Varjo Aero: Difference between revisions

|name = Varjo Aero

|image =

|VR/AR = [[Virtual Reality]]

|Subtype = [[PC VR]]

|Platform = [[SteamVR]], [[Varjo Base]]

|Creator = [[Varjo]]

|Announcement Date = October 21, 2021

|Release Date = October 2021

|Price = $1,990 (original), $990 (reduced 2023)

|Website = https://varjo.com/products/aero/

|Versions = Varjo Aero

|Requires = High-end gaming PC, SteamVR Tracking

|Predecessor = [[Varjo VR-3]]

|Successor = [[Varjo XR-4]]

|Operating System = [[Windows]]

|Chipset = N/A (tethered PCVR)

|CPU = N/A (PC-powered)

|GPU = N/A (PC-powered)

|Storage = N/A

|Memory = N/A

|Display = Dual Mini LED LCD

|Subpixel Layout = RGB stripe

|Peak Brightness = 150 nits

|Resolution = 2880 × 2720 per eye (5760 × 2720 combined)

|Pixel Density = 35 PPD (peak)

|Field of View = 115° (diagonal)

|Horizontal FoV = ~115°

|Vertical FoV = ~115°

|Average Pixel Density = ~30 PPD

|Peak Pixel Density = 35 PPD

|Foveated Rendering = Yes (eye-tracked)

|Optics = Custom aspherical lenses

|IPD Range = 57-73mm (automatic with eye tracking)

|Adjustable Diopter = No (glasses compatible)

|Passthrough = No

|Tracking = 6DoF outside-in (SteamVR/Lighthouse)

|Tracking Frequency = 1000Hz (base stations)

|Base Stations = Required (sold separately)

|Eye Tracking = Yes (200Hz, built-in)

|Face Tracking = No

|Hand Tracking = No

|Body Tracking = Via VIVE Trackers

|Rotational Tracking = Yes

|Positional Tracking = Yes

|Update Rate = 200Hz (eye tracking)

|Tracking Volume = Lighthouse 1.0/2.0 supported

|Play Space = Roomscale

|Latency = <20ms motion-to-photon

|Audio = No built-in speakers

|Microphone = No

|3.5mm Audio Jack = Yes (integrated in headband)

|Camera = No

|Connectivity = DisplayPort 1.4, USB-A 3.0

|Ports = DisplayPort 1.4, USB-A 3.0

|Wired Video = Yes (DisplayPort)

|Wireless Video = No

|WiFi = No

|Bluetooth = No

|Power = USB powered

|Battery Capacity = N/A

|Battery Life = N/A (tethered)

|Charge Time = N/A

|Dimensions = ~200mm × 130mm × 110mm

|Weight = 487g (headset), 230g (headband)

|Material = High-quality plastics, aluminum

|Headstrap = Adjustable headband with counter-weight

|Color = White/Gray

|Sensors = Eye tracking cameras, IMU, Lighthouse sensors

|Input = SteamVR controllers (sold separately)

|Compliance = FCC, CE

The '''Varjo Aero''' is a professional-grade [[PC VR]] [[head-mounted display]] developed by [[Varjo]], a Finnish company known for enterprise-focused "human-eye resolution" VR/XR headsets. Announced on October 21, 2021, the Aero represented Varjo's first attempt to bring their high-fidelity VR technology to a broader market beyond pure enterprise customers. Featuring dual mini LED LCD displays at 2880 × 2720 per eye (5760 × 2720 combined), 35 pixels per degree peak fidelity, a 115° field of view, and built-in 200Hz eye tracking with automatic IPD adjustment, the Aero offered near-professional-grade clarity at $1,990—significantly less than Varjo's enterprise headsets priced at $3,000-$6,000+. Though discontinued with the release of the Varjo XR-4 series, the Aero established that professional-grade VR clarity could be achieved at a price point accessible to serious enthusiasts and prosumers.

== History and Development ==

=== Varjo Background ===

Finnish VR company founded in 2016:

* "Human-eye resolution" VR goal

* Enterprise-first approach

* Professional simulation focus

* Premium positioning

=== Previous Products ===

Varjo's enterprise lineup:

* '''VR-1 (2019)''': First "Bionic Display" with micro-OLED focus area

* '''VR-2 (2019)''': Improved VR-1

* '''XR-1 (2019)''': Added mixed reality capability

* '''VR-3/XR-3 (2020)''': Improved resolution and wider FOV

* All $3,000+ with subscription fees

=== Aero Concept ===

Bridging enterprise and prosumer:

* Lower price point target

* No subscription required

* Simplified design

* Broader market appeal

=== Removing Enterprise Complexity ===

Streamlined from enterprise models:

