DecaGear

DecaGear
Basic Info
VR/AR	Virtual Reality
Type	Head-mounted display
Subtype	PC VR
Platform	SteamVR
Creator	Deca (Megadodo Simulation Games)
Developer	Deca
Manufacturer	Deca
Announcement Date	November 2020
Release Date	Cancelled (never released)
Price	$449 (announced)
Website	https://www.deca.net/ (project cancelled)
Versions	DecaGear 1
Requires	VR-ready PC (SteamVR compatible)
Predecessor	None
Successor	None (cancelled)
System
Operating System	Windows (SteamVR)
Chipset	Host PC dependent
CPU	Host PC dependent
GPU	Host PC dependent
Storage
Storage	Host PC dependent
Memory	Host PC dependent
SD Card Slot	No
Display
Display	Dual LCD
Subpixel Layout	RGB stripe
Peak Brightness	Not specified
Resolution	2160 × 2160 per eye (4.6MP)
Pixel Density	1058 PPI
Refresh Rate	90Hz
Persistence	Low persistence
Image
Field of View	114°
Horizontal FoV	~114°
Vertical FoV	~114°
Average Pixel Density	~19 PPD
Peak Pixel Density	~19 PPD
Foveated Rendering	No (planned eye tracking option)
Optics
Optics	Fresnel lenses
Ocularity	Binocular
IPD Range	Adjustable
Adjustable Diopter	No
Passthrough	No
Tracking
Tracking	6DoF (inside-out, 4 cameras)
Tracking Frequency	Not specified
Base Stations	None required (inside-out)
Eye Tracking	Partial (upper face only, FaceFlow)
Face Tracking	Yes (FaceFlow, 52 blendshapes)
Hand Tracking	No (controller-based)
Body Tracking	Yes (DecaMove hip tracker addon)
Rotational Tracking	Yes
Positional Tracking	Yes
Update Rate	90Hz
Tracking Volume	225° controller tracking
Play Space	Roomscale
Latency	<20ms (announced)
Audio
Audio	Integrated speakers
Microphone	Yes
3.5mm Audio Jack	Yes
Camera	4 outward-facing tracking cameras + 2 IR face tracking cameras
Connectivity
Connectivity	USB-C (optional wireless DecaAir addon)
Ports	USB-C
Wired Video	Yes
Wireless Video	Planned (DecaAir $49 addon)
WiFi	Via DecaAir addon
Bluetooth	Not specified
Power	PC-powered (tethered)
Battery Capacity	N/A (tethered)
Battery Life	N/A (tethered)
Charge Time	N/A
Device
Dimensions	Not specified
Weight	~500g (estimated)
Material	Plastic
Headstrap	Included with adjustable straps
Haptics	Controllers only
Color	Black/White
Sensors	IMU, 4 tracking cameras, 2 IR face cameras
Input	6DoF controllers with finger sensing, DecaMove hip tracker
Compliance	Planned FCC, CE

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The DecaGear (also known as DecaGear 1) was a cancelled PC VR head-mounted display announced by Singapore-based company Deca (part of Megadodo Simulation Games) in November 2020, with a planned price of $449 and an originally announced Q2 2021 release that was subsequently delayed to Q4 2021 before the project was ultimately cancelled. The DecaGear generated significant excitement in the VR community with its ambitious specifications at an aggressive price point: 2160 × 2160 resolution per eye (matching the HP Reverb G2), 114° field of view, 90Hz refresh rate, inside-out 6DoF tracking with four cameras providing 225° controller tracking volume, and integrated face tracking technology called "FaceFlow" using two infrared cameras to track 52 FACS-standard facial blendshapes. Additional planned accessories included the DecaMove hip tracker for body-facing locomotion and the DecaAir $49 wireless adapter. Valve confirmed the headset's legitimacy as a SteamVR-compatible device, but despite initial pre-orders and development progress, the project was never completed and no units shipped to consumers.

Note: The DecaGear project was cancelled and no units were ever commercially released. This article documents the announced specifications of the unreleased product.

History and Development

Deca/Megadodo Background

Company origins:

Singapore-based company
Megadodo Simulation Games parent
VR hardware ambition
Software development experience

November 2020 Announcement

Initial reveal:

Ambitious specifications
$449 price point
Community excitement
Pre-orders opened

Valve Confirmation

Legitimacy validation:

Valve confirmed SteamVR compatibility
Developer support
Industry acknowledgment
Increased credibility

Development Delays

Timeline issues:

Original: Q2 2021 shipping
Delayed to: Q4 2021
Further postponements
Eventually cancelled

Project Cancellation

End of DecaGear:

Development halted
No units shipped
Company pivot
Project abandoned

Announced Design Philosophy

Premium Specs, Competitive Price

Value proposition:

Reverb G2-class resolution
Wide 114° FOV
Advanced face tracking
$449 price point

Face Tracking Innovation

FaceFlow system:

52 facial blendshapes
FACS-based tracking
Social VR focus
Expression capture

Ecosystem Approach

Modular accessories:

DecaMove hip tracker
DecaAir wireless addon
Controller innovation
Platform building

