HTC has been widely out of stock of the 2016-era Vive basically since the entrance of Vive Cosmos last month, the $700 successor to its consumer-focused PC VR product segment. If you still have your heart set on getting a whole Vive system though, replete with SteamVR 1.0 basestations and Vive wand controllers, HTC is now ready to sell you a reconditioned system for $400.

The company says its certified pre-owned Vive systems have been “carefully tested by HTC to ensure all features and functions work properly. They have been inspected to ensure they have little to no cosmetic damage and may contain used components and refurbished parts.”

The company is also selling some of the certified pre-owned accessories on their own now too, including single wand controllers for $112 ($130 new) and single SteamVR 1.0 basestations for $115 ($135 new).

Image courtesy HTC

With prices like that, you’d be better off buying the whole $400 package, which includes the Vive headset, two SteamVR 1.0 wand controllers, two SteamVR 1.0 basestations, and all of the necessary cabling to get you up and running to play games and experiences sourced from Steam or Viveport, HTC’s own digital distribution platform.

SEE ALSO
HTC Aims to Fix Vive Cosmos with Tracking Software Update, Beta Now Live

The original Vive was last selling for $500 new, now bringing the used option to the same price-point as a new $400 Rift S, which admittedly comes with a higher resolution display, inside-out tracking, better controllers, built-in audio, and more advanced headset ergonomics. And that’s without the Black Friday deal Lenovo is advertising, bringing Rift S to an even cheaper $350. Although if you’re looking for the lowest barrier of entry into the SteamVR tracking ecosystem, $400 is thus far the lowest we’ve ever seen it go.

On the whole, it’s a wonder HTC isn’t practically giving away the now dated controllers and tracking basestations, however considering Vive Cosmos is soon to include its own modular SteamVR-compatible tracking faceplate which swaps its inside-out tracking for the more precise (albeit more finicky to setup) SteamVR tracking standard, they may be saving their stock-flushing package deals for a later date.

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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.
  • Pizzy

    HTC lagging behind on everything, including competitive pricing.

    • mepy

      How exactly are they “lagging behind on everything?” They’ve got:
      1. Wireless
      2. Better or same screen resolution as Oculus
      3. Much better Hz-rate than the Quest
      4. Inside out tracking
      5. More comfortable and ergonomic design of the headset
      6. A freer and more open software base without Facebook tracking etc.
      7. A less expensive games purchasing option

      The only – point is the higher price of the initial headset.

      I do wonder about Facebooks ability to use their advertising and marketing power that makes so many think the Oculus is a superiour product, when in fact it is not.

      • Pizzy

        Quest is wireless, but it’s a different type of product. I never said or think Oculus is superior lol. You never specify what you are comparing it when you say better or same screen resolution as Oculus. I have owned two Vives made both wireless. I mainly use Index and Quest now. I plan on buying a Pro soon for the dark games. The Cosmos is DOA product and vr veterans know it. It has no appeal and has comfort design and flaws. Like no lens adjustment. The Index is a very nice experience for high end. I do look forward to the Oculus link cable it’s also possible later on to make it run at a higher hz since they only lowered it for battery life. So you can see I’m not a fan boy of Oculus or HTC or Valve or whoever. I’m just a fan boy of vr in general.

        • mepy

          Both use the LCD while the Oculus S has fewer PPI and the Quest almost the same PPI, both have the same FOV.

          I wouldn’t consider buying a tethered headset for anything but a seated experience. It amazes me that Oculus and the other PC connected headsets haven’t made their headsets wireless yet.

          I’m now hoping Vive had enough good sense to start work on a Vive Pro Eye with better screen resolution. Seems kind of absurd to claim it’s a Pro when the Vive Cosmos and other headsets have the same screen resolution. This while the Reverb and Pimax already have double the PPI.

          I currently own the Vive Pro and will be upgrading as soon as they release a new version with better screens, but I’m looking at both the HP Reverb and the new Pimax’s as a possible alternative if that takes too much time, so I wouldn’t mind some news at this point from Vive on a time frame on a Vive Pro Eye 2.

          • Immersive Computing

            I got to use Vive Pro Eye recently and immediately noticed the smaller FOV and simple lenses, which was a shock after using Index, it made VR feel smaller and back to looking through goggles.

            Colours and black levels were great though, perfect for “Gloomy Eyes”.

