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|image =
|image =
|VR/AR = [[Virtual Reality]]
|VR/AR = [[Virtual Reality]]
|Type = [[Head-mounted display]]
|Type = [[Head-Mounted Display]]
|Subtype = [[PC VR]]
|Subtype = [[PC VR]]
|Platform = [[SteamVR]]
|Platform = [[SteamVR]]
|Developer = [[Valve]]
|Developer = [[Valve]]
|Manufacturer = [[Valve]]
|Manufacturer = [[Valve]]
|Announcement Date = April 30, 2019
|Release Date = June 28, 2019
|Release Date = June 28, 2019
|Price = $999 USD (full kit), $499 (headset only)
|Price = $499 (headset) / $999 (full kit)
|Website = https://www.valvesoftware.com/en/index
|Website = https://www.valvesoftware.com/en/index
|Display = 2× LCD
|Successor = [[Steam Frame]] (2026)
|Resolution = 1440×1600 per eye (2880×1600 combined)
|Display = LCD (dual 1440x1600)
|Refresh Rate = 80 Hz, 90 Hz, 120 Hz, 144 Hz
|Resolution = 1440x1600 per eye
|Combined Resolution = 2880x1600
|Refresh Rate = 80/90/120/144 Hz
|Field of View = 108°
|Field of View = 108°
|IPD Range = 58-70mm (physical slider)
|Ocularity = Binocular
|Ocularity = Binocular
|Optics = Dual-element canted Fresnel lenses
|Tracking = Lighthouse 2.0 (outside-in)
|Tracking = Lighthouse 2.0 (external base stations)
|IPD = 58-70mm (mechanical)
|Eye Tracking = No
|Audio = BMR off-ear speakers
|Hand Tracking = No (finger tracking via controllers)
|Controllers = Index Controllers (87 sensors)
|Controllers = Valve Index Controllers (87 sensors, finger tracking)
|Connectivity = DisplayPort 1.2 + USB 3.0
|Audio = Off-ear BMR speakers
|Weight = 888g
|Microphone = Dual
|Connectivity = DisplayPort 1.2, USB 3.0
|Weight = ~809g (with strap)
|Color = Black
}}
}}


The '''Valve Index''' is a [[PC VR]] [[head-mounted display]] designed and manufactured by [[Valve]], released on June 28, 2019. The Index is Valve's first self-manufactured VR headset and represents a second-generation premium VR experience. It features dual 1440×1600 LCD displays with an industry-leading refresh rate of up to 144 Hz, dual-element canted Fresnel lenses, Lighthouse 2.0 tracking, and the innovative Index Controllers (formerly "Knuckles") with 87 sensors for individual finger tracking. The release of [[Half-Life: Alyx]] (free for Index owners) drove significant sales in late 2019.
The '''Valve Index''' is a PC [[virtual reality]] [[head-mounted display]] developed and manufactured by [[Valve]], released on June 28, 2019. The Index features dual 1440x1600 RGB LCD displays with industry-leading 80/90/120/144 Hz refresh rate options, 108° field of view, canted dual-element Fresnel lenses, and revolutionary Index Controllers with 87 sensors for individual finger tracking. Using Lighthouse 2.0 outside-in tracking, the Index became the gold standard for high-refresh-rate PC VR, maintaining 13.2% of Steam VR market share as of January 2025 despite launching in 2019.


== History and Development ==
== History and Development ==


Valve announced the Index on April 30, 2019, and released it on June 28, 2019 as their first fully self-manufactured VR headset. Previous Valve VR experiences required HTC-manufactured hardware (Vive series). The Index was designed to push VR fidelity forward with higher refresh rates and more precise input via the finger-tracking controllers.<ref name="wikipedia">{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Index |title=Valve Index |publisher=Wikipedia |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
Valve announced the Index on April 30, 2019, releasing it on June 28, 2019. The headset represented Valve's first complete VR hardware ecosystem, building on their collaboration with HTC on the original Vive. The Index introduced groundbreaking finger-tracking controllers and maintained backward compatibility with all HTC Vive base stations. In November 2025, Valve announced a successor called Steam Frame, scheduled for launch in early 2026. Despite being discontinued, the Index remains one of the most respected PC VR headsets.<ref name="valve">{{cite web |url=https://www.valvesoftware.com/en/index/headset |title=Valve Index Headset |publisher=Valve |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
 
