The Varjo VR-2, which was announced and introduced today, provides support for SteamVR content and enhances the headset’s bionic display, which delivers retinal resolution in the center of the field of view. A variant called VR-2 also offers integrated hand tracking via Ultraleap.

Varjo VR-2 headset

Varjo launched its first headset, the VR-1, only in February, but the company is already releasing the next iteration. Targeting high-end enterprise customers, the VR-2 features an improved bionic display, which the company says provides a better mix between the central focus display (which offers 60 PPD retinal resolution) and the larger context display (which is much lower, but expands the headset’s FOV to an immersive 87 degrees).

We were impressed by Varjo’s implementation of the novel display architecture, which the company’s previous headsets described as “a breathtaking preview of the future of VR”.

Improvements over the first version.

While the resolution of the VR-2 is identical to that of the VR-1 (1,920 x 1,080 focus display, 1,440 x 1,600 context display), Varjo says the visual quality improvements come from an improved optical combiner, improved calibration between focus and context display, and a diffuser that reduces the effect of the screen door on the context display. The company says the result is a softer mix between the two different displays, which gives a more natural look and a slightly larger area of the retinal area of the view.

VR-2, which has built-in SteamVR tracking, now ships with support for SteamVR content. This also applies to the original Varjo headsets.

Varjo makes it clear that only its native API currently supports independent display of the high-density focus display resolution and lower-density context display, while SteamVR content supports only a single resolution. In order not to put too much strain on the GPU, SteamVR content is displayed on the headset at 40 PPD, although users can optionally set this to up to 60 PPD if they have GPU PS.

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Varjo VR-2 Pro with hand tracking.

In addition to the VR-2 word Varjo also offer a VR-2 Pro, which also includes integrated hand tracking via Ultraleap (formerly Leap Motion9) and a removable counterweight for the back of the headset for better balance. The VR-2 Pro model also comes with a 10 meter cable, whereas the cable on the VR-2 model is limited to only 5 meters.

All Varjo headsets include eye tracking and the company says that new and old headsets alike will benefit from faster and more accurate eye tracking calibration. The company claims that integrated eye-tracking is the best thing in a VR headset today.

Prices and release date.

The VR-2 model, which is still aimed at high-end corporate customers, is slightly cheaper at €4,000 than the VR-1 (€5,000). In the meantime, the VR-2 Pro is offered at the same price of 5.000 € as the original. That is before adding base stations for tracking, controllers and the mandatory support license for 800 €. Both headsets are available from today.

Earlier this year Varjo started to offer the XR-1 Dev-Kit, which is a variant of the VR-1, but with high quality cameras on board for augmented reality applications. The company has not yet announced an XR-2, but we expect it to come in due course.

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