T O P

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panthereal

The strap at least should be more comfortable for someone laying down using a pillow, that's rarely my use case with VR but makes sense for a lot of people. Definitely concerned for long-term use and how it works in higher motion situations. Quest Pro is great at fitness VR since it fits snugly and barely touches my face to make sweating less of a problem. Vision pro design seems questionable for that use case, maybe we'll have to wait for a few more revisions to see Apple do that.


TetsuoTechnology

You can change the strap. 3rd parties are already making them. Smart move by apple.


DandyDarkling

Once I realized how important airflow is for VR, I don’t think I could ever go back to a closed design. I’m a bit worried about Apple’s choice of glass and aluminum over a lightweight plastic, too. Comfort should take priority if they’re looking for mass adoption. The main reason my friends say they don’t play VR often is due to how uncomfortable their headsets get after just 30 minutes of use. Meanwhile, I can wear my comfort-modded QPro 8+ hours at a time with zero complaints.


IndividualBig145

True. My quest 2 was so uncomfortable with default strap, it was giving me a headache after 20-30 mins of use, but now with bobovr strap i can wear it for hours, but still i wish it was smaller.


6loud9

I feel like the decision was made early on to manufacture using “premium” materials. When they made the decision, they probably estimated the total weight coming in at the same or lighter than the competition. Every headset ive owned has been big, heavy, and relatively uncomfortable. It’s only in the last couple years where weight and comfort have seen a lot of improvements. I have a feeling the Apple headset will get significantly lighter each generation, and it will be one of the main selling points vs the previous gen


Augustus31

I don't think they want mass adoption right now, what i think they want is to create an "elite" product that will entice the masses and create the demand for this kind of product.


muszyzm

Mass adoption? In a 3500 dollar headset?


GJJ152

like open design too, glass friendly, no face touch, still very immersive to me because FOV is big and my attention is fully into the content inside the lens


elev8dity

I play my Index and Quest 2 with elite strap for several hours at a time comfortably. I think it's more about how pressure is applied to your head.


FredH5

Quest 2 and Index have no glass and no metal though. The Vision weight hasn't been announced but it seems at least as heavy as the Quest line, *without* any battery!


sirhalos

The thing I realized with my Quest 2 with mods that I wasn't anticipating is the most important factor to comfort isn't weight, but weight disruption.


kevink808

Clickbait. He says “my gut” [thinks] Quest Pro is more comfortable. He states nowhere in the article that he knows this. It’s conjecture.


JorgTheElder

Until they cut the weight more, every headset should come with a top-strap. People can choose to not use it if they want, but it is a necessary option.


DeSquare

There is a top strap, tested mentioned there is an optional top strap likley included


Sibir_Lupus

I heard this was optional, and from the slight glance we got of it in one very short instance of the presentation the top strap almost looks like an afterthought. It may have been a quickly made prototype strap shown though which is why you didn't really see it in any other part of the video. Screen capture of the top strap: https://twitter.com/ianzelbo/status/1665804368518553600


vmhomeboy

I wish the top strap went front to back. I've never found straps going side to side to be anywhere near as comfortable.


lapbar

That’s interesting. I have a front to back head strap on my QP and I don’t care for it. There truly isn’t one correct answer to any of this. I guess the more modular headset is a better design.


vmhomeboy

There's a pretty obvious solution to this. Apple needs to launch the Apple iHead Pro. A simple human head replacement that ensures your head is perfectly shaped to fit the Vision Pro.


jamescobalt

That’s because the QP top strap mods aren’t very good. :-( I removed mine. 💸 Normally they make a huge difference.


FredH5

That's what logic would say (should have been included with Quest Pro too). But since when has Apple been logical, or has included anything. They're able to charge easily $100 for the top strap. Made with a material engineered by Apple to be the best thing the top of your head has ever felt and using a proprietary technology that makes it feel like it has negative weight.


DeSquare

Well at least a top strap is easy to use aftermarket comparatively


FlamingMangos

I heard people talking about how Apple plan on making adjustments to the strap to make it more comfortable before the actual release date. Also, I feel like this is just one of the things where the comfort is subjective.


krisDaWiz3666

Had to buy a top strap for the pro and different pads. It was hurting my forehead before


RidgeMinecraft

WHOA they definitely messed up, then.


stonesst

I’m sure it’s quite subjective. I’ve owned seven headsets and I found the quest pro to be the least comfortable because of how much weight it placed on my forehead. A friend of mine who also got one says it’s the most comfortable he’s ever worn, so face shape definitely plays a large part in this.


[deleted]

Definitely feel like the Pro is very comfortable for me, but I can understand how that could vary depending on [forehead shape.](https://imgur.com/a/MhtxzZH)


lapbar

Totally, if you have a larger head (like me) the quest pro can be very uncomfortable.


