HP Reverb G2 Review

The HP Reverb G2 is the result of a collaboration between Valve (known from Steam) and Microsoft (HP). The Reverb G2 offers the highest and clearest image resolution on the current VR market. with with improved headphones, new Controllers and two additional inside-out cameras, the HP Reverb G2 promises to be everything you could want from a Virtual Reality Headset can expect.

The Reverb G2 is a PC-controlled VR glasses, which means that the Headset must always be with wired to a Computer. To get the most out of the glasses, the Computer must have a powerful graphics card (recommended: NVIDIA® GTX 1080 or higher for the highest resolution, or NVIDIA® GTX 1060 for lower resolutions).

HP Reverb G2 image resolution

The HP Reverb G2 basically offers the same image resolution as its predecessor - HP Reverb G1. However, due to the improved fresnel lenses, the image is displayed much more beautifully. The display of the G2 consists of two LCD panels, both with 90 Hz refresh rate, and a crystal clear resolution of 2160 x 2160 pixels per eye. Combined, these number of pixels make for a whopping 4320 x 2160 pixels; unprecedented among other comparable VR headsets! To give an idea of how the image quality compares to with other VR glasses: the Reverb G2 has no less than 9.3 million pixels in the screen. That is more than two and a half times the number of pixels that the Oculus Rift S has!

Thanks to the renewed LCD screen, colors are displayed beautifully and faithfully. However, it remains a tricky point that black is not displayed as true black (as is the case with an OLED screen). Another example of the extremely high image resolution of the Reverb G2 is that you can work a lot better with it professionally. Where reading in Virtual Reality was initially a limitation due to the relatively small sweet spot of other VR glasses, with the Reverb G2 is a thing of the past!

Improved lenses and tracking

HP Reverb G2 uses improved Fresnel lenses. These lenses ensure, among other things, that images are displayed more beautifully, less ghosting takes place in the Headset and that the sweet spot becomes larger. with especially the improvement in the sweet spot is a big advantage compared to comparable VR glasses. with the sweet spot of the Reverb G2, the sweet spot is not limited to a single spot that you have to focus on, but the sweet spot is much wider (for example in comparison with the HTC VIVE Pro, Valve Index and Oculus Rift S). In addition, the IPD (interpupillary distance - the distance between your eyes) is adjustable between 60 mm and 68 mm. with this adaptability makes the Headset practically suitable for everyone.

Field of view (FoV)

The FoV (field of view) of the HP Reverb G2 is 114 degrees. This is similar with to the Reverb G1. But in combination with with the better sweet spot, the FoV on the HP Reverb G2 promises to be even better than on the G1.

Screen Door Effect

Due to the extremely high resolution and the improved lenses, the Reverb G2 comes as close as possible to no screen-door effect. This makes the Headset extremely suitable for watching videos or playing simulation games, because Virtual Reality and with the G2 has never looked so realistic.

inside-out tracking

The G2 has four built-in cameras - two more than the G1. These two additional inside-out cameras (placed on the side of the Headset) make the tracking of the room and of the Controller more reliable. The inside-out tracking does mean that the Headset unfortunately cannot be used as standard with external sensors - and therefore not with Valve Index [ [MD5_71]] and/or VIVE trackers.

Updated Controllers

The Controllers of the Reverb G2 have been improved over the well-known WMR controllers. The design has remained similar, but the Controllers now offer a better way of tracking and more possibilities with regarding individual finger tracking (like the Oculus touch Controllers). The Controllers now automatically connect with to the Headset as soon as it is switched on, so that you no longer have to Controllers every time with to the [[MD5_87] ] need to pair.

The tracking of Controllers has also been greatly improved. with name by adding the two extra inside-out cameras on the sides of the Headset allows you to move the Controllers much more freely without losing tracking . However, there is still a point on the top of the Headset where the Controllers are on a blind spot. In that case, outside-in tracking - setting up external sensors, remains superior to the inside-out camera tracking, although inside-out tracking in use is also very practical.

Headphones in collaboration with Valve

The Reverb G2 uses the same headphones as the Valve Index. These Headset, and headphones, are praised for their good sound that rotates 180 degrees around the user. This makes the sound sound like you are in a movie, which makes the VR experience a lot better and more immersive. The earplugs of the headphones can be moved forward and back, as well as up and down. This allows the headphones to be properly adjusted for everyone and it is absolutely not bothersome to have the headphones on your ears. The Reverb G2 does not have a headphone jack, so unfortunately it is not possible to disconnect the built-in headphones and connect your own (noise-canceling) headphones.

The Reverb G2 has the same (dual) built-in microphone as the G1. One of the microphones is specifically for gaming use, while the other microphone can be used for voice control (via Cortana).

Greatly improved comfort

The HP Reverb G2 offers a similar fit to the Valve Index. That is good news; because the Valve Index is a very comfortable headset! Another handy feature is that the entire headband can be raised at an angle of 90 degrees. This makes it possible to hold the Headset comfortably against the face, without actually having to put the Headset on. This is with particularly useful for users who frequently put the Headset on and off (such as developers).

The Headset can be secured by tightening the Velcro. The G2 does not have a dial like the Valve Index on the back of the Headset. As a result, the back of the Headset cannot be tightened, but you always have to loosen the Velcro straps when someone else with starts playing the Headset.

The Reverb G2 is one of the lightest VR glasses at the moment. with weighing only 550 grams, the Headset is very light and sits comfortably on the head for a long time. Only the Oculus Rift CV1 (which is now out of production) is with a lighter VR headset at 471 grams.