Hi,
I own an LG G5 which offers a 5.3 inch screen, roughly the same dimensions and an equal display resolution as Samsung's top models. I am looking for the best VR glasses to watch movies (2D, 3D, 180°C, 360°). I am not interested in games or any other features, so basic google cardboard compatible apps and head tracking using the phone's gyro sensor will suffice.
QR Codes to configure the Gear VR in Cadboard app are also available.
So my question is: Is the Gear VR a viable option for non Samsung phones beause of its superior lenses, wide fov and lightweight design? Or ar standard cardboard like glasses the better option in this case?
Thanks for your help.
ColinMacLaren said:
Hi,
I own an LG G5 which offers a 5.3 inch screen, roughly the same dimensions and an equal display resolution as Samsung's top models. I am looking for the best VR glasses to watch movies (2D, 3D, 180°C, 360°). I am not interested in games or any other features, so basic google cardboard compatible apps and head tracking using the phone's gyro sensor will suffice.
QR Codes to configure the Gear VR in Cadboard app are also available.
So my question is: Is the Gear VR a viable option for non Samsung phones beause of its superior lenses, wide fov and lightweight design? Or ar standard cardboard like glasses the better option in this case?
Thanks for your help.
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Click to collapse
I would do a search for "virtual reality headset" on Amazon, and choose one of the many, many models they have there. Be sure to get one with a bluetooth controller for the best experience. These headsets may not have the positional hardware, and touchpad that the Gear VR has, but, they will be usable with your phone. The Gear VR is made specifically for the models listed, and if you try to use your G5 in one, you may damage your phone, the headset, or both. I have both a generic, and the Gear VR. For watching movies, the generic versions are even better, because the field of view is so much wider than the Gear VR. The only problem I have had with the generic players, is there tends to be some drift over time, and you may need to recalibrate the sensors in your phone. Luckily, that option is built into most VR software for cardboard. Btw, Cmoar VR cinema is the one I use with my Note 4 on Cardboard. Haven't used any others, since I like that one, so there may be better options out there. Either way, enjoy VR, it's a whole new world.
Thank you for your answer. Which one are you using? I have a Shinecon Headset with adjustable lenses, but it only offers a 80°C FOV. I am considering the Zeis One Plus, the Baofeng Mojing 4 VR and the Bobovr z4.
But why would it damage the phone? Of course, I would not connect it to the phone.
ColinMacLaren said:
Thank you for your answer. Which one are you using? I have a Shinecon Headset with adjustable lenses, but it only offers a 80°C FOV. I am considering the Zeis One Plus, the Baofeng Mojing 4 VR and the Bobovr z4.
But why would it damage the phone? Of course, I would not connect it to the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All my research on the subject led me to Bobovr Z4. And I was not disappointed and neither were the friends I bought them for. It however is no match for Gear VR which I received from my parents just a day later. The experience is so much more improved that I just bought an extra super cheap Note 4 on ebay and use my Gear with that.
I have tried a couple of headsets.
The Baofeng Mojing 4 VR offers the widest FOV, but I just could not get a sharp image with it.
The Bobovr Z4 has the sharpest image and a good FOV, but it just didn't create any feeling of immersion. The3D effect is very weak, barely noticeable at all. It feels like watching a 2D movie, staring at a flat surface.It also lacks any kind fo ventilation and the nose padding it too narrow, I have to breath trhough my mouth when wearing the headset.
The Zeiss VR One Plus is comfortable and offers the best immersion of all headsets I tried. The 3D effect is superior to every other item I tried. It does however magnifiy the image too much, so you can clearly distingiush individual pixel. Also the content usually lacks the resolution for this level of zoom. It also lacks the option to adjust focal length. While this usually isn't a problem, there are cases where it helps to get a clearer image.
The Gear VR just does all this things right. It doesn't zoom in as much as the Zeiss but far enough to create a nice Fov and great immersion. It offers lens adjustment. The colors have a cold touch on TFT displays, though.
