Meta Quest 3S - A Sim Racers Review 😎

[@KarlGosling]

Apologies for the me waving my Q3 around and taking focus away from my face throughout the video! 🤦‍♂

[@theVRpilot]

Not a problem! Message is well received! I use the Sony ZVE10 and it does a great job at keeping the focus on your eye, and only loses focus if your eye is covered, so its great for intentionally showing off a product. I have it paired with a Sigma 16mm F1.4 lens. Maybe your camera has a similar setting or you can lock the autofocus. Great content regardless!

[@Eklund1984]

I bought a Q3s for sim racing to replace my Rift S. I have 12600k and 4070 so i was between the q3 and q3s but decided to go with the quest 3s in the end cause it has a lower resolution so my PC can run the games without having to set the graphiics to medium or so. Coming from the Rift S it is still a huge update. With my PC you could go for either and be happy with either, i think. I set the ss to 1.1 and everything is playing a smooth 90 FPS

[@michaelkenny4124]

The VR market has started to become quite saturated with headsets so these types of videos are appreciated, cheers mate

[@KarlGosling]

I agree it has, most of which will not take off I'm sure.

[@jackr.749]

I'm not planning on getting a Quest 3S, I do have a Quest 2, Pico 4 and Quest 3. The Q2 and Pico 4 both use Gen 1 of the XR2 chip, both of these headsets when used for PCVR have a LOT of visual compression (at least to my eyes), my guess is the Gen 1 chip can't decode the video signal as fast as it would need to. When I first tried the Quest 3, other than the exquisite optics, first thing I noticed is much lesser visual compression, and if using a Link Cable and changing bitrate setting using Oculus Debug tool to 900 to 960, it gets to the point where you have to look for the compression (Using AC as a test bed), it's still there but nowhere as bad as it was on the Q2 and Pico 4. On the two older HMDs, the compression was very noticeable (XR2 Gen2 decodes a lot faster). I do also have a G2, I'd say visually, the Quest 3 is very close to the G2 but with much better optics, bigger FOV, huge sweet spot and edge to edge clarity, etc. The G2 will be just a bit clearer due to no compression but not by much. Personally, I think anyone buying a Quest 3S will in a couple months have buyer's remorse that they didn't spend the extra money and get the REAL Quest 3, just for the optics and dual panels with real IPD adjustments.

[@KarlGosling]

Great comment mate, thanks for sharing your experiences with the different headsets!

[@toututu2993]

Why buy a standalone VR headset just for pcvr? It's completely a waste of money when it is best played standalone which Meta Quest is best for

[@linzkirk]

@@toututu2993 Quest 3 is actually one of the best choices for PCVR, due to its low price and pancake lenses, Nothing else in that price range has that visual clarity. Any other PCVR only headset with pancake is double the price, the nearest is probably the big screen beyond at over $1000. Which needs external tracking. The quest 3 will also do wireless PCVR. And you get the bonus of standalone. Its actually very far from a waste of money being half the price. A lot of it due to meta subsidising their headsets. Also according to steam hardware survey the most used PCVR headset is the Quest 2 & 3 at 52%. Next is index at 15%

[@jackr.749]

@@toututu2993 The unfortunate truth is there are not many real PCVR headsets on the market right now and the ones that are available are pretty expensive, the cheapest being the Pimax Crystal Light. The Reverb G2 is no longer made. The DPVR one isn't worth buying. Oculus (Meta) have decided to go stand alone only, oh how I wish there was a "Rift" version of the Quest 3, I'd buy it in a heart beat. This is why people are buying these Quest headsets for only PCVR, there isn't much affordable choice. 😟

[@SethTaylor1]

What would be a better visual experience for the same money?​@@toututu2993

[@Chill_Mode_JD]

Learned a lot about vr in general thanks Karl keep up the excellent work homie

[@KarlGosling]

Thanks mate appreciated!

[@memerogers2638]

Psvr2 when on sale is the best value.

[@jss4837]

Don't forget Quest 3s has significantly better binocular overlap than the Quest 3 does (should be same as Quest 2). This could make sim racing feel more immersive and have a better feeling of depth. I'll be getting a Q3s soon so I can compare it with my Q3 (which I was quite disappointed with due to the poor overlap).

[@KarlGosling]

This is another positive yes!

[@H.Pierre0]

so what is our conclusion ?

[@mrburns366]

I'll never buy another to hmd with fresnel lenses.

[@Jan-1337]

Amen

[@loudoesreviews]

I'll never buy another HMD with LCD panels.

