There are basically two types of VR headsets; with or without room scale tracking. Products like the HTC Vive, the Oculus Rift and Quest are able to track the movement of a user inside a room. For 360 video kiosk mode and other casual experiences there’s not need for this feature.
Headsets like the Oculus GO and PICO VR offer a more streamlined virtual reality experience that is ideal for seated applications. The two main competitors in this area are the GO and the G2, how do these VR headsets match up in a direct competition? Let’s strap in and let the battle begin!
The favorite: Oculus GO
Let’s face it; Oculus is the one to beat in this arena. Since the purchase by Facebook in 2016 the range of products from this brand has been consistently impressive. The GO was the first mainstream VR headset for consumers. Note the word “mainstream”, because it was not actually the first in several key areas.
Why choose the Oculus GO?
This VR headset is easy to use, offers an enormous library of apps and the price has dropped considerably since the introduction. The screen is gorgeous to look at, and the Oculus Home software has been in development for a long time. Oculus took all the experience they acquired during the development of the Samsung Gear VR and put it in a self-contained device. A topic related for the Oculus GO is kiosk mode for Oculus GO.
And why not?
Officially Facebook does not allow sideloading which makes it harder to use for 360 video kiosk mode. There’s no expandable memory, you’re stuck with the standard 32 or 64 GB.
The underdog: PICO VR
Although the brand name might not sound familiar, the Asian company PICO was already working on virtual reality hardware before Facebook took the stage. Actually, you might say they were pioneers in this field. Because they were innovators, they also made mistakes along the way.
The motion tracking based on magnetic fields was clever yet poorly implemented, the brand seemed to be too ahead of its time. If Google or Apple had purchased this manufacturer like Facebook bought Oculus, then PICO might not have been the underdog in this match.
Why choose the PICO VR?
In broad strokes the PICO G2 is almost identical to the GO, but there are subtle differences. For one, there’s no requirement for a Facebook account. In fact, you can set up multiple devices quickly which is great for 360 video kiosk mode. Also, the system allows sideloading, which opens up new possibilities for custom VR apps.
There is a special G2 4K edition available with a gorgeous 4K resolution screen that leaves the GO in the dust. And the removable face padding shows how easy this system can be integrated in events and professional presentations.
And why not?
The app selection is pretty sparse, and it’s not a brand that you can purchase at any electronics store. The price is higher compared to the GO, which can add up when purchasing dozens or even hundreds of headsets.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for room scale VR, look elsewhere. Both VR headsets are limited to looking around in place. Movement is only possible using an external controller. For 360 video kiosk mode and other seated applications both headsets offer a fantastic image quality that stands among the best of any VR headset currently available.
For the price and perhaps the brand name Oculus GO is still the champion. However, the streamlined installation and the pro features make the PICO VR headsets very interesting for corporate use.
For consumers the GO is certainly the best VR headset in this field, for business applications both devices have specific pros and cons. Contact a specialized dealer with knowledge about both products to make an informed choice.
