Promising new VR and AR headsets are announced almost constantly, each one presenting itself as the industry savior and mass-appeal product to finally make VR “mainstream.” The roaring success of Oculus Quest 2 has many would-be challengers shaking in their boots but not the team at Lynx; they have their sights set on Facebook/Oculus and have announced a very exciting challenger to the best-selling Quest 2.
Initially aimed at business and enterprise markets with a price tag around $1500, the forthcoming Lynx R-1 is a mixed reality headset now targeted at consumers with an expected retail price of less than $1000. Lynx founder and CEO Stan Larroque even went so far as to say the device will cost “a couple hundred dollars.” But what exactly will those hundreds actually get you?Behind the Plastic
Designed to provide VR content and AR (with passthrough) both, Lynx R-1 utilizes a distinct “four-fold catadioptric freeform prism” optical system to remove the apparent need for eye tracking. Set to ship without conventional controllers, Lynx R-1 also includes an UltraLeap hand tracking system and compatibility with third-party controllers and SteamVR. With a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR-2 nestled under the hood to power it all, Lynx HQ reports that Lynx R-1’s design is “complete.”
Reactions online ranged from VR fans calling Lynx R-1 “a terrible idea” and a doomed experiment to those praising the company’s commitment to tackling Facebook by providing an alternative to Oculus devices. Adding passthrough AR capabilities undoubtedly makes Lynx R-1 a device to keep an eye on; however, its market share works out. Could this be the most viable and affordable alternative to the dominant Oculus Quest 2? Larroque clearly seems to believe so, saying in a Q&A on YouTube that he “[doesn’t] want to live in the future where virtual reality is Facebook reality.” With backlash against Facebook’s allegedly invasive advertising and data accrual tactics rising and with breakthrough HMDs arriving to claim a piece of the Quest 2 pie, Lynx R-1 would be perfectly positioned to be a serious challenger when it finally arrives.Fit for Sinners
Avid VR porn fans will notice a few key features of Lynx R-1 that would likely enhance their virtual sex experiences. The small form factor and comfort-driven design should make for less physical strain during long periods of use. Passthrough AR can allow you to keep one toe in the real world as you explore virtually, which should prove extremely helpful for those that don’t live alone and don’t want to risk their privacy being compromised.
Tying your personal data to your self-pleasure practices is not the most appealing way to augment your beating off, virtually aided or otherwise. Lynx’s commitment to giving VR users a solid non-Oculus option means Lynx R-1 won’t be analyzing your stroke speed or duration and using that info to try to tell you a refrigerator. Lynx could provide the cleanest, most private VR and AR porn experiences yet, but until its funding is secured, preorders are made, and units start shipping, we’ll have to wait and see.
JustSquat says
I will believe it when I see it, but this does sound great.
vrjoeker says
Sounds pretty fucking sweet.