[@toututu2993]

I love my Quest 2 for casual standalone fun but I want a cheap PCVR pancake lenses headset around $300 to $550 for highly pc desktop power, sim, and complex stuff like monitor replacement

[@linzkirk]

@@toututu2993 The quest 3 is probably that. I was amazed how sharp it is. But I wouldn't say monitor replacement. Its kind of sharp enough but wearing a VR headset it quite fatiguing over long sessions, it gets hot and uncomfortable after an hour or so. even with a good strap

[@justinhealy8061]

with sim racing games that don't have "vr support" could you just use it to have a a floating flat display in front of you instead of a irl screen?

[@linzkirk]

Yes you can, but it will lack 3D depth perception as its not a true stereo image.

[@R83TV]

Still have my Quest 2. But lately it's only been connection issue upon connections issue when trying to play PCVR. It's been a pain. I might look at another option when come upgrade time.

[@KarlGosling]

Oh, I wonder what that problem is?!

[@AlgerianFoxFoot]

Thx for the Vid Karl 👍 Crazy how the Reverb G2 still being respected by sim racers even all ! I have one and i hope that i'm going to use it for long time expecting that a solution will rise soon to keep it alive 😉

[@KarlGosling]

For a wired headset it's still decent for sure!

[@MattAnonymous]

How does it do with fogging up while sim racing for a long time?

[@KarlGosling]

Same as any VR headset mate, once you and the HMD reach an equilibrium there is no fogging.

[@MrLordbeavis]

There have been some major advancements in pass-through technology and software to bring your actual rig into the game or at least the controllers you're using and you still see your hands making it massively more immersive but it's not plug and play you do have to fiddle with stuff

[@grahamkelly8662]

Hello Karl. I’ve not stopped by in a while and just thought I’d say hello. How’s your parents doing? I remember a good while ago, watching a video where you explained the situation. I hope they are good and well and I remember you saying you had messed up back, maybe I’m mixed up with someone else but If I’m right, I hope it’s gotten much better. 👍

[@KarlGosling]

Hello Graham good to hear from you! My dad is not doing great, he's very close to end of life but my mum is much better than she was as is my back so some things are on the up! Really appreciate your thoughts mate!

[@grahamkelly8662]

@@KarlGosling I’m really glad to hear your back is much better and it’s great to hear your mum is on the mend and of course, I’m really sorry about your Dad. I hope you have some special time with Dad while he’s still here, if you have good relationship with him and I’ll be thinking of you, mate. I just see ya video notification , earlier and just thought popped in my head, I wonder how Karl’s mum and dad are doing , so thought I’d drop you a message. Anyways, keep ya chin up, mate 👍 All the best. Ps, I must stop by your channel, more often. To be honest, I hardly do sim racing anymore due to it giving me horrible back pain but I’m still in market to possibly upgrade my g29 sometime . Sim racing is deff best gaming experience I’ve ever had but due to my slight disability, the back pain gets out of control lol 😝

[@linzkirk]

The one big thing for me with Quest 3s is no headphone jack. Personally I always race with headphones, in ear so they don't move around. Having no headphone jack is actually a downgrade from quest 2. Yes you can probably use a break out cable from USBc, but then I cant use a Link cable, which is also a must for sim racing.

[@VulgrDisplay]

Just run a 3.5mm cord from your PC to your headset

[@maxsim_racing]

bt earbuds?

[@linzkirk]

@@maxsim_racing BT = latency issues. Hard wired is much better, and no risk of batteries running out mid iRacing race.

[@maxsim_racing]

@@linzkirk fare. straight to pc option?

[@linzkirk]

@@VulgrDisplay That probably is the best option. I use quest 3 with earbuds ive modified to exact cable length, meaning just one cable to my headset for sim racing. 2 cables is more faff. But at the price of this headset its not a bad option. I wonder if you will be able to get a usb c breakout cable that has a 3.5 phones out and a USBC in allowing to to do both.

[@SjaakSchulteis]

Karl, have you considered the Pico 4 Ultra? I own that headset, and with its better Wi-Fi receiver, faster chipset, and excellent design, I’d say it might be better for sim racing than the Quest 3. To make the Quest 3 comfortable, you need to buy a new head strap, which also adds weight. The same applies to the Quest 3s. The Pico 4 Ultra, like the Pico 4, has a balanced weight distribution, as you mentioned. I don't play sim racing games, but I do play flat-screen games with an Xbox controller, and the headset still feels comfortable, even after two hours of use. I also own the Quest 3, but that one starts pressing on my face after a short time.

