Bigscreen's Beyond 2 VR Headset Revolutionizes Display and Comfort
Bigscreen has unveiled the Beyond 2, an impressive evolution of their VR headset lineup, featuring advanced micro-OLED displays that set it apart in the competitive virtual reality market. Weighing in at a mere 107 grams, the Beyond 2 is significantly lighter than its predecessor, enhancing user comfort during extended sessions. This reduction in weight is achieved by offloading all heavy processing tasks to an external PC, emphasizing the headset’s reliance on powerful hardware to deliver a seamless experience.
The Beyond 2 boasts micro-OLED displays with a combined resolution of 5,120 x 2,560 pixels, translating to 13.1 million pixels in total. This setup provides a sharp 2.5K resolution per eye, effectively eliminating common visual issues such as the screen door effect and motion blur that plague many lower-end VR headsets. The enhanced optics offer a wide 116-degree field of view, manual IPD adjustment, and improved brightness, ensuring vivid and clear visuals that rival those of high-end competitors like the Apple Vision Pro.
Performance-wise, the Beyond 2 supports refresh rates up to 90 Hz, delivering smooth and responsive visuals essential for an immersive VR experience. Additionally, the Beyond 2e variant introduces built-in eye-tracking technology through minuscule camera sensors, enabling more interactive and realistic virtual interactions. Despite these advancements, the headset still requires external SteamVR base stations for comprehensive tracking, maintaining a tethered setup that leverages robust PC hardware for optimal performance.
Connectivity is facilitated through DisplayPort 1.4 for high-bandwidth video transmission and USB 3.0 ports for data and power, ensuring minimal latency and reliable performance. The headset is available in three stylish finishes: Carbon Black, Crystal Clear, and Nuclear Orange, catering to diverse aesthetic preferences. Pricing starts at $1,019 for the standard Beyond 2 model and $1,219 for the Beyond 2e with eye-tracking capabilities, with shipments expected to commence in June 2025.
In summary, the Bigscreen Beyond 2 delivers significant upgrades in display technology, comfort, and visual fidelity, positioning itself as a formidable option for VR enthusiasts seeking a high-performance, PC-tethered headset. Its reliance on external processing allows for a lighter design without compromising on the quality, making it a noteworthy contender in the evolving landscape of virtual reality hardware.