Thanks to this game-changing add-on, my Oculus Quest 2 just got better.
We’ve had a great time with the Oculus Quest 2 since my boyfriend brought it home last year. In Medal of Honor, we utilised it for shooting, whereas in Thrill of the Fight, we used it for boxing. In addition, the Oculus Quest 2 has been used for other purposes, such as watching dinosaurs wander in Jurassic World and meditating on Guided Meditation VR. However, even though these apps were fantastic, we couldn’t help but note that the overall design might be better..
Comfort and accessibility for many users should be enhanced, despite the Quest 2 being lighter and more portable than its predecessors. To avoid having to wait until the Oculus Quest 3 to witness these improvements, we were glad to see that the Oculus Quest 2 Elite Strap with Battery ($109, Amazon) has already been developed. This is one of the greatest Oculus Quest 2 attachments we’ve tested.
The issue
Since the present design had a number of issues, it’s worth noting that this new attachment will address those issues first. Once you’ve shifted the sliders on each side, you may next adjust the middle strap, which is fastened by velcro, to accommodate your head size. In the beginning, this isn’t a big deal; however if you’re using the gadget with another person, it becomes a real nuisance.
Using the Oculus Quest 2 means spending around 30 seconds fidgeting with the straps. Because I’ve been doing this for so long, I’m setting it too tight to save myself the trouble of having to go back and forth many times to get it exactly right. So you’re already annoyed before you’ve turned on the Oculus, and the total experience isn’t as enjoyable as it might have been.
I’ve also noticed that the Quest 2 has a tendency to favour the player’s forearm. Weight can’t be avoided, however I do believe that the weight should be better distributed so that it doesn’t seem like I am wearing a pair of trial glasses that you receive from an optometrist. My head always falls to the ground whenever I’m playing a game of boxing, which may be painful.
Finally, the grip, or rather the lack thereof, is another reason why I wear the strap a bit too tight. It might be difficult for the strap to grasp my hair if it isn’t tight enough. Because the Oculus keeps sliding off, I’ve turned to either wearing it in a short ponytail or by tightening the strap over my neck.
The answer to the problem
While they aren’t the worst possible outcomes, they’re not ideal either. The Oculus Quest Elite Strap with Battery ($109, Amazon) was just what we were looking for. The wheel in the rear allows you to easily fine-tune the fit, making it a great alternative to the usual headstrap. That’s why you get a rubber plate that moulds to the contours of your skull. Except for the velcro-adjustable top strap, the fabric straps have been replaced with plastic ones. Depending on how often you use it, the second battery may quadruple your gaming time.
Changing the straps takes at most a few minutes. After removing and detaching straps on the top and sides, you may put the Elite Strap with Battery in its place and link the two through cable on the side.
The Elite Strap is noticeably more strong than the normal strap when it is initially put on. If you don’t tighten it enough, you won’t get the rubber frame to fit over your head. Then you may tighten it using the wheel after it’s on. At first, I thought this was a strange idea, but once I installed it, I saw how much simpler it was than fiddling around with the sliders. As a result, adjusting it with the wheel is considerably simpler and faster, which is ideal if there are several users. When it comes to sizing, a broad range of differences in head shapes and sizes exist.
As soon as I put it on, I could tell the difference in how secure it made my head feel. The rubber plate at the rear had no problem gripping my hair, which was a pleasant surprise. For the first time in a long time, I was able to comfortably slot it between this and the wheel.
Oculus Quest’s front-heavy design was no longer pushing my head down, as I had previously thought. Thanks to the additional battery weight at the rear and to the strong plastic straps, this was possible. At first, I was concerned that the additional mass would make the entire contraption cumbersome and difficult to manage, but it turned out to be an asset. My face was no longer being yanked down. This was a pleasant compromise, despite the fact that the better fit revealed a larger gap to the outer world when I gazed down my nose.
There was no need for more battery life on top of everything else. The Oculus Quest is attached to the left side of the Elite Strap using a short wire. However, if my spouse wants to use the Oculus Quest right after me, he no longer needs to wait around for the charging process to complete. Because you can charge both batteries at the same time, you don’t need to have additional wires in your vehicle.
However, there are several disadvantages to this approach. There are cases specifically designed for the Elite Strap with Battery, such as the Oculus Quest 2 Carrying Case ($49 on Amazon), however they’re more difficult to keep due of the plastic construction. The original fabric straps, on the other hand, may be tucked away with ease.
The Elite Strap with Battery costs $100, which is a lot of extra comfort and convenience. The Elite Strap is available in a battery-free version for $49 on Amazon, but the weight isn’t as well distributed and you don’t get the additional battery life, so you’re missing a few advantages.
Outcome
Is the Elite Strap with Battery something I’d recommend? Definitely if you’re utilising the Oculus Quest with more than one person. It’s a little costly, but it saves a lot of time and effort when altering the fit. As an added benefit, you’ll be able to fine-tune the fit while you’re wearing it, making it even more comfy. The improved weight distribution and secure construction provide for a more pleasurable gaming experience if you’re an Oculus fanatic.
If you don’t mind the extra battery life, but don’t want to pay the hefty price tag, try the regular Elite Strap.