[@KarlGosling]

I have but I don't have a lot of faith in long term support (games, software, etc) so hard to recommend versus a Meta backed platform... I really liked my Pico 4 as I mentioned and used that over my Q2 (sold it on).

[@SjaakSchulteis]

@@KarlGosling In a way you are right. But.... I have the f feeling that people tend to think that if a company is not constantly pushing boundaries, like Meta does, they are not trustworthy. The software on the Pico works. My PCVR experience is good. There are constantly new games added to their library. But it seems that some KZbinrs like to ignore that. Arizona Sunshine remake is available for both Pico's, but nobody mentions it. Personally I don't care very much for games on my headset. I only play PCVR. But anyway I agree if people recommend the Quests.. It is what it is.

[@ricepony33]

PSVR 2 used is a great value at least here in the USA. GT7 is worth it alone if you have a PS5 and it works great on PC. Sold my quest 3, no regrets.

[@linzkirk]

Im a massive PSVR2 and GT7 fan. This headset has attracted so much hate for no good reason. Is it not dead yet, thanks IGN😀. Playing GT7 in VR for the 1st time was a ground breaking VR moment for me, almost like HL alyx level. Got me in to sim racing and in the space of 18 months i'm now on my second rig and 3rd wheel & load cell breaks as I keep upgrading. But I still have my quest 3 I use for iRacing.

[@TheBigb1973]

Vr racing beats a sim rig any day. Total immersion.

[@linzkirk]

VR racing in a sim rig is total immersion, especially with motion or butt kickers. For me VR beats Triple screen, just for depth perception alone. But I think thats what you are saying.

[@KarlGosling]

For some yes, but there's drawbacks to both (if you mean triples rather than "sim rig")

[@TheBigb1973]

Yes, I meant triple screens. The only benefit I see is the ability to see your hands, I guess. But once you’re immersed in VR in-game, hands seem like your own.

[@josephlauer8980]

hey Karl, when you gonna get your hands on the new thrustmaster wheel? also great review as always

[@KarlGosling]

I'll look into it mate, I don't have anything from TM right now so would need to buy it all in.

[@toututu2993]

Standalone vr is highly underrated. It is extremely fun playing directly from the headset which what makes Meta Quest special. Easy to start than console gaming

[@KarlGosling]

I wouldn't say underrated as thats the only thing thats keeping mainstream VR going right now.

[@RedlineRossi]

Just sold my PSVR 2 for the Quest 3 and I'm blown away by how great the pancake lenses are. I just couldn't deal with the VR 2's small sweetspot for clarity.

[@joemojoVR]

But you have now sacrificed the brilliant blacks and colours of the psvr2, yes thequest 3 is great and has lovely lenses but having clear lenses only shows off the lack of contrast , black level and muted colours. Quest 3 for standalone and movies , psvr2 for ps5 vr and pcvr

[@RedlineRossi]

@@joemojoVR Personally, I have not sacrificed a thing. Yes the blacks were nice, and the colours were vibrant. VR2 just didn't work for me optics wise, this one does.

[@joemojoVR]

@@RedlineRossi fair enough , I have both and had an index , ho reverb also . All vr is good , the more success the better . Enjoy your Q3 . Godbless mate

[@RedlineRossi]

@@joemojoVR Thanks mate. You too.

[@Theo6ixx]

Couple things to correct. Quest 3S does have sensors that detect when you take it off. Quest 3S IR tracking is really good, I play in front of 3 ultra-wide monitors, sometimes I turn the monitors off and I drive in total darkness. Quest 3S resolution difference is very negligible, real feel while wearing it feels like - 5degrees FOV. The only real difference is the lenses, for people with glasses the Quest 3 is great. I wouldn’t get a Quest 2 over a Quest 3S unless you get it for sub $100 second hand. The controllers on the quest 2 aren’t good compared to a 3S and those ring are a breakpoint . If you don’t have anything at all get a second hand Quest 3, or a 128GB 3S. The Quest 2 just isn’t as good when you actually test them side by side. You should only get a Quest 2 if you find one on marketplace for $80 and it’s a couple miles away😅. Besides for a second hand Quest 2 people are selling for $100-150 and it’s just better to get the 3S if you’re facing that in your area as well.

[@KarlGosling]

There's nothing to correct mate. The review units sent out do not have a proximity sensor and neither did the retail unit I have now tested. I didn't say the IR was not good, quite the opposite! The resolution difference is not negligible and 5 degrees is a lot. Your sharing your opinion which is fine, but it's not a correction and does not make mine or anyone elses incorrect.

