Thinking About Buying a Quest 3

[Octavean]

Now that the Quest 3 512GB model has dropped in price and the Quest 3S doesn't look like enough of an upgrade, I am now considering the Quest 3.

For the record I have purchased:

Oculus Rift v1
Oculus Quest v1
Oculus Quest v2

Apparently the Meta Quest 3 128GB can still be had for ~$$430 USD but the ~$70 price reduction doesn't seem like its worth having to deal with a quarter of the storage. I might buy the 512GB version during the holiday season (knowing full well that there won't be further price reductions).

 

[AtiAmd]

If you want why not.... just consider headaches and other VR illnesses....coz it sounds like fishy advertising ☺

 

[Octavean]

If you want why not.... just consider headaches and other VR illnesses....coz it sounds like fishy advertising ☺

Not sure what you mean. I'm fairly used to VR at this point. Sure I'll likely need to upgrade the Quest 3 head strap.

I might have been tempted to go with the Quest 3S but the improvements of the Quest 2 just isn't compelling enough IMO. An upgraded SoC is noteworthy and the Quest 3S isn't bad IMO at ~$299, I'd still rather just go with the Quest 3 though,...

 

[yfn_ratchet]

I mean, if you are really intent on grabbing every generation of Quest, go ahead I suppose. At this point, unless you're standalone-only, you won't be missing much with the Quest 3. Games will likely still be made to play decently on the XR2 gen 1 since it's far and away the first actually mainstream standalone processor and devs would have to make an active effort to make stuff look better on the gen 2.

As is, I would keep an eye on refurbished models or just wait a generation entirely for whatever Qualcomm is cooking up for the next generation of hardware.

 

[Octavean]

I mean, if you are really intent on grabbing every generation of Quest, go ahead I suppose. At this point, unless you're standalone-only, you won't be missing much with the Quest 3. Games will likely still be made to play decently on the XR2 gen 1 since it's far and away the first actually mainstream standalone processor and devs would have to make an active effort to make stuff look better on the gen 2.

As is, I would keep an eye on refurbished models or just wait a generation entirely for whatever Qualcomm is cooking up for the next generation of hardware.

Yeah, I suppose I can wait another generation. I didn't buy the Oculus Rift S and I'm not intent on buying every generation.

However, it was my understanding that a number of new games will likely not be support on the older Quest 2. For example, Batman Arkham Shadows will not be supported on Quest 2.

 

[yfn_ratchet]

Yeah, I suppose I can wait another generation. I didn't buy the Oculus Rift S and I'm not intent on buying every generation.

However, it was my understanding that a number of new games will likely not be support on the older Quest 2. For example, Batman Arkham Shadows will not be supported on Quest 2.

An unfortunate effect of Meta wanting to move as fast as it is, since the Horizon/Oculus ecosystem is running on borrowed time (and money). In terms of Quest 3/XR2 Gen 2 exclusives, I would consider it one of two options:

1. The game is going to perform middlingly on the cutting-edge hardware it's targeting, in which case the better experience is going to be on the next generation of hardware with smoother framerates.
2. It's a matter of arbitrary exclusivity in order to move headsets, in which case your best bet is to wait it out for a few months since kneecapping sales like that will inevitably lead to it being released for older hardware anyways.

Either truth would result in me shuffling my wallet back into my pocket until the deals start to roll out. As is, very little of the 'new stuff' out of the tech space is making waves, so I'm in no rush to chase the cutting edge.

 

[Space Lynx]

Now that the Quest 3 512GB model has dropped in price and the Quest 3S doesn't look like enough of an upgrade, I am now considering the Quest 3.

For the record I have purchased:

Oculus Rift v1
Oculus Quest v1
Oculus Quest v2

Apparently the Meta Quest 3 128GB can still be had for ~$$430 USD but the ~$70 price reduction doesn't seem like its worth having to deal with a quarter of the storage. I might buy the 512GB version during the holiday season (knowing full well that there won't be further price reductions).

