plagiarize
Banned
The Vive has a bigger FOV, a much bigger and precise tracking area with less oclussion, and the chaperone system, it's certainly the highest end headset
Bigger FOV isn't quite as clear cut as you'd think, and it doesn't make a headset higher end in and of itself. It's supposedly got a higher *vertical* FOV which is important for room scale so you can see things on the ground nearer you feet that you might want to pick up or walk around. The Rift I thought had the higher horizontal FOV.
Either way you're stretching the same number of pixels out infront of each eye. From my experiences with Gear VR, higher FOV but lower pixel density and higher screen door (comparing an 1440p 5 inch S6, to a 1440p 5.7 inch Note 5) are actually pretty much a wash compared to slightly lower FOV with increased pixel density and reduced screen door.
Everything I've heard has Oculus's *headset* being a teeny bit nicer. Slightly better optics, slightly more comfortable, slightly better build quality.
But that stuff is certainly matter of opinion.
Chaperone works with any Steam VR compatible headset including the Rift (though only the Vive currently has a passthrough camera which will be an improvement over the standard chaperone system.)
Where it's unquestionably better is that it comes with two really good motion controllers and a fantastic tracking system that is better suited for room scale than anything else we know of.
That's what your extra $200 bucks go to... because the headsets themselves are very close in quality, and like I say if anything Oculus have a slight advantage there based on what I've heard... but such impressions are going to vary person to person.
You want room scale? Don't hesitate to buy the Vive.
You aren't sure about room scale (as a thing, or you don't have the space for it)? Get the Rift.
Both have their advantages. Even touch is going to have some advantages over Vive's motion controllers... but we don't know where they're going to be priced, so if I was looking for room scale I'd not wait for touch and would buy a Vive.
I'm getting a free Rift, and I can't really afford anything else right now... as much as I'd love to have pre-ordered a PSVR today. I'm also really unsure if I have the space for room scale... so what Oculus are doing is a better fit. I know I'll be able to play most touch games, and I also know I'll be able to use a second sensor and the touch controllers to try out steam VR room scale stuff to see if it works in my house or not.
I also like the thought that buying a Rift gets you Oculus's self funded exclusives, without preventing you from buying Steam VR stuff. Sure, I'll have to wait for touch for most Steam VR stuff, and sure, it's not necessarily going to work as well as the Vive...
But even if I got a Vive I don't know what room scale stuff I'd be able to actually do in my space.
I've only got about a two meter square to work with, and keeping in mind that the space you need also needs to include how far your arms can reach... I'm skeptical that it's enough space to really do anything interesting with.