Component Cost Control

Manufacturing approach:

~$200 component cost claimed
Sustainable pricing
Scale economics
Profit margin claimed

Display Technology (Announced)

High-Resolution LCD

Visual specifications:

Resolution: 2160 × 2160 per eye
Per eye: 4.6 megapixels
PPI: 1058 pixels per inch
Class-leading clarity

Refresh Rate

Performance:

Refresh: 90Hz
Low persistence
Smooth motion
Standard VR rate

Field of View

Wide immersion:

FOV: 114°
Wider than Quest 2
Enhanced peripheral
Immersive experience

Visual Quality

Planned characteristics:

High pixel density
Minimal screen door
Clear visuals
Reverb G2 comparable

Tracking System (Announced)

Inside-Out Tracking

Self-contained:

Cameras: 4 outward-facing
Tracking: 6DoF headset
No base stations
Sub-millimeter accuracy claimed

Controller Tracking

Wide coverage:

Volume: 225° tracking
Full hand range
Low occlusion
Reliable detection

6DoF Controllers

Input devices:

Thumbstick
Two action buttons
Menu button
Tracking ring

Finger Sensing

Valve Index-inspired:

Grip detection sensors
Adjustable straps
Open-hand gestures
Let-go capability

Face Tracking (FaceFlow)

Infrared Camera System

Inside-out face tracking:

Cameras: 2 global-shutter IR cameras
Inside visor position
Upper face focused
Expression detection

52 Blendshapes

FACS-based tracking:

Facial Action Coding System
Industry standard
Full expression range
Social VR ready

Tracked Features

Upper face coverage:

Pupil tracking
Eyelid movement
Eyebrow motion
Forehead expressions
Upper nose

Social VR Application

Expression use cases:

Avatar animation
Social presence
Communication enhancement
VRChat compatibility

DecaMove Hip Tracker

Body Orientation Tracking

Included accessory:

Hip-mounted tracker
Body facing detection
Locomotion enhancement
Separate product also

Locomotion Improvement

Movement enhancement:

Move in body-facing direction
Natural locomotion
Decoupled head/body
Immersion increase

Social VR Enhancement

Avatar improvement:

Body orientation
Natural posture
Better presence
Expression complement

DecaAir Wireless Addon

Wireless Option

Planned accessory:

Price: $49 addon
Wireless PC streaming
Untethered VR
Low latency goal

Wireless Capability

Freedom of movement:

Cable-free operation
Room-scale wireless
Competitive pricing
Optional upgrade

Physical Design (Planned)

Construction

Build approach:

Durable plastic
Lightweight target
Ergonomic design
Comfort focused

Weight

Wearability:

~500g estimated
Balanced design
Extended sessions
Competitive weight

Headstrap

Comfort system:

Adjustable design
Multiple contact points
Weight distribution
Secure fit

Announced Pricing

Base Headset

Core package:

Price: $449
Headset with controllers
FaceFlow included
DecaMove included

Accessories

Optional addons:

DecaAir: $49 (wireless)
Additional controllers possible
Accessory ecosystem
Modular approach

Value Comparison

Market positioning:

Less than Quest 2 (at time)
Significantly less than Index
Reverb G2 comparable specs
Aggressive pricing

Why It Failed

Development Challenges

Technical issues:

Hardware complexity
Manufacturing scaling
Supply chain difficulties
Timeline slippage

Market Competition

Competitive pressure:

Quest 2 dominance
Established players
Consumer expectations
Trust challenges

Company Resources

Startup limitations:

Limited funding
Small team
Hardware complexity
Manufacturing challenges

Unfulfilled Promise

End result:

No units shipped
Pre-orders unfulfilled
Project abandoned
Community disappointment

Comparison with Contemporary Headsets

Feature	DecaGear (announced)	Meta Quest 2	HP Reverb G2
Price	$449	$299-399	$599
Resolution	2160×2160/eye	1832×1920/eye	2160×2160/eye
FOV	114°	89°	114°
Face Tracking	Yes (52 blendshapes)	No	No
Hip Tracker	Included	No	No
Wireless	$49 addon	Native	No
Status	Cancelled	Released	Released

Strengths (Announced) and Limitations

Announced Strengths

Reverb G2-class resolution (2160×2160)
114° wide FOV
Face tracking with 52 blendshapes
DecaMove hip tracker included
$49 wireless addon option
225° controller tracking volume
$449 competitive price

Limitations/Reality

Never released (cancelled project)
No units ever shipped
Pre-orders unfulfilled
Company unable to deliver
Ambitious specs never proven
Startup hardware challenges
Too good to be true pricing

Technical Specifications Summary (Announced)

Specification	Details (Announced)
Display	LCD, 2160 × 2160 per eye
PPI	1058 pixels per inch
Refresh Rate	90Hz
FOV	114°
Tracking	6DoF inside-out (4 cameras)
Face Tracking	FaceFlow (52 blendshapes)
Controllers	6DoF with finger sensing
Hip Tracker	DecaMove included
Wireless	DecaAir addon ($49)
Price	$449 (announced)
Status	Cancelled (never released)

References