Review of the Gabba Goods VR Headset

You want to try out virtual reality, but you aren’t quite sure it’s for you and want to test it first. I remember when VR first piqued my interest. I wanted the best of the best but wasn’t willing to risk hundreds before I knew if I liked it.

If that’s you or if your budget is a little tight, then a virtual reality headset like Gabba Goods may be the perfect choice for you.

Let’s find out.

Things to Consider Before Buying a VR Headset

Before you purchase your first headset, there are few things you should decide first.

1. Do you have a decent smartphone?

Some virtual reality headsets use your phone for the screen and to run apps. So, you need a decent smartphone to have a good VR experience. If you don’t, you may want to look into a stand-alone headset or a console/computer-based system.

2. What is your budget?

Headsets can range from $15 to over $1000. Generally speaking, the more you spend, the better the system. If you are on a tight budget, you can still get into VR and have a great time, but don’t expect the top-of-the-line.

3. What level of immersion do you want?

With the entry-level VR headsets, you get 3D video and 360 degree images/video. You don’t get real motion tracking and the apps are pretty basic. The next level offers better graphics and apps and some basic motion control.

As you move into the higher-end systems, you’ll get full motion tracking and hand controllers. They have phenomenal graphics and a very immersive experience.

Presenting the Gabba Goods Virtual Reality Headset

The Gabba Goods headset is an entry-level mobile VR headset. It uses your smartphone for the screen and to run the virtual reality apps. It fits most smartphones and works with both Android and iPhone.

The headset works by putting your smartphone onto an adjustable tray and then sliding it into the headset from the side. So, you start the app you want to use, insert the phone, put on your headset, and enjoy.

The headset has a reasonably sturdy build, is lightweight, and is pretty comfortable. The 3-strap harness secures the headset firmly to your head, so it isn’t moving around on you too much.

While there are many apps you can enjoy, you are somewhat limited in your VR app choices. Many of the higher-end apps need more computing power than a smartphone can handle. You can have a great time with this headset, but don’t expect to play the latest, greatest VR games.

Pros
Cons

Features & Benefits

The Gabba Goods headset has most of the features you would look for in mobile VR headset. This gives you a decent VR experience and makes it a good entry level headset or a really cool gift.

Here are some of the exciting features and benefits Gabba Goods offers:

Comfort

The Gabba Goods headset has an adjustable, 3-strap harness that fits comfortably on your head. This removes most of the weight from your face. There is soft-leather covered padding where the goggles sit on your face for comfort.

Adjustable Lenses

When using any VR headset, the distance between your eyes and your visual acuity (how good your eyesight is) can affect the clarity of the screen.

Some people’s eyes are farther apart than others. The Gabba Goods headset gives you the ability to adjust the pupil distance of the lenses (the distance between your eyes). This makes the lenses more in line with the position of your eyes, giving a clearer image.

The headset also gives the ability to adjust the focal distance of the lenses (distance in front of your eyes) to compensate for differing levels of visual acuity. It can’t compensate for all vision issues, but if you need to wear light reading glasses, it should be able to adjust to give a clear image.

Fits Most Smartphones

The Gabba Goods headset uses your smartphone for a screen and to run the VR apps. This means you have to have a decent smartphone to use the headset. You may want to go into your favorite app store and look at some of the VR apps to make sure your phone is compatible.

Once you are sure your phone is compatible, the good news is it will probably work with the Gabba Goods headset. It has one of the widest adjustable phone bays I’ve seen. It fits phones ranging in size from 3.5” to 6” (diagonal length) and works with either Android or iPhone.

Compatible with Augmented Reality

Augmented reality apps use your phone’s camera to show you your surroundings. They then enhance your experience with those surroundings.

Some examples of augmented reality are apps that use live video of your home and allow you to change the paint colors of your walls. Some let you see what different furniture would look like in your home. Others give you historical information as you tour a city. There are many other AR apps available which do some fantastic things.

Many mobile virtual reality headsets have solid faceplates which block your phone’s camera. This prevents you from using augmented reality apps with your headset. The Gabba Goods headset has a retractable faceplate which allows your phone’s camera to work when you want to use it. You can then cover it for a more immersive experience when you are in virtual reality.

Audio

The Gabba Goods headset does not have built-in audio. This is actually a plus when it comes to lower-cost VR headsets. The quality of the built-in headphones on most mobile VR headsets leaves much to be desired. Most people already own headphones which are probably better quality.

