As a sim racer, you know that the experience you have while driving is incredibly important. You need to be able to trust your equipment if you hope to win races.
So, what’s the best way to get the most realistic experience? With an Oculus Rift or Windows Mixed Reality headset?
Let’s now take a look at the pros and cons of each option.
We’re going to discuss the following aspects of each one so that you can make an informed decision:
- VR Headset Prices
- Graphics quality
- PC Requirements
- Device Compatibility
- FOV & Realism
So let’s get started with the first comparison aspect, prices.
Table of Contents
Prices
When it comes to prices, the Oculus Rift S and the Oculus Quest 2 are quite a bit cheaper than the Windows Mixed Reality headsets.
You can find a Rift S for around $299 and the Oculus Quest 2 for $279, while the Samsung HMD Odyssey + Windows Mixed reality will cost you between $350 and $399.
However, keep in mind that you also need to purchase controllers and sensors separately for the Oculus headsets so that price could up maybe an extra $100.
So as you can see there’s not a big difference in price between the two options, although Oculus models are a bit cheaper.
Graphics Quality
The next thing we need to compare is graphics quality. In this case the Samsung HMD Odyssey+ headset has an advantage.
The Odyssey+ features really high-resolution displays that deliver stunning visuals. The colors and depth perception is just insane, making it one of the best headsets for sim racing.
It’s got dual 3.5-inch AMOLED displays with a 90Hz refresh rate and 1440×1660 resolution for each eye, with a combined 2880×1600 picture.
The Rift S and Quest 2 both are also good though not quite the same as the Odyssey+ Windows Mixed reality.
PC Requirements
Due to the high features and great graphics quality, the Odyssey+ headset requires a lot of power from your PC both in terms of the graphics card as well as CPU.
Not only that, but it also needs a few USB ports to function properly. So, keep that in mind when making your decision.
The Rift S and the Quest 2, on the other hand, are much less demanding. So, if you don’t have a very powerful PC and aren’t looking to spend extra money upgrading it, you can still enjoy VR with one of these headsets.
Device Compatibility
When it comes to device compatibility, they are both pretty similar.
In fact both are compatible with SteamVR which allows you to access a huge library of VR games and experiences. Those include the major sim racing games such as iRacing, Assetto Corsa, ACC, and rfactor 2.
The main difference is that the Oculus Quest 2 uses a different connector than the Rift S and the Windows Mixed Reality headsets. So, you might need additional adapters to be able to use all your existing peripherals.
FOV & Realism
Finally, we’re going to compare FOV (field of view) and realism for each VR Headset.
The Samsung HMD Odyssey+ headset offers the widest FOV at 110 degrees. This is due to the use of Fresnel lenses which create an uninterrupted image and a high-resolution display.
The Oculus Rift S and the Quest 2 instead have only got a FOV of 85 – 90 degrees which is quite a bit lower.
In fact being one of the cheapest VR headsets brands on the market, Oculus sacrifices FOV for a more affordable price.
Realism-wise all three headsets are great but the Odyssey+ again takes the lead with its insane color and depth perception.
So what’s the best VR for sim racing: Oculus or Odyssey+?
The Samsung HMD Odyssey+. With its 110° FOV, 1440×1660 resolution per eye, and stunning graphics, the Odyssey+ headset is the best option for sim racing together with the Valve Index. If you have a powerful PC that can handle it, the price tag is definitely worth it.
The Oculus Rift S and Quest 2 are also great headsets but come with a more limited FOV and features. So, if you’re looking for the most immersive experience possible, the Odyssey+ is the way to go.
Conclusion
So, as you can see, there are quite a few things to consider when making your decision about which VR headset to buy.
Remember that the most important factors are graphics quality, FOV, realism, and device compatibility.
Always check the PC requirements to make sure your PC can handle the headset you’re interested in.
And finally, decide based on your budget and needs.
Hopefully, this article will have helped you make a more informed choice.
As always happy sim racing! 🙂
Sim Racing VR Headsets – Related Articles
- Best VR for Sim Racing
- Best VR for iRacing
- Best VR for Assetto Corsa
- Best VR for ACC
- Best PC racing games in VR
- Sim racing in VR – Step by step
- HTC Vive Pro 2 vs Valve Index
- Oculus Rift vs Valve Index
- Oculus Rift vs HTC Vive
- Is The HTC Vive Good for Sim Racing?
- Is the Valve Index VR Headset Good for Sim Racing?
- Is The Oculus Quest 2 Good for Sim Racing?