            Better lenses would be a massive improvement but it’s not inexpensive to create VR lenses and probably beyond HTC budget which is why we keep seeing the same or similar lenses in their new headsets?

            https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/eaa2396f4848bac4a53b04c1cad27ceca303aa6fc48dba11d42541ba58ac15ee.jpg

          • mepy

            There are Gear VR Lens hack-upgrades for Vive/Vive Pro, which are 3D printed lens inserts with Gear VR lenses for the Vive/Vive Pro. They have amazing reviews online. The containers that hold the leneses pop right out with a little pressure from a screw driver on the side, so as long as you are super careful with dust on the lenses it’s really easy to swap the lenses. Sold on Ebay, Etsy etc.

          • Immersive Computing

            The issue with replacing lenses is recalibration. Consumer headsets like Vive are calibrated on per eye basis at factory post assembly, due to range of manufacturing tolerance for lenses, include GearVR lenses. This is recorded on headset firmware. Changing lenses alters this setup requiring tweaking of parameters? Some report success, some not. Perhaps optimum pair of lenses from a box full, they are all slightly different.

      • Charles

        The Vive Pro is (in my opinion) currently the second-best headset, but its price is absurd given that you can get the #1 best headset for under $300.

        • mepy

          Nonsense, you can not get the #1 best headset for under $300. It’s debatable what headset is the best whether it’s the Vive Pro w/wireless, the Index, HP Reverb or the Pimax, it depends on what your use it for, but you can absolutely not get the “#1 best headset” for $300.

          The Odyssey is much cheaper, but it’s not a premium headset, it has low software compatibility being a WMR device, it has a 60-90Hz FPS, it’s not wireless and it has below average inside out-tracking. Also they are just lying on the PPI count claim, the screen resolution is 1,440 x 1,600, the same as the Vive Pro and the Quest, so the correct PPI is 615 for the Odyssey.

          • Charles

            You sure like using strong words. The Odyssey+ is “absolutely” the #1 best headset, unless you really need accurate behind-the-back controller tracking, 120 Hz, wireless, or maximum detail. It is best in every other way. Best contrast, black levels, and vertical FOV, almost no SDE (due to the filter), and second-best detail. I’ve owned 9 headsets, including all the supposedly-best ones, and I prefer the Odyssey+ over all of them. I can’t do LCD contrast and black levels anymore – completely immersion-breaking.

      • Tags I812

        Ive kept an eye on everything HTC and to be honest the quality? is ….
        they are over priced on every scrap of item they sell not to mention the customer service is absolutely anti consumerism is unlawful. they have been passed by just about every other HMD. i know that you think that HTC is above and beyond the rest but they’re not ,, they’re just not.. i dont want them to fail . i think we need all need VR to be strong and we need the leaders to put out quality items for a decent price but HTC has given VR kinda a black eye. that being said this deal they have going is not really a deal considering the past………….. who is to say that when you buy one of these used HMD’s isnt a reject from someone else that was just taped back together. No Thanks i wouldn’t recommend them to anyone for anything. just keep in mind my friend. i dont want them to fail just put the customer “US” first. Until that day i will go with Valve,Oculus, Pimax, or hp reverb just not HTC

        • mepy

          I keep hearing these strange emotional arguments that are not really arguments backed up by facts or data, such as “passed by,” “lagging behind on everything,” and several others in other comment section. While in real hardware capability the exact opposite is true. Seems to be a negative advertising/marketing campaign from somewhere. I would not be surprised if it’s by Oculus as it’s owned by Facebook, so the question becomes, is Facebook using their Facebook streams to manipulate peoples views and thoughts about the Vive? They certainly have that capability and people wouldn’t necessarily know it.

          • care package

            Wow mepy, no need to get so emotional.

          • mepy

            It’s not emotional, I just think people are getting fooled by advertising spin and hype and maybe are being manipulated through Facebook. I own an Oculus Quest myself, but I also own a Vive Pro.

      • MW

        1) No (quest)
        2) what…? Are you talking about 1k Index?? Comparing to Rift S old Vive is obsolete. And more expensive.
        3) again – what you talking about?
        4) what…?
        5) seriously? You talking about what headset? Old Vive is horrible compared to Rift S.
        6) ‘facebook tracing’? Eeee.. what?
        7) you can play in everything in Rifts.

        You arguments remidend me AMD fans. It’s this ‘guerilla feeling’ carefully designed in marketing department of corporation:) Do yourself a favor and don’t get emotionally attached to products.