So even for Cardboard content on a non Samsung phone, the Gear VR is probaby the best option. I am currently deciding between the Zeiss and the Gear.
How is the experience with the Gear VR on a Samsung phone better? As I mentioned, I am only interested in watching movies.
ColinMacLaren said:
I have tried a couple of headsets.
The Baofeng Mojing 4 VR offers the widest FOV, but I just could not get a sharp image with it.
The Bobovr Z4 has the sharpest image and a good FOV, but it just didn't create any feeling of immersion. The3D effect is very weak, barely noticeable at all. It feels like watching a 2D movie, staring at a flat surface.It also lacks any kind fo ventilation and the nose padding it too narrow, I have to breath trhough my mouth when wearing the headset.
The Zeiss VR One Plus is comfortable and offers the best immersion of all headsets I tried. The 3D effect is superior to every other item I tried. It does however magnifiy the image too much, so you can clearly distingiush individual pixel. Also the content usually lacks the resolution for this level of zoom. It also lacks the option to adjust focal length. While this usually isn't a problem, there are cases where it helps to get a clearer image.
The Gear VR just does all this things right. It doesn't zoom in as much as the Zeiss but far enough to create a nice Fov and great immersion. It offers lens adjustment. The colors have a cold touch on TFT displays, though.
So even for Cardboard content on a non Samsung phone, the Gear VR is probaby the best option. I am currently deciding between the Zeiss and the Gear.
How is the experience with the Gear VR on a Samsung phone better? As I mentioned, I am only interested in watching movies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got the latest gear vr headset and can use it with my LG G4 if I take it out of the case and take the battery back cover off. I was going to sell it but so far it's the best of all the headsets I've used.
petermg said:
I just got the latest gear vr headset and can use it with my LG G4 if I take it out of the case and take the battery back cover off. I was going to sell it but so far it's the best of all the headsets I've used.
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how did you get the Samsung VR apps on there???
bloodstorm666 said:
how did you get the Samsung VR apps on there???
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I didn't. I just use Google Cardboard and other VR apps from the app store. They work fine.
There was an ebay sale here in Germany and I was able to replace my LG G5 with an S7 for just a minor investment.
The difference is very noticeable. Content just looks right. With every Cardboard App the distorition correction never provided satisfactionary results. With Samsung VR everything looks exactly like it's supposed to. The immersion is much better when watching vr p... films.
Gone are also the heavy motion blur every cardboard app suffers from, as is the annoying drifting. Only the lack of AC3/DTS is a heavy drawback, but one can still use VRTV for that. Inside the GearVR Services one can enable a Developer Mode which reduces motion blur even in cardboard apps.
The app selection besides media consuming is severerly lacking though. There are a couple of games, but its all more proof of concept.
ColinMacLaren said:
I have tried a couple of headsets.
The Baofeng Mojing 4 VR offers the widest FOV, but I just could not get a sharp image with it.
The Bobovr Z4 has the sharpest image and a good FOV, but it just didn't create any feeling of immersion. The3D effect is very weak, barely noticeable at all. It feels like watching a 2D movie, staring at a flat surface.It also lacks any kind fo ventilation and the nose padding it too narrow, I have to breath trhough my mouth when wearing the headset.
The Zeiss VR One Plus is comfortable and offers the best immersion of all headsets I tried. The 3D effect is superior to every other item I tried. It does however magnifiy the image too much, so you can clearly distingiush individual pixel. Also the content usually lacks the resolution for this level of zoom. It also lacks the option to adjust focal length. While this usually isn't a problem, there are cases where it helps to get a clearer image.
The Gear VR just does all this things right. It doesn't zoom in as much as the Zeiss but far enough to create a nice Fov and great immersion. It offers lens adjustment. The colors have a cold touch on TFT displays, though.
So even for Cardboard content on a non Samsung phone, the Gear VR is probaby the best option. I am currently deciding between the Zeiss and the Gear.
How is the experience with the Gear VR on a Samsung phone better? As I mentioned, I am only interested in watching movies.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the tricks !