The headset sold an estimated 149,000 units in 2019, with 103,000 in Q4 following the announcement of Half-Life: Alyx, which was bundled free with Index purchases.<ref name="uploadvr">{{cite web |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/valve-index-price-specs/ |title=Valve Index Bundle $999: 1440×1600 LCDs, 144 Hz, Wide FOV |publisher=UploadVR |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>


== Design and Hardware ==
== Design and Hardware ==
Line 41: Line 35:
=== Display ===
=== Display ===


The Index features high-refresh-rate LCD panels:
High-refresh RGB LCD:
 
* '''1440x1600 per eye''' resolution
* '''2880x1600 combined''' resolution
* '''Dual RGB LCD panels'''
* '''50% more subpixels''' than OLED
* '''3x better fill factor''' than OLED
* Greatly reduced screen door effect
* Full RGB per pixel
* Low persistence global backlight
* '''0.330 ms persistence''' at 144Hz


* Dual LCD displays
=== Refresh Rate ===
* 1440×1600 resolution per eye (2880×1600 combined)
* Full RGB subpixels (no pentile)
* '''Multiple refresh rates:''' 80 Hz, 90 Hz, 120 Hz, 144 Hz
* Low persistence global backlight (0.330 ms at 144 Hz)
* 108° estimated field of view


=== Optics ===
Industry-leading options:


Innovative canted lens design:
* '''80 Hz''' mode
* '''90 Hz''' mode
* '''120 Hz''' mode
* '''144 Hz''' experimental mode
* Smooth high-framerate VR
* Reduced motion sickness


* Dual-element canted Fresnel lenses
=== Field of View ===
* Canting increases effective field of view
* Wide sweet spot
* Reduced god rays vs first-gen headsets
* Physical IPD adjustment slider (58-70mm)


=== Audio ===
* '''108° FOV'''
* '''Canted dual-element Fresnel lenses'''
* Expanded peripheral vision
* Immersive wide view


Premium off-ear speaker system:
=== IPD ===


* BMR (Balanced Mode Radiator) speakers
* '''58-70mm range'''
* Off-ear design—no contact with ears
* '''Physical slider adjustment'''
* High-quality spatial audio
* Precise eye alignment
* No headphones required
* Hardware IPD control
* Dual microphones for voice chat


=== Tracking ===
=== Audio ===


Lighthouse 2.0 external tracking:
Premium off-ear system:


* External base station tracking
* '''BMR (Balanced Mode Radiator) drivers'''
* Sub-millimeter accuracy
* '''Off-ear (extra-aural) speakers'''
* Large play space support
* Ultra near-field design
* '''Compatible with:''' All HTC Vive base stations (1.0 and 2.0)
* '''Full-range frequency response'''
* SteamVR ecosystem
* Accurate low-frequency sounds
* Built-in microphone
* No headphones needed
* Comfortable extended use


=== Build ===
=== Build ===


* ~809g weight with strap
* '''888g weight'''
* Premium materials
* Adjustable head strap
* Adjustable head strap
* Comfortable for extended sessions
* Face gasket options
* Front-facing expansion bay (frunk)
* Robust construction
* USB port for accessories
 
=== Tracking ===
 
Lighthouse precision:
 
* '''Lighthouse 2.0 tracking'''
* External base stations required
* '''Sub-millimeter accuracy'''
* Full room-scale support
* Compatible with Lighthouse 1.0
* HTC Vive base station compatible


== Index Controllers ==
== Index Controllers ==


The signature feature of the Index system:
Revolutionary finger tracking:
 
=== Finger Tracking ===


* '''87 sensors''' per controller
* '''87 sensors''' per controller
* Individual finger position tracking
* '''Individual finger tracking'''
* Motion detection
* Hand position tracking
* Motion tracking
* Pressure sensing
* Pressure sensing
* Creates accurate hand representation in VR
=== Design ===
* Hand strap design—secured to palm
* No need to grip continuously
* Can release grip without dropping controller
* Natural throwing and grabbing motions
=== Inputs ===
* Thumbstick
* Thumbstick
* Touchpad
* Touchpad
* Two face buttons (A, B)
* Two face buttons
* Menu button
* Menu button
* Analog trigger
* Trigger
* Grip force sensors
* Grip sensing
 
* Accelerometer
=== Compatibility ===
* Strap-on design (hands-free release)
 
* Works with all SteamVR games
* Backward compatible with Vive wands
* Sold separately ($279/pair)


