Final week Valve revealed Steam Body, the corporate’s new VR headset. Considerably misplaced within the deluge of knowledge is the existence of an ‘ergonomic package’ which can enhance consolation with the addition of a prime strap and knuckles-style controller straps. Moreover, the headset’s modular design means your entire headstrap, facepad, and battery could be changed with DIY mods or third-party equipment.
Optionally available Consolation Package for Steam Body
My hands-on preview of Steam Body was greater than 3,000 phrases… so I can’t precisely fault folks for not catching all the small print revealed therein. One which I needed to level out is that Steam Body is utilizing a comfortable strap and lacks a prime strap. Although the choice has its upsides (like portability and decreased weight), it additionally has some ergonomic downsides, as I defined:
On one hand, Body neatly distributes its weight across the head by mounting the battery on the again of the strap. And whereas this is able to usually be a wise thought for counterbalancing the entrance portion of the headset… Body has a comfortable strap and no prime strap, which implies the rear battery weight can’t truly do something to counterbalance the entrance of the headset.
Photograph by Highway to VR
I’ve actually by no means come throughout a VR headset thus far that’s extra snug with a comfortable strap than a inflexible strap. Nor have I discovered one which doesn’t get notably extra snug when a prime strap is added.
Contemplating Index had each a inflexible strap and a prime strap, it’s shocking to see Valve take this tactic with Body. It seems like they needed to get the on-paper weight down as little as potential, even when it meant a much less snug headset general.
And there’s one other bothersome situation with Body’s use of a comfortable strap (and lack of prime strap). To tighten the headstrap, it’s essential to use each fingers to drag the strap on all sides. However clearly this implies you don’t have a 3rd hand out there to carry the lenses within the ideally suited spot whilst you tighten the strap. That signifies that placing on the headset often entails wanting towards the ground so the rear a part of the strap can maintain the headset… properly, in your head whilst you’re tightening the factor. It’s an ungainly dance that might have been prevented by utilizing a ratcheting dial so the strap might be extra simply tightened with one hand.
Fortunately, Valve has anticipated that some folks could choose some completely different ergonomic choices. The corporate plans to promote an elective ‘ergonomic package’ for the headset which can embrace a prime strap for Steam Body.
The ergonomic package may even embrace straps for the controllers which could be tightened across the hand much like the Index controllers. This permits the person to open their hand totally with out dropping the controller.
Photograph by Highway to VR
Valve hasn’t introduced the value for the Steam Body ergonomic package simply but, however we’re hoping it’ll land beneath $50 (contemplating it’s just a few material, padding, and velcro) within the field.
Whereas I want the highest strap was included with the headset proper out of the field, it’s not less than we all know there might be an easy, official choice so as to add it.
Modularity for Ergonomic Overhauls
And if a prime strap nonetheless doesn’t reduce it, you’ll be able to strip Steam Body right down to its ‘core module’ and change actually every little thing else (the strap, audio system, facepad, and battery). A number of sliding latches are what join the core module to the default facepad and strap.
Steam Body’s core module | Photograph by Highway to VR
Valve itself hasn’t dedicated to providing any full headstrap replacements, however the firm says it plans to launch detailed fashions and schematics for Steam Body to assist builders and modders construct their very own.
Extra Steam Body Announcement Protection
Arms-on: Steam Body Reveals Valve’s Fashionable Imaginative and prescient for VR and Rising {Hardware} Ambitions: We go hands-on with Valve’s newest and biggest VR headset but.
Steam Body’s Value Hasn’t Been Locked in, However Valve Expects it to be ‘cheaper than Index’: No worth or launch date but, however Valve implies Steam Body might be cheaper than $1,000 for the complete Index package.
Valve Says No New First-party VR Sport is in Growth: Valve launched Half-Life: Alyx (2020) a couple of months after releasing Index, however no such luck for first-party content material on Steam Body.
Valve is Open to Bringing SteamOS to Third-party VR Headsets: Steam Body is the primary VR headset to run SteamOS, but it surely will not be the final.
Valve Plans to Provide Steam Body Dev Kits to VRBuilders: Steam Body isn’t right here but; Valve says it wants extra time with builders first to allow them to optimize their PC VR video games.
Valve Publicizes SteamOS Console and New Steam Controller, Designed with Steam Body Headset in Thoughts: Discover out why Valve’s new SteamOS-running Console and controller will work seamlessly with Steam Body.
Steam Body vs. Quest 3 Specs: Higher Streaming, Energy & Hackability: Quest 3 can do so much, however can it go toe-to-toe with Steam Body?
Steam Body vs. Valve Index Specs: Wi-fi VR Gameplay That’s Generations Forward : Valve Index was the go-to PC VR headset, however the instances have modified.
