Nowadays, more and more 6 DoF VR headsets emerge in the market, which threatens the survival of 3 DoF VR headsets. Does it mean 3 DoF products will finish its historical mission and vanish from the market？The answer is absolutely no. Compared to 6 DoF VR headset, there are still many organizations, businesses, and facilities who are more likely to choose 3 DoF headset rather than the 6 DoF. Because 3 DoF VR headsets have their irreplaceable advantages.
Why choose 3DoF rather than 6 DoF?
Fist of all, the price tag. Obviously, 6 DoF is much more expensive than the 3 DoF. One of the reason is that the hardware and software with 6 DoF tracking is more complex than 3 DoF tracking. The process to track rotational movement is easier and less cost than tracking translational movement. From an business player’s investment vision, the more cost-effective, the better. If an application can be fulfilled by 3 DoF device, 3 DoF must come first. The price range of 3 DoF is between $199-$399, while the price of 6 DoF usually available at $399-599, some high-end one like HTC & rumored Apple are even over $1000.
Secondly, the time effeciency. The set up time of 3 DoF devices are less than 6 DoF devices. 6 DoF need to spend time to track, which need to spend some time. In some specific occasions, if the setup time is too long, it would affect the on-site training experience. If an activity need 20 VR headset, and each device need 5 minutes to set up, it will take 100 minutes to prepare. Therefore, this is the big disadvantage of 6 DoF headsets for commercial use. One the mean while, the 3 DoF headset need no setting, just put on and start enjoying.
Thirdly, the space requirement. 3 DoF VR can get the most out of it even in a small space. In educational field, there are many students in the same classroom, if all the students want to enjoy a 6 DoF experience, the space need be very large to be safe. However, 3 Dof device can solve the problem perfectly, students only need to rotate around their seats, instead of the move forward or backward, to enjoy the whole course. it can reduce interactive collisions. In this way, the safety of students are ensured, and the teachers can focus on the contents, not the safety.