Varjo VR-3
| Varjo VR-3 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | Enterprise VR, PC VR |
| Platform | SteamVR, Varjo Base |
| Developer | Varjo |
| Manufacturer | Varjo |
| Release Date | December 1, 2020 |
| Price | $3,195 USD |
| Website | https://varjo.com/products/varjo-vr-3 |
| Predecessor | Varjo VR-2 |
| Successor | Varjo Aero |
| System | |
| Storage | |
| Display | |
| Display | Bionic Display (uOLED + LCD hybrid) |
| Resolution | Focus: 1920x1920 per eye (uOLED), Peripheral: 2880x2720 per eye (LCD) |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 115° |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Non-Fresnel (custom ultra-wide) |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | 59-71mm (automatic) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (SteamVR Lighthouse) |
| Eye Tracking | Yes (200 Hz, <1° accuracy) |
| Hand Tracking | Yes (Ultraleap Gemini) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | 3.5mm jack |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | DisplayPort 1.4, USB 3.0 |
| Device | |
| Weight | 40% lighter than VR-1 |
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The Varjo VR-3 is a professional virtual reality head-mounted display developed by Varjo, released on December 1, 2020 at $3,195. Launched alongside the Varjo XR-3, the VR-3 features Varjo's signature Bionic Display technology delivering human-eye resolution at 70 pixels per degree (PPD) in the focus area, industry-widest 115° field of view, 200 Hz eye tracking with sub-1° accuracy, Ultraleap Gemini hand tracking, and custom non-Fresnel lenses. The VR-3 represented a significant improvement over earlier Varjo models with 40% weight reduction, 33% wider FOV, and nearly 50% lower price.
History and Development
Varjo launched the VR-3 on December 1, 2020 as a VR-only counterpart to the mixed reality XR-3. The VR-3 continued Varjo's focus on enterprise and professional applications requiring the highest visual fidelity, including flight simulation, automotive design, and training. The launch price of $3,195 represented nearly 50% reduction from the VR-1, making professional-grade VR more accessible.[1]
Design and Hardware
Bionic Display
Dual-panel human-eye resolution system:
Focus Area
- Micro-OLED (uOLED) displays
- 1920x1920 resolution per eye
- 70 PPD (pixels per degree)—human-eye resolution
- 27° x 27° focus region
- Follows gaze via eye tracking
Peripheral Area
- LCD displays
- 2880x2720 resolution per eye
- 30+ PPD peripheral clarity
- Full 115° coverage
Field of View
- 115° FOV—widest in industry at launch
- 33% wider than earlier Varjo models (87°)
- Near-peripheral vision coverage
Optics
- Custom non-Fresnel lenses
- Ultra-wide design
- No god rays
- Crystal clear optics
- Edge-to-edge clarity
Eye Tracking
World-leading integrated system:
- 200 Hz tracking rate (2x previous generation)
- <1° accuracy—world-leading for integrated VR
- Enables foveated rendering
- Automatic IPD adjustment
- Gaze analytics
- Natural interaction
Hand Tracking
- Ultraleap Gemini (5th generation)
- First Gemini integration in VR headset
- High-fidelity hand and finger tracking
- Controller-free interaction
IPD Adjustment
- Automatic IPD (59-71mm range)
- Eye tracking-based calibration
- No manual adjustment needed
Build
Significantly improved ergonomics:
- 40% lighter than VR-1
- New materials and design
- Active cooling system
- Premium build quality
- 90 Hz refresh rate
Comparison with Varjo XR-3
| Feature | Varjo VR-3 | Varjo XR-3 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | VR only | Mixed Reality |
| Bionic Display | Yes | Yes |
| Eye Tracking | 200 Hz | 200 Hz |
| Passthrough | No | 12MP RGB cameras |
| LiDAR | No | Yes |
| Price | $3,195 | $5,495 |
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | Bionic (uOLED + LCD) |
| Focus Resolution | 1920x1920 per eye (uOLED) |
| Peripheral Resolution | 2880x2720 per eye (LCD) |
| PPD | 70 (focus) / 30+ (peripheral) |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| Field of View | 115° |
| Eye Tracking | 200 Hz, <1° accuracy |
| Hand Tracking | Ultraleap Gemini |
| IPD Range | 59-71mm (automatic) |
| Price | $3,195 |
Enterprise Applications
Flight Simulation
- Human-eye resolution for cockpit instruments
- Wide FOV for peripheral awareness
- Eye tracking for pilot training analytics
Automotive Design
- True-to-life vehicle visualization
- Design review and collaboration
- Interior/exterior assessment
Training and Simulation
- Military and defense training
- Medical simulation
- Industrial training
Research
- Eye tracking research
- Human factors studies
- Cognitive science
Reception
Praise:
- 70 PPD human-eye resolution in focus area
- 115° FOV widest at launch
- 200 Hz eye tracking industry-leading
- <1° eye tracking accuracy exceptional
- Non-Fresnel optics no god rays
- 40% lighter than predecessor
- Ultraleap Gemini hand tracking first
- Automatic IPD convenient
- $3,195 price (50% reduction from VR-1)
- Foveated rendering GPU optimization
Criticism:
- $3,195 still enterprise-priced
- No mixed reality/passthrough
- Requires powerful PC
- SteamVR Lighthouse tracking needed
- Tethered operation only
- 90 Hz (not 120 Hz)[2]
See Also
References
- ↑ "Varjo Launches XR-3 and VR-3". Varjo. https://varjo.com/news/varjo-launches-xr-3-and-vr-3-headsets-to-bring-the-next-generation-of-immersive-technology-to-every-workplace.
- ↑ "Varjo VR-3 and XR-3 VR Headsets Raise the Resolution Bar With Bionic Displays". Tom's Hardware. https://www.tomshardware.com/news/varjo-vr-3-and-xr-3-virtual-reality-headsets.
- ↑ "Varjo VR-3: High-Resolution VR Headset for Professionals and Enterprise". Knoxlabs. https://www.knoxlabs.com/products/varjo-vr-3.