Somnium Starts U.S. Shipping of VR1 PC VR Headset, Plans Price Increase

Somnium Space, the innovative VR company based in Prague, is making waves as it brings its PC VR headset, the Somnium VR1, to the US market. They’ve streamlined their offerings by narrowing the options to just three consumer-focused models, and a price increase is anticipated for their high-end units.

The company has decided to stop producing several of its previous configurations like the Striker, Classic, Specter, and Translucent Editions. Previously, the Classic Edition served as the entry point, coming in at €1,900 (approximately $1,980 USD) and without eye-tracking. Now, the lowest-priced option is the Visionary Edition, which includes eye-tracking, at €2,499 (about $2,600 USD). It’s important to note these figures exclude local taxes.

In a recent announcement, Somnium Space assured customers who have already purchased any of the discontinued models that their orders remain secure and will be fulfilled as expected. Interestingly, the company highlighted that owning one of these versions would make these headsets rarer and more distinctive.

The decision to cut down on these models, they explained, is to better concentrate on meeting the demand for the Visionary, Ultimate, and Titan Editions more quickly and efficiently, all while adhering to the high-quality standards associated with their brand.

With the price adjustments on the horizon, specifics are not yet available. Existing prices are set to stay until January 16th, 2025, after which the new pricing structure will go into effect.

Breaking down the current lineup and pricing, we see:

– Visionary Edition: VR with eye-tracking for €2,499 (~$2,600 USD)
– Titan Edition: VR with eye-tracking and hand-tracking at €2,899 (~$3,020 USD)
– Ultimate Edition: VR with eye-tracking, hand-tracking, and MR passthrough for €3,499 (~$3,659 USD)
– The Military Edition remains unpriced.

Acknowledging the challenges in the production process, the company stated that producing these headsets has proven more intricate than initially expected, prompting the decision to raise prices on the Visionary, Ultimate, and Titan Editions.

Currently, orders placed are expected to be delivered between February and March 2025, with shipping available to most of Europe, the UK, and the US. Looking ahead, Somnium Space plans to offer spare parts for the VR1, such as optical modules, main boards, electronics, cables, screens, and additional components.

If you’re keen on diving deeper into the Somnium VR1’s capabilities, here’s a quick snapshot of its specs:

– Display: QLED Mini-Led Fast LCD at 2,880 × 2,880 per eye
– Field of View: A horizontal FOV of 130° and a vertical FOV of 105°, capable of rendering up to 140° horizontally, though this might vary with face and eye shape
– Refresh Rate: Options include 72 Hz, 90 Hz, and experimental upgrades to 120 and 144 Hz
– Local Dimming Zones: 576 per eye
– Eye Tracking: Running at 120 Hz with an open-source algorithm
– Connectivity includes USB-C, DisplayPort 1.4, and a 3.5mm audio jack
– IPD Range: 57 to 76 mm

For an even deeper exploration of the Somnium VR1, don’t miss our hands-on review from July 2024, where we share our firsthand experiences with this impressive headset.