The Moscow-based VR headset manufacturer DEUS announced the latest version of their Odin VR headset that incorporates support for SteamVR content and higher resolution LCD displays than Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.
Update (11:00 AM ET): Deus tells us that the Horus Pre basestation is indeed proprietary and “not compatible with SteamVR controllers from other brands.”
Dubbed the Odin Pre, the headset boasts dual 2,160 × 2,160 LCD displays clocked at 90 Hz. Using Fresnel lenses, Deus claims the headset’s field of view (FOV) is around 110 degrees—the same as Oculus Rift, and both HTC Vive and Vive Pro variants.
Going by raw numbers currently available, at very least Odin Pre will have higher resolution displays than even Vive Pro, which touts dual 1,440 × 1,600 pixel OLEDs.
The company is also producing a SteamVR-style laser position basestation they call the ‘Horus Pre’ which will track Odin thanks to sensors embedded in the headset and controller.
Deus says their Horus Pre basestation is however their own design, so it’s uncertain if that means standard SteamVR controllers such as Vive’s controllers, or both the upcoming Valve ‘Knuckles’ and Pimax’s SteamVR controllers, will work with the system (see update).
We’ve reached out to the company to clarify whether Horus Pre is indeed a true SteamVR basestation, or a proprietary design that will only work with Odin’s own controllers. We’ll update this article when we hear back.
Deus claims Horus Pre can cover up to 200 square meters with only two base stations with its 170 degree horizontal and vertical tracking angles. This also includes the ability to add “an unlimited number of base stations and local multiplayer support allows you to scale the tracking zone, including indoors with corridors.” The headset supports both its own DEUS SDK and the OpenVR SDK.
Deus says Odin Pre is focused on enterprise and government markets as well as on content developers. The headset’s final price isn’t set yet, although the company estimates that it is will be approximately $1,100. The Odin Pre bundle is said to come with a single 3DOF controller first, and then two 6DOF controllers in the final version sometime in Summer 2019.
The final version could also include built-in eye tracking and a VirtualLink port, Deus says in a press statement. At this time, the headset boasts a mini DisplayPort, USB Type-C, and 3.5 mm audio jack.
Deus will be showing off both Odin Pre and Horus Pre at CES 2019, which takes place January 8th – 12th in Las Vegas, Nevada. We’ll have feet on the ground in Vegas, so check back for more CES 2019 news then.
