Latest news with #KiwiDesign
Stuff.tv
8 hours ago
- Stuff.tv
This VR upgrade addresses my three biggest issues with the Quest 3S
As big a fan I am of the Quest 3 and Quest 3S, there are a few things Meta's virtual reality headsets just can't seem to nail from the factory. Neither model is especially comfortable to wear for long play sessions, battery life isn't all that great, and you've got to supply your own headphones. Three irks Kiwi Design has seemingly solved in one swoop with the $160/£140 K4 Duo. The clue's in the name, really. This 'Audio head strap with battery' swaps the basic fabric headband for a much more substantial version complete with fixed arms, flip-down on ear headphones, and enough extra juice to extend your play time by an hour or two. Having previously been impressed by the firm's H4 Boost Halo battery strap, I was keen to see if this could go one better. Installation is as easy as undoing the Quest 3 or 3S' loop-and-band headband and popping the plastic side plates off, then then reversing the process with the Kiwi Design upgrade. The fit was millimetre perfect on my pre-release unit and the shade of white was a perfect match to my Quest 3S. Then you just plug the stubby USB-C cable in on the left side to connect the headset and battery pack. It uses the same strap style as the official Quest 3 one, rather than the H4's halo-style design that keeps much of the headset's weight (all 459g of it) off of your face. There's a thick pleather cushion at the rear, though, and placing the battery at the back acts as a counterweight to more evenly distribute weight. A dial then tightens or loosens the arms for a secure fit. I've been sold on halo-style headsets since trying the Sony PS VR 2, but have to say the Quest/Kiwi combo was still very comfortable to wear. Even after two hours of Batman: Arkham Shadow, my face and neck weren't sore or stiff. The extra padding on the central head strap helps. The integrated headphones are the reason to pick up a K4 Duo. I'd been using Soundcore VR P10 true wireless earphones, which have a passthrough USB-C dongle to connect to the Quest, but the stem-style design didn't have the greatest fit, and the case was another thing I had to remember to keep charged between play sessions. With this headband, I just flip down the hinges and I'm good to go. There's loads of adjustment, with enough height, tilt and swivel to get a comfy fit. The foam earpiece covers are pretty thick, and I didn't notice an uncomfortable amount of pressure from the hinges. Importantly for anyone that has to share a room with you, sound leakage is at an absolute minimum when volume is under 60%. Your audio will escape if you crank it higher, but nowhere near to the level of the Quest's built-in speakers. I like that there's a switch on the side to swap between earphones speakers, to save you from having to pull the USB cable. Audio is on the money for a pair of on-ear headphones, with reasonably impactful bass to give Arizona Sunshine 2's explosions and gunshots some oomph. Vocals and treble are clear for video content, too. My ears did get a little toasty on account of the foam, but not to a point I felt like taking a break. As far as I can tell, Kiwi Design has stuck with the same battery setup as the H4 and K4. It could extend my play time by about two hours, depending on whether I was playing demanding games or using a lot of mixed reality. The headphones don't really affect battery drain to any noticeable degree. The USB-C port at the rear can accept 45W refuelling, and supplies 25W to the Quest. Recharging both takes around two and a half hours. If it weren't for the subtle Kiwi Design logos on the central headband and rear cushion, I could easily picture the K4 Duo as an official Meta accessory. It's amazing Meta doesn't actually sell one, leaving you to either play with the built-in speakers or buy your own headphones. The more comfortable fit and extended battery life are the icing on the cake. VR converts wanting to upgrade don't need to have a ton of cash saved up, either. The K4 Duo will set you back $160 on Amazon, with a $20 coupon applicable at checkout, or £140 (with a similar 15% extra discount coupon). You can also buy direct from the Kiwi Design website. If you're already invested in Quest 3 gaming, this is a really worthwhile upgrade. Stuff Says… Far more comfortable than the stock headband, with a usefully longer battery life and practical built-in headphones. The Kiwi Design K4 Duo might be the most comprehensive upgrade Quest 3 and Quest 3S owners can make. Pros Built-in headphones are super convenient Battery boost great for long play sessions Cons Padded earphone cushions can leave your ears toasty No halo-style headband version – yet
Tom's Guide
6 days ago
- Tom's Guide
This single VR upgrade makes the Meta Quest 3 better — and it's at its lowest price in early Prime Day deal
We're already seeing some of the best early Prime Day deals in the lead-up to the big event, and thankfully, that also includes my favorite VR accessory that gives my Meta Quest 3 a massive upgrade in comfort and battery life. Anyone who owns a Quest 3 or Quest 3S will know the pain of being thrown out of their VR session when the headset's short, 2-hour battery life goes kaput. And the included headstrap isn't exactly comfortable for those longer gametimes. An upgrade is essential, and Kiwi Design has just the head strap on sale. The Kiwi Design H4 Boost Halo Battery Head Strap is down to its lowest price yet on Amazon, taking it down from $99 on the company's site to $67. For those looking to extend their VR gaming sessions to up to 5 hours in superior comfort on their Quest 3, Quest 3S and even the upcoming Quest 3S Xbox Edition, this is the VR accessory for you. The Kiwi Design H4 Boost Halo Battery Strap is the VR essential the Quest 3 and Quest 3S deserve, and I now can't imagine playing without it. With its silicone pads offering improved, secure comfort and its 5,300 mAh capacity offering nearly 3 hours of additional battery life, it's an easy upgrade to get. Now that it's $30 off compared to its original price, this is a valuable VR accessory to give your headset a much-needed boost. I've spent a lot of time using the Kiwi Design H4 Boost Halo Battery Strap, and it made me realize that Meta's VR headsets require some add-ons to make the most of them. With this head strap, I now use my Quest 3 far more than I usually would have, and that's because it solves two major problems: battery life and comfort during longer sessions. There are many brilliant VR games and apps to use on the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S, whether it be pummeling thugs in Batman: Arkham Shadow or learning how to draw in Pencil, and using this battery head strap meant I could do it all for longer. Not only that, but its silicone face pads feel incredibly comfortable for those longer sessions. With the Quest 3S Xbox Edition coming, offering plenty of Xbox Game Pass games to play with its included subscription (and Xbox controller), this head strap will deliver plenty more gameplay potential — all without needing a wired connection to keep it charged. With the head strap, you're getting nearly 3 hours of battery life added to the Quest headsets. That allowed me to delve further into some of the best Quest 3 games (especially Asgard's Wrath 2, which can take well over 60 hours), as getting up to 5 hours doesn't disrupt a VR session — unlike the usual 2 hours. It also offers DualFast Power Charging, which simultaneously charges the H4 Boost and the Quest 3. With a 45W charger, both devices get 22.5W each, and I found that it takes just over two hours to fully charge them. So, double the battery life in the same time it takes to charge the Quest 3 / 3S on its own. That alone makes me want to pick up my Quest 3 far more often, but its adjustability and added comfort also make wearing the headset far more snug. No more irritations on your face from the strap that comes in the box, or having a looser fit for those frantic VR games that require a lot of movement. All that without being tethered to a cable? It's a valuable VR upgrade to have, and now that it's down to $67, the Kiwi Design H4 Boost Battery Strap is a worthwhile investment for any VR user. That's only one of the many early Prime Day deals you can grab right now, so get shopping for plenty more limited-time deals!
