Less than 200 grams, less than $1,000, custom-made, the Bigscreen Beyond VR headset promises a lot and aims to prove it in Q3 2023.
The virtual reality headset can be used for many things including gaming, with Steam VR compatibility if you have the right gear. The device was obviously also designed to take advantage of the services of Bigscreen, which specializes in social applications and watching movies in VR.
High definition OLED lenses
After years of work and successful fundraising, Biscreen has just announced the opening of pre-orders for its first-ever virtual reality headset. Say goodbye to large devices that are not very practical to carry, or lightweight headsets that are hampered by the presence of an external battery like the Vive XR Elite. The Bigscreen Beyond is a small wired VR headset weighing just 127 grams (nearly 180g including the headband). But the company wants to show that the Beyond has a lot under the hood even for this featherweight.
The PC-exclusive device offers two pancake lenses that are smaller and lighter and offer better image quality than the Fresnel lenses of other consumer headsets. These lenses feature dual OLED screens with a resolution of 2,560 x 2,560 pixels per lens (5,120 x 2,560 pixels total) and refresh at 90Hz. The brand even claims the figure is 28 PPI, which is more than a Meta QuestPro . This little headset is compatible with Steam VR, but only if you already have the dedicated station and Valve Index controllers.
Tailor-made at the heart of the strategy
Most VR headsets only offer a single size of component and sometimes simply offer the ability to adjust the lenses for glasses wearers. This is where Bigscreen wants every helmet to be unique. So when pre-ordering the headset, new buyers will receive an email encouraging them to use the company’s iPhone app (and only the iPhone version for now, which requires an iPhone XR or later model to use) . The person then needs to perform a 3D scan of their face through the application so that the company has sufficient data on their face shape and eye position. Bigscreen then designs the cushions adapted to spectacle wearers and, if necessary, the lenses in its Californian factory.
The headset will start at $999 in the US only in Q3, but will roll out to other regions of the world over time. It is only supplied as is and you will need to connect an external audio device to enjoy the sound. A version with an audio installation and an additional strap on the top of the head is available for a hundred dollars more. Another actor who could rock the Meta Quest?