        • mepy

          Vive Cosmos.

  • vtid

    HTC have some real cheek.

  • Romulo de Castro

    I have sold my original Vive + Deluxe Audio Strap for an Oculus Rift S + RIG500 headset and Mamut Grips. The Oculus is so much better, ergonomy, visual clarity, controllers, not to mention the Oculus exclusive games are so polished.

    • mepy

      I do not believe this account is real. It seems to spam the same message about the Oculus Rift S, while it has no message about other topics. Seems to be an advertising account.

      • Romulo de Castro

        It is not, just my experience with both headsets. I loved my Vive, I just just think for 400 is not the best choice right now.

        • MW

          I agree. Rift S is visually much much better in every way than old Vive. If someone says opposite it’s just ignorance.

          • mepy

            Sure compared to the original Vive the screen resolution of the Rift S is marginally better.

          • care package

            I think even PSVR has better overall visuals. If that’s the case, Vive is the ugliest out there right now.

  • Andrew Jakobs

    hmmm.. out of stock? Damn, I just wanted to buy one. Not really fond of buying it second hand due to hygiene, and the ones that I’ve seen aren’t that much cheaper than a new one (was).. Cosmos is not an option, my room isn’t lit very wel.

    • Immersive Computing

      Hygiene shouldn’t be an issue with the Vive, it’s a hard plastic shell, only the face gasket would need replacement and they are cheap on Amazon. I used to clean my Vive with isopropyl alcohol wipes and use multiple face gaskets, I was running a “roomscale plus” experiment in 2017 using Vive with numerous people using it.

      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8051f58456fe0c7c763b3627587f7f83ebcfcd56e3c0e554d48fefaa3e779b08.jpg

      • Andrew Jakobs

        thanx, will keep that in mind. But still a lot of the vive’s on sale here are headsets only due to people having bought an Index or HTC Vive Pro headset, haha.. that’s why I think it sux that the original vive doesn’t work with the 2.0 lighthouses, I want the original vive for development, and was planning on buying the Index as main headset.

        • Shy Guy

          You can buy an original Vive complete kit, and then get the Index with controllers bundle (no lighthouses), and use the 1.0 lighthouses for both. (The Index will work fine with 1.0 lighthouses.)

      • mepy

        That’s an awesome sized play area, I wish I had that large a play area. Wouldn’t be surprised if the slow VR sales are because people simply don’t have that much spare space in their homes.

        • Immersive Computing

          It was unreal, we had 9 metres gap (maximum reliable tracking) between the base stations with custom “lighthouse towers”. 25 meter power cable drums for base stations and PC on mechanics wheeled trolley with wi-fi pole. “Tether assistant” following player around to prevent entanglement. My friend had a 14,000 square foot retail store he let me use in morning before opening for 3 weeks, each week a progressively larger playspace with the largest as seen now with lights on during setup.

          https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a257c9fe6694ed30747037f198b4f8d77278c395a6bf612c13a1a3dacaf853f5.jpg

  • That’s actually a nice idea, considering that many people still use the OG Vive. Maybe the right price would have been $300 IMHO

  • brandon9271

    $400 is still too high.

  • Skippy76

    Its sad how they think something used and obsolete is worth $400 US.

    • Jason

      And yet, I sold my own Vive kit for $350 just last weekend, and it wasn’t even certified or anything (buyer just had to trust a random person off craigslist). There’s not a great way to determine worth beyond what someone will pay for it. Everything else is just wildly subjective.

      • care package

        Nice defense, but it actually really is ‘used and obsolete, and not worth $400). Generally speaking of course. There is always someone that will think it is.

  • Ardra Diva

    HTC’s pricing is deranged.

    • mepy

      I agree, they are losing market share, in the long run that’s going to be a real problem for them if game and software developers won’t make new titles playable on both platforms. There is also a certain marketing power in a brand being the most popular in consumer sales, meaning the more friends that own your device the more friends of theirs buy that particular device. Oculus/Facebook understands this, which is why they are selling at prices they aren’t really making profits on. Incidentally also why WMR devices are selling so cheap, as they are trying to reach a market share where game and software developers make content for them.

  • Jack Liddon

    The Vive with deluxe audio strap, is still a great system. Love the Valve Index but I’d be perfectly happy to go back to my Vive if I had to.

  • Kenji Fujimori

    HTC sucks taiwanese balls

  • care package

    Damn where do I sign up? (lol)