Gadgets18.05.2024

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.

The cheapest VR headset from a prominent manufacturer is the 128GB Meta Quest 2, available from Wootware for R5,999.

The most expensive option also comes from Meta — the Quest Pro — which Zeek sells for R29,995.

It should be noted that the headset or kit isn’t the only cost to consider, as these systems must be linked to a supported smartphone or PC to access games.

The Meta devices are more accessible in this aspect, as they can be linked to a smartphone through the Meta Quest app.

Other devices, like those from HTC and PlayStation, require the user to connect the headset to a compatible PC or, in the case of the PlayStation VR2, a PlayStation 5 console.

VR gaming becomes significantly more expensive if you don’t have a compatible PC or console.

Meta’s VR devices also offer the ability to connect to a PC via a link cable. However, this isn’t a requirement for using the headset.

Below are VR headset options available to South African residents, with a brief description and pricing.


Meta Quest 2 128GB — R5,999 (Wootware)

Meta Quest 2 users can access VR gaming by linking their device to the smartphone app or by connecting it to a PC via a link cable to access Rift titles.

It features two 1,920 x 1,832-pixel displays — one for each eye — and a maximum refresh rate of 90Hz.

Meta says the headset increases pixel density thanks to dynamic resolution scaling for smoother gameplay and a more immersive experience.

Regarding body tracking, the Meta Quest 2 features six degrees of freedom, meaning it tracks the movement of your head and body and then translates them into VR.


Meta Quest 3 128GB — R13,399 (Wootware)

Meta’s Quest 3 headset works similarly to the previous generation. However, the company says its Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 SoC provides twice the GPU processing power offered with the Meta Quest 2.

With 8GB of RAM, it also offers 33% more memory than the Quest 2, which Meta says provides more support for users to use their favourite apps and play games with optimal performance.

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.

Regarding its displays, the Meta Quest 3 features a resolution of 2,208 x 2,064 pixels per eye.

“4K+ Infinite Display with 25PPD and 1218 PPI brings the best resolution across the entire Quest line of devices,” says Meta.


PlayStation VR2 — R13,999 (KooDoo)

Customers who want to experience the PlayStation VR2 headset must have the digital or disc version of a PS VR2 compatible game and will require a PlayStation 5 console to run it.

The kit sold by KooDoo includes the headset, controllers, a USB cable for pairing and charging, stereo headphones, and three pairs of earpieces.

The headset features two displays, providing a resolution of 2,040 x 2,000 pixels per eye, and each display supports a refresh rate of up to 120Hz.

Currently, PlayStation VR2 supports a range of popular games, including Resident Evil 4, Horizon Call of the Mountain, and Gran Tourismo 7.


HTC Vive Cosmos — R19,350 (Wootware)

HTC says its Vive Cosmos VR system offers a quick and easy setup. However, customers must have a PC that meets the headset’s minimum requirements to experience it.

The requirements include an Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX8350 equivalent or higher for the CPU.

Regarding GPU and memory specs, the headset requires a Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 4GB, AMD Radeon R9 290 4GB, or better graphics card, and at least 4GB of RAM.

It features two 1,700 x 1,440-pixel displays, one for each eye, for a combined 2,880 x 1,700-pixel resolution. The displays support a refresh rate of up to 90Hz.


HTC Vive Pro2 (headset only) — R25,681 (Wootware)

HTC says the Vive Pro2 can provide users with laser-accurate, room-scale tracking and next-level graphics for the most immersive experience possible.

Its two displays each offer a 2,448 x 2,448-pixel resolution for a combined 4,996 x 2,448-pixel display. It also features a refresh rate of up to 120Hz.

However, the company notes that only 90Hz is possible with the Vive wireless adapter. Users will need to plug in to get the maximum refresh rate.

The HTC Vive Pro2 requires that the user has a PC with at least an Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD Ryzen 1500, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 480, and 8GB of RAM.


Meta Quest Pro — R29,995 (Zeek)

Meta launched its Quest Pro VR headset in October 2022. It describes the device as the first of its high-end class of VR headsets.

The kit sold by Zeek includes the headset, two controllers, a charging dock, a 45W charger, two stylus tips, two partial light blockers, a protective cover, and two wrist straps.

Like with other Meta Quest devices, Meta Quest Pro users can access VR gaming by linking their device to the smartphone app or connecting it to a supported PC via a link cable.

The headset features LCD quantum dot displays, providing a resolution of 1,920 x 1,800 pixels per eye.

Regarding hardware specs, the Meta Quest Pro packs 12GB of RAM, 256GB storage, and a Snapdragon XR2+ processor, which Meta says is optimised for mixed reality and VR.

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