I was looking to buy a BOBO VR Z4 since i have a OnePlus and not a Samsung...sad the Gear VR is only compatible with Samsung brand...
Related
https://www.youmagine.com/designs/cooling-cover-for-samsung-gear-vr-note-4
My best friend just bought and set up his 3d printer, im going to have him make me this!!!
That's great! Except the front of the Gear VR is already heavy enough. I would build it so the power supply is hanging off the back headband instead of the face of the unit.
very cool
That could work (attaching the battery pack to the strap). I just wanted to keep it simple.
I've attached a fan with 2 battery packs on the strap. Just wasn't worth it at the end of the day. I posted pictures a few days after the gear vr was released
Update is due to more time with the Teefan unit. Changes in bold.
I have owned the N4 version since launch and use it mainly for movies, since do not like the heat issues and quick battery drain when gaming. For movies though, I really like the device. This is a quick comparison of the three devices of which have been used long enough to test for movie impressions.
Gear VR N4: The immersion is great, but the cost of that is a closer relative view of the display. The result is a loss of apparent detail due to SDE. I get used to this after a while, but stands out when something else to compare to. Also the fogging factor is there depending on the environment.
Gear VR S6: The immersion is less than the N4 version, but still very good. The size of the display though in relation to pixel count results in a perceived image about 10% further back. Practical example is the N4 version is in the front few rows and the S6 is in rows five through ten. The result is less SDE and the perception of greater detail. I prefer this over the greater immersion level of the N4 version and the fan helps with fogging.
I also tested a generic VR set that surprised me in a good way, since I had low expectations before testing (nowhere to go but up). The build is weak compared to the Gear VR, but the design enables use with a thin case or my extended battery case (barely) and also charging or using an OTG adapter with movies on it.
The movie experience is less immersive (I used the IMO outstanding Cmoar VR media app for comparisons), and the view is like being about 20% back in a theater. The result is a better perception of detail and less SDE than either of the Gear VR units. The Note 4 seems an optimum fit for the Neefan and the tunnel effect is not apparent to me (if any) with the Note 4. Do notice some with the S6 though since 5" display.
Here is the unit I bought and is the exact same as the Sunnypeak version. Seems only bill of material difference is the name on the unit and the box. I got this version since offers focus and pupil adjustment, plus has the magnet for Cardboard apps. The lenses are different and a little better FOV.
http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Univ...ie=UTF8&qid=1433435773&sr=8-2&keywords=teefan
My favorite overall of the three for movies is the Teefan, due to less SDE than either Gear (especially the Note 4). I am very surprised that the generic VR was not junk and actually resulted in a good experience. The Cmoar app is nice since offers
2D and 3D Youtube
Streaming LAN video
Barrel and FOV adjustments (needed for tweaking best image fit for VR units)
This app IMO makes the Gear VR video app seem very shallow since plays more codecs, streaming LAN video and has Youtube. The only thing missing is there are only two background options (theater and void). Since I use void anyway, no harm no foul. I did not get to test Cmoar though on the S6 since not my device and is a paid app to get the full function.
I do not like using non Oculus apps on the Gear VR much, since placing the device in the Gear VR with the connector flipped up stresses the connector joint.
Have you tried Homido?
I've been using it on my Note 4 and still wondering if the update to Gear VR worths the extra money (havent seen it in close). Since you mention movies, and cmoar vr or any other cinema experience app, i notice that the picture is kinda bad... (2 much pixeled). I guess its from the bigger screen simulation from the lenses... although i use good quality 1080p movies... still feels bad...
I would love to check them on Gear VR also to see if they are better, because i cant watch them looking like a 360p youtube video in full screen...
In your opinion would they be any better ? or still the same ?
The Homido view opening is only about 4.1" wide and the Note is 5" wide. This means there is almost an inch of display cut off on the sides and a quarter inch top and bottom. This means the image needs to be smaller to avoid cut off when viewing. Even though you are using 1080p, the display resolution is split and the smaller image to fit the Homido is less than 400p so that is why the picture looks bad.
