If you may get your palms on a Quest 3, you’ve obtained all the things you want proper within the field to begin taking part in a few of the greatest VR video games on the market. When you’ve obtained just a few hours underneath your belt although, you’ll most likely discover just a few issues that undoubtedly want bettering, a lot of which might fortunately be solved with just a few key aftermarket equipment.
Up to date – February twenty ninth, 2024
Improve Your Headstrap
Meta has executed it once more; like Quest 2, they’ve included an affordable, floppy strap that you simply’ll very seemingly need to substitute quickly after coming out of your first lengthy play session. For a lot of, the inventory strap simply doesn’t do a adequate job of distributing weight evenly and comfortably on the consumer’s head. Some customers report the inventory Quest 3 straps even lower into the bottom of their ears a bit too, which is certain be bothersome long-term.
It’s troublesome to advocate Meta’s Quest 3 straps out of the gate: Elite Strap ($70) and Elite Strap With Battery ($130), the latter of which incorporates an built-in 2,330mAh battery promising two hours of additional gameplay.
Don’t get us improper, they’re each snug and nice out of the field. Meta’s one-year guarantee can even seemingly allow you to change them too if/once they break. Past that, you’re on the mercy of Zuckerberg although; Meta doesn’t have an incredible monitor file with the construct high quality of its aftermarket headstraps, and till we put ours by its paces and we’re fairly satisfied it received’t snap in half just like the first-party Quest 2 straps had been vulnerable to do, nicely, purchaser beware.
Revered third-party accent makers, equivalent to Bobo VR additionally make extra reasonably priced Quest 3 straps just like the M3 Mini ($30) and the M3 Professional ($50) with battery.
Kiwi Design is one other trusted maker of Quest 3 headstraps, and it has its personal Consolation Strap ($30) and Consolation Battery Strap ($50).
And for those who’ve already obtained a Quest 2 strap you like… and a 3D printer… it’s possible you’ll even have the ability to 3D print your personal adapter.
VR Cowl or Spare Facepad
The inventory facial interface on Quest 3 is definitely an enormous enchancment over the Quest 2 model. Out of the gate, its material weave feels higher than having some kind of clammy high-density foam straight in your undoubtably greasy face, though it isn’t practically as washable as, say, a silicone or detachable material cowl.
Silicone covers are nice for exercises since you may simply wipe them down earlier than or after a session. Meta provides its personal Quest 3 silicone facial interface ($40), which utterly replaces the inventory facepad. The profit right here is you may shortly swap out the inventory pad once you’re executed taking part in informal video games, and swap within the silicone pad for once you’re prepared for some Les Mills Physique Fight, Supernatural, Beat Saber, Pistol Whip—no matter will get your coronary heart pumping.
Realistically talking although, you most likely don’t must shell out the higher a part of 50 bucks to get the job executed. There are a selection of third-party silicone covers on Amazon which match proper over the inventory facepad, starting from $10 to $15, and provide equal safety from face grime.
As for cloth, the long-time VR accent maker VR Cowl has its personal machine cleanable material cowl too ($30) in case you need to hold it just a little extra cozy than the impenetrable seal of a silicone cowl.
If you wish to boost the look of your headset, you too can get full facepad replacements from Meta which comes with matching floppy headstraps in Elemental Blue and Blood Orange ($50).
Make Charging Simpler
Quest 3 has charging pins on the backside of the face plate, that means we’re certain to see a number of third-party charging docks and equipment come to market quickly sufficient.
Meta’s official Quest 3 charging dock works nicely, however at $130 the worth sort of stings.
However there’s all the time a extra reasonably priced possibility that Meta’s official equipment, so you must try the NexiGo Charging Dock for Quest 3. Moderately priced at $60, it’ll cost your headset utilizing the identical docking pins because the official dock.
Whereas each of those docks will cost your Contact Plus controllers, be mindful they received’t cost up any kind of exterior battery strap. Be certain that to make use of the USB wall adapter that was included along with your Quest 3, in any other case your headset might cost slowly.
