The Oculus Quest aims to free itself from the demanding cables and dependence on powerful computers while offering performances close to the market leaders: the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive. Here is our complete test and review of the Oculus Quest.
- Name: Oculus Quest
- Brand: Oculus
- Category: VR Standalone Headset
- Connection: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Works wirelessly, without a computer (requires a smartphone to be activated)
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Resolution: 1440 x 1600 pixels per eye
- Slab: OLED
- Refresh rate: 72 Hz
- Oculus Quest Price: 64GB to $399, 128GB to $499
- Availability Oculus Quest: available May 21, pre-order from April 30
- Autonomy: two hours minimum for video game, three hours for 360 ° video
- Recharge time: 2 hours
- Microphone: included
- Sound: Works without earpiece. Two integrated jacks
- Dimensions: 193mm x 105mm x 222mm
- Weight: 571g
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
- RAM: 4 GB
Unboxing Oculus Quest: nothing goes beyond
Simple. Sleek. This is how to describe in two words the packaging of the Oculus Quest. The thick cardboard box is covered by a shiny coating. Once removed the cellophane, just slide it to the left or right. Lifting the lid, we find the headset and joysticks crisscrossed. A small rectangular box contains the user manual, the USB-C cable, the mains charger (here a British model) and the batteries necessary for the operation of the Oculus Touch. Add the recommended accessory for eyeglass wearers. That’s all. With its logo on the top, it looks like a shoebox.
Clearly, Oculus wants to instil in the buyer the idea that this product makes it easier for him. To start the adventure, simply install the batteries in the oculus Touch, charge the headset and download the application, as the paper inserted in front of the lenses of the Oculus Quest requires. Oculus has announced the release of a bag sold 40 euros. In the meantime, the default box is convenient to carry. It will effectively protect your precious.
Design and ergonomics: pleasant, but perfectible
Headset
Here again, Facebook’s subsidiary relies on simplicity and a streamlined look. No surprise, the hoop used is very similar to that of the Oculus Rift. Note, however, the lack of connectors for headphones. Indeed, the Quest has built-in speakers like the Oculus Go. Likewise, the triangle at the back of the head almost doubles in size. We will see that this is important from an ergonomic point of view. On the middle strip, you can read a security warning. The black band at the eyes is much thicker and therefore more comfortable than the one supplied with the Oculus Rift. The fabric used is very similar to that of Go, although the fiber seems tighter.
The front panel retains its matte black color, but is no longer flattened. Normal, this part of the headset now accommodates four video sensors. They are placed at each end of the facade. We find the Oculus logo at the top, in the center. On the right side, there is the power button, while the left side sports the USB-C charging port. We’ll see a little later that cameras add a big plus in terms of use.
A nice product a little messy
For the body of the device, the firm no longer uses a plastic coating, but a fabric similar to that of Google Daydream. There are two small holes on each side. These are actually 3.5mm jacks for inserting an audio headset. By turning over the product, there are two buttons: the adjustment of the distance of the lenses and the volume.
Again, the weight distribution weighs on the nose: the 571 grams are felt. That’s 100 grams more than Go and Rift. It will be necessary to fix it so as not to tire quickly. In addition, the arch does not fit all heads. The big bulbs like those of your seVRant will be greatly advantaged. Those who wear 54-56 hat will have to tighten the bands thoroughly, even if you have a disgraceful bump. Fortunately, the materials offer indisputable comfort. Like any self-contained headset, the lack of wire makes it easy to use.
The Oculus Touch
The controllers associated with the Oculus Quest take the body of the one included with The Go. Except that they copy identically the placements of the buttons of the Rift Touch. On the left side there is a trigger on the back, a joystick, the X and Y buttons, and a trigger on the edge that is used to catch objects in the VR. The right lever therefore benefits from the same placement obviously returned for the corresponding mimine. The buttons are named here A and B.