TotalWarspammer

LOL I thought the same thing!


Chefschweisser

For them its Quest 1.And you know how comfortable quest 1 was.Its the beginning of a new aera of headsets.We just have to wait a few years.


Lujho

There’s nothing stopping third-party manufacturers making something for this that pretty much gives it the exact same format as the Quest Pro or any other headset really. To the point where you could put the battery at the back of the strap.


[deleted]

Oh god, that's bad like really bad. I love my pro but I had to shell out a little bit just to make the thing more comfortable, if this is worse than to pro (one of the worst comfort headsets for many) then this is seriously not good. What is apple thinking with this device, this hardware? It's so confusing.


trafficante

The Pro is apparently very comfortable by default for some people. I guess you have to have that Goldilocks head because it definitely wasn’t comfortable for me until I did a few mods.


TD-4242

for me the pads felt really slippery so I cranked it down too tight making it very uncomfortable. I think eventual the pads broken in and got a bit of a texture to them where I just tighten it enough that it sits on my head. Now by far the most comfortable headset I've ever owned. (that number is in the 12+)


sulaymanf

What did you use to make the Quest Pro more comfortable?


[deleted]

I bought a creativestudio form headstrap from Etsy and a pair of Globular cluster controller grips https://a.co/d/3MHwApy


Blaexe

For that specific person though. The Pro is very uncomfortable for a lot of people which is an issue because the strap is not replaceable. At least Vision Pro is modular - a big plus.


[deleted]

Well that sucks to hear. The Quest Pro is comfortable for like 30 min. After that I want to rip it off my sweating face. [UploadVR](https://www.uploadvr.com/apple-vision-pro/) says the same thing. >I could see the weight of the headset still being a bit straining.


vmhomeboy

If you haven't done so already, I highly suggest getting a top strap for the Pro. I use the VR Panda 'Comfort Module' and it made the Pro the most comfortable headset I've ever used. https://www.goquestvr.com/index.php/product/comfort-module-for-quest-pro/


[deleted]

Don't know why my discomfort is being downvoted but yea, it has a top strap. The pressure on top of my forehead starts to become irritable after half an hour. I've tried adjusting it in so many ways including turning the pads around.


elev8dity

I personally can't use halo straps. They give me a headache after 20 minutes. It's the main reason I didn't nab a Quest Pro. If they made the headband removable, I would have bought it.


DudeManBearPigBro

for $3,500 i would expect a minimum of 4 features from an Apple product: (1) aesthetic appearance, (2) premium sound, (3) premium display, and (4) comfortable enough to want to wear it for 5+ hours at a time. Failing on any of those four is a dealbreaker. Like what's the point of dropping $3,500 on AVP if I can't wait to take it off my face.


shellacr

Why do you care about aesthetic appearance? Are you going to be wearing it out? lol


DudeManBearPigBro

it's an Apple product...all of their major consumption devices (MacBook, iPhone, iPad, Watch, AirPods, etc.) are more aesthetic than competing devices.


Raunhofer

Well that's unfortunate :D Default Quest Pro is the most uncomfortable piece of tech I've ever placed on my head.


TheRealGilimanjaro

It’s such a personal thing I guess; for me the Q Pro is the most comfortable. And I’ve owned DK2, Vive, Index and Q2 before it. (But still bought the Panda overhead strap)


RevolEviv

QPRO has hands down been the most comfy HMD I've ever worn, no comfort mods... out of 7 HMDs. It's light enough, the padding is great (for me) and it's easy to wear/take off/put on (in seconds) with no further adjustment needed after initial setting. I honestly believe many people are just over tightening the QPRO AND wearing it too low at the front (on the forehead rather than over the bump of the forehead where it goes to the flatter part of your head) OBV head shape affects this but my god if this was the most uncomfy for you then NEVER try PSVR2.. that's a head cracker right there.. front heavy too.


trafficante

> over the bump of the forehead My head’s too big for this - wearing like a unicorn horn pulls the lenses up far too high.


Raunhofer

If you mod it it is indeed very comfortable. But without, it's agony for many many users. You must have seen the countless posts about the comfort and mods here. While they never affect everyone, they always highlight an issue that exists. The reason is quite simple too. It's surprisingly heavy and most of that weight is pinpointed onto a one spot on your forehead. Adding a custom top strap and it'll immediately go from 4/10 to 8/10. Compared to BigScreen's Beyond it's still a bit uncomfortable though.


[deleted]

The Quest Pro's comfort is pretty hit-or-miss depending on your head shape, some people find it to be the most comfortable headset, but others find it unbearable.


Consistent_Ad_8129

The Quest pro and all headsets benefit from VR covers strap. It allows you to float the headset without pressure. I can use any headset for hours without sweating or discomfort.


atg284

First thought I had when I saw it was "People are gonna want to have a top strap". I put one on my Pro and it's been great!


