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Xeyad's avatar
Xeyad
Honored Guest
11 years ago

Question to Oculus Rift owners from a Google Cardboard user

As a tech nerd, I've been super excited about VR and the possibilities it has to offer, and Oculus is still king of the hill at this point. Sadly however, I haven't been fortunate enough to buy or use the Rift in either DK1 and DK2 versions.

With Google's Cardboard, it seemingly has offered the world a VR experience on the cheapest. I was excited enough for it that I bought a kit from Amazon for just about $15.

After using it, I'm loving it, but there is one thing that's bugging me. The whole experience feels more looking in a screen with a pair of binoculars, rather than fully taking over your vision and immersing you into the VR world. I can still see some edges of the lenses and cardboard. I'm surprised no one tried to explain it like this before, as everyone just screams "WOW" and making me think that it takes your whole eyesight! Don't get me wrong, the experience is still way better than just looking at a normal screen and the sense of depth is awesome, but it feels more like looking into binoculars and it's a little annoying.

Is the Oculus Rift like this? Does it fill out everything you see or does it feel more like looking in binoculars? I'm really interested to know.

6 Replies

  • noquarter's avatar
    noquarter
    Honored Guest
    11 years ago
    Hi,

    well in the DK1 and DK2 it feels like you are wearing a huge diving glass. But it feels like you are in the gaming scene. It is not like looking through binoculars, it fills near the whole eye view. When you look all the way to the right or left with your eyes you can see black borders like wearing a diving glass :D
  • Xeyad's avatar
    Xeyad
    Honored Guest
    11 years ago
    oh wow!

    Google Cardboard is an insanely great idea, because it's bringing VR to the masses in the most affordable way possible that people are willing to try it, but it seems like it's no match for the Rift. It made me more excited about the Rift, and what Oculus could bring for CV1.

    I'm surprised by the rapid development of VR on Android. I'm seeing new stuff on the store almost every week, and people are generally excited about this.

    Samsung might launch their "Gear VR" in September alongside the Note 4, and there are rumors that Oculus have been involved with it too.

    I want to get a DK2, but $350 for me is kinda hard to sallow.
  • cubedparadox's avatar
    cubedparadox
    Honored Guest
    11 years ago
    Google Cardboard uses much smaller lens than the rift. I've built several mobile vr headsets, with the latest being a modified cardboard. Google's lens are from the durvious dive kit, while I use fov2go lens, which are significantly larger. with the bigger lens, you really feel like you are there. I mean, you can still tell there s a screen, but the 'goggle' effect is pretty much gone. I don't know exactly where the dk2 lies on the subject, but seeing as it has the same screen as my phone, I figure you can expect similar results.
    tl/dr: get bigger lenses, I recommend fov2go
  • Xeyad's avatar
    Xeyad
    Honored Guest
    11 years ago
    Thank you for replying! I had the same thought that maybe if I put a larger lens it would eliminate the "goggle" effect. Maybe I'll try it out!
  • ryanyth's avatar
    ryanyth
    Honored Guest
    11 years ago
    I have a DK2.
    If you are expecting your ENTIRE vision to be overwhelmed by the game world, sadly no.
    Using the DK2 feels like wearing a diving goggle and watching the world thru it.

    And i suspect even CV1 will probably not be able to completely override your vision like how u imagine it to be.
    The only way to do so is to probably have a VR device that is as small as a contact lens and stick it directly on
    your iris, then maybe we will have TOTAL and complete visual immersion.

    Don't get me wrong though, DK2 is STILL a fantastic VR kit, and is WAYYYY better then
    any other VR kits that have come and gone. It feels kindda special that we are holding
    what is arguably the best ever VR kit ever released to the mainstream public.

    VR games that actually work on it is a fantastic experience that will definitely make your jaw drop.
    For instance, after playing Euro Truck Simulator 2 with my driving wheel, i simply CANNOT go back
    to playing a driving sim on a regular monitor ever again. Its THAT immersive. And Minecriftt....
    omg minecrift....yes, minecrift is good. VERY GOOD indeed.

    So in conclusion, I honestly do not regret spending $350 on my DK2 and
    I am utterly impressed with what it can do and I look forward to the release of CV1
  • Xeyad's avatar
    Xeyad
    Honored Guest
    11 years ago
    Thank you for the reply!

    I do believe the real future of VR is when it's able to completely replace your vision.

    I've been messing around more and more with my Google Cardboard, as I've added a head strap and some foam around it to block light. It's very impressive indeed, and in some moments I do feel like I'm immersed inside VR. The moment goes away as soon as I start to look on the side of the lenses and see the edges of the cardboard. Hearing from all of you, seems like Oculus has done a much better job at keeping the player immersed because of the way it's setup.

    I'm still very excited about VR and the direction it's taking.