Is the Razer Hydra still the best VR input available?

Well, keep in mind that an input device is only as good as the content it lets you experience.
There are quite a few demos that use a Hydra, since it was definitely the best input device for VR while DK1 was around. It's going to be completely obsolete once STEM comes out unless it's priced way down sub-$100.
So really the question of whether it's worth buying one is a question of whether you're willing to blow $250ish to be able to play the Hydra-enabled games for the next few months. If you save that money, you'll just about be able to buy a 2-controller STEM setup, which is backwards compatible with the Hydra. Plus it's almost certainly going to have more content being created for it in the years to come (while new content supporting the Hydra will peter out more and more).

That being said, if you're impatient and feel like $250 isn't too much money to blow, then go for it. :D

Short answer: Yeah, it's still the best in terms of amount of content, for now. But yes it's going to be completely obsolete within three-six months.

completely obsolete? :?



Worth it if you can get a really cheap one imo

I found one for $70 shipped.

It's not obsolete yet but it will be. I use it right now in my project because it is the only "good" VR controller that you can get today. I say good but what I mean is its the closest to what we can expect from the STEM or ControlVR right now. Its not great really. it is inaccurate and looses accuracy while you use it. You have to constantly re calibrate while playing the game. It gets interference from most electrical appliances around and you have to stay facing the same direction all the time. Still as a developer I'm glad it exist because I wouldn't be able to get my game working and ready for STEM and other controllers without it :)