Gear VR would look better, but so would the cheap unit I link above, since does not cut any of the display off. Homido are being very deceptive saying phones with larger than 5" displays "fit". They made a mistake in design using a small area for the display view. The frame bezel needs to be thinner so devices like the G3, G4, iPhone 6 plus and Note 3&4 truly "fit".
Must admit that after using the Teefan VR set more, I prefer movies on it over either of the Gears. There is virtually no SDE and the movies look a lot better than the Note 4 version and a little better than the S6 version.
The distance is about 20% rather than a third back (will edit review). I still like the Gear VR for the immersion, but the prefer the Teefan VR unit for video. No comparison, since makes the Gear VR Note 4 look weak in comparison. Brighter, more detail and virtually no SDE. I thought this was the same as the Sunnypeak version, but the FOV seems a little wider with this. I also like how unlike the Note 4 Gear VR, I do not have to look around some to capture the entire image- Note 4 gear VR really is like being in the front rows- not my preferred seat area. Another bonus is ZERO fogging so far, unlike the Note 4 Gear VR.
It is unlikely I will use the Gear VR for movies now, since prefer the Teefan for that function. The SDE really stands out on the Gear VR Note 4 after comparing them.
A key though is I use Cmoar which allows tweaking barrel, IPD and FOV. Really liking the app and find it much better than Fulldive that has no screen adjustment ability and seems amateurish in comparison. A lot of display space is wasted on Fulldive for UI rather than video and no way to adjust the image. My opinion of the Teefan unit would not be as good without Cmoar since the display image does usually need optimizing with generic VR sets.
JMO opinion of course on liking the Teefan more for movies, since the immersion could weight heavier over image quality for others and I respect that One ding with the Teefan is I need to come up with a cushion solution for the nose area since just plastic there.
Would this version be the same but in better quality ? ( i see it uses better material than foam )
Teefan
Build is decent. My friend let me test a Sunnypeak unit that seemed the same except for the name on the unit. The FOV though is apparently wider with the Teefan, since do not notice the sides like I did with the Sunnypeak, but do not have it to compare with now. Same lack of cushion for the nose though
The Teefan is my preferred device now for movies. The Gear VR Note 4 image quality looks almost bad in comparison since too close up IMO and significant SDE. I got this to test out from Amazon and expected to return it, but keeping now. Will use the Gear now for mainly gaming.
Cmoar though is needed in order to optimize the image for the generic VR unit and the phone used. No other VR app has the same level of image tweaks.
The lack of low-persistence mode and choppier head-tracking doesn't bug the hell out of you when using the Note 4 in a non-Gear VR mount?
I admit, those things irritate me far more than SDE for Cardboard-type VR apps, which I use by freezing the Gear VR Service (requires root) and docking the Note 4 normally. No connector stress, and you can tap the trackpad for selection. Nevertheless, it's pretty clear why Oculus opted to add their own IMU to the Gear VR.
Still, I'll give this Cmoar theater app a look. YouTube 3D support already gives it a big leg up on Oculus' own Theater app.
NamelessFragger said:
The lack of low-persistence mode and choppier head-tracking doesn't bug the hell out of you when using the Note 4 in a non-Gear VR mount?
I admit, those things irritate me far more than SDE for Cardboard-type VR apps, which I use by freezing the Gear VR Service (requires root) and docking the Note 4 normally. No connector stress, and you can tap the trackpad for selection. Nevertheless, it's pretty clear why Oculus opted to add their own IMU to the Gear VR.
Still, I'll give this Cmoar theater app a look. YouTube 3D support already gives it a big leg up on Oculus' own Theater app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only use the Neefan for movies since the Gear VR is much better for gaming due to the sensors. The other nice feature with Cmoar besides the great image adjustment options and Youtube is the streaming LAN support.
Another bonus for the Neefan for movies is you can charge the device at the same time as using it (unlike the Gear VR Note 4).
