The Vive Deluxe Audio Strap is a more ergonomic strap with integrated headphones for the HTC Vive, and when it launched last month, it was only on sale for less than 48 hours until stocks ran dry in the EU and US. Now the company says not only will it be back in stock for US/UK/EU customers on July 10th, but that a special adapter for the Vive Pre will also be available for free with purchase.

In our review of the Vive Deluxe Audio Strap, we found the improved headstrap makes a major difference in comfort and usability of the headset. Proving to be popular despite the $100/£100/€120 price tag, many territories ran out of stock in only a few days. The strap is still available for purchase in Australia, New Zealand, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan.

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HTC Vive Pre, photo courtesy HTC

The Vive Pre was the company’s last developer kit, but it’s essentially the same hardware that shipped out to customers when the consumer edition of the headset officially launched in April of last year, save a few minor differences—but because of the Vive Pre’s slightly different mounting mechanism, the HTC-built aftermarket strap simply won’t fit out of the box.

HTC is providing the free upgrade kit that will let Pre-customers use the Audio Strap. The company says limited quantities are available, and only when purchasing a new Deluxe Audio Strap directly from Vive.com. To get an adapter, simply apply the following promo code when checking out with your new strap: txjvuovh3

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Sale of the Vive Deluxe Audio Strap starts Monday July 10th at 10 AM Pacific Time (click for your time zone).

Although full instructions and all the parts you need will be provided to safetly attach the strap to the Vive Pre, the company cautions users to follow the setup guide carefully, because as a developer kit, Vive Pre is not covered under warranty and any damage is on the owner.

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Scott Hayden
Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 4,000 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.
  • tmikaeld

    While the HTC vive product page show it out of stock, the actual product PAGE have had it in stock since the 27th June in the EU shop. I ordered it the same day and had it the next, worth every penny!

  • Jerald Doerr

    Again you guys come through with life saving VR information, let the race begin!
    At 1st I thought it was a bit pricey but considering you get the three-in-one cable that’s $40 on itself and a pair of headphones I think it’s a pretty good deal!

    • Caven

      Unless something has changed, the Deluxe Audio Strap does NOT come with the 3-in-1 cable. I ordered two when Microsoft accidentally put up pre-orders, and they both required using the existing 3-in-1 cable from the Vive. The cable guide on the right side is even designed so that it can accommodate the original ribbon-style 3-in-1 cable that earlier Vives shipped with.

  • Get Schwifty!

    Curious did they get the problem of the padding that was breaking down fixed yet?

    • Simplex

      Yes, by removing that part of the padding, so not the best fix in the world, but at least it’s no longer flaking off and staying on your head.

      • Sam Illingworth

        You mean HTC have removed it, or that’s your own fix?

        • Simplex

          Both. If you have “bad” padding you can wash the strap to get rid of the flaking layer.
          HTC fix is removing it, too.

          • Sam Illingworth

            Ah – so new shipments don’t have it?

          • Simplex

            Yes, probably HTC is no longer applying it in production.

          • Sam Illingworth

            Think I’ll order one then! :)

  • Lance

    Had mine for a month…love it. Can’t wait the for the knucle controllers

  • FISHSTIX

    Thanks for the heads up, I was just about to way overpay on ebay. Glad I held out this long!

    • JackG

      Agreed,thank you. I’ve had it in my Amazon cart for a while and just randomly searched on it this morning for news and this article is the only place I’ve heard mention of a re-stock. So I refreshed the HTC page at the allotted time and bingo, got my order in. This and the bargain PNY 1080ti I just grabbed from Dell should take my Vive experience up a notch or two. :)

  • FISHSTIX

    woot that was easy

  • Sixteen x Nine

    Just got mine is too from the Vive site. Glad I checked because I called
    the Microsoft store and they sold out already same with NewEgg

  • zoëtropik

    Can anyone explain why HTC is still using Digital River, Inc. as their order processing outfit after the total dog’s breakfast DRI made of the initial release of the Vive last year? I ask merely not out of idle curiosity, but because I placed an order for the Deluxe Audio Strap yesterday, the order was marked “Completed” by the HTC website, and at the end I was told I’d receive an email confirmation from DRI once it had been fully processed. Well, what a shock… no email from DRI and when I attempt to check up on my order using the order number that HTC gave me after taking my credit card details, Digital River’s order lookup form claims my order number doesn’t exist and that it has no knowledge of any order being placed using my email address or on a credit card with the last 4 digits I’ve entered. How is this level of incompetence being rewarded by HTC? Does it really not give a damn about its European customers?

    • JackG

      deleted