Bigscreen right now introduced its next-gen Past PC VR headset, promising an enormous enhance in field-of-view (FOV) and readability due to the inclusion of latest pancake lenses. Bigscreen can be making the slim and light-weight headset extra enticing to at-home and enterprise customers too due to its new adjustable interpupillary distance (IPD) and a common Lightseal facial interface.
Bigscreen is releasing two variations of its subsequent headset—Past 2 and Past 2e. Not like the ‘e’ naming scheme seen in Apple’s latest iPhone 16e, the ‘e’ in Past 2e denotes the inclusion of eye-tracking.
Past 2e incorporates every part Past 2 does, albeit with a really small eye-tracking suite, which is claimed to characteristic AI-powered pc imaginative and prescient for low-latency, privacy-focused monitoring, and built-in with SteamVR, OpenXR, and platforms like VRChat, with a beta program launching in Summer time 2025.
The headsets are priced at $1,019 (Past 2) and $1,219 (Past 2e), though Bigscreen is discounting that for earlier homeowners of the unique Past, bringing them to $849 and $1049 respectively.
The corporate says the primary batches are slated to launch in April, with an elective halo-style strap mount focusing on a Q3 2025 launch. Each Past 2 fashions will likely be obtainable in three colorways: Carbon Black, Crystal Clear, and Nuclear Orange.
Like Past 1, the slim and light-weight PC VR headset makes use of the SteamVR monitoring normal, which incorporates help for SteamVR 1.0 and a pair of.0 base stations, in addition to the same old cadre of SteamVR equipment, reminiscent of physique trackers, and controller like Valve’s Index controllers (aka ‘Knuckles’).
After all, you’ll want a VR-ready PC to make use of Bigscreen Past 2 and the required base stations. Click on right here to seek out out in case your PC is prepared.
Whereas we’re not getting a decision bump with Past 2, since they comprise the identical twin 1-inch 2,560 × 2,560 micro-OLED shows as the unique Past (2023), Past 2’s largest enchancment is undoubtedly the inclusion of latest pancake lenses. The brand new lens design is claimed to spice up FOV to a reported 116-degree diagonal over the unique’s 102-degree diagonal FOV.
It’s additionally lighter too, weighing 16% lower than the unique Past, now at solely 107 grams—notably lighter than standalone headsets like Meta Quest 3 (515g) or Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional (650g), in addition to different PC VR headsets within the slim and light-weight class, such because the upcoming MaganeX superlight 8K (179g).
Unchanged shows however, Bigscreen says Past 2 has improved brightness and diminished glare by an excellent margin; the brand new pancake lens design options “dramatic enhancements over Past 1 with whole edge-to-edge readability and a really massive candy spot,” the corporate says.
And for the primary time, Past 2 is introducing an adjustable IPD mechanism, which may be modified with an included instrument. Seen markings on the within of the headset present the present IPD setting in millimeters for each lenses, so customers can dial in every lens independently for the perfect viewing readability.
The corporate calls the brand new IPD mechanism “a serious enchancment” over Past 1’s fastened IPD system, which required deciding on from 18 completely different sizes, and required customers to scan their faces with an iPhone for the required {custom} facial interface.
And what about equipment? Whereas Past 2 helps the identical custom-fit cushions as Past 1, the headset is transport with a universal-fit Lightseal interface, all of which ostensibly makes Past 2 extra enticing to at-home customers in search of higher shareability in addition to enterprise customers.
In addition, lots of the authentic Past’s equipment are mentioned to work with Past 2, together with its five-meter fiver optic cable, hyperlink field, Audio Strap, and gentle stap. Notably, prescription lens inserts manufactured earlier than 2025 for Past 1 will work with Past 2, nonetheless they received’t match Past 2e. Prescription lens inserts manufactured in 2025 and onwards are appropriate with Past 1, 2, and 2e, Bigscreen says.
The headset ships with an included gentle strap, nonetheless Bigscreen can be launching a newly introduced halo-style mount, transport in Q3 2025, which the corporate says was impressed by evening imaginative and prescient goggles.
The halo mount options fine-tuned controls for tilt and eye reduction and helps a number of configurations, together with with the headset’s included lightseal, Past’s authentic {custom} facial interfaces, or none in any respect.
As a mount, and never an entire strap unit as such, the accent is appropriate with numerous strap options, together with the included gentle strap, Bigscreen’s Audio Strap, in addition to third-party choices. There’s no pricing but, though we’re positive to study extra nearer to its Q3 2025 launch.
Bigscreen Past 2 will likely be taking orders over on its web site, which can ship from its Los Angeles, California manufacturing unit to clients within the US, Canada, Japan, UK, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. The corporate says it’s additionally planning to increase to international locations reminiscent of South Korea, Mexico, Israel, and UAE someday later this yr.
Specs
- Subject of View: 116° diagonal
- Weight: 107 grams
- IPD: Adjustable, 48mm to 75mm (55mm to 70mm bodily)
- Decision: 2,560 × 2,560 per-eye
- Refresh Charge: 90Hz, 75Hz
- 6DOF Monitoring: SteamVR monitoring
- Monitoring Necessities: SteamVR 1.0 and a pair of.0 Base Stations (not included)
- Eye Monitoring: Sure, on Past 2e
- Full-body Monitoring: Suitable with SteamVR trackers reminiscent of HTC Vive Trackers, Tundra Trackers (not included)
- Controllers: Suitable with SteamVR controllers reminiscent of Valve Index Controllers (not included)
PC Necessities
- Audio Enter: Twin microphone array
- Audio Output: Constructed-in on-ear audio system with the Audio Strap (not included)
- Accent Ports: 1 × USB-C
- Cable: 5-meter fiber optic cable
- GPU: Nvidia RTX 2070 or AMD RX 5700 XT or newer (DisplayPort 1.4 and DSC required)
- CPU: Quad-core Intel or AMD
- Ports: 1 × DisplayPort 1.4, 2 × USB 3.0 ports
- OS: Home windows 10 or Home windows 11