That all said, the Neefan is not anywhere close to the immersion level of the Gear VR. The Neefan has some advantages, but if I had a Gear VR S6 version, I would have better image quality than the Note 4 version. I however find the Note 4 a much better overall device so the Neefan is a low cost alternative for movies
FYI if you hook a Bluetooth controller to your phone while in the gear vr movie theater you can change you seating position......Back,middle, almost front row
Hi all
Because of the price point ($150 CDN), the gear live is one of my finalists for a smartwatch.
My question is, obviously, is the device still a good purchase in 2016?
Why or why not?
Thanks!
I would say yes I got the watch for christmas from my wife and have been using it every day since, lasts me all day with a few texts here and there, connects to my bluetooth headset, plays music independantly of phone, plenty of watchfaces on android market and can make your own with watchmaker app. Heart rate monitor is pretty consistent, screen res is nice and always on with dimmed mode. All in all a nice looking functional watch
yep mine still works awesome. I think google said that all android wear watches will get marshmallow update so it atleast good for another year. The always on display is a big feature.
I would say no....
I recently bought the Samsung Gear Live (new for $80) and also a new LG Urbane and I think I would have skipped the SGL if I had to do it over.
They are both running the same code and quite frankly, the SGL is a bit flaky compared to the LG.
ekaiser57 said:
Hi all
Because of the price point ($150 CDN), the gear live is one of my finalists for a smartwatch.
My question is, obviously, is the device still a good purchase in 2016?
Why or why not?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would avoid the Samsung Gear Live at any price over $80 USD.
I purchased a SGL in November 2014. I wore it all day every day until December 2015 when I picked up a Huawei Watch.
Samsung Gear Live:
Pros:
AMOLED Display
Heart Rate Sensor
Comfortable Ergonomic feel when worn
Acceptable battery life (I keep tilt to wake, always on display, and Wifi active)
IP67 Certification with silicone straps work well with an active lifestyle
Cons:
Display likely to pick up a few scratches over time. The outter bezel is not raised from the screen which makes the watch easier to interact with, but offers no protections against incidental contact. (I am very careful with electronics but my watches always seem to get nicked up. Unless you go with a Huawei watch with sapphire crystal this will likely be an issue on any android wear watch.)
Charger quality in question. The charger cradle clips on the back of the watch and secures tabs in the cradle into recesses on the sides of the watch. One of the tabs on my charger broke after around 6 months. I purchased a replacement from Samsung which is still holding up. I have even read cases of the recessed cavities on the watch breaking.
The plastic around where the watchbands connect has cracked and chipped off. The band is still held securely in the metal casing but I would think this will happen on all SGLs with time. This appears to affect the watches water resistance as it creates openings into the case.
The Lugs/connection place for the watch bands has a unique profile that in my opinion only looks nice with the watch band that comes with the watch. It will work with most 22mm watch bands but third party bands just don't look right to me.
The connection on the stock watch band is secured with two punch-through pins and can disconnect if the band gets caught on something like your belt or pocket.
The watch does not include an internal speaker and therefore will not support the speaker features in the Marshmallow Android Wear update.
Final Thoughts
I still wear my SGL when playing sports or working out but due to the build quality issues and look/style with custom watch bands I would not recommend it as a daily watch. I would suggest an Asus Zenwatch 2 in a similar price point as it includes an embedded speaker and has a more standard watch lug design that will allow you to use third party straps without compromising the look.
Once the Marshmallow Android Wear update is available you will definitely want a watch with an embedded speaker. I am so looking forward to being able to easily answer a call on my watch while either my phone is close but not accessible or my hands are not able to get to my phone. My most common examples wold be driving, cooking, and playing video games.
I have also accrued 5 new watch bands in addition to the one that came with my Huawei watch and I change them very frequently. I was not able to do this with the Gear Live as I hated the way after marked watch straps looked at the connection between the watch strap and the watch case.
If you still want a Gear Live I would suggest setting up an alert for it on Slickdeals and wait for a good deal to come along. It was available for $80 USD for a short time on 1/15/2016 on eBay.
Let me know if you have any more detailed questions about the SGL.
