Vive Cosmos Elite

Where does Vive’s latest headset stand in the VR world?

HTC HAS BEEN AT the forefront of the “newera” VR race since 2016, when it originally launched its first headset, the Vive. Since then, alongside the likes of Oculus, HP, and more, it has been constantly evolving its systems to improve the overall virtual experience. The Cosmos Elite is the result of more than five years of development time, and is the company’s top game-focused headset, designed to deliver ultimate precision for elite VR gamers with SteamVR tracking support. Is this the case, though? Does it finally provide a seamless immersive experience? After all, that’s the goal for virtual reality.

Setting up VR can be a pain—cables, sensors, making sure you have enough room, and so on. There’s no change with the Cosmos Elite. Luckily, the numbered box design makes it easy to locate items, with the steps printed on a handy diagram. In the box, you get the headset, two controllers, two base stations, and all the cables needed to get them to work together. The whole setup, including PC and monitor, requires at least five outlets, so you might need to order another extension cord. The base stations (sensors) go on either side of the room, facing each other. The controllers are wireless, and pairing them to the headset is straightforward, but overall, setup can be lengthy, generally taking 30–60 minutes. Getting the headset fitted correctly and mapping out your play area is essential for the best experience.