HTC Vive XR Elite with Deluxe Pack — Mixed Reality and PC VR Headset + Controllers

I recently got my hands on this HTC VR headset. While there are some impressive aspects, there are also a few drawbacks worth mentioning. As a first-time VR user, I found the setup and usability to be straightforward, and the performance of this headset is indeed top-notch. The visuals are smooth, which enhances the immersive experience. One of the standout features is the Mixed Reality experience. It seamlessly blends the real world with the virtual, creating a captivating environment. Whether gaming or exploring virtual worlds, the transition feels natural and fluid. Comfort is another major plus. I was concerned about feeling weighed down or uncomfortable during extended use, but the ergonomic and well-balanced design allows for hours of wear without discomfort, which is great for long gaming sessions. However, the price is a bit higher than other AIO VR headsets available on the market. While the comfort and performance are excellent, this headset is a costly investment. My recommendation is for those who are willing to pay more for added comfort and an impressive Mixed Reality experience. Overall, this HTC VR headset offers solid performance and comfort, but the high price tag might not be justifiable for everyone.

I bought this with the intended propose of content creation as well as an upgrade from my old clunky HTC Vive Cosmos. While the fit is much more comfortable and lightweight I would still rather use my old headset. Assembly and setup was very straightforward but my number one biggest issue with this thing is the horrible battery life when using the full face tracking (sold separately!) which is super disappointing as the face tracking was the main reason for buying this. I initially thought the issue was with the battery so I bought another one off of the HTC website and it wasn't much better. The battery life lasts about 30 minutes and the one it came with stopped working completely! I used the recommended voltage to charge it so that is not the issue. The standalone performance is also quite sub-par, and was honestly better on my og quest. For full body tracking features you need to purchase a dongle (which I did, also sold separately!) which is only compatible with the ultra expensive Vive Ultimate Trackers that I don't own! Unless there is a way to jump through some hoops to use the 3.0 Vive trackers, this also defeats the propose of me buying this thing in the first place. Overall I wish I had spent all this money on something else

This new bundle with the "Deluxe Pack" seems to have fixed all of the comfort problems that previous reviews complained about - the new soft cushion/gasket has zero light bleed, and was comfortable to wear, even after an hour. The new wide "deluxe" head-strap also provides comfort and balance for extended use. I tried several apps/demos from the Vive Store, probably the Mona Lisa virtual tour was the most impressive. There was 1 app that required hand-tracking only (instead of controllers), and while it was good at tracking my hands & fingers location, it was almost impossible to "click" so I gave up on it. The Browser lets you watch YouTube 3D videos (and I assume other websites). I tried PC tethering (Half-Life:Alyx) both with Wifi 6E and USB3 - the USB was way smoother/consistent. I tried to use Windows 11 "mobile hotspot" but that didn't work with 6GHz band (even though the Wifi adapter supports it) - not HTC's fault, just pointing out to anyone reading this that USB is better and less frustrating - just have to get a long cable that has a 90-degree USB-C connector on 1 end (the wide headstrap has a hole in it for the USB port on top of the battery pack, but I can almost guarantee you'll break the connector and/or port if you try running USB cable through there while playing). The lenses are good - I like that it lets you use without glasses - though my prescription is 4/4.5 and I had to rotate to 5.5/6 (the max), so if your glasses Rx is worse than ~5, it might not provide enough correction. IPD adjustment is great. The resolution is also high enough to read text in-game and via passthrough video (I could reply to message on phone without taking headset off). I couldn't test phone mirroring as that's an Android-only feature (I have iPhone). LCD color quality is not as good as OLED, but weren't any "god rays" with these lenses. FOV is similar to other headsets (way less than the claimed 110, at least for my head/eyes). The setup/calibration process was easy enough, but I have experience with a few other VR headsets. The controllers (inside-out tracking) were quite accurate, never had a problem with losing them or "jumping". Fan noise is definitely a thing - the built-in speakers are decent, but I wish it had a 3.5mm headphone jack to plug in my own headphones (most bluetooth headphones are too laggy for gaming). Should you get it? at the $899 sale price, it's $100 cheaper (and does more) than the Valve Index bundle, but still costs more than Meta Quest 3 (with battery+strap).

