VR headsets fall into two broad families: those that require a computer or game console to do the calculations; and those who rely solely on their processor for this task. Equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 SoC, 12 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, the HTC Vive XR Elite belongs to both categories at the same time since it can also be connected to a PC.
To bring out its nomadic side even more, HTC has equipped the Vive XR Elite with a rechargeable battery. So you can enjoy the pleasures of VR and two screens with a resolution of 1920 x 1920 pixels and a clock speed of 90 Hz, magnified by so-called “pancake” lenses, in total freedom and without cables that could twist or twist .
However, before you can try Beatsaber under these conditions, you have to pay a “small” entrance ticket of €1,399. As a reminder, the PS VR2 is “only” €500 and the PS5, which is necessary to make it work, is €550.
ergonomics
As a standalone VR headset, the HTC Vive XR Elite is a little less imposing than its competitors, which are bound to be connected to a PC or console, especially if you choose to place the branches instead of the battery. With this equipment, it is about the size of large ski goggles. So we are very far away from the volume of the PS VR2, for example. The Vive XR Elite is also surprisingly light, because even in the lightest configuration, the scales do not show more than 275 g.
The HTC Vive XR Elite without the battery.
However, in glasses mode, the user will avoid overloading as the balance is not optimal. The front part, which houses the screens and lenses, is quite heavy and quickly puts a strain on the nose. In addition, the support seems extremely precarious, despite the branches painfully compressing the skull. So even in PCVR mode (the headset is then plugged into a PC which does the calculations and ultimately just serves to relay the images) we’d be tempted to use the battery as it balances the whole thing out and lets it do more well look comfortable. We will reserve the glasses mode for watching a movie or a series with a rested head, for example in transport or in bed, obviously bearing in mind that it must be powered.
the HTC Vive XR Elite with its battery.
The battery is attached to the two branches in a confidence-inspiring manner thanks to a clip system, while a USB-C socket provides the electrical connection. Once the battery is attached, simply turn the adjustment ring on the back of the accessory to tighten or loosen everything to find the most comfortable fit and configuration. It must be admitted that the operation is very simple, since only the ring on the back of the battery is used. Good point: Despite the lack of a strap at the top of the head, the HTC Vive Elite XR holds perfectly in place when everything is properly tightened.
A well tuned VR headset.
We also appreciate the fabric skirt that protects the screens and eyes from daylight. It is not only very effective in this role, but also extremely comfortable. This material actually prevents excessive sweating, unlike the soft plastic or rubber also used. You can therefore wear the Vive XR Elite without having to wipe your forehead every 5 minutes, which is not a luxury.
The sun visor, effective and comfortable.
This skirt is easy to remove and put back on – perhaps a little too much, as sometimes we think we’ve fixed it when we really haven’t – to adjust the diopters thanks to two rings around the lenses. The goal is to allow eyeglass wearers to use the XR Elite without their binoculars, and we can only commend HTC for thinking of this. However, it might have been wiser to make this adjustment without having to remove the sun visor to see the changes live. Because in fact you have to take off the helmet, take off the apron, adjust the diopters, put the apron back on, put the helmet back on … before repeating the process if the vision is still blurry.
In order to access this optic, the apron must be removed.
This is all the more regrettable as the eye relief can be changed using a slider under the visor.
The cursor that changes the interpupillary distance
To immerse the user even deeper into the action, HTC provides two controllers. In their philosophy they are quite similar to the Sense Controllers of the PS VR2. There are four triggers and four action buttons, two buttons to open the options or access the menu, and two analog sticks, which are quite firm, but you get used to them. Small aesthetic regret: the arches, oddly placed well above the buttons and sticks, seem a little less well integrated into the whole than those of the Sense Controllers.
Too frequent controllers.
Another regret is that HTC doesn’t provide a solution for charging the various elements of the Vive XR Elite, such as a dock or USB power strip. So you have to find three slots for the headset battery yourself, but also for those of the individual controllers.
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user experience
Once the HTC Vive XR Elite is well positioned on your head, it’s time to try HTC’s VR. When the helmet is used for the first time, it prompts its user to adjust various parameters, including the location of the ground. Thanks to the PassThrough system, this operation takes just a few seconds, just like delimiting a play area, since it is enough to draw the delimitation with your finger or with the controller, following the contours of furniture or objects to avoid getting stuck them during the game.