I thought the quest 3s is a downgrade over the quest 3?

 

[yfn_ratchet]

I thought the quest 3s is a downgrade over the quest 3?

In terms of optics, mostly. The displays and lenses are the same as the Quest 2's AFAIK, but the internals and camera arrays have been upgraded. The processor is the same as the Quest 3.

 

[Space Lynx]

In terms of optics, mostly. The displays and lenses are the same as the Quest 2's AFAIK, but the internals and camera arrays have been upgraded. The processor is the same as the Quest 3.

I will wait for reviews, but I think I might finally do VR, $299 and good specs is much more manageable. Can I plug it into my 7900 XT and play Steam VR games on it? No need to answer, I need to do a lot of research anyway

 

[AleXXX666]

If you want why not.... just consider headaches and other VR illnesses....coz it sounds like fishy advertising ☺

twice a time got a quest 2 and played a little... no "illnesses".

 

[Mindweaver]

Now that the Quest 3 512GB model has dropped in price and the Quest 3S doesn't look like enough of an upgrade, I am now considering the Quest 3.

For the record I have purchased:

Oculus Rift v1
Oculus Quest v1
Oculus Quest v2

Apparently the Meta Quest 3 128GB can still be had for ~$$430 USD but the ~$70 price reduction doesn't seem like its worth having to deal with a quarter of the storage. I might buy the 512GB version during the holiday season (knowing full well that there won't be further price reductions).

I just upgraded my Quest 3 128gb to the 512gb. It was well worth the upgrade. My 128gb was constantly full and only had about 3 "big" games installed. Now I have a ton of stuff installed and still have over 300gb remaining.

Yeah, I suppose I can wait another generation. I didn't buy the Oculus Rift S and I'm not intent on buying every generation.

However, it was my understanding that a number of new games will likely not be support on the older Quest 2. For example, Batman Arkham Shadows will not be supported on Quest 2.

Batman Arkham Shadows is so good. I'm only about 20 minutes in but I've already had some new OMG moments playing and I haven't had that since Half-Life: Alyx. I am very surprised at what they were able to do with standalone graphics. Now it's no where near as good as HLA's graphics but the atmosphere is amazing and the game mechanics are very good.

 

[Octavean]

I just upgraded my Quest 3 128gb to the 512gb. It was well worth the upgrade. My 128gb was constantly full and only had about 3 "big" games installed. Now I have a ton of stuff installed and still have over 300gb remaining.


Batman Arkham Shadows is so good. I'm only about 20 minutes in but I've already had some new OMG moments playing and I haven't had that since Half-Life: Alyx. I am very surprised at what they were able to do with standalone graphics. Now it's no where near as good as HLA's graphics but the atmosphere is amazing and the game mechanics are very good.

I actually think I would be OK with a 128GB version of the Quest 3 because I tend to buy exclusive (HMD specific) games very sparingly. Most of the games that I have falling into that category were free with the HMD such as Robo Recall, Vader Immortal (I, II and III), Lucky's Tale and so on. I'd prefer to buy Steam games which are not HMD specific. The few that I broke down and purchased against my better judgment was Lone Echo (1 and 2). So I don't necessarily need the HMD storage space if the games are PC based.

Anyway, I might actually buy the Quest 3 when Meta is ready to move on to the Quest 4 and the Quest 3 starts to hit everything must go pricing. As I recall, all my HMD's were purchased at a noteworthy low in pricing.

 

[Octavean]

Looking around now, I can buy a Bambu Lab P1P 3D printer for about ~$450 or a P1S for ~$550. Since I have other interests beside VR the money might be better applied elsewhere. Last time when I was considering a new VR HMD, I think I went with a new ASRock Radeon Phantom Gaming RX 7800 XT. Another time I went with a MSI MAG401QR, 40" Gaming Monitor instead of a new VR HMD. Come to think of it, I could also use one or two new 16TB to ~20TB HDD's too.

I do want a new VR HMD but I'll likely get more use out of the HDD's then anything else at the moment.