I bought this and it was cool at the time but looking at it now vs my quest 3 and looking at product specs of a quest pro I would rather buy a quest pro than this, vive headsets are cool but not worth imo especially this one, I bought supposedly also with the "deluxe pack" and got the headset and controllers but no deluxe pack and the lens onside at the top was cracked, its not visible now cause I have also bought the face tracking module which is cool but the extra attachment and face plate make it one uncomfortable and makes things less visible to me because it keeps me away from the lenses themselves. which is a bad design, even this product at 599 I wouldnt buy it I would rather save my money for a quest pro or continue saving to see what Pimax has or the BigScreen Beyond 2.

Good headset just a little more difficult to setup than I’d like it to be. Graphics are great. I mostly play with it directly plugged in but the battery life is a good amount when unplugged. Good stand alone and pc vr headset. It’s also small and lightweight so not a whole lot of weight on your head.

I’ve always been intrigued by virtual reality but never took the plunge—until now. I entered the HTC Vive XR Elite, my first VR device. Unboxing and Initial Impressions Upon unboxing the Vive XR Elite, I was immediately struck by its sleek design and well-organized packaging. The headset felt lightweight and high-quality, which comes with overhead strap. The battery cradle can be easily connected with the glass. Comfort and Fit As a VR novice, I worried about the comfort and fit of the headset. Thankfully, the Vive XR Elite is designed with comfort in mind. The battery cradle acts as a counterbalance, while the overhead strap alleviates pressure from both the front and back of the head. I experimented with the glasses mode by removing the battery but quickly realized it's best for stationary use. Visual Clarity and Performance Putting on the headset was like stepping into a new dimension. The dual 1920 x 1920 displays running at 90Hz offered stunning visual clarity. The glasses comes with diopter dial that allows to get a clear, sharp view in VR. The fact that it doesn’t allow to adjust for astigmatism doesn’t bother me much. The high refresh rate provided a smooth, immersive experience. Immersed and Engage: Productivity Boosters The first app I tried was Immersed, which allows you to work on multiple virtual monitors. Syncing my MacBook Pro with the headset required some effort, involving a pairing code and a companion app, but the result was worth it. With multiple virtual windows open, I could arrange my workspace just the way I liked it. The hand tracking feature was particularly impressive, allowing me to navigate the VR environment with simple gestures. This seamless interaction between typing and controlling the virtual monitors greatly enhanced my productivity. Using Engage took my productivity to the next level. Engage enables virtual meetings, presentations, and collaborative sessions in immersive 3D environments. It made remote teamwork feel more connected and interactive, significantly improving my workflow. Exploring Gravity Sketch Next, I explored Gravity Sketch, an app that showcases VR’s potential in visual creativity. Manipulating objects in a 3D space was intuitive and enjoyable. The precise tracking of the Vive XR Elite made the experience smooth and engaging. I spent hours immersed in experimenting and sketching my ideas. Battery Life and Portability The battery life is about two hours of use per charge as HTC claims, which is sufficient for most of my applications. For extended sessions, tethering the headset with a USB-C cable worked perfectly. Portability is crucial for me. The Vive XR Elite excels in this area. It can be packed into a small carrying case, making it easy to carry around. Compared to Meta's Quest Pro, the Vive XR Elite is noticeably lighter and more compact, making it the perfect companion for frequent travelers.

ok so the delux pack has clips that help support the ear arms and the battery pack... they did this because they kow that is a weak spot. also the controllers feel like broom handles with no contour and worse of all there is very little decent stand alone VR content for vive. to get it to work in pcvr you need a cable that will transfer large amounts of data and also have an extra usbc input in it to add power. you basically need a 2 usbc to 1 cable to get enough power to this thing even with the battery pack on to run pcvr. extremely uncomfortable design. just dont

The HTC VIVE XR Elite is an impressive mixed reality headset that excels in both virtual and augmented reality applications. Its lightweight design and comfortable fit make extended use enjoyable. The high-resolution display delivers sharp, vibrant visuals, enhancing immersion in VR experiences. Additionally, the advanced tracking system ensures precise movement detection, which is crucial for interactive applications. While the price point may be higher than some competitors, the VIVE XR Elite's robust performance and versatile functionality make it a worthy investment for serious VR enthusiasts and professionals alike.