A tutorial also allows you to discover the few intricacies of the Vive XR Elite, including the movements you have to perform with your hands to confirm a selection or open the VIVE menu. In a few moments you will master the most important actions and have configured your play area.
Of course, depending on how you use the Vive XR Elite, the experience won’t be the same and impressions will differ if you use the PCVR function or prefer to use it in standalone mode. Note that in PCVR mode, the PC serving as the data center must have a minimum configuration for the Vive XR Elite to function properly.
- Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 equivalent or better
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB equivalent or better, AMD Radeon RX 580 equivalent or better
- Memory: 8GB RAM or more
- Operating system: Windows 10
As for us, the main advantage is that we do not need a wire to the leg. Android fans don’t really get their money’s worth and find a system for configuring various parameters, such as the WLAN connection, that is quite similar to the Android TV.
To make things a little less rigorous, HTC has equipped the XR Elite with its Viverse virtual environment, which takes the form of an elegant living room. Everyone will have their own opinion on the latter, but we were able to use the headset and launch the various apps without any problems, and that’s the main thing.
Our national Tanguy in full action.
And precisely in the game, the different movements we made were perfectly recognized; An observation that of course applies to controllers, but also to bare hands or body or head movements. The various sensors on the controllers and on the helmet, as well as the classic or infrared cameras integrated in them, fulfill their function perfectly. Of particular note is the recognition of the hands, particularly impressive.
Good point, the HTC Vive XR Elite warns the user that they’re approaching a little too close to the edges of the play area. A virtual fence, delimited by the boundary defined at the start of the experience, gradually appears small to prevent the user from tripping over the sofa or accidentally bumping into the middle of the display of their brand new Samsung TQ55S95C TV.
picture quality
As a reminder, the HTC Vive XR Elite has two LCD screens. We inevitably notice the shortcoming associated with this type of screen, namely less deep blacks than with an OLED panel like that of the PS VR2. Thanks to the anti-day cover, however, you don’t really notice this small flaw, and certainly not when you’re in the heat of the moment. The rest of the colors seemed to us well suited for different situations, gaming, watching videos or browsing the Viverse.
However, in pass-through mode we found the color tones to be a bit too vivid and with a higher contrast than in reality. Note that it is possible to adapt all of this to reality and take advantage of the most compelling augmented reality features. On the downside, getting sharper images will be a bit more complicated since the 16Mpx RGB cameras are already showing their full potential. But let’s not be more royalist than the king. On the one hand, VR headsets that allow you to enjoy the environment in color via the pass-through function are still quite rare; and on the other hand everything is clear enough to be fully usable.
We didn’t notice any gridding during our sessions and the graphics looked extremely good thanks to the resolution of 1920 x 1920 pixels per eye. Even when we got very close to the demeo miniatures, we didn’t notice any jaggedness like it can sometimes happen.
Audio
The XR Elite has two small speakers placed in its branches fairly close to the ears. This allows you to enjoy music and sounds from applications and games without being cut off from the outside world, which is still very comfortable. Please note that there is no talk here of exploiting the harmonic intricacies of Gustav Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, but the playback is sufficient to enjoy apps in VR or a movie when no one is around.
A loudspeaker on the left, the volume control on the right.
Attention: Unlike many VR headsets, the HTC Vive XR Elite does not have a jack for connecting headphones. However, it is still possible to pair a device via Bluetooth. So everyone can use their favorite device, headphones or earphones, if necessary.
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strong points
Choice of PCVR or standalone mode.
Comfortable with the battery (weight, balance, fabric sun visor…).
Playful setting.
Overall a good performance.
weak points
Uncomfortable in glasses mode (poor balance, sore temples, etc.).
Binding diopter adjustment.
No dock to charge battery and controllers at the same time.
Black tones are not as deep as on an Oled screen.
Diploma
Global brand
How does grading work?
The HTC Vive XR Elite will appeal to VR fans, who will not only be able to enjoy excellent performance in PCVR mode, but thanks to the battery it will also be wireless, which we believe is essential for a comfortable experience. Admittedly, not everything is perfect and we regret, for example, that the diopter adjustment is not easier or that the headset does not come with a solution to charge the battery and the controllers at the same time. Still, the HTC Vive XR Elite remains an excellent headset, perhaps still a little pricey for the performance it offers.