Is the Oculus Go really worth the price?
Oculus started a Kickstarter in 2012 and released its first VR headset on March 28th, 2016. Since then, Oculus has released different VR headsets that fit individual needs. Now, you’ve probably seen famous YouTubers wearing it, flailing about for our amusement. However, a lot of people either don’t have the money to spend on an Oculus Rift S, or the PC to run the program. Luckily, there are other options available. The Oculus Go is an awesome product for viewing 360 videos and playing simple games. It is compatible with YouTube’s 360 functions and is easily portable.
What Is Oculus Go
Top-down view of the Oculus Go kit.
The Oculus Go is a Virtual Reality headset that doesn’t need a phone or a computer to run. It comes with the headset, a charger, a remote, a battery, and a spacer for those who need glasses. The headset and remote also has a headphone jack to make the experience more immersive.
The Oculus Go is completely wireless. The battery life on the headset is only about 2 hours, but it can recharge. The remote takes AA batteries and usually lasts about 24 hours of continuous use. However, it does not have Bluetooth compatibility and would need a dongle for any wireless headphones.
The Oculus Go does have its limits, as it only tracks two things: Your head and remote. You won’t be able to use VR Chatroom as you would with other VR headsets, and it has lower memory storage. The most amount of storage you’re going to get is 64GB, and it has no external memory cards or SD card slots.
What Can It Be Used For?
Front view of the Oculus Go
The Oculus Go can be used for a lot of different things, but its main purpose is to act as a 360-video viewer. The Oculus store has a lot of interactive videos for the Oculus Go. The majority of the videos you’ll find are educational, but a lot of them have interactive horror as well.
The games on the Oculus store are simple, but a lot of fun. This can include fishing, top-down horror, and puzzle games. Also, the store is updated all the time, so it’s worth taking a look. Some of it can be really scary, so have someone nearby to record your screams.
There are useful things in the Oculus go for parents, teachers, and tutors as well. The Oculus Go is a perfect tool for teaching science, geography, and history. Although there aren’t any parental locks, there is a PIN purchase code you can set. The official age limit for the Oculus Go is 13 years or older, so keep this in mind when using the headset with students.
Price
Screenshot of cost on Oculus.com
The price is the main reason why people go for the Go. The Oculus Go is one of the cheapest options on the market, while still being a portable, independent VR headset. Just like phones, the headset’s price depends on how much storage you want. There are two options to choose from:
1.) 32GB Oculus Go, $149 USD
2.) 64GB Oculus Go, $199 USD
(This does not include tax, shipping & handling)
Compared to the Oculus Rift S (which needs an expensive PC to run), and the Oculus Quest, the Oculus Go is simply budget-friendly. Both the Oculus Rift S and the Oculus Quest cost $399 USD. It would be nice to play full-body VR games, but sometimes all you want is a simple VR set up to watch some YouTube, or a 360 video.
The Oculus Go also has parts replacements that cost $30 USD or less. For example, If the remote goes missing, or your friend steals the spacer, you can order a replacement part for cheap. The charger is a regular Micro USB charger and will match a lot of phone chargers.
Final Verdict (7/10)
A man playing with the Oculus Go
The Oculus Go is an amazing VR headset for video and arcade games, but it’s held back by its limitations. This headset has great detail, clear screens, and great audio. However, it does not track your body, breaking some of the emersion. Because it does not track your body, you have to use the remote to adjust the screen, which doesn’t always line upright. Sometimes, you’ll have to strain your neck to look at a video or see a section of a game that should have been easily seen.
This headset is very sturdy and had no issues letting teens use it with supervision. The headset itself sits well with the straps properly adjusted. The remote is touch-sensitive and light-weight, and is easy to use.
Overall, the Oculus Go is an excellent headset for anyone who is looking to sit down and enjoy some interactive VR stories. It works well as an educational tool and as entertainment and can keep you busy for hours while fishing off of a dock a thousand miles away. Just be careful not to walk around in this headset!
