Virtual reality has been receiving a lot of attention lately, as tech companies look for ways to continuously improve the immersive experience for gamers everywhere. The technology, which tracks your head movements in a 3D world, will certainly revolutionize the way we use and consume media, but it doesn’t always have to create a dent in your pocket. Yes, if you have the cash to blow, Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR are popular choices when it comes to VR headsets. SnailVR, however, is also offering users an immersive experience for a fraction of the price.
As you can imagine, the price of an VR headset is directly correspondent to how well it performs and the overall amount of content available for the device. Obviously, I did not expect the SnailVR to rival the Samsung Gear VR, but I was still very impressed at how well it performed, given its price. For under $60.00 dollars, the SnailVR supports a 96-degree viewing angle, like the Gear VR, and is compatible with a wider range of devices. In fact, the SnailVR will work with most phones with a 4.7-inch to 6-inch screen. Users simply have to download the SVR app and slide their phones into the headset to begin using the product.
I attempted to use the headset with a random application I found and later downloaded. Because I was testing the headset with a Samsung Galaxy S2, the application itself was not the best quality. I took that into consideration as I was reviewing the SnailVR because the overall VR experience will depend a lot on what phone you are using. As you can imagine, a phone with a high-definition display will probably look 10 times better than one without.
In any case, the SnailVR somehow managed to bring the game to life and I was genuinely impressed with the visual quality of the headset. As the SnailVR is rather lightweight and mostly made out of plastic, I was initially skeptical, but was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the overall immersive experience. The headset is also very comfortable in general. The frame is surrounded with plush PU leather and a cushion on the elastic band protects the back of your head; it also features an adjustable lens for those who are near-sighted.
In regards to its design, the headset is very aesthetically pleasing, although it does visually look more expensive than it feels. Yet, considering all these factors together, I would still highly recommend this headset. All in all, the SnailVR performs as promised, offering users a really great gaming/visual experience, especially if you aren’t so keen on shelling out hundreds of dollars. This cheaper alternative is definitely something to consider.