A third button located below the Joystick allows you to leave the experience, while on the left it gives access to the menu. We note that the handle is reversed compared to the Rift controllers. Apart from a very practical aesthetic distinction for the owners of the two products, they facilitate recovery during a rearward imbalance, left or right. The strap ensures their safety during a fall before. No problem in terms of handling. However, we regret that the plastic used mark very quickly, just like those of the headset on which the slightest trace of finger is seen from afar.
Installing the Oculus Quest: simple as good morning
When using the headset for the first time, you must download the Oculus application on your smartphone. It asks you first to connect the headphones to its power supply, then insert the batteries in the joysticks. Next, you connect the Quest via Bluetooth to your phone before connecting it to your home’s WiFi. We have not found any WPS functions, so you will need to enter the password of your modem. If it’s not personalized, it’s a bit long. The application then launches a small video reminding the safety standards, including the fact of making room to establish the “guardian” area.
Specificity: the Guardian
That’s when you put on the Oculus Quest. You do not discover virtual reality, but what surrounds you in a different light. The cameras broadcast black and white images of the outside world. A particularly stunning effect, because it reminds the first-person visions of Robocop, Terminator and especially Sam Fisher in Splinter Cell. A message indicates that it is time to set the game space. Just pull the trigger of one of the Oculus Touch to enlarge. This is what Oculus calls the “Roomscale”.
The subsidiary recommends a minimum area of 2 meters by 2 meters. In reality, you can extend this area well beyond. Our elongated office allowed us to set a space of 13 meters long and 3 wide. However, Oculus specifies that one can make a maximum square of 7.60 meters by 7.60 meters. With the external sensors of Rift and Vive, it is impossible to play on such a surface. Be careful though: it depends on the lighting level. The brighter your space is, the more you can move. You can even extend it in several rooms.
The wow effect of the roomscale
Great advantage: you can leave the roomscale while wearing the headset. No wires will stop you, we’ll tell you. There is a limit. Indeed the signal is “lost” beyond four meters distance. Enough to go from the living room to the front door to greet his delivery man with the headset on his head. Two other modes exist: the standing upright zone and the sitting function. In all three cases, tracking has few failures. The system quickly finds the floor, while the marking moves from time to time if you remove and replace the headset several times in a row.
Let’s go back to virtual reality. When you enter the area, you are asked to adjust the lens and viewing distance. A green indicator facilitates this step. Then, we set the Wifi which to download the contents. During this test, Oculus graciously gave us twenty experiences.
A tutorial close to that of the Rift launches. It allows to get acquainted with the controls and discover funny mini-games, including a shooter and a kind of Dance Central, a title available during our test.
Oculus Quest: powerful and liberating
This demonstration allows to realize the quality of the Oculus Quest. First point, it does not slow down. Above all, one directly perceives the contribution of the precision of the display. As a reminder, each lens has a resolution of 1440 x 1600 pixels, the same as the Vive Pro. In contrast, the Oculus Rift displays 1080 x 1200 pixels per eye. The small dots that form the image are therefore even less visible. We are now in the beautiful Oculus Home, a kind of wooden igloo that provides access to the library. There we quickly find our brands. It looks like two drops of water to that of Go and Rift.
Visually, we compared the quality of two games: Beat Saber and the Superhot VR demo. At first glance, nothing distinguishes the Quest from the Rift and the Vive. It is only by making the details that we see the difference. The best resolution is immediately apparent, but the power of our GTX 1070 can display more effects than the Snapdragon 835 VR Kit. For example in Beat Saber, swords are reflected on the ground in the PC version. This is not the case of the one embedded in the headset. Apart from this slight difference in quality, the Quest is doing very well in all of the experiments we have tested. The same goes for Space Pirate Trainers.
We enjoyed our Beat Saber sessions, Superhot VR, but also Wander, a kind of Google Maps to wander around the world. We also tested the excellent table tennis Racket Fury Table Tennis VR, and Creed: Rise to Glory. Each time the freedom offered by the autonomous headset is beneficial. However, developers have not adapted their titles to this new deal. The roomscale does not yet provide the opportunity to move further.
