- Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
Are you looking for the best VR headset for travel? I love watching virtual reality videos on my laptop but its not a great option to watch VR on the go. So, I went scouting for an affordable, mobile and immersive smartphone headset and the Zeiss VR One Plus caught my eye.
When I saw that Carl Zeiss has stepped into the world of VR with the VR One Plus, I snagged it immediately to review it for you.
Things to consider before buying a VR Headset
There is a wide variety of VR headsets available today. From the Oculus Rift to Google Cardboard, they have diverse pricing and features. You can spend tens to hundreds of dollars in your quest to get a suitable VR headset. To find the best fit, let’s check out the factors you need to review.
Smartphone Compatibility
If you want a virtual reality headset for use on the go, it has to be compatible with your smartphone. Before getting the headset, check out if it works well with your smartphone model.
Pricing
Headsets are available from as little as $20 to as high as thousands of dollars. Once you know how much you are willing to shell out, you can choose from that price range.
VR Usage
The headset variant differs with user intent. If you want high-end gaming, then pick a tethered headset. Looking for decently good apps on the go? Then a mobile headset may be perfect for you.
Presenting the Zeiss VR One Plus
- Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
If you want a simple smartphone VR headset for viewing, Zeiss VR One Plus fits the bill.
It doesn’t come with any buttons on controls and is just a viewer. The Plus has two binocular styled lenses that allow you to watch split screen VR content.
The Plus is an advanced version of the earlier VR one edition. It is designed to be compatible with most smartphones that have a compass, gyro and an accelerometer.
If you wish to wear the headset over your glasses, you will find it pretty comfortable. Since it has Carl Zeiss precision lenses, you can skip lens adjustment.
Specifications
- Size - 9 x 6 x 5 inches
- Weight - 1.3 pounds
- Smartphone compatibility - 4.7 to 5.5 inches
- Custom smartphone tray makes for a secure phone fit
- Good for people with glasses
- High-quality Carl Zeiss lenses
- Useful for travel
- Need to purchase a separate controller to play VR games
- Its weight of 635 grams can be uncomfortable if used for extended periods
- No in-built electronics means no VR content or apps
Features & Benefits of Zeiss VR One Plus
Design and Performance
The Plus has a transparent, glossy front plate with a minimalist design. It comes with a white matte plastic visor. When I opened the box, I saw the headset with two head straps and a cleaning wipe. It also comes with an AR Cube.
If you compare it to the Google Cardboard, the Plus does not have the magnetic trigger. The trigger on the Cardboard sets off a sensor in the phone. I found this useful feature missing in the Zeiss.
Smartphone Compatibility
It comes with a smartphone tray that fits in phones from 4.7 to 5.5 inches. Make sure to remove the smartphone case before you insert it into the tray.
The smartphone tray slides into the side of the headset and fits your phone. The smartphone tray has in-built openings that allow for clear and loud audio to play through.
You can choose the specific phone tray you want to go with your smartphone. Be ready to shell out extra dollars for the tray as it’s not included in the package.
Comfort & Experience
You can attach the headset with the elastic straps. They are kept in place by hook and loop fasteners and buckles. I wore it by taking two of the straps around the back of my head horizontally. Then I connected the third one over the top of my head for a secure fit.
Lenses and Viewing Experience
The Plus comes from the famed Carl Zeiss with high-quality optics. Zeiss is a reputed name in the camera industry for producing world class lenses. I found the quality to be impeccable as the lenses were quite large with high precision.
I like the custom designed ‘eye box’ that is suitable for the majority of the users. It doesn’t need any mechanical lens adjustment for differing interpupillary distances. If you wear glasses, you can slide the headset over your glasses. I quite like the in-built ventilation ports that help prevent any fogging when I wear the headset.
AR & VR Content
I found these apps to be compatible with the Plus – Space Terror VR, Sisters, Squarepusher, Insidious 3, Crazy Swing, Disney stories, Cedar point (roller coaster) and Google Cardboard.
I did not like the two apps from Zeiss due to their limited features. The VR One AR and VR One Cinema are made specifically for the Plus.
The AR app can be used with the AR cube only to view. Since there are no buttons on the Plus, you can’t really play anything. The Cinema app lets you watch VR movies and videos.