And for those who’re actually on a funds (or need one thing handy however simply moveable): an incredible possibility is to get a magnetic USB-C connector cable, which lets you connect and detach a particular charging cable to your headset with out having to wear down the charging port. Many on Amazon may even do quick charging, though getting one with information switch is hit or miss. Even for those who might, you wouldn’t need to use Meta Quest Hyperlink with a magnetic cable due to how simply it could actually detach.
Carrying Instances
Meta’s official Quest 3 carrying case ($70) is definitely choice to preserving your Quest 3 prim and correct—for those who don’t thoughts the hefty price ticket, that’s.
There are undoubtedly less expensive methods to spend 70 bucks although, contemplating Quest 3 is smaller and can most undoubtedly match within the carrying circumstances initially designed for Quest 2; there are a ton on Amazon, with many hovering underneath the $25 mark.
We’re followers of the Sarlar Quest 3 Exhausting Carrying Case as a result of it’s obtained sufficient area to suit the official Quest 3 elite straps, however nonetheless manages to remain fairly compact. Simply word you’ll must discover a larger case for those who’re utilizing any third-party laborious headstrap.
Lengthy USB-C Cables for Wired PC Play
Whether or not you’re simply searching for a technique to cost throughout gameplay, otherwise you need to join Quest 3 to your pc through Meta Quest Hyperlink to make use of it as a PC VR headset, you’ll want a USB-C cable lengthy sufficient to get the job executed.
Observe: to play PC VR video games through Hyperlink, you’ll want a VR-ready PC.
By now, the drill: ‘Meta first, then the precise possibility you’ll really need to purchase’. Meta’s Hyperlink Cable ($80) is a skinny fiber-optic cable that spans 16 toes (5m). It’s an incredible cable because it’s very skinny and pretty mild at 7.9oz (224g).
However for an possibility that’s not solely cheaper however in a single significant approach, really higher, try the INIU 16FT Hyperlink Cable ($30). It’s the identical size as Meta’s model but it surely has an additional port to plug right into a wall outlet to verify your headset stays indefinitely charged. Whereas all suitable cables ought to have the ability to energy the headset indefinitely, not all computer systems can push the correct quantity of energy out of their USB port, which in lots of circumstances means your headset will slowly drain as you play. The INIU cable’s further port ensures that doesn’t occur.
Wi-Fi Router for Wi-fi PC VR Video games
We all know who you’re. You’re extra of a “low contact” kind of individual. You completely cost your entire units wirelessly, solely discuss to mates by Discord, and like courteous bows from throughout the room over shaking palms. Your ‘hover over public bogs’ recreation can be suitably on-lock. Properly, you’ll be comfortable to know you may play PC VR video games cable-free too because of Air Hyperlink.
When you’re trying to get probably the most out of Air Hyperlink-ing your headset to a VR-ready PC for a number of PC VR video games, you’re going to need a Wi-Fi 6 router. When you haven’t upgraded your router since 2014 or earlier than, you’re nearly definitely due for a improve to this newer protocols. Not solely is a contemporary router vital for an incredible wi-fi VR expertise, the remainder of the units on your property community will thanks.
Assuming you’re trying to improve a years previous router to ensure you’re in ship-shape for taking part in VR wirelessly, the Asus RT-AXE7800 will get out decide for a fairly reasonably priced excessive efficiency router that may futureproof you because of Wi-Fi 6E.
And to have the perfect wi-fi VR expertise with Quest 3 you’ll need to ensure your host PC is hard-wired to your router and that you simply’re utilizing your headset in the identical room that your router is in. You may have the ability to get away with taking part in one room away, however the additional you get from the router, the higher likelihood for lag and disconnections.
And for those who’re taking part in wirelessly anyway, undoubtedly give Steam Hyperlink for Quest a attempt for a neater connection on to your SteamVR library.
Did we miss any huge ones? What are your favourite Quest 3 equipment? Tell us within the feedback beneath!