A very effective tracking
The cables no longer interfere with the unfolding of the parts. The Oculus Touch respond to the finger and the eye. We see a slight difference in precision with those of his eldest. You really have to go from one headset to another to realize it. The cameras and the 6DoF sensors work perfectly. Bend over, lie down, go left or right: everything fits perfectly. Be careful not to get too far out of the available field of view, otherwise the detection may be in jeers.
We regretted that we cannot properly share his gaming experience. Indeed, the casting function in beta allows to connect to a ChromeCast, a smartphone or a TV equipped to transmit its parts. Unfortunately, this causes a latency of two seconds between what we see in the headphones and what happens on the screen. Moreover, the proposed image peaches by its quality. It is hoped that Oculus will quickly update this feature.
The catalog of games to be expanded
Facebook and its subsidiary promise 53 games and experiences at the launch. It is also possible to watch a dozen videos from the Oculus Video application. Most titles are known. Oculus focuses on adapting the latest titles rather than creating exclusive content. Some games like Ballista, Dance Central, and Sports Scramble, Journey of the Gods and Dead and Buried II are newcomers who will be available at the launch of the Oculus Quest and Rift S. They will also be largely cross buy, that is to say, we will only have to buy them once to enjoy them on both machines. The rest of the catalog is based on classics including Creed Rise To Glory, Beat Saber, Superhot VR, Rush, or Space Pirate Trainers. For now, we regret the lack of compatibility with YouTube 360 on the web browser in this non-definitive version.
Regarding the autonomy, we played about 2:30 before having to recharge the device. This takes well the 2 hours indicated, even with the USB C integrated. Positive point: the charger cable is long enough to use the seated headset.
Against competition
We have already looked a lot at the differences with wired devices. It can be compared with some nomadic products. As many of our colleagues report, the Oculus Quest does not really have competitors in the market.
Oculus Quest Vs Oculus Go
If it costs 100 dollars cheaper, the GO cannot compete with his little brother. The Snapdragon 821 does not display such advanced graphics, while the lack of two controllers confines it to small games and videos. We cannot move either. Clearly, the Quest wins.
Oculus Quest VS Lenovo Mirage Solo
With the Mirage Solo, Lenovo offers an improved Google Daydream. It also has 4 GB of RAM and the famous Snapdragon 835. It has a LCD panel of 2560 x 1440 pixels for a frequency of 75 Hz. The controller offers only 3DOF and is impractical. In addition, it is heavier than the Quest: 645 grams against 571 grams. This product uses its external cameras to shoot 180-degree videos. An interesting bias that disappoints. The Oculus Quest, though 40 dollars more expensive, remains victorious.
Vive Focus VS Oculus Quest
Technically, it’s the product that comes closest to the Oculus Quest. Featuring a Snapdragon 835 processor and 6DOF Tracking, the Vive Focus also features two AMOLED displays for a total resolution of 2880 x 1660 pixels. You can also enter and leave the game area. But again, it is associated with a remote control and not joysticks. Especially its price will calm the ardor of some: 749 dollars against 399 dollars for the newcomer of the stable Facebook.
Verdict: place to the new champion
The Oculus Quest has fully convinced us of the interest of autonomous headsets. If the other devices of the kind had not completely accomplished their mission, it is the first to prove to us that the virtual virtual reality is promised with a big future. In addition, the subsidiary of Facebook offers a product easy to use and install. The performances obseVRed are undeniably at the rendezvous, while the catalog of experiences available at the exit should satisfy the greatest number. Naturally, those interested in VR will turn to this product.
Be careful though to small ergonomic concerns and content sharing features. We would have liked a little more generous autonomy, but this first affordable version of the Oculus Quest offers VR at its best. Let’s hope that the developers follow the firm and commercialize experiences adapted to this new situation.
Good points
- General performances
- Ease of use
- Comfortable
- The price
- The wow effect of passing cameras to the Guardian Zone
- Very large play areas
- Catalog of nice titles …
Negative points
- The weight a bit too high
- Not for little heads
- Autonomy still too weak
- The batteries of the Oculus Touch