== Pricing ==
== Pricing ==
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Package !! Price !! Contents
! Configuration !! Price
|-
|-
| Full Kit || $999 || Headset + 2 controllers + 2 base stations
| Headset only || $499
|-
|-
| Headset + Controllers || $749 || For Vive base station owners
| Headset + Controllers || $749
|-
|-
| Headset Only || $499 || For Vive/Vive Pro upgraders
| Controllers pair || $279
|-
|-
| Controllers Only || $279 || Pair of Index Controllers
| Base station || $149
|-
| Full Kit (all included) || $999
|}
|}


== System Requirements ==
== Technical Specifications ==


* '''GPU:''' NVIDIA GTX 1070 / AMD RX 580 or better
{| class="wikitable"
* '''CPU:''' Dual-core with hyperthreading
|-
* '''RAM:''' 8 GB
! Specification !! Details
* '''Ports:''' DisplayPort 1.2, USB 3.0
|-
* '''OS:''' Windows 10
| Display || 1440x1600 per eye LCD
|-
| Refresh Rate || 80/90/120/144 Hz
|-
| FOV || 108°
|-
| Tracking || Lighthouse 2.0
|-
| IPD || 58-70mm
|-
| Audio || BMR off-ear speakers
|-
| Controllers || 87 sensors, finger tracking
|-
| Connection || DP 1.2 + USB 3.0
|-
| Weight || 888g
|-
| Price || $499-$999
|}


== Reception ==
== Reception ==


'''Praise:'''
'''Praise:'''
* Industry-leading 144 Hz refresh rate
* 144Hz highest refresh rate
* "Next-level VR" - Engadget
* Index Controllers revolutionary
* Index Controllers with finger tracking revolutionary
* Finger tracking innovative
* High-quality off-ear audio
* 87 sensors unprecedented
* Wide 108° field of view
* BMR audio exceptional
* Smooth, low-persistence displays
* 108° FOV wide
* Full RGB panels (no pentile)
* RGB LCD sharp
* SteamVR ecosystem compatibility
* Lighthouse tracking precise
* Half-Life: Alyx showcase
* Modular purchasing options
* Lighthouse precision tracking
* Gold standard PC VR
* Still respected after years


'''Criticism:'''
'''Criticism:'''
* $999 price (premium tier)
* 888g heavy
* Requires external base stations
* $999 full kit expensive
* Tethered (no wireless option)
* Base stations required
* Resolution lower than HP Reverb G2
* Complex setup
* LCD panels (not OLED)
* External sensors needed
* Base stations require wall mounting
* 1440x1600 resolution dated
* Limited availability/long wait times<ref name="techradar">{{cite web |url=https://www.techradar.com/reviews/valve-index |title=Valve Index review |publisher=TechRadar |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
* No wireless option
 
* Discontinued (2024)
<ref name="engadget">{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019-06-28-valve-index-review-vr.html |title=Valve Index review: Next-level VR |publisher=Engadget |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
* Cables tethered
* Space requirements<ref name="wikipedia">{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Index |title=Valve Index |publisher=Wikipedia |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Half-Life: Alyx]]
* [[Steam Frame]]
* [[SteamVR]]
* [[HTC Vive Pro 2]]
* [[HP Reverb G2]]
* [[HP Reverb G2]]
* [[Pimax 8KX]]
* [[Pimax Crystal]]
* [[Bigscreen Beyond]]


== References ==
== References ==
Line 182: Line 204:
[[Category:Devices]]
[[Category:Devices]]
[[Category:Virtual Reality Devices]]
[[Category:Virtual Reality Devices]]
[[Category:PC VR Headsets]]
[[Category:Head-Mounted Displays]]
[[Category:PC VR]]
[[Category:Valve]]
[[Category:Valve]]
[[Category:SteamVR]]
[[Category:2019 in technology]]
[[Category:2019 in technology]]

Revision as of 16:36, 7 January 2026

Valve Index
Basic Info
VR/AR Virtual Reality
Type Head-Mounted Display
Subtype PC VR
Platform SteamVR
Developer Valve
Manufacturer Valve
Release Date June 28, 2019
Price $499 (headset) / $999 (full kit)
Website https://www.valvesoftware.com/en/index
Successor Steam Frame (2026)
System
Storage
Display
Display LCD (dual 1440x1600)
Resolution 1440x1600 per eye
Refresh Rate 80/90/120/144 Hz
Image
Field of View 108°
Optics
Ocularity Binocular
Tracking
Tracking Lighthouse 2.0 (outside-in)
Audio
Audio BMR off-ear speakers
Connectivity
Connectivity DisplayPort 1.2 + USB 3.0
Device
Weight 888g

Property "Successor" (as page type) with input value "Steam Frame]] (2026)" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process.


