NVIS nVisor SX60
The NVIS nVisor SX60 is a professional head-mounted display (HMD) for virtual reality applications, released in 2003 by NVIS Inc.[1][2][3]. Priced at $24,000 at launch, the device was designed for high-end military, industrial, and research applications, representing state-of-the-art technology for its time[4].
| NVIS nVisor SX60 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | PC-Powered VR |
| Platform | Windows, Linux |
| Developer | NVIS Inc. |
| Manufacturer | NVIS Inc. |
| Release Date | 2003 |
| Price | $24,000 |
| Website | https://www.nvisinc.com |
| Requires | PC/Workstation with dual-link DVI or VGA |
| Successor | nVisor SX111 |
| System | |
| Operating System | Windows, Linux |
| Storage | |
| Display | |
| Display | LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) |
| Subpixel Layout | None (sequential color) |
| Peak Brightness | 30 foot-lamberts |
| Resolution | 1280x1024 per eye (SXGA) |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 60° diagonal |
| Horizontal FoV | 44° |
| Vertical FoV | 35° |
| Foveated Rendering | No |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Custom engineered aspherical lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | 53-72 mm (manual adjustment) |
| Passthrough | No |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 3 DoF (6 DoF with optional external trackers) |
| Tracking Frequency | Up to 180 Hz (tracker-dependent) |
| Base Stations | No |
| Eye Tracking | Optional (Viewpoint Binocular/Monocular Eyetracker) |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Optional (with external trackers) |
| Update Rate | Up to 180 Hz (tracker-dependent) |
| Tracking Volume | Tracker-dependent |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Optional stereo headset with boom microphone |
| Microphone | Optional (with audio upgrade) |
| Camera | No |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | DVI, VGA, RS-232 |
| Ports | DVI, VGA, RS-232 |
| Wired Video | Yes |
| Wireless Video | No |
| WiFi | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Power | External (via PC connection) |
| Battery Capacity | N/A |
| Battery Life | N/A |
| Charge Time | N/A |
| Device | |
| Weight | 1000 g (headset only) |
| Headstrap | Adjustable head-fitting apparatus |
| Haptics | No |
| Sensors | External IMU (InertiaCube 2/2+/3) |
| Cable Length | 4.5 m |
Overview
The nVisor SX60 was positioned as a high-resolution professional VR headset, incorporating advanced microdisplay technology and custom optics. The "SX" designation stands for SXGA resolution, while "60" refers to the 60-degree diagonal field of view[5]. The headset promised a collimated optics design to minimize eye strain and deliver superior image quality for professional applications[6].
Technical Specifications
Display Technology
The nVisor SX60 utilized dual reflective LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) display panels[3]. LCOS' sequential-color drive eliminates sub-pixels, producing a continuous "film-like" image that avoids the screen-door effect[1]. The device featured:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Display type | Dual reflective LCOS |
| Resolution | 1280×1024 pixels per eye (SXGA standard) |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz (VESA SXGA) |
| Brightness | 30 foot-lamberts |
| Contrast ratio | 100:1 |
| Spatial resolution | 2 arc-minutes per pixel |
| Color | Full color microdisplays |
Optical System
The headset employed custom engineered aspherical lenses with the following specifications[3]:
- Exit pupil: 9 mm
- Eye relief: 23 mm (allowing use with prescription glasses)
- Geometric distortion: < 15%
- Focus/Convergence: Collimated at infinity
- Stereoscopic 3D capability
Field of View
The nVisor SX60 offered:
- Diagonal field of view: 60 degrees
- Horizontal field of view: 44 degrees
- Vertical field of view: 35 degrees
Physical Specifications
- Weight: 1000 g (headset only)
- Inter-pupillary distance (IPD) range: 53-72 mm (manual adjustment via slider)
- Cable length: 4.5 m tether
- Adjustable head-fitting apparatus for comfort and balance
Tracking Capabilities
The nVisor SX60 featured 3 degrees of freedom (3DoF) tracking as standard, with support for 6 degrees of freedom (6DoF) through external tracking systems[2]. The headset included mounting points (both internal and external) for various tracking solutions:
| Category | Supported Solutions | Tracking Type |
|---|---|---|
| Inertial tracking | InertiaCube 2, 2+, 3 | 3-DoF orientation |
| Optical tracking | InterSense IS-300, IS-900 | 6-DoF positional |
| Magnetic tracking | Ascension Flock of Birds, 3D-Bird | 6-DoF positional |
| Passive markers | ART "Tree Target SX60" | Custom retro-reflective frame |
| Eye tracking | Viewpoint Binocular/Monocular Eyetracker | Optional accessory |
Update rates could reach up to 180 Hz depending on the tracking system used[7].