I heard that it overheats quickly and you get warnings. I am deciding between this phone and the S7 Edge. I like the bigger display of the S6 Edge Plus in case I want to put it in another headset down the line which has a bigger FOV and thus I won't see the phone bezels. If I got the smaller S7 Edge, I may see the bezels. However, the S7 Edge has better thermal heat management.
So, S6 Edge Plus? Good or bad for VR?
tboy2000 said:
I heard that it overheats quickly and you get warnings. I am deciding between this phone and the S7 Edge. I like the bigger display of the S6 Edge Plus in case I want to put it in another headset down the line which has a bigger FOV and thus I won't see the phone bezels. If I got the smaller S7 Edge, I may see the bezels. However, the S7 Edge has better thermal heat management.
So, S6 Edge Plus? Good or bad for VR?
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Click to collapse
Go for the s7 edge. A different VR headset will not work with Gear VR / Oculus software. You will be limited to Cardboard apps and, although you might get a wider FOV, it will be a crap experience. Quality of Gear VR apps is currently unmatched, not even by Google Daydream VR.
Enviado de meu SM-G935F usando Tapatalk
Aside from the obvious overheating issues with the SGS6 Edge. I would say that everything is more or less the same in terms of visual quality. The battery performance may not be as good as current Samsung Flagship devices in the Gear VR
Have s6 edge plus. Only overheated once in the 2 years I've had it playing AltspaceVR.
Before this thread becomes ancient...
There's an outer shell for Gear VR called 'CUVR' (3rd party) that mitigates this issue. Pretty simple thing; has a built-in fan and also a wireless charger. Of course, so far as I know, you can't charge while in use, and I can't imagine too many folks who don't keep a spare phone for VR will just leave their phone in it to charge, but the fan has worked well for me. It fits on the same way the Samsung dust cover does.
Just don't stick it somewhere it'll get jostled around with other stuff (The casing is 3D-printed and not super-durable). Broke off one of the attachment tabs on mine and had to fabricate a new one. It stays on pretty securely, though.
I hate removing my case just to fit it into Samsung's Gear VR for the Note 8. And I hear that Google's Daydream should fit even with a case?
Is there that big of a difference between the 2 VR headsets? I don't know much about these.
Daydream is Google's vr, oculus is what Samsung uses. Daydream kind of sandwiches your phone into it where as Samsung locks it in with hardware clips. I haven both, but prefer oculus myself. Both work well.
Daydream works well for me
Has anybody used the Note 8 with a plastic Google Cardboard viewer? The Viewmaster VR was my go to viewer for all my phones but the Note 8 barely fits without a case, I'm afraid I'll scratch it up if I keep using it like that. All the other VR viewers have a maximum 6" phone size limit
harveydent said:
Has anybody used the Note 8 with a plastic Google Cardboard viewer? The Viewmaster VR was my go to viewer for all my phones but the Note 8 barely fits without a case, I'm afraid I'll scratch it up if I keep using it like that. All the other VR viewers have a maximum 6" phone size limit
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Click to collapse
I just bought my first cheap VR headset (first foray into VR) that said it was for up 6" phones and the note 8 fits perfectly
Craig_D said:
I just bought my first cheap VR headset (first foray into VR) that said it was for up 6" phones and the note 8 fits perfectly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So some of those 6" max ones fit? What was the name/brand of your VR set?
harveydent said:
So some of those 6" max ones fit? What was the name/brand of your VR set?
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Click to collapse
I put it down to the Note 8's slim bezel and it only being a matter of 0.3"
[screenshot attached]
Craig_D said:
I put it down to the Note 8's slim bezel and it only being a matter of 0.3"
[screenshot attached]
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Thanks! Yeah, when they say 6", they probably mean Apple or phones with gigantic bezels.
is my note 8 gear vr compatible with cardboard?
Jtwo said:
is my note 8 gear vr compatible with cardboard?
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Click to collapse
What do you mean? GearVR and Cardboard are two different VR platforms/headsets.
Note 8 obviously works with the GearVR. And it also works with Google Cardboard, since someone just a few posts up started they were using it with a Carboard headset.