The Valve Index is a PC virtual reality head-mounted display developed and manufactured by Valve, released on June 28, 2019. The Index features dual 1440x1600 RGB LCD displays with industry-leading 80/90/120/144 Hz refresh rate options, 108° field of view, canted dual-element Fresnel lenses, and revolutionary Index Controllers with 87 sensors for individual finger tracking. Using Lighthouse 2.0 outside-in tracking, the Index became the gold standard for high-refresh-rate PC VR, maintaining 13.2% of Steam VR market share as of January 2025 despite launching in 2019.

History and Development

Valve announced the Index on April 30, 2019, releasing it on June 28, 2019. The headset represented Valve's first complete VR hardware ecosystem, building on their collaboration with HTC on the original Vive. The Index introduced groundbreaking finger-tracking controllers and maintained backward compatibility with all HTC Vive base stations. In November 2025, Valve announced a successor called Steam Frame, scheduled for launch in early 2026. Despite being discontinued, the Index remains one of the most respected PC VR headsets.[1]

Design and Hardware

Display

High-refresh RGB LCD:

  • 1440x1600 per eye resolution
  • 2880x1600 combined resolution
  • Dual RGB LCD panels
  • 50% more subpixels than OLED
  • 3x better fill factor than OLED
  • Greatly reduced screen door effect
  • Full RGB per pixel
  • Low persistence global backlight
  • 0.330 ms persistence at 144Hz

Refresh Rate

Industry-leading options:

  • 80 Hz mode
  • 90 Hz mode
  • 120 Hz mode
  • 144 Hz experimental mode
  • Smooth high-framerate VR
  • Reduced motion sickness

Field of View

  • 108° FOV
  • Canted dual-element Fresnel lenses
  • Expanded peripheral vision
  • Immersive wide view

IPD

  • 58-70mm range
  • Physical slider adjustment
  • Precise eye alignment
  • Hardware IPD control

Audio

Premium off-ear system:

  • BMR (Balanced Mode Radiator) drivers
  • Off-ear (extra-aural) speakers
  • Ultra near-field design
  • Full-range frequency response
  • Accurate low-frequency sounds
  • Built-in microphone
  • No headphones needed
  • Comfortable extended use

Build

  • 888g weight
  • Premium materials
  • Adjustable head strap
  • Face gasket options
  • Robust construction

Tracking

Lighthouse precision:

  • Lighthouse 2.0 tracking
  • External base stations required
  • Sub-millimeter accuracy
  • Full room-scale support
  • Compatible with Lighthouse 1.0
  • HTC Vive base station compatible

Index Controllers

Revolutionary finger tracking:

  • 87 sensors per controller
  • Individual finger tracking
  • Hand position tracking
  • Motion tracking
  • Pressure sensing
  • Thumbstick
  • Touchpad
  • Two face buttons
  • Menu button
  • Trigger
  • Grip sensing
  • Accelerometer
  • Strap-on design (hands-free release)

Pricing

Configuration Price
Headset only $499
Headset + Controllers $749
Controllers pair $279
Base station $149
Full Kit (all included) $999

Technical Specifications

Specification Details
Display 1440x1600 per eye LCD
Refresh Rate 80/90/120/144 Hz
FOV 108°
Tracking Lighthouse 2.0
IPD 58-70mm
Audio BMR off-ear speakers
Controllers 87 sensors, finger tracking
Connection DP 1.2 + USB 3.0
Weight 888g
Price $499-$999

Reception

Praise:

  • 144Hz highest refresh rate
  • Index Controllers revolutionary
  • Finger tracking innovative
  • 87 sensors unprecedented
  • BMR audio exceptional
  • 108° FOV wide
  • RGB LCD sharp
  • Lighthouse tracking precise
  • Modular purchasing options
  • Gold standard PC VR
  • Still respected after years

Criticism:

  • 888g heavy
  • $999 full kit expensive
  • Base stations required
  • Complex setup
  • External sensors needed
  • 1440x1600 resolution dated
  • No wireless option
  • Discontinued (2024)
  • Cables tethered
  • Space requirements[2]

See Also

References

  1. ↑ "Valve Index Headset". Valve. https://www.valvesoftware.com/en/index/headset.
  2. ↑ "Valve Index". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Index.
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