Oculus Rift - Virtual Reality

[Tbone]

Shipping update from Oculus:

"If you've received a processing email your order will ship within a few days.
There are 1,000 kits going to Europe and Africa, and another 2,000 to U.S. and Canada.
We've encountered some region specific delays. Shipments to the Middle East have resumed. We're still working on a solution for Russian deliveries.
If your order has been in processing for longer than 2 weeks, be sure to contact support@oculusvr.com and we will look into it."

[Tbone]

Bit the bullet and found a Razer Hydra for $53. Positional tracking solution and virtual hands!

[likwidtek]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OrANjgeYe0&feature=c4-overview&list=UU-lHJZR3Gqxm24_Vd_AJ5Yw

Best part: 4:18 - 4:41

The Rift is going to be so fucking boss.

Funny shit.  But my balls ain't big enough for that.

nope.nope.nope.nope.nope.

[ZephixLeer (Zephic)]

So, I'm considering buying a Rift... I have a birthday coming up in October and it's a "big one" according to my wife. I'll be 30 and she's up for buying it.

However, that said... I also realize that there is an issue of first-come, first-served with the dev kits. I'm not really worried about how long it takes to get here.

The question is: Do we know if there is a down side to buying now over the final, commercial release? Any reason to wait as far as those that are already Rifting can see?

[Manic Velocity]

You said delivery time isn't an issue for you.  If that's the case, I'd say wait a little longer for the commercial release. You'll be spending roughly the same amount of money for a superior product.

[Mharz]

You said delivery time isn't an issue for you.  If that's the case, I'd say wait a little longer for the commercial release. You'll be spending roughly the same amount of money for a superior product.

This.

I love that there are so many dev kits going out to eager early adopters.  What this means is that a lot of people are going to be developing and testing for my final product.

Everyone has clearly stated that the dev kits are close to the final version but are clearly NOT going to be as good as the final version.  This means that you might be buying two Rifts in the next 2 years (one dev kit now and one product version at release) because the release version will be more advanced and have more functionality (because of all the testing/development) that is going on right now.

That said, if you have the cash to burn or you feel you NEED to be on the bleeding edge of development buy one now and one later.

I for one, trust folks like Tbone to go forth, test, do cool things, figure things out and report them to us here and pass the feedback on to the Rift devs to make the product super at launch.

[Tbone]

So, I'm considering buying a Rift... I have a birthday coming up in October and it's a "big one" according to my wife. I'll be 30 and she's up for buying it.

However, that said... I also realize that there is an issue of first-come, first-served with the dev kits. I'm not really worried about how long it takes to get here.

The question is: Do we know if there is a down side to buying now over the final, commercial release? Any reason to wait as far as those that are already Rifting can see?

If you buy a dev kit, just know that you will also need/want to buy a commercial Rift. Things you will not get with the dev kit:

1. Higher Resolution (1080p)
2. Reduced "screen door" (area between pixels)
3. Positional Tracking (leaning forward, back, etc.)

This is the minimum they want to accomplish before the commercial release. I'm pretty sure 1 and 2 are already done.

The problem is that the Rift is still probably a year and a half out. Optimistic people will tell you it will be next summer. I think they'll be doing well if they get it out for the 2014 holidays.

For me it was worth $300 to be able to get a version of the Rift a year and a half early, even if it isn't what the final product will be. If I time things right, maybe I can sell it for my money back right before the commercial version is about to come out, and then I won't be out double my money, but we'll see.

[Tbone]

My brother's Rift arrives on Friday. I assume Revalis and Longboard will be similar?? Time to party!

[Mharz]

My idea finally got some traction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVopcoxizcY

In other news, nerds everywhere start wearing pencils on their heads.  News at at 11.

[Revalis]

My brother's Rift arrives on Friday. I assume Revalis and Longboard will be similar?? Time to party!

Yep, according to the tracking info, it will be here Friday by the end of the day. So I'll be working late that night. ;)

[Tbone]

Great article on Venture Beat

Part 1
Part 2

[likwidtek]

So, I'm considering buying a Rift... I have a birthday coming up in October and it's a "big one" according to my wife. I'll be 30 and she's up for buying it.

However, that said... I also realize that there is an issue of first-come, first-served with the dev kits. I'm not really worried about how long it takes to get here.

The question is: Do we know if there is a down side to buying now over the final, commercial release? Any reason to wait as far as those that are already Rifting can see?

Heh, I feel you Zephic, and as I remember you're pretty impulsive so I'm sure you're going to buy it anyway, but I really would wait until the 1080p + Positional tracking version comes out.

Otherwise, plan on spending $300 now and then needing to spend another 3-400 in a year or so when the final version comes out.

I *REALLY* want one now too... but I haven't had a chance to try it yet.  I naturally get motion sick too and without the positional tracking... I dunno, I think it'll just be too tough.  The screen door effect, motion blur and all that I would be a little disappointed with too and would absolutely feel like I would need to buy the better version as soon as it's launched.

Maybe you can find someone near you that'll let you play with it for an hour or two to help you make a better decision.  Or, if you have about $600 to blow, buy the dev unit now and set aside the other $300 for later and get both.  

[Revalis]

You can always try to live vicariously through those of us who were silly enough to get one.
I'm set up for Twitch, now, so hopefully I'll start doing some streaming sessions. May do it for gaming nights, but also want to maybe think about live streaming development so people can pitch in with work on the Construct. Haven't decided if that would be annoying or helpful yet.

[Tbone]

If you're ever near DC, I'll let you demo it for as long as you can stand!

[NoCry]

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/a-bespectacled-look-at-the-oculus-rift/

I wear glasses and have wondered how Rift would cope with my issues - this begins to answer the question.