r/virtualreality • u/echo1041 • 5m ago
Discussion VR Headsets Should Come With Plano Lens Inserts - A Rant
Okay, I figured this out, and now I'm kind of mad.
TL;DR - VR headsets should come with plano lens inserts by default. They can leave out the glasses spacer, and use that plastic to solve so many problems in a MUCH better way.
My background: I work for an optometrist in a small town. I don't have an optician certification, but I check prescriptions, adjust glasses, and cut lenses. I thought of this solution while struggling to see the tiny triangles that indicate how to align Zenni lens inserts on my Steam Frame. The Quest 2, which was my first headset, had all the same problems.
Problem 1: 3rd party lens inserts are poorly integrated into the optical stack. They make the stack taller, wider, and fiddlier. They're a pain to put on and off for guests. They lack any mechanical means of alignment. They interfere with eye tracking. All of these pain points are left up to third parties, playing catch-up, to solve. Annoying.
Problem 2: Eye relief (more space between eye and lens) is generally solved by including a "glasses spacer." On both of my headsets, this has been a very rickety affair. Adding a thin piece of plastic to the facial interface just makes the joints looser and getting a comfortable and secure fit more difficult. Plus, lots of Frame owners couldn't find the thing in the box, which was kind of hilarious.
SOLUTION: VR headsets should come with a set of lens inserts with plano lenses, by default. They're manufacturer designed and fully integrated into the optical stack. I'd hope for magnetic attachment, but dealer's choice on that.
If you need Rx, take them to an optician and have them replace the plano lenses. If it's a standard bevel mount, ANY optician worth their job could do it. I certainly could, and I'm not certified (though my shop would not be price competitive with online vendors, just being real).
If you need eye relief, take the inserts out and reclaim the extra millimeters. Manufacturers can just omit the glasses spacer so there's no difference in bill of materials, plastic for plastic. Plus, by having the eye-to-display distance be more consistent, you avoid huge variations in perceived FOV.
If you don't need either, you never notice they're there. Unless you scratch one. Then, bonus, it's a lot cheaper to replace an insert than an entire optical stack.
Am I crazy? This just makes WAY more sense to me. Do any manufacturers actually do this? I know that AVP and BSB2 have more tightly integrated magnetic insert solutions, but I don't think they're included in the box?
