERPRISE headsets (The Quest 3 is better than both IMO)
Click to expand...
Q3 is definitely not better, it's better for different use-cases, and for gaming it's a better purchase.
Soappy said:
Quest Pro came before the Quest 3 and has essentially the same features
Click to expand...
Foveated rendering, local dimming, controllers have better tracking (that's not to say that it's better value, and you can use Q Pro controllers on Q3, though wouldn't due to battery life, just that the Quest Pro is better, just generally not the price difference better).
Soappy said:
The Vision Pro cant even really run games and isnt even really a VR headset (more AR) and is a laughbly expensive waste of time.

Dont go for a PSVR 2 unless you already own a PS5
Click to expand...
Would also disagree there due to play station exclusives, e.g. car racing => gran turismo. Personally prefer Q3 and PC VR, but there are definitely titles on PS that are good/better. Personally though, can't really use PS due to controller size being too small/uncomfortable (rings).
Soappy said:
If i would have to choose a HTC headset or Valve Index would be my choice if I were to have the money for PCVR although im not an expert in PCVR headsets
Click to expand...
So was looking at Index at one point, you need permanently set up base stations, and cabled (Nofio is not a good solution).
The controllers for HTC are terrible sadly.
Really hoping valve releases a new wireless headset.
Soappy said:
If you want to get into VR and have the cash I would go for a Quest 3 or Quest 2
Click to expand...
Personally, would recommend everyone go Q3 and then also a proper halo strap and controller cover that goes with a strap on hand so you can let go, substantially nicer and completely changes the experience. Would not recommend getting a new Q2 at this point in time, the experience is noticeably better for Q3 (had friend who could not handle Q2 due to focal points/IPD not matching right, Q3 fine).
 
PC VR for the win!

VR titles I highly recommend only available on PC:

1. The actual VRChat (social space with user created content and impressive games separated into pc and pc+quest worlds. To get a true VR veteran badge in this you had to pass out and wake up with a hangover in VR still. The quest version is a bunch of children who’s parents bought them a headset for christmas.)

2. Dirt Rally 2 (I’m literally better with this in VR cause of the depth perception. Super hard, crazy realistic. In Finland you’re flying more than driving.)

3. Half-life Alyx (insanely good looking shooter. Nothing comes close and the game mechanics is spot on. Wasn’t a horror game according to valve and then you encounter Jeff. And have to start a lift by sneaking your arm around this monstrosity.)

4. Flight simulator. (Melts your pc but crazy good and fun in VR. Don’t do long boring flights.)

5. Nolimits Roller Coaster simulator 2 (Build your own rollercoaster with millimetre precision)

6. Blair witch project (flashlight in the woods looking for things moving in the trees, actually scary)

7. Layers of Fear (creepy wtf game)

8. Phasmaphobia (not as scary but super hilarious with friends, especially leaving them alone and listening to the panic in their voices.)

9. Elite Dangerous. (Vast, boring space flight but fun when you actually get a friend in the same system)

10. The Half-life 2 mods (not a vr injector and is downloadable on steam. Vehicles are hard.)
 
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My biggest gripe with the Quest 3 is the lack of a uniform proper reflective coating on the back of the lenses.

It makes a significant detraction in display quality, as the image is reflecting back to you - so one kind of has to angle the headset to view it from the bottom facing up so the glare is going "above" your line of view.

A big enough bunch of Q3 headsets suffer from this defect to make this a concern.

I've got 2x Q3's, a Q2 and HP G2 Reverb in the house and can confirm both Q3's suffer from the reflection issue, while the Q2 and HP does not. The Q2 quality is obviously lower. HP G2's got the cable, and button mapping is a pain in many games.
 
Johnatan56 said:
Just adding that Q3 titles that have Q3 optimized graphics are actually pretty decent compared to PC VR, though PC VR is still better imho.

Q3 is definitely not better, it's better for different use-cases, and for gaming it's a better purchase.

Foveated rendering, local dimming, controllers have better tracking (that's not to say that it's better value, and you can use Q Pro controllers on Q3, though wouldn't due to battery life, just that the Quest Pro is better, just generally not the price difference better).

Would also disagree there due to play station exclusives, e.g. car racing => gran turismo. Personally prefer Q3 and PC VR, but there are definitely titles on PS that are good/better. Personally though, can't really use PS due to controller size being too small/uncomfortable (rings).

So was looking at Index at one point, you need permanently set up base stations, and cabled (Nofio is not a good solution).
The controllers for HTC are terrible sadly.
Really hoping valve releases a new wireless headset.

Personally, would recommend everyone go Q3 and then also a proper halo strap and controller cover that goes with a strap on hand so you can let go, substantially nicer and completely changes the experience. Would not recommend getting a new Q2 at this point in time, the experience is noticeably better for Q3 (had friend who could not handle Q2 due to focal points/IPD not matching right, Q3 fine).
Click to expand...
Yeah when i replied there wasnt anybody who had experience with VR so i didnt really put much effort into this
Just wrote it on my break
Thx for correcting the stuff
I said you could go for Q2 cause in SA 7k is a big difference and Q2 still is amazing for the price (I havent tried a Q3 yet and now that I think about it if I did i prob wouldnt be able to go back like how i cant play BAS Nomad after playing BAS on PCVR
But yeah probaly best to go for Q3
And as I said I have limited knowledge of most other sets
 
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