![]() It’s a bit clunky, so fingers crossed there will be a better way to launch SteamVR games through the Windows Mixed Reality Portal in the future. This requires you to download Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR in Steam, then launch the games from there. ![]() However, this is more a fault of the cameras that took the footage, rather than a fault of the headset, and hopefully we’ll see better videos in the future. There are a few apps that let you watch 360-degree videos, but the resolution of the videos wasn’t great, which impacted our enjoyment of them. It does affect immersion slightly, although after a while you can almost forget this issue. The smaller lenses of the Lenovo Explorer do mean that your entire field of vision isn't filled, so it can sometimes feel like you’re looking through a scuba-diving mask, with the edges of your peripheral vision simply showing black. Given the price difference between the headsets, however, we'd say that the image quality is perfectly acceptable.Īpps built for the Mixed Reality platform performed well, with standout apps like Free the Night working well to immerse you in their virtual worlds. Because the screen quality isn’t as good, the image quality of the Lenovo Explorer doesn’t quite match that of the HTC Vive. Graphically, the Lenovo Explorer does a good job, and thanks to the higher resolution the ‘screen door’ effect, where you can see lines between pixels, giving the impression of looking through a screen door, was less noticeable than on the HTC Vive, although it was still present. With the Lenovo Explorer set up, we tested it out first on the virtual reality ‘house’ from which the Mixed Reality Portal launches MR apps. This was easily remedied with a cheap USB Bluetooth receiver (these can be bought from most online stores for a couple of dollars – just make sure it’s Bluetooth 4.0). This is because we were using a desktop PC, and while the motherboard did have a Bluetooth receiver built-in the range wasn’t very good, so tracking became an issue. Pairing the motion controllers via Bluetooth was also pretty simple, although it’s worth pointing out that we did have an issue with Bluetooth reception. It’s a darn sight simpler than the HTC Vive setup procedure anyway. This is a simple way to help Mixed Reality apps keep track of you, while keeping you in a safe area away from objects that could trip you up. If you want to use it standing up, you're asked to hold the headset and walk along the perimeter of the area you’re going to be moving about in. You can use the Lenovo Explorer either sitting down or standing up. This is much nicer than the mass of cables that spills from the HTC Vive, although of course a wireless version would have been nice. The headset attaches to your PC via a single long (4-meter) cable that splits into a USB 3.0 and HDMI connection. This is nice if you have a pair you like to use, but unlike the Oculus Rift the Explorer doesn’t come with its own headphones. The headset weighs 380g, which doesn’t feel too heavy when in use, though it did leave us with a red mark on our forehead after about 20 minutes.Ī 3.5mm jack port is also included, allowing you to attach your own headphones. You don’t need additional devices like the HTC Vive's Lighthouses, which keeps the installation nice and simple. Hardware-wise the Lenovo Explorer uses two inside-out motion-tracking cameras, a gyroscope and an accelerometer for tracking movement. However, it does mean that if the batteries run out you can quickly swap them for a new set, rather than having to wait while you charge them. They're also each powered by an AAA battery, so unlike the Vive’s controllers you can’t plug them in to recharge. The controllers have a light and plastic feel to them, and don’t feel quite as robust as the HTC Vive controllers. The rings at the top of each controller have a number of lights that illuminate when in use, allowing the headset to track their movement. This thumbstick is a nice addition, and makes movement easier in VR, but until Mixed Reality headsets become more popular we may not see many VR games or experiences make use of it. The Mixed Reality controllers differ from the Vive's in that they include a Windows button to bring up installed apps in the Windows Mixed Reality Portal program, and a thumbstick for movement. These similarities mean you can play some VR games designed for the Vive with a Windows Mixed Reality headset, instantly giving the platform a decent library of content. You're also given the option of using either a keyboard and mouse or an Xbox One controller with the headset, but for the best MR experience the motion controllers are the way to go. The controllers themselves are odd-looking devices that are similar to the HTC Vive controller, being a wand with a circular head and a number of buttons, a trigger at the rear, a side button to replicate grabbing motions, and a touchpad.
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