Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

OSVR's updated OSVR HDK is now available for pre-order at $400

osvr hdk2 preorder vr oled rzr 2 blackbg
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The OSVR group has announced via Twitter that potential customers can pre-order the HDK 2 kit now and receive a free copy of Descent: Underground and Radial G: Racing Revolved. This is an open source, modular virtual reality headset bundle. OSVR itself stands for Open Source Virtual Reality, an ecosystem of software and hardware that is open to any developer and hacker.

For the uninitiated, OSVR is a platform developed by popular gaming peripheral maker Razer and head-mounted display creator Sensics. The latest headset development kit is actually up for pre-order on Razer’s website, and through OSVR’s website, costing $400, which is cheaper than the Rift and HTC Vive. The free games will only be offered until July 28, 2016, or while supplies last. The kit itself won’t ship until July 29, 2016.

Recommended Videos

The new kit comes packed with a faceplate module providing 360-degree positional tracking, an IR camera operating at 100Hz, and a mainboard for the accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass sensors. This mainboard also plays host to external USB 3.0 connectivity, and two internal USB 3.0 ports for internal expansion. This board is re-programmable for additional functionality.

The specifications for the new kit show a 5.5-inch dual display low persistence OLED screen with 2,160 x 1,200 resolution (441ppi) that refreshes up to 90 times per second, and a high-performance dual lens optics system packing an individual eye focus feature. The display module even includes an enlarged eye-box “for fuss-free setup.”

In addition to those components, the kit contains a removable face mask with a bamboo charcoal microfiber foam layer. Additional foam padding is provided for cheekbones, and a nose bridge with rubber nose inserts to make the VR headset more comfortable to wear. A Belt Box module is provided in the kit too, for better cable management, and for additional USB 3.0 connectivity. There’s even an integrated surround sound audio codec, and signal boosters.

Razer is still selling the original HDK 1 (v1.4) kit for $300. That version sports a low-persistence OLED display with a lower 1,920 x 1,080 resolution and a slower 60Hz refresh rate. Owners of the original HDK 1.x kit can reportedly upgrade to the new version’s screen by taking apart their headset and installing the new, hi-res model.

“The HDK 2 allows us to meet the needs of VR fans and gamers and provide developers with affordable open-source hardware to innovate with,” said Christopher Mitchell, OSVR Lead, Razer, last month. “With the HDK 2 being able to deliver a visual experience on par with industry leaders, we will now be able to represent hardware agnostic VR media and games in all their glory for future headsets to adopt through the open source ecosystem.”

Razer told RoadToVR that HDK 2 will initially only be sold in the United States and Europe, but it is expected to become available in the Asia-Pacific region within the next several weeks. A new Windows Installer compatible with HDK 1.x and HDK 2 will be released as well when the newer kit ships later this month, along with automatic SteamVR driver installation to make access to SteamVR content even easier.

Pre-order at Razer Zone

Kevin Parrish
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then…
I have a theory on how the PS5 Pro could actually outclass PCs
The PS5 Pro suspended in air.

Without a doubt, the PlayStation 5 Pro is the most powerful game console we've ever seen. It's set to launch next week, promising "45% faster rendering" on the back of a beefier graphics card and faster memory. It won't be enough to outclass a proper gaming desktop packing one of the best graphics cards -- not even close. But the PS5 Pro could have an edge over PCs in one area.

I say "could" because we really don't know. AMD pointed me to Sony, and Sony hasn't returned my request for comment about the specifics under the hood of the PS5 Pro. I have some hints, however, and if you'll indulge a little speculation, I have some interesting theories about how the PS5 Pro might have an edge over even powerful gaming PCs.
The PS5 Pro's secret weapon

Read more
Intel Battlemage GPU: everything we know so far
Intel Arc A770 GPU installed in a test bench.

Despite a rocky start, Intel's Arc GPUs are now among the best graphics cards you can buy. Targeting budget PC gamers, Intel has established itself as a major player in gaming graphics cards, and all eyes are on Team Blue with its next generation of GPUs, codenamed Battlemage.

We know Battlemage GPUs are coming, and Intel has slowly been dropping hints about the graphics cards over the past year. Although we're still waiting on an official release date, specs, and pricing details for Battlemage GPUs, there's a lot we can piece together already.
Intel Battlemage: specs

Read more
Spotify vs. Pandora: which streaming service should you choose?
spotify vs pandora on iphone

Let's settle a musical debate: which music streaming platform should you use: Spotify or Pandora?

Both services have their unique strengths and weaknesses. Spotify boasts a more extensive music catalog, robust social features for sharing and discovering music with friends, and a more polished user experience across devices.

Read more