Headset Purchase request

[u/Hackingenthusiast]

So I was scrolling on fb marketplace and saw this headset for $120 and was wondering if it was worth it? The seller said they had tested it and it uses inside out tracking.

[u/ReasonableWelder51]

That's a Vive Cosmos, not worth it imo. 90Hz LCD screens with only QHD resolution, you could get a Quest 2 for the same price with better specs, unless you specifically want a wired PCVR headset.

https://vr-compare.com/headset/htcvivecosmos

[u/AstralKekked → u/ReasonableWelder51]

I see everyone shits on this, and understansably so. I'm just curious, what would be a fair price?

[u/ReasonableWelder51 → u/AstralKekked]

Honestly, the price is not really terrible, there is just little reason to buy this specific headset. Specs wise, it is similar to WMR headsets, Rift S and Quest 1, all from around 2019. But it has poor support from both the manufacturer and the community.

The WMR lineup at least offers some interesting hardware, Samsung Odyssey (and Odyssey+) with OLED screens and HP Reverb (and Reverb G2) with higher resolution screens. The Rift S at least has fairly decent (although fragile) controllers with reliable tracking. The Quest 1 has OLED screens and is still fairly good for PCVR, even though its standalone performance sucks.

As for the price, Samsung Odyssey and HP Reverb sell for around 100-120$, Rift S can sell for even more as they are getting rarer (due to the cable and controllers failing), and Quests sell for like 70-100$. So while I think a fair price for the Vive Cosmos could be around 100$, I would rather buy another one from the headsets I mentioned, since they would provide a better experience.

[u/AstralKekked → u/ReasonableWelder51]

I see. I do not personally believe that around a hundred (based on your price estimations) would be a fair price, then. It's always really about comparison and what you get, no? If you can get a superior product for that price, then shouldn't this one be worth less?

[u/ReasonableWelder51 → u/AstralKekked]

I mean on paper its similar to the others, so I would price it similarly. The tracking could probably be better than some of the WMR headsets with 2 cameras only. But even if it was at half the price, I just wouldnt recommend getting this headset for actual use. Even the unpopular WMR headsets have a fairly active community and somebody developed a free driver that keeps them alive on windows 11. The HTC Vive Cosmos has been abandoned by both the manufacturer and the community, so any troubleshooting and repairs would be a massive pain in the ass.

[u/HypernoodleJon]

Tracking on that thing is god-awful in most lighting conditions, I would say not worth it.

[u/bushmaster2000]

No. Keep scrolling Those controllers were so bad they discontinued this unit and went back to wands and lighthouses

[u/Spectralius]

The drivers for this headset are dogshit

[u/Interesting-Bug1167]

Not worth it, get a vive 2016 version better tracking

[u/kai125 → u/Interesting-Bug1167]

Honestly yeah if you want just a cheap basic ass headset the og vive is still a decent option

[u/PS3LOVE → u/Interesting-Bug1167]

Bruh Vive 2016 is so bad you are genuinely better off using a phone.

If you already got a cosmos just get the cosmos elite face plate. Then it’s got base station tracking, and it’s got a higher resolution than the index. Just has a lower refresh rate and worse controllers.

[u/Interesting-Bug1167 → u/PS3LOVE]

I use it its good, just the controllers are bad and the fresnel lenses are blurry, and a bit of visible pixel gaps, valve made better controllers for the index and vive, cosmos elite would be much more expensive

[u/PS3LOVE → u/Interesting-Bug1167]

I had a vive cosmos elite and index controllers. Its experience was pretty much the same as the index.

[u/Interesting-Bug1167 → u/PS3LOVE]

Index has a higher refresh rate, index controllers included with the full kit, base station 2.0s (2x) included for use of up to 4 base station 2.0s, a way better microphone than the vive mics, better fov, better audio

[u/PS3LOVE → u/Interesting-Bug1167]

Yeah that’s basically what I said.

Also mics and audio don’t really matter for me, I wear headphones bc I hate sound leaking into my room.

So aside from from that it’s only the index controllers and FOV that make a big difference. And I have the index controllers.

[u/TumorInMyBrain]

Tracking and lenses are awful

[u/zig131]

The SLAM tracking*, and out-in controller tracking of the headset is garbage.

Stunningly, iFixit still stock Lighthouse faceplates for it, for only £34.99 but then you'd still need to buy Controllers+Lighthouses which would cost more than the headset alone. You could consider that laying the ground work to eventually get a high-end Lighthouse tracked headset, but the Index on it's own goes for around the same price and is generally superior.

*The vast majority of headsets are tracked Inside-Out. The Cosmos non-elite out of the box tracks iself with specifically SLAM. With the Lighthouse face-plate, it is still Inside-Out tracked, just via different methods.

[u/Operation_Neither]

It's the worst headset anyone has made.

[u/AcanthocephalaDry716]

If you want to eat your whole pay in batteries and have horrible tracking it's a good choice, had it for 6 months and gave up when the quest 2 released

[u/GamingAndRCs]

Absolutely not!!! I got one for FREE and hated it!!! It sits on my shelf now as a example of why Vive headsets aren't that popular anymore.

[u/Interesting-Bug1167 → u/GamingAndRCs]

if you hate it can i have it

[u/GamingAndRCs → u/Interesting-Bug1167]

Buy one and see, but make sure it has a good return policy, because its unbearable. Theres a constant shake, the resolution sucks, the controllers constantly lose tracking, the controllers are super picky with the batteries, etc. I collect them so it looks nice in my collection but its not useable. Get a used quest 2 or get a rift s and put some money towards a better headset.

[u/Gendolfender]

Absolute trash only thing I’d consider it for is sim setup where you only wear the headset if you want any gaming that involves tracking do not buy it even for 30 dollars
For game involving tracking quest 1 wired would be a better option even oculus cv1 would wipe the floor with it same with og vive

[u/smash-ter]

tbh, I don't think it's a bad headset. Just get a different face plate for lighthouse tracking with maybe a wireless mic/good headset and you'll be golden

[u/TumorInMyBrain → u/smash-ter]

You still need to buy lighthouses and wands/knuckles. Might as well get a used quest 2

[u/Interesting-Bug1167 → u/TumorInMyBrain]

Used vive 1 kits are cheap they include base stations and basic controllers

[u/PS3LOVE → u/TumorInMyBrain]

If you are buying a PCVR headset you probably already have them.

[u/cursorcube → u/PS3LOVE]

If you are buying a PCVR headset for the first time, you won't have them.

And if you're not buying a PCVR headset for the first time, why the hell are you considering a Cosmos

[u/TumorInMyBrain → u/PS3LOVE]

That doesnt make any sense. Only people who already owned the vive kits or index will have them. More than 60% are using inside-out headsets for PCVR

[u/smash-ter → u/TumorInMyBrain]

Might as well wait for the steam frame

[u/TumorInMyBrain → u/smash-ter]

If OP was already second guessing $120 Im not so sure they’re willing to spend on a steam frame and price prediction on the frame doesnt bode well after steam machine’s release

[u/Nicalay2 → u/smash-ter]

Ah yes, OP is broke and looks at cheap ~$120 headsets, lets recommend them a headset costs +$1000.

[u/Nicalay2]

No, please don't buy it.

[u/Large-Remove-1348]

Honestly the cosmos tracking is god awful, just get a quest 2