Connectivity
The headset connected to PCs via[8]:
Video Control Unit
The nVisor SX60 was typically paired with an Advanced Video Control Unit that provided[9]:
- Plug-and-play support for analog and digital video inputs
- Stereo and monoscopic output modes
- Analog and digital monitor output repeater functionality
- Optional battery for portable use
Applications
Due to its collimated optics and high resolution, the nVisor SX60 was primarily used in:
- Military and Defense
- Flight simulation and training
- Target acquisition research
- Dangerous scenario training for U.S. Army and NATO partners[3]
- Medical and Healthcare
- Surgical simulation and planning
- Telepresence studies at major medical VR laboratories[6]
- Research and Academia
- University VR laboratories
- Human factors research
- Motion capture caves with large tracking volumes[7]
- Industrial Applications
- CAD visualization
- Engineering design review
- Industrial training simulations
Software Support
The headset was supported by various VR development platforms, including:
- Vizard VR toolkit - included a dedicated nvis module for proper stereo and projection settings[8]
- Custom military and industrial simulation software
- Consumer software demonstrations including *Half-Life 2*
Reception and Legacy
Academic reviewers praised the display clarity and image quality but noted the limited field of view compared to later consumer headsets[6]. A 2015 University of Wisconsin comparison found the SX60's 60 Hz refresh "serviceable" but inferior to modern 90-120 Hz systems[10].
At its release in 2003, the nVisor SX60 represented cutting-edge VR technology, offering features that remained unmatched in the consumer space for over a decade[1]. The $24,000 price tag kept it firmly in the professional market, but its influence on VR development was significant.
The nVisor SX60 was succeeded by the nVisor SX111, which offered an improved 111° diagonal field of view while maintaining the same resolution[11].
Company History
NVIS Inc. was a major player in the professional VR space throughout the 2000s and early 2010s, developing numerous products for military, industrial, and commercial organizations. The company specialized in high-performance HMD solutions when consumer VR was virtually non-existent. In 2017, NVIS was acquired by Kopin Corporation, a leader in wearable display technologies. All NVIS products and support are now handled through Kopin's Training & Simulation division[12][13].
See Also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Road to VR. "A Look at 4 Virtual Reality HMDs Before Oculus." Engadget, November 27, 2016. https://www.engadget.com/2016-11-27-road-to-vr-a-look-at-4-virtual-reality-hmds-before-oculus.html
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 VRcompare. "NVIS nVisor SX60: Full Specification." Retrieved 2025. https://vr-compare.com/headset/nvisnvisorsx60
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 NVIS Inc. "nVisor SX60 – Product Specifications" (PDF). SpectraTech. 2009. https://www.spectratech.gr/Web/NVIS/pdf/nVisor-SX60.pdf
- ↑ Reddit. "My rarest VR find so far! This is the nVisor SX60, which was sold for $24000 in 2003." February 10, 2022. https://www.reddit.com/r/virtualreality/comments/sp4cj4/my_rarest_vr_find_so_far_this_is_the_nvisor_sx60/
- ↑ TekGear. "nVisor SX by NVIS." Retrieved 2025. https://www.tekgear.com/nvisor-sx.html
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Conradi, J. & Alexander, T. "Display Devices for Virtual Environments." Eurographics EGVE 2008. pp. 103-106.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Advanced Realtime Tracking GmbH. "Technical Datasheet – Targets" (PDF), p. 2. 2021.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 WorldViz. "nVis HMDs Documentation." Retrieved 2025. https://docs.worldviz.com/vizard/latest/nVis_SX_HMD.htm
- ↑ EST Engineering Systems Technologies. "nVisor SX." Retrieved 2025. https://est-kl.com/manufacturer/nvis/nvisor-sx.html
- ↑ Technical Support Group. "Head-Mounted Displays – Comparison Table." TSG Doc Wiki. 2024.
- ↑ NDSU Center for Visual and Cognitive Neuroscience. "Facilities." Retrieved 2025. https://www.ndsu.edu/centers/cvcn/facilities.php
- ↑ NVIS/Kopin. "NVIS Products." December 19, 2023. https://www.nvisinc.com/
- ↑ MarketScreener. "Kopin Corporation acquired NVIS, Inc. for $5.7 million." August 7, 2017. https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/KOPIN-CORPORATION-9828/news/Kopin-Corporation-acquired-NVIS-Inc-for-5-7-million-35005174/