The Gabba Goods headset has a hole to allow you to plug in your headphones. Of course, Bluetooth headphones work, too. So, if you have good headphones you normally use for listening to music, you will have good audio for your VR experience as well.

Keep Your Lenses Clean:

You get a microfiber cloth with your virtual reality goggles to help keep your lenses clean and prevent scratching. It’s a simple thing, but it’s nice, and many headsets don’t come with a cloth.

What are Other People Saying?

The reality is that feature lists and specs can be helpful but don’t always capture the real-life experience of using a product. Even one person’s experience won’t necessarily tell you everything you need to know.

So, I looked around the web to find ratings and reviews from real users. Their opinions were positive overall. You can see a few here:

https://www.amazon.com/GabbaGoods-Headset-Virtual-Reality-Glasses/product-reviews/B01KBM75FY/

Good Alternatives

The Gabba Goods virtual reality headset is a good entry-level option.

However, depending on your needs and preferences, another headset may be a better fit for you.

So, we’ve reviewed three alternative headsets so you can decide which headset is best for you.

Google Daydream View

Google Daydream View - VR Headset for Smartphone (Slate)
  • Don't just see the world, experience it. With daydream view, you can teleport from virtually anywhere to Pretty much everywhere.;Handy Storage
  • Browse from an ever-growing Collection of apps and games in the daydream app - a home for all of your virtual reality experiences.

The Google Daydream View is another mobile virtual reality headset. Like the Gabba Goods headset, it uses your smartphone for the screen and to run the apps. The Daydream, however, comes with a Bluetooth remote to help navigate apps.

Rather than having a 3-strap harness, it has a single, adjustable band and does not have a strap on top of your head. This may allow more movement on your head and cause more weight to rest on your face, particularly your nose.

To insert your phone into Google’s headset, you open the hinged faceplate. Then set your phone on the faceplate and then close the faceplate. There is no way to retract or remove the faceplate, so the Daydream does not work with augmented reality (AR) apps.

If you want a remote and don’t care about AR, then the Google Daydream View may be a better option for you.

You can find more information or purchase a Daydream here.

Similarities
Differences

Pansonite 3D VR Glasses Virtual Reality Headset

As an entry-level mobile headset, the Pansonite VR headset is like the Gabba Goods headset but has some clear distinctions. It has higher quality lenses and a wide 110-degree field of view.

Rather than using a slide-in tray, you remove the magnetic faceplate and use a velcro strap to secure your phone. This is less prone to breaking. The removable faceplate means you can use AR apps by leaving off the faceplate.

The Pansonite 3D VR Glasses offer a more immersive VR experience. If that sounds good to you, then they may be the headset you should choose.

Click here to discover more about the Pansonite or order one, today.

Similarities
Differences

HTC VIVE Pro Virtual Reality System

Lenovo Mirage Solo with Daydream, Standalone VR Headset with Worldsense Body Tracking, Ultra-Crisp QHD Display, Smartly Designed Mobile Headset
  • STANDALONE VR HEADSET: Stow away the phones, expensive PCs and cumbersome cables and just experience awesome VR--without the extra hassle. With Worldsense technology, you can move naturally and truly explore your virtual world, free from external sensors
  • COMFORTABLE DESIGN: Lenovo Mirage Solo's engineered to be so comfortable, you’ll forget you were wearing it. Artfully weight-balanced and coated with breathable, thick padding, it's adjustable to your precise measurements. Mirage Solo sports a stand-out look that begs to be worn, while gesturing to the future. VR has never been so appealing

The HTC Vive Pro is a top-of-the-line virtual reality system. The Vive Pro is different from the other headsets we’ve looked at in this article. It has ultra high-definition screens built-in and uses your computer to run apps.

So, you need a good gaming computer (PC or Mac) to use the HTC Vive Pro, and you are tethered to your computer while you play.

The HTC Vive Pro can run the most advanced VR games and apps available. It has an expansive field of view comes with hand controllers. It uses advanced motion tracking which tracks your body and hand controllers.

It also has built-in headphones with HD, spatial audio. This is the best of the best.

If you are ready to jump into VR head-first and have one of the most immersive virtual reality experiences possible, then you probably want to go with the HTC Vive Pro.

Learn more, now, or go ahead and buy an HTC Vive Pro by clicking here.

Similarities
Differences

Conclusion

Are you ready to take the leap into virtual reality?

An entry-level VR headset like the Gabba Goods headset can be a great way to start. The Gabba Goods headset also has the added benefit of being able to explore augmented reality.

If you think the Gabba Goods headset is a good fit for you, you can order one today by clicking here.

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