Yesterday, I had the chance to drop by Varjo and explore the Varjo XR-4 Focal Edition. The outstanding clarity of its passthrough impressed me, and I’d like to share why in this brief piece.
My Visit to Varjo
I’m in Helsinki for MatchXR, so naturally, I couldn’t pass up a visit to Varjo, which is based right here. I tried out various experiences, one of which I’m planning to detail soon. Toward the end of my visit, I was invited to try out a flight simulator in their demo room. Being a flight simulation enthusiast, I jumped right in, donned the Varjo XR-4 headset, and embarked on a virtual flight. The simulator was akin to those used for pilot training—so there were no aerial dogfights a la Top Gun, just maintaining a steady flight. That said, I ended up crashing the aircraft quite spectacularly (not my proudest moment).
The exercise was set in mixed reality. The real-world cockpit was visible via passthrough, while the surrounding skies were virtually simulated, seamlessly blending real and digital worlds. The experience was quite immersive.
Varjo XR-4
This wasn’t my first encounter with the Varjo XR-4; I had initially tried a prototype last year. It’s a powerful enterprise-grade tool, boasting a high-resolution display (3840 x 3744 per eye) and a 120° x 105° field of view that virtually eliminates the screen door effect. Such high fidelity is particularly beneficial for industries where visual detail is crucial, such as design.
Here’s a rundown of its specs:
- Display: Mini-LED
- Resolution: 3840 x 3744 (per eye)
- Refresh Rate: 90 Hz
- Contrast: 1:10000
- Luminance: 200 Nits
- Lenses: Custom optics
- FOV: 120° x 105°
- Passthrough Cameras: 2 x 20Mpx
- Latency: ~22ms
- LiDAR: 300 kpixels
- Connectivity: Display port + USB-C
- Audio: Integrated spatial audio, 3.5 mm jack
- Microphone: 2x noise-canceling
- Tracking: Inside-out + SteamVR support
- Controllers: Varjo (via RAZER™)
- Weight: 1021g
Previously, the passthrough function wasn’t testable. However, with the production model now, I could finally evaluate it.
Varjo Passthrough and the Focal Edition
As I delved into the Varjo XR-4’s capabilities, its passthrough stood out. A year or so ago, I might have called it the best I’d ever seen. Yet, given the advancements in Oculus Quest 3 and the impressive Apple Vision Pro, I must label Varjo’s as a standard high-def offering for the times. It did, however, have more noise compared to competitors—a minor point since these weren’t tested side by side.
This impression shifted during the simulator demo. Between virtual crash landings, a Varjo staff member handed me data sheets often used by pilots. I pretended to pore over these cryptic notes, attempting to quite convincingly feign interest.
After perusing several pages, I shifted focus back to the flight—and more crashes ensued. My delayed realization, akin to a slow browser, was that I could read tiny text through the passthrough with exceptional clarity. I scrutinized the sheets once more, confirming just how crisp they were. Ignoring yet another crash, I marveled at the visual fidelity—subtly different and superior to any prior headset passthrough I’d encountered.
Varjo XR-4 Focal Edition Hands-On
Recollecting the crispness was characteristic of the XR-4 Focal Edition, I queried the staff member, who affirmed my suspicion.
What makes the Focal Edition unique is its Autofocus feature driven by eye-tracking technology. It accurately focuses the 20 MP passthrough cameras on whatever your eyes intend, offering remarkable clarity. As a result, looking at those data sheets felt natural, almost like my eyes had become cybernetic. With a pixel density of 51 PPD in passthrough, it’s astoundingly close to the retina standard of around 60 PPD.
This capability truly mimicked human vision, allowing me to switch focus effortlessly within the cockpit’s tight spaces. Defined writings and displays became discernible in an instant, merely by eye movements.
Despite such an amazing advance, there are caveats. The high-definition area in focus is minuscule, bounded by visible, less-defined edges. A noticeable lag in focus adjustment when shifting gaze can detract from immersion. Minimizing this lag and blurring transition edges will enhance the natural feel of this otherwise game-changing feature.
Final Considerations
Exploring Varjo XR-4 Focal Edition opened my eyes (no pun intended) to the future of mixed reality passthrough—imaginable as seamless and vibrant as natural sight. While the technology holds enormous promise, I’m eager to see its affordability catch up, so it doesn’t remain the preserve of deep-pocketed enterprises.
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