 

[Mindweaver]

Looking around now, I can buy a Bambu Lab P1P 3D printer for about ~$450 or a P1S for ~$550. Since I have other interests beside VR the money might be better applied elsewhere. Last time when I was considering a new VR HMD, I think I went with a new ASRock Radeon Phantom Gaming RX 7800 XT. Another time I went with a MSI MAG401QR, 40" Gaming Monitor instead of a new VR HMD. Come to think of it, I could also use one or two new 16TB to ~20TB HDD's too.

I do want a new VR HMD but I'll likely get more use out of the HDD's then anything else at the moment.

If anything pick up a Quest 3s for 299 at some point. What is your IPD? The new Batman is so good!

 

[Klemc]

So that's (one of) the only/few cases, VR, that enable CA (Chromatic Aberration) has sense, bc the player really looks through a camera like lens !

I don't want/need even try VR, but, if i'm old enough to look at an hologramic true 3D monitor i will be happy.

 

[Octavean]

If anything pick up a Quest 3s for 299 at some point. What is your IPD? The new Batman is so good!

I don't know my IPD or better to say I've forgotten. I had an app for that but the Quest 2 was fine for me so my IPD fell squarely into it's more limited range. The Quest 3S does sound good and is cheaper. However, I'm not sure about the compromises the Quest 3S makes.

I think in and around Black Friday will be decision time.

I also recently acquired a UGreen DXP8800 Plus 8 bay NAS via the Kickstarter (Intel Core i5 1235U 10 Core / 12 thread) and populated it with (3x) 14TB and (4x) 16TB drives. There's one free bay and I'd like to eventually standardize on either all 16TB or all 20TB drives. So that's an expensive project since HDD aren't cheap.

Still, all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.

I still wish Meta would have made their VR HMD hand tracking cross compatible and sold them without the controllers as an option at a lower cost. IMO, the original Oculus Rift outside in tracking was better (not easier to setup but better in actual use). They keep changing the inside out tracking with no real compatibility.

 

[bug]

Now that the Quest 3 512GB model has dropped in price and the Quest 3S doesn't look like enough of an upgrade, I am now considering the Quest 3.

For the record I have purchased:

Oculus Rift v1
Oculus Quest v1
Oculus Quest v2

Apparently the Meta Quest 3 128GB can still be had for ~$$430 USD but the ~$70 price reduction doesn't seem like its worth having to deal with a quarter of the storage. I might buy the 512GB version during the holiday season (knowing full well that there won't be further price reductions).

So you're not really asking, you're telling us.

 

[Octavean]

I just upgraded my Quest 3 128gb to the 512gb. It was well worth the upgrade. My 128gb was constantly full and only had about 3 "big" games installed. Now I have a ton of stuff installed and still have over 300gb remaining.


Batman Arkham Shadows is so good. I'm only about 20 minutes in but I've already had some new OMG moments playing and I haven't had that since Half-Life: Alyx. I am very surprised at what they were able to do with standalone graphics. Now it's no where near as good as HLA's graphics but the atmosphere is amazing and the game mechanics are very good.

Have you also used the Question 3S,…?

 

[Space Lynx]

I decided against the 3S, I have heard mixed feelings about the lens quality reduction after reading a variety of reviews. Some say its a good still, others say stick with Quest 3 non-s if you want the best experience.

Maybe black friday the non-3d will hit $399, might try to snag it if it does. Otherwise, I will just keep waiting to see what Valve does in the next year or so. I am doing VR by the end of 2025 though, I have waited long enough.

 

[Mindweaver]

Have you also used the Question 3S,…?

No but my nephew is going to get one. I still might pick one up for my daughters to share.

I decided against the 3S, I have heard mixed feelings about the lens quality reduction after reading a variety of reviews. Some say its a good still, others say stick with Quest 3 non-s if you want the best experience.

