Accessories for virtual truth (VR) headsets have actually existed for years however it wasn’t till the launch of Meta Quest 2 that the marketplace actually started to take off. Gmw3 examined VR Cover’s choice back in 2020 and now we have actually got our hands on numerous of competitor KIWI Design’s items. For this evaluation roundup, gmw3 will be checking the Controller Grips, the VR Weight Dumbbell, and the Upgrade Elite Strap.
KIWI Design uses rather the selection of accessories for Meta Quest 2 however it’s these 3 that gmw3 reckons are the most beneficial, each supplying their own upgrades to the Quest 2 experience.
Controller Grips Cover
By themselves the Quest controllers are completely crafted gadgets for VR interaction yet there’s constantly been one particular issue, they’re too smooth. Even with the wrist strap on playing actually active VR video games like Beat Saber or Ragnarock implied frantically attempting to ensure the controllers do not escape due to the absence of grip when my hands get sweaty.
So an option like the Controller Grips Cover uses an option, a rubberised real estate that not just secures the controllers however likewise supplies grip. The covers attain this in numerous methods; you have actually got the textured product most importantly, then there’s the strap that reviews the back of your hand (a la Valve Index) and lastly the wrist strap for additional security.
The mix of all 3 makes for a truly strong experience, I’m never ever stressed over losing– or all of a sudden releasing– of the controllers midway through a tune or chaotic fight. There is a bit more faff associated with their usage instead of rapidly getting the non-accessorized controllers however that’s never ever worried me, it’s great having that additional security.
One other function which requires pointing out is the hinged battery cover. Unlike VR Cover’s Controller Grips that need total elimination to alter the battery, there’s none of that concern here. Plus the package includes little plastic straps to twist around the battery to make elimination simple. Clever things.
The just genuine drawback that I discovered was the a little increased density of the controllers. This implied I ‘d lost a little bit of thumb reach when attempting to push the B/Y buttons. Not by much, possibly 1-2mm however adequate that I discovered and would likely be a concern for smaller sized hands.
Honestly, after numerous weeks of utilizing these things they have actually remained on my Quest 2 controllers given that they showed up, they’re now among my preferred additions to my Quest setup.
Verdict: Essential
VR Weight Dumbbell
Now here’s an intriguing tool, real dumbbells to make your controllers much heavier. Why would you wish to change the weight of each controller? For physical fitness obviously. There’s been a surge of VR energetic/fitness apps for Meta Quest 2, whether that’s simply rhythm titles or more fitness-oriented videogames such as FitXR, Supernatural orLes Mills Bodycombat And whilst they’re great by themselves, if you have an interest in increasing the strength then KIWI Design’s VR Weight Dumbbell is a simple option.
The primary real estate fits around the front tracking ring part without obscuring the tracking sensing units from the Quest’s electronic cameras– so no loss in tracking. As displayed in the image listed below, the dumbbells can likewise be utilized in combination with a grip cover, making it far simpler to utilize the weights at their heaviest setting.
But prior to getting to the heaviest setting there’s a lot of weight to experiment with very first. Apart from the primary real estate, the set comes provided with 6 x 50g metal weights (3 for each controller) plus an extra 6 plastic spacers (each weighs around 5g). When utilizing simply one weight in each controller, to avoid motion a number of spacers can be contributed to repair it in location without excessive extra weight.
Thus offering you a lot of adaptability when changing each controller’s weight. The VR Weight Dumbbell takes a basic 150g controller increasing it to around 346g with all 3 metal weights inside (or 420g with the Grip Cover).
In usage I discovered the dumbbells to be a really combined experience, especially at the much heavier end. As you ‘d anticipate, including more weight to the front of the controllers produces an imbalance, so video games like Beat Saber ended up being far less natural when attempting to stream in between each strike. On the other hand, Les Mills Bodycombat was without a doubt a more natural fit (sort of like having the weight of boxing gloves), as the included weight to each punch needed increased effort. By completion of even a brief 5-10 minute exercise, my arms and shoulders were feeling it!
The VR Weight Dumbbell isn’t a necessary device by any methods, definitely filling a really specific niche area of the marketplace. The elements all feel effectively made and meshed completely, so there were never ever any setup problems. It actually does boil down to just how much you exercise in VR. If you pay a regular monthly subscription to any of the VR physical fitness apps then these dumbbells are for you.
Verdict: Alright
In my initial evaluation of the Meta Quest 2, I stated I liked the provided soft strap, it was practical to utilize and relatively comfy to use. A year and a half later on and the soft strap hasn’t been anywhere near my Quest 2 for a very long time, I simply can’t utilize the important things any longer. I tend to utilize Meta’s own Elite Strap with Battery Pack for the included gameplay time however I comprehend it’s not precisely a low-cost device. So if you’re aiming to update your Quest 2 experience, KIWI Design’s third-party option is an excellent shout.
After purchasing a $300 USD/ ₤ 300 GBP VR headset the last thing you may wish to do is then invest cash on a brand-new head strap. Trust me, it’s the next purchase you must make, due to the fact that as VR titles like Resident Evil 4, Green Hell VR, or Song in the Song supply ever-larger experiences you’ll desire a system that hugs your head like cuddling into a pillow.
Not to be puzzled with Meta’s own Elite Strap, the KIWI Design “Upgraded Elite Strap Compatible with Quest 2” (they actually require a much better name) carries out a really comparable task however with a number of extra enhancements at a somewhat less expensive rate.
Most obvious are those arm hinges best beside Quest 2’s speaker output. Being much more versatile than the Quest 2’s primary front hinges, I might position the headset on my face and after that efficiently bring the back of the head strap down for a safe and secure fit. Now here’s the additional reward. While the Quest’s passthrough function works, there are times when you require to raise the headset, which the KIWI Elite Strap handles with ease (as displayed in the image above). Those 52 ° hinges allow a fast and simple movement to dip in and out of VR without needing to adjust the primary strap.
When it pertains to comfort the KIWI Elite Strap has a cushioned back and leading strap covered in charming soft PU leather. This makes the strap much more comfy than Meta’s own variation, dispersing the headset weight much better so it’s not so front heavy. The strap likewise extends a percentage even more than its more pricey competitor, that makes fitting around my huge head a lot easier.
I have actually been rather torn these previous couple of weeks in between my Elite Strap with Battery Pack and the KIWI design, simply due to the fact that the latter fits so well.
Verdict: Great
Summary
KIWI Design’s Controller Grips, VR Weight Dumbbell, and Upgraded Elite Strap have actually satisfied in regards to their build quality and performance. It can be difficult with a lot of items readily available through sellers like Amazon to understand which to pick from however for when– this time a minimum of– those favorable client scores are appropriate.
I didn’t precisely take a hammer to evaluate resilience, yet as anybody who’s played a little bit of VR understands, you’ll undoubtedly strike a wall, chair or something you believed wasn’t close by. The dumbbells withstood these knocks, the controller grips endured my sweaty mitts and the strap didn’t snap! So a win-win in my book.
You can discover KIWI Design items on Amazon or on its main site.
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