[@dathyr1]

Well thanks for the review. but I have been an Oculus VR user from day one of getting my first VR headset. I now own the Quest 3 and before there was even an indication a 3S version was going to be made. I will stay with the Quest 3 for quite a while now. My previous VR headset I liked was the Rift S which I still have and enjoyed. I am more interested in seeing what the specs are going to be for this Quest 4 possibly coming out in 2026 or sooner. The Quest 3S is for people just getting into VR and want the cheapest price. To me the 3S is just a glorified Quest 2 with faster processor and bigger battery. Thanks for the video.

[@KarlGosling]

I agree mate, I wouldn't expect many Q2/3 owners to buy one, although some will of course.

[@TomLehockySVK]

I just want a VR headset that uses the proper display port again. At the moment with Q3 i just use Virtual Desktop and plugged with an aftermarket cable into the charger to have infinite battery but the small latency and obvious compression artifacts even at 320 bitrate is still annoying.

[@KarlGosling]

Yeah there's nothing thats just perfect right now IMO, always a compromise!

[@RADERFPV]

With it having the same processor or SoC as they say as the 3, but with a lower resolution, I would think the raw performance of the 3s would be better than the 3. I wonder if my 1660 super could push the 3s? Nah, I doubt it. Glad I could have this talk with myelf :)

[@KarlGosling]

Yeah when used as a PCVR headset the SoC does nothing except decode the video stream and tracking.

[@RADERFPV]

@@KarlGosling Oh, that makes total sense, thanks Karl. I'm dying to give VR a go, but a system upgrade is in order first.

[@Mystic_Chizu]

I've been playing assetto corsa on a used 2070. though pretty much have to lock fps to 45 and use reprojection. Not totally ideal, but I can't go back to flat screen anymore haha.

[@chrisr236]

Q3 is night and day compared to Q2. I got a great deal on ebay

[@Shalashaska111]

Quest 3 can be had refurbished from Meta or Amazon for £359. By far the best choice.

[@KarlGosling]

Yes a great option!

[@warrenturok3835]

Went with the 3s , we are probably only a year and a half from quest 4 witch will probably blow the 3 and 3s away . Also even with the higher end 3 your still getting the same charecter models , lighting and textures as the 3s which is about ps3 quality .

[@OfficialJoeyTV]

Wheres the t598 review

[@KarlGosling]

They are currently out of stock and I have no contacts at TM so have to buy one in like anyone else mate.

[@toututu2993]

Sim vr user = pcvr user due to physical equipments connection. Quest 3s = Quest 2 with same worse compressed connection to pc

[@linzkirk]

I noticed much less compression in my Quest 3 that my previous quest 2, must be to do with the new XR2 gen 2 chipset. Also the standard settings are terrible. But a few small changes in the Oculus app and ODT get it to the point that I cant notice compression. So I would imagine Quest3 S would be the same, so that may be one advantage over quest 2. But have to wait and see.

[@tmoshamo]

Now if they would just come out with a quest 3s lite...no stand alone stuff and a displayport connection....for 199.99

[@linzkirk]

They will never do that. If it's not stand alone then it's not a quest, its a rift, and they had their reasons to stop rift. Meta want to go full standalone and move away from PCVR. In fact meta have never really made a PCVR only headset, Oculus made the rift, the rift S was actually made with Lenovo freeing Meta up to develop the quest 1. As to display port once you get setting right in ODT the compression is really not visible, I was really looking forward to the PC adaptor for PSVR2 just to have a modern headset without compression. But I really didn't notice much difference and went back to quest 3

[@toututu2993]

$200 for the most complex device that sell at a loss and no platform to sell you an apps?? Are you out of your mind or you don't have any idea how VR/AR works???? Might as well ask them for a free headset and an Iphone 18 Ultra

[@linzkirk]

@@toututu2993 That is True, every meta headset sells at a loss, I don't think the apps even make the loss up especially as meta are loosing around $10 billion a year on VR. They want to have full market control and pull people in to their eco system, I wonder what Zuckerbergs end game is. IOI ready player one style?

[@asecret5961]

I like the video, but its bit scummy/ misleading to call this a review when you havent had one. Its more of an opinion/discussion.

[@KarlGosling]

It's neither scummy nor misleading and the title very clearly says "sort of" immediately followed by me explaining my position.

[@chrisparry4461]

Fancy releasing the quest 3 and it still not recognising your C drive, and having to go through creating a new virtual drive just to load the pc software. No thanks

[@KarlGosling]

A Quest 3 has nothing to do with the C: drive on your PC, I'm not sure what you are trying to do with it mate?! lol