News JVTech This 5K VR headset is as small as a pair of sunglasses
The Beyond virtual reality headset, from the Bigscreen brand, is presented as one of the smallest in the world: if you find that devices of this type tend to be too large, this one may interest you, but some sacrifices are to be done.
Mainly known for its virtual reality platform, Bigscreen has decided to embark on the design of VR headsets with a strong social and gaming orientation. It is in this context that the company unveiled the Beyond, a virtual reality headset presented as being “the smallest in the world”. It is the size of a large pair of sunglasses, and weighs only 127 grams.
For comparison, the HTC Vive Flow, another small model, has a weight of 189 grams. A substantial difference that contributes to pass the Beyond off as a true featherweight. It now remains to know what the device has in the belly.
A VR and 5K image for the Beyond
The Beyond is equipped with two one-inch 5K micro-OLED displays which therefore give access to a definition of 5120 x 2560 pixelswith a refresh rate of 90Hz. The virtual reality headset features six-degree-of-freedom tracking, and pancake lentils more and more common on recent models.
Various accessories are available as options. For example, in its standard version, the Beyond does not include headphones: it is possible to pre-order one for 99 dollars. Bigscreen also offers personalization of the optics in view of the user, with the integration of corrective lensesall at varying prices.
A very personal virtual reality headset
To achieve such a compact result, Bigscreen had to make compromises. First of all, the Beyond is not absolutely not autonomous : it must be connected to a computer to work. It will be compatible with SteamVRas well as controllers from Valve and HTC, but won’t ship with anything of the sort. The headset also does not include a battery.
Moreover, the helmet is designed to be locked and linked to a single user : using an iOS application (for the moment, there is no Android version planned), it will therefore be necessary scan his face to associate it with the helmet. This must be done at the time of pre-order, as Bigscreen uses biometric data collected by the iPhone’s TrueDeph camera to deliver a helmet “adapted to the shape of your face and sized for your eyes”. The shipped model will therefore only be really comfortable for the person who ordered it.
Finally, another point that tends to sting: the price of this VR headset, of which availability is expected in Europe during the third quarter of 2023amounts to 1369 euros. For this price, no accessories other than the headband and the 5 meter cable are provided. A very salty note which seems to be justified by the technological promises of the device.