I found that the Cinema app did not read the file from my smartphone’s microSD card. Since the headset itself doesn’t have any mechanical controls, it can’t pair with the smartphone to resolve similar issues.
Controller
The Plus lacks any mechanical controls and a physical controller. You will need to get a controller if you want to pair it up with virtual reality apps or play games. I had to get a controller to pair it up with the Google Cardboard app.
Opinions
I found mixed reviews when I scoured the internet for user reviews on the Zeiss Plus. Many of the users were impressed with the high-quality Zeiss lens on the headset.
The lack of any mechanical controls on the headset was a spoiler for some of the VR enthusiasts. Many VR gamers did not find it affordable as it requires a separate controller to be purchased.
Alternatives
The HP MIxed Reality VR headset has some good competition out there. Depending on your situation, it may be the best option, or you may be better off with another system. Below are some brief comparative reviews of some of the HP MR competitors to help you decide if the HP is your best option.
VR Wear 3D VR Headset
- VIRTUAL REALITY AVAILABLE - A new high-quality VR Viewer from VR WEAR for the great experience of plunging into a video, game, educational or entertaining program, a virtual tour or trip. Enjoy a panoramic spherical 360 degree video or watch films with IMAX cinema effects and more
- VR HEADSET WITH MAXIMUM POSSIBILITIES - Our VR accessories have a comfortable lens adjustment in 4 directions for EACH EYE separately - adjusting the focus and IPD (interpupillary distance). A high-quality big lens with an increased 105 degree vision angle for more precise image and the reduction of dizzying effect
The VR Wear 3D VR headset is similar to the Plus as it has high-quality lenses. The ventilation system of both is excellent as the VR Wear comes with breathable face padding.
I found the VR Wear to fit in bigger phones up to 6.5 inches. You can use a maximum 5.5 inches smartphone with the Plus. Both headsets are compatible with Android and iOS phones.
- Similar style high quality lenses
- Both headsets have an inbuilt ventilation system - the VR wear has fabric padding and Zeiss comes with multiple holes in the face visor
- Similar compatibility with iOS and Android phones
- VRwear can fit in bigger sized phones upto 6.5 inches while Zeiss can fit in a maximum of 5.5 inch
- VR Wear has a plastic with fabric cover while the Zeiss is made of only plastic
- It comes with charging point and cables while the Zeiss does not
Pansonite VR Headset with Remote Controller
If you prefer VR gaming, you will like Pansonite. It weighs 1.1 pounds and is lightweight as compared to the Plus. I like Pansonite’s ergonomic design that lets me watch VR for extended periods.
The Pansonite scores over the Plus as it comes with a helpful controller to navigate.
While the Plus fits smartphones up to 5.5 inches, the Pansonite is comfortable with 6-inch phones as well.
- Both are compatible with iOS and android apps
- Both have good breathability factor
- Similar comfort if you wear for extended periods of time
- Pansonite comes with a mechanical controller, Zeiss does not have one
- Pansonite is lightweight as compared to the Zeiss
- 6-inch phones can fit into the Pansonite while Zeiss can accommodate upto 5.5 inches
NeuTab VR 2nd Gen Virtual Reality VR Headset 3D Glasses
The NeuTab is lightweight and comes with a fabric cover. It scores over the Plus that is heavier and comes with a plastic covering. The Neutab comes with a controller that can be paired up with the smartphone, while the Plus lacks a controller.
I like the fact that you don’t need to customize lens distance in the Plus while this is required in the Neutab.
If you have a smartphone bigger than 5.5 inches, you can go for the Neutab. It can fit in phones up to 6.5 inches that is a great advantage over the Plus.
- Both headsets are made of plastic
- A glass wearer will find both headsets comfortable
- Both are comfortable to wear
- Neutab is lighter than the Zeiss
- Neutab comes with a mechanical controller for games that the Zeiss doesn't have
- Foam padding in Neutab can be removed to adjust phones upto 6.5 inches while the Zeiss can accommodate phones upto 5.5 inches
Conclusion
Zeiss is a suitable choice if you want a simple smartphone VR headset for travel. If you want an interactive VR experience and a wide range of VR content, you would be better off choosing another headset.
Check out the Carl Zeiss VR One Plus here.