* No LiDAR camera system

* No video passthrough

* Single display technology (not bionic)

* Reduced manufacturing cost

=== October 2021 Launch ===

Market positioning:

* $1,990 price point

* No annual subscription

* SteamVR compatibility

* Enthusiast and prosumer target

== Design Philosophy ==

=== Professional Clarity for Prosumers ===

Bringing enterprise quality down:

* Near-professional visual fidelity

* Accessible price (for Varjo)

* Enthusiast-friendly platform

* No subscription model

=== Mini LED Technology ===

Cost-effective high quality:

* Mini LED approaching OLED performance

* Better than standard LCD

* Local dimming capability

* Lower cost than micro-OLED

=== Eye Tracking Standard ===

Built-in eye tracking:

* Automatic IPD adjustment

* Foveated rendering

* Analytics capability

* 200Hz precision

=== Modular Approach ===

Flexible configuration:

* No built-in audio

* No controllers included

* No base stations included

* User provides ecosystem

== Display Technology ==

=== Mini LED LCD Panels ===

* '''Resolution''': 2880 × 2720 per eye

* '''Total''': 5760 × 2720

* '''Technology''': Mini LED backlight with LCD

* '''Brightness''': 150 nits

Display advantages:

* Better contrast than standard LCD

* Local dimming zones

* Approaching OLED blacks

* Good HDR performance

=== Pixel Density ===

High clarity metrics:

* '''Peak''': 35 PPD

* '''Average''': ~30 PPD

* Sharp text readability

=== Refresh Rate ===

Standard VR timing:

* 90Hz fixed

* Low persistence

* Smooth motion

== Optical System ==

=== Custom Aspherical Lenses ===

High-quality optics:

* Custom-designed lenses

* Minimal distortion

* Edge-to-edge clarity

* Professional grade

=== Field of View ===

* '''Diagonal''': 115°

* '''Horizontal''': ~105°

* '''Vertical''': ~105°

* Competitive with consumer headsets

=== No God Rays ===

* Aspherical design benefits

* Minimal glare

* Clean high-contrast images

* Professional quality

== Eye Tracking ==

=== Built-In System ===

Integrated eye tracking:

* '''Frequency''': 200Hz

* '''Accuracy''': Sub-degree

* '''Technology''': IR-based

* Always available

=== Automatic IPD ===

Convenience feature:

* '''Range''': 57-73mm

* Automatically detected

* No manual adjustment needed

=== Foveated Rendering ===

Performance optimization:

* Eye-tracked foveated rendering

* Significant performance gains

* Full resolution in gaze area

* Reduced peripheral resolution

=== Applications ===

Eye tracking uses:

* Performance optimization

* Research and analytics

* Training assessment

== Tracking System ==

=== SteamVR Lighthouse ===

External tracking required:

* Room-scale support

=== Base Station Requirements ===

Additional purchase:

SteamVR ecosystem:

== Audio ==

=== No Built-In Speakers ===

Modular audio approach:

* 3.5mm jack in headband

* BYO headphones

* High-quality audio possible

* User choice

=== Recommended Solutions ===

* Over-ear headphones

* In-ear monitors

* Gaming headsets

* Professional audio equipment

== Physical Design ==

 

=== Premium Build ===

Professional construction:

* High-quality plastics

 

Counter-weighted comfort:

* Rear counter-weight

 

* Well-balanced

 

 

 

* DisplayPort 1.4

* USB-A 3.0

* Single cable from headset

 

High-end specifications:

* Eye-tracked foveated rendering helps

 

 

=== Varjo Base ===

Varjo software:

 

=== SteamVR Integration ===

* Steam library access

 

* One-time purchase

 

== Use Cases ==

 

=== Flight Simulation ===

Ideal application:

 

=== Racing Simulation ===

 

Enterprise-lite applications:

 

=== Prosumer Applications ===

* High-end gaming

 

== Pricing History ==

 

=== Launch Price ===

October 2021:

* Base stations/controllers separate

 

September 2023:

* Reduced to ~$990-$1,000

* End-of-life clearance

* Exceptional value at reduced price

 

=== Discontinuation ===

* Varjo XR-4 launched

 

== Comparison with Competitors ==

 

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| FOV || 115° || ~98° || Up to 170°

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== Strengths and Limitations ==

 

* Built-in eye tracking

 

* Discontinued product

 

 

=== Market Position ===

Proved prosumer viability:

 

=== Successor Development ===

Led to XR-4 improvements:

 

== Technical Specifications Summary ==

 

{| class="wikitable"

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| Display || Dual Mini LED LCD, 2880 × 2720 per eye

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== See Also ==

* [[Varjo XR-4]]

 

== References ==

{{Reflist}}