Maybe black friday the non-3d will hit $399, might try to snag it if it does. Otherwise, I will just keep waiting to see what Valve does in the next year or so. I am doing VR by the end of 2025 though, I have waited long enough.

yeah for sure the pancake lenses are much better, but for a lot of people the cheaper quest 2 lenses will work just fine and keep them in the same games as Quest 3.

EDIT: I also want whatever Valve releases next.. That might be the big reason I don't buy a 3s. I'll buy the new Deckard and give the girls my Quest 3. lol

 

[Space Lynx]

No but my nephew is going to get one. I still might pick one up for my daughters to share.


yeah for sure the pancake lenses are much better, but for a lot of people the cheaper quest 2 lenses will work just fine and keep them in the same games as Quest 3.

EDIT: I also want whatever Valve releases next.. That might be the big reason I don't buy a 3s. I'll buy the new Deckard and give the girls my Quest 3. lol

Yeah, it's been a long time since the Index came out, I think Valve will do something VR related by end of 2025, so probably best if I just wait it out a bit longer.

 

[Octavean]

Generally I prefer to get a new product when it releases in order to get the most time with it. Some good points have been made here though.

I'll keep an eye out for what looks like a good deal but I'm starting to think that waiting would be prudent.

A new Valve VR HMD would be intriguing too especially since most of my games are Steam games.

I was at Costco just yesterday and ran into a Quest 3S display. Now that I think about it, I could probably buy a Quest 3S and get a feel for whether or not I like it enough to keep it. If not I could just return it.

The reason not to do this is I really don’t think the Quest 3S is what I want and I don’t want to buy just to end up returning it.

Costco doesn’t seem to have the Quest 3 standard Version or at least this store didn’t on display.


Edit:

I realize that this sounds really indecisive and I guess that’s exactly how I am feeling about this. I think it would really help if I could try AKA demo the Quest 3 and Quest 3S.

 

[Mindweaver]

Generally I prefer to get a new product when it releases in order to get the most time with it. Some good points have been made here though.

I'll keep an eye out for what looks like a good deal but I'm starting to think that waiting would be prudent.

A new Valve VR HMD would be intriguing too especially since most of my games are Steam games.

I was at Costco just yesterday and ran into a Quest 3S display. Now that I think about it, I could probably buy a Quest 3S and get a feel for whether or not I like it enough to keep it. If not I could just return it.

The reason not to do this is I really don’t think the Quest 3S is what I want and I don’t want to buy just to end up returning it.

Costco doesn’t seem to have the Quest 3 standard Version or at least this store didn’t on display.


Edit:

I realize that this sounds really indecisive and I guess that’s exactly how I am feeling about this. I think it would really help if I could try AKA demo the Quest 3 and Quest 3S.

If you have a best buy near you then they have a 15 day return policy. I think if the Quest 2 optics where good for you. Then only thing about the optics for me was the single screen and that I have a wide IPD at 67. I had to use mine on the 3rd setting and it took away from the FOV. If you use setting 1 or 2 then you get the full FOV. I would say the 3s is a solid option if you fall in that category. The 3s is actually lighter than the 2 and 3. Plus the IR for tracking means you can using it in low light as well.

 

[Octavean]

If you have a best buy near you then they have a 15 day return policy. I think if the Quest 2 optics where good for you. Then only thing about the optics for me was the single screen and that I have a wide IPD at 67. I had to use mine on the 3rd setting and it took away from the FOV. If you use setting 1 or 2 then you get the full FOV. I would say the 3s is a solid option if you fall in that category. The 3s is actually lighter than the 2 and 3. Plus the IR for tracking means you can using it in low light as well.

I just checked my Quest 2 and it's IPD position is set to 3. I didn't realize the 3rd setting would truncate the FOV.

 

[Mindweaver]

I just checked my Quest 2 and it's IPD position is set to 3. I didn't realize the 3rd setting would truncate the FOV.

yeah put it on 2 and check. It won't be as clear but you will see what you are missing out on. The quest 3's FOV is even larger and does not decrease when using higher IPD settings with it having 2 screens.