Maybe VR isn't dead after all... - Valve Index Review
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Get an unrestricted 30-day free trial of FreshBooks at freshbooks.com Get iFixit's Marlin Screwdriver set today for only $24.99 USD at ifixit.com We had almost completely lost faith in the progress of consumer VR products... until the Valve Index arrived at our office. Buy Valve Index on Amazon: geni.us Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Our Affiliates, Referral Programs, and Sponsors: linustechtips.com Get Private Internet Access today at geni.us Displate metal posters: lmg.gg Linus Tech Tips merchandise at lttstore.com Linus Tech Tips posters at crowdmade.com Our Test Benches on Amazon: amazon.com Our production gear: geni.us Twitter - twitter.com Facebook - @LinusTech Instagram - @linustech Twitch - twitch.tv Intro Screen Music Credit: Title: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro Screen Music Credit: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High youtube.com
The video opens with Linus recounting how his VR setup had been largely unchanged since the HTC Vive launch, highlighting the lack of meaningful upgrades in the space until the Valve Index arrived. He explains that he managed to obtain a Valve Index in order to test its capabilities and determine whether the $1000 price tag buys a meaningful upgrade over existing setups. The unboxing and initial impressions focus on the new SteamVR 2.0 lighthouse system, which enables a much larger potential play area and quieter operation, though Linus notes that practical room constraints often limit real-world usage. He introduces the Valve Index headset itself, pointing out the dual 1600 by 1440 LCD panels, 120 Hz refresh rate, and the new lens design, which Valve claims reduces distortion and screen door effect while improving clarity. Comfort and fit considerations are discussed in detail, including the adjustable IPD, the back heat shield, and the option to print a custom magnetic face shield for a better seal and comfort. The segment then covers the new Knuckles controllers, emphasizing their finger-tracking capabilities and the ability to access menus without gripping the controllers, a feature that could unlock new VR interaction paradigms but depends heavily on developer support. Linus shares early testing experiences with Beat Saber and other titles, noting improved clarity and reduced motion sickness at higher refresh rates, while acknowledging that game mapping and tracking quality can still influence how intuitive the new system feels in practice. He closes by weighing the upgrade against the cost, arguing that while the Index is a generational leap in visual fidelity and tracking, the decision to buy depends on whether you already own a capable PC, your tolerance for bulkier hardware, and the value you place on wireless accessory ecosystems and future-proofed inputs. In the final assessment, Linus declares the Valve Index the current king of VR headsets for gaming, while remaining mindful of accessibility, accessory availability, and the evolving landscape of VR hardware in 2020 and beyond.
Topics · virtual reality · gaming · hardware review · science & tech · technological progress
Questions answered
- What is the Valve Index's main upgrade over the original Vive according to Linus?
- The Valve Index centers on a higher resolution dual LCD panel, a 120 Hz refresh rate, refined lenses to reduce distortion, broader field of view, and new Knuckles controllers with finger tracking that aims to enable more natural interactions without gripping the controllers.
- How does SteamVR 2.0 affect play space and tracking requirements?
- SteamVR 2.0 allows for a much larger play space up to about 10 by 10 meters with lighthouse tracking, but practical use depends on room size and cabling, and there is no fixed plan yet for making the full 10 by 10 experience accessible without additional hardware like a backpack PC.
- What are the trade-offs Linus notes about the Index design?
- Trade-offs include a bulkier headset design and more cables to manage, potential comfort issues for some users, and the need for new accessories since existing ones from the Vive ecosystem may not be directly compatible, though Valve provides some compatibility options.
- Does Linus think the Valve Index is worth the price for a first-gen VR headset owner?
- He concludes that while it is a strong upgrade with significant gains in visual fidelity and tracking, the decision to buy depends on your budget, your current setup, and how much you value the new input methods and potential future accessory ecosystem.