Vrgineers XTAL 3 Review

One of the biggest limitations in a VR headset is the fact that the field of view doesn't match the human eye. The human field of view is about 210 degrees (horizontal), while most VR headsets sit between 90 and 110 degrees (exceptions like Pimax aside). Vrgineers are changing this. With the new Vrgineers XTAL 3, they have developed a VR headset with a horizontal field of view of a whopping 180 degrees. Combined with an ultra-high image resolution, this makes the Vrgineers the perfect VR headset for use with simulation games and applications.

• Display: 3840 × 2160 per eye, LCD screens
• Refresh Rate: 75Hz at 4K or 120Hz at 1440p
• Field of View: 180 degrees horizontal × 90 degrees vertical
• Weight: 600 grams without headband
• Eye Tracking with foveated rendering and automatic IPD adjustment
• Platform: SteamVR or OpenXR

The first thing you notice about the Vrgineers XTAL 3 is the exceptionally high image resolution. For comparison: the HP Reverb G2 has a resolution of 2160 x 2160 pixels per eye, the HTC VIVE Pro 2 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye and the Varjo Aero has 2880 x 2720 pixels per eye. Only the Pimax 8K X can compete with the image resolution of the Vrgineers XTAL 3 (the Pimax 8K X has 3840 x 2160 pixels per eye in native mode). In addition to this ultra-high image resolution, the Vrgineers XTAL 3 also has a wide field of view of 180 degrees (horizontal). This wide field of view comes into its own especially when playing a simulation game, such as DCS and Microsoft Flight Simulator. What sets the Vrgineers XTAL 3 apart from other VR headsets with a wide field of view is that you hardly notice any distortion at the sides of the lens with the Vrgineers XTAL 3. This is a common problem with other VR headsets that venture into an extra wide field of view.

One of the ways Vrgineers ensures there is no distortion on the side of the screens is through optical calibration. In addition, the Vrgineers XTAL 3 has foveated rendering, which means the VR headset follows your eyes and sharpens exactly what you are looking at at that moment. This is especially ideal when you are, for example, sitting in a cockpit of an airplane and really need to see and touch different buttons in detail.

The Vrgineers XTAL 3 is, to say the least, a remarkable VR headset to see. When you first see the headset, it looks like a big and heavy device. But when you pick up the VR headset and put it on, you immediately notice that it is actually very light and sits nicely on the head. The weight of the VR headset is well distributed over the front and back, so you don't get red streaks or spots around the eyes. The weight of 600 grams is comparable to similar VR headsets in the same category (such as Varjo VR-3). At the back of the headset is a knob that allows you to adjust the headband. The entire frame of the XTAL 3 feels sturdy, giving it a premium feel and look.

The XTAL 3 is available in a Virtual Reality (VR) and a Mixed Reality (MR) version. The hardware of these two headsets is exactly the same (the same lenses, the same resolution, the same field of view etc.) however the Mixed Reality version contains two cameras at the front of the headset. These cameras make it possible to see the physical space and project virtual displays into it. This is not possible with the Virtual Reality version. With the XTAL 3 VR, it is therefore only possible to sit in a fully simulated virtual reality environment, while with the XTAL 3 MR you can make a combination between the real world and a projection of the virtual world. An example of this is when you are playing a flight simulator with the XTAL 3 MR. You are physically in a cockpit and can look through the VR headset at everything that is really happening around you. The VR headset then combines the virtual display of flying with the physical display of the cockpit.

The Vrgineers XTAL 3 is not suitable for everyone. It is a VR headset aimed at businesses and professional users. This is also reflected in the price. With a starting price of €8,900.00 (VR) and €11,500.00 (MR), the XTAL 3 is considerably higher than its competition. The closest VR headsets currently are the Varjo VR-3 and the Varjo XR-3 (available from €3,395.00 and €5,995.00). But an important difference here is that the glasses from Varjo (and many similar professional headsets) always have to be purchased and used with a recurring subscription (sometimes running into thousands of euros per year). The Vrgineers XTAL 3 is available and usable in principle without additional subscriptions or obligations. At first glance, the Vrgineers XTAL 3 seems an extremely expensive headset, but in the long term this does not differ much compared to the other VR headsets.

Because of the ultra-high image resolution, the wide field of view (combined with little/no distortion on the sides) and the foveated rendering, the Vrgineers XTAL 3 is ideally suited for applications where a sharp image display is important. Think for example of a professional training for pilots where as realistic a representation of reality as possible is important. The Vrgineers XTAL 3 is less suitable for consumers who only want to use the headset for a flight simulator (although this is of course still possible). There are better options on the market for this, such as the Varjo Aero. But are you looking for a VR headset with the highest possible image resolution and field of view? Then the Vrgineers XTAL 3 is a good choice!