HP Reverb G2 Review

The Reverb G2 is a PC-driven VR headset, which means that the headset must always be connected to a computer with a cable. To get the most out of the headset, the computer needs to have a powerful graphics card (recommended: NVIDIA® GTX 1080 or higher for the highest resolution, or NVIDIA® GTX 1060 for lower resolutions)

The HP Reverb G2 offers essentially the same image resolution as its predecessor - HP Reverb G1. However, the improved Fresnel lenses make the image display much more beautiful. The G2's display consists of two LCD panels, both with a refresh rate of 90 Hz, and a crystal clear resolution of 2160 x 2160 pixels per eye. Combined, these pixels provide a whopping 4320 x 2160 pixels; unmatched by other similar VR headsets! To give an idea of how the image quality compares with other VR glasses: the Reverb G2 has a whopping 9.3 million pixels on the screen. That's more than two and a half times as many pixels as the Oculus Rift S has!

Thanks to the renewed LCD screen, colors are beautifully and faithfully displayed. However, it remains a sore point that black is not displayed as true black (as is the case with an OLED screen). Another example of the Reverb G2's extremely high image resolution is that you can work with it much better professionally. Reading in virtual reality, which was previously a limitation due to the relatively small sweet spot of other VR glasses, is a thing of the past with the Reverb G2!

The HP Reverb G2 uses improved Fresnel lenses. Among other things, these lenses ensure that images are displayed more beautifully, there is less ghosting in the headset, and that the sweet spot is larger. In particular, the improvement in the sweet spot is a major advantage over similar VR glasses. With the Reverb G2's sweet spot, the sweet spot is not limited to a single spot you have to focus on, but the sweet spot is much wider (for example, compared to the HTC Vive Pro, Valve Index, and Oculus Rift S). In addition, the IPD (interpupillary distance - the distance between your eyes) is adjustable between 60 mm and 68 mm. With this adjustability, the headset is practically suitable for everyone.

The FoV (field of view) of the HP Reverb G2 is 114 degrees. This is comparable to the Reverb G1. But in combination with the better sweet spot, the FoV promises to be even better with the HP Reverb G2 than with the G1.

Due to the extremely high resolution and the improved lenses, the Reverb G2 comes as close as possible to no screen-door-effect. This makes the headset extremely suitable for watching videos or playing simulation games, as virtual reality has never looked so realistic with the G2.

The G2 has four built-in cameras - two more than the G1. These two extra inside-out cameras (placed on the side of the headset) ensure that the tracking of the space and the controller is more reliable. However, the inside-out tracking does mean that unfortunately the headset cannot be used standard with external sensors - and therefore not with Valve Index controllers and/or Vive trackers.

The controllers of the Reverb G2 have been improved compared to the known WMR controllers. The design has remained similar, but the controllers now offer a better way of tracking and more options for individual finger tracking (like the Oculus touch controllers). The controllers now automatically connect directly to the headset as soon as it turns on, so you no longer have to pair the controllers with the headset every time.

The tracking of controllers has also greatly improved. In particular, the addition of the two extra inside-out cameras on the sides of the headset ensures that you can move the controllers much more freely without losing tracking. However, there is still a point on the top of the headset where the controllers are in a blind spot. In that case, outside-in tracking - setting up external sensors, is still superior to the inside-out camera tracking, although inside-out tracking in use is also very practical.

The Reverb G2 uses the same headphones as the Valve Index. This headset, and headphones, are praised for their good sound that rotates 180 degrees around the user. This makes the sound sound like you're in a movie, making the VR experience a lot better and more immersive. The earpieces of the headphones can be moved both forwards and backwards, as well as up and down. This allows the headphones to be adjusted to fit everyone and it is absolutely not bothersome to have the headphones on your ears. The Reverb G2 does not have a headphone jack, so unfortunately it is not possible to detach the built-in headphones and connect your own (noise-canceling) headphones.

The Reverb G2 has the same (double) built-in microphone as the G1. One of the microphones is specifically intended for use during gaming, while the other microphone can be used for voice control (via Cortana).

The HP Reverb G2 offers a similar fit to the Valve Index. That's good news; because the Valve Index is an incredibly comfortable headset! Another handy feature is that the entire headband can be set at a 90-degree angle. This allows the headset to be comfortably held against the face without actually having to put on the headset. This is particularly handy for users who often put on and take off the headset (like developers).

The headset can be fastened by pulling the Velcro tight. The G2 does not have a rotary knob like the Valve Index on the back of the headset. This means that the back of the headset cannot be turned, but you need to undo the Velcro straps each time someone else is going to play with the headset.

The Reverb G2 is one of the lightest VR glasses at the moment. Weighing only 550 grams, the headset is very light and comfortable to wear on the head for a long time. Only the Oculus Rift CV1 (which is now out of production) is a lighter VR headset at 471 grams.