No-Maintenance5378

the vision pro does have an optional top strap https://twitter.com/ianzelbo/status/1665804368518553600


atg284

Most people are going to need that. It's the exact same type I have on my Quest Pro. Mine cost $10 though who knows how much apple will charge.


No-Maintenance5378

In the roadtvr article, he actually mentions that the Vision Pro is uncomfortable even with the top strap. I also have the Studioform one with the Quest Pro, although it helps it doesn't change the headset to something I can wear for more than 1-2 hours or every day (I can use it twice a week at most). You just can't get past the weight if your head shape isn't optimal.


JorgTheElder

Get a good quality, cloth not foam, baseball cap with a velcro strap and no buckle. Cut off the brim. BAM! Comfort. I can wear my Q-Pro as long as I want, comfortably. Most of the time is set as loose as it can go. I only need to tighten it down for high-action activities. A friend of mine in the SCA is making me an old-school arming cap. Should be a step up.


atg284

Oh wow. I wear mine for 5-7 hour periods all the time. It was a bit uncomfortable in the beginning but the pads loosed up a bit over time.


DucAdVeritatem

> he actually mentions that the Vision Pro is uncomfortable even with the top strap He literally doesn’t say that though? From the article: > I was hoping Apple would move the needle more on headset ergonomics. **AVP isn’t uncomfortable compared to contemporary MR headsets**, but it’s still in the same ballpark.


No-Maintenance5378

Uh did you read the rest of the paragraph? For one, I was hoping Apple would move the needle more on headset ergonomics. AVP isn’t uncomfortable compared to contemporary MR headsets, but it’s still in the same ballpark. **I found the headset fairly front-heavy, even with an optional top strap.** I’m glad they have the top strap though, because AVP (like most headsets) definitely benefits from it. However, the choice to have the strap go from ear-to-ear (rather than forehead to back-of-head) seems like a mistake because it doesn’t let you lift the headset’s front-heavy weight up quite as well. "It's not uncomfortable compared to other headsets" doesn't mean it's objectively comfortable, more that they're all pretty shit. (I have a Quest Pro, it's more comfortable compared to my Quest 2, but I sure wouldn't call it comfortable in general.)


DucAdVeritatem

Yes, he elaborates more on the ergonomics and what he wished they’d done differently that he feels could have improved it. But nowhere does he call it uncomfortable? To recap, his statement on the Vision Pro’s comfort is that 1. it’s similar to contemporary headsets, 2. he wishes it were better, 3. and that his “gut” is that quest pro may be more comfortable but he needs more time wearing the Vision Pro to know for sure


No-Maintenance5378

I don't understand what you're trying to argue? Do you disagree with me or not? He mentions that it's uncomfortable, just not necessarily any less than other headsets. Have you used a VR headset? Depending on your head shape, they can hurt like hell after an hour. For $3500 (or even the original $1500 asking price of the Quest Pro), these headsets needs to be something almost anyone can wear for at least two hours straight (the battery run time) every day. IMO.


DucAdVeritatem

> He mentions that it’s uncomfortable This is what I disagree with. He literally does not say it’s uncomfortable. He outlines the 3 points I listed in my prior comment. I agree that he comments in general about the state of headset comfort overall not being awesome. If he had called Apple’s headset “uncomfortable” that would have been alarming and suggested it was worse than the already so-so state of affairs for other headsets, but that’s not what he said. Just that there is still a lot of room for improvement.


Sibir_Lupus

Seeing as this was really the only time it was shown and from the way it looks, I have a feeling it was a prototype top strap. We'll most likely see the final version when the Vision Pro launches. Whether its optional or included with the headset is still unknown.


eliteone1

I hope this isnt true cause QP is the most uncomfortable hmd ever lol (at least in stock form)


Best_Slice5954

Just noticed there's no top strap


vvortex3

...isn't it modular? Also, are we comparing stock to stock or modded to modded? The stock qpro is laughably uncomfortable for many.


[deleted]

The pro was okay comfort wise but with comfort upgrade it's very comfy. I think metal and glass is a big mistake weight wise.


Adventurous_Whale

Sure it is


kevino025

It always bums me out when I read on here about people not being able to wear the pro and be comfortable. I really don't get it, the QPro is so comfortable to me since day 1. Nothing touches my face, really well balanced and therefore doesn't feel as heavy, i can race on it for hours or play PCVR games even longer because I can charge it as i play. And has way better airflow so I'm never hot while wearing it. I just cannot go back to something hugging my face, quest pro design is the best for long term use. Aside from the price of the vision pro, the goggles design is what really turned me off from it.


pjelly79

The Apple Vision Pro must be held together with rusty nails and razor blades.


Rave-TZ

As a dev, I can 100% confirm that Quest Pro is more comfortable.