Somnium Space, a company hailing from Prague in the Czech Republic, is making waves in the US market with the launch of its PC VR headset, the Somnium VR1. Excitingly, they’ve also streamlined their range of variants, now offering three consumer-focused versions, though they’ve hinted at a price increase for their more premium models soon.
In a move that might surprise some, Somnium Space is pulling the plug on several of its earlier configurations, including the Striker, Classic, Specter, and Translucent Editions. Previously, the Classic Edition was the entry-level option at a price of €1,900 (around $1,980 USD) and didn’t feature eye-tracking. However, the Visionary Edition has now taken its place as the most budget-friendly option, complete with eye-tracking, and it comes with a new price tag of €2,499 (about $2,600 USD). It’s important to note that these prices exclude any local taxes.
For those lucky enough to have ordered one of the now-discontinued editions, there’s no need to worry. Somnium Space assures customers that their orders are secure and will be fulfilled as promised. They even suggest that owning one of these rare variants could be a badge of exclusivity.
The company explained its decision to slim down the lineup by focusing on the Visionary, Ultimate, and Titan Editions, aiming to deliver these models more efficiently without compromising their high-quality standards.
As part of this transition, there will be a price hike for the Visionary, Ultimate, and Titan Editions, though the specifics haven’t been disclosed yet. Current prices are set to hold until January 16th, 2025, after which new pricing will kick in.
Here’s how the pricing currently stacks up (excluding taxes):
– Visionary Edition: €2,499 ($2,600 USD), features VR and eye-tracking.
– Titan Edition: €2,899 ($3,020 USD), includes VR, eye-tracking, and hand-tracking.
– Ultimate Edition: €3,499 ($3,659 USD), equipped with VR, eye-tracking, hand-tracking, and MR passthrough.
– Military Edition: Details unclear.
Somnium Space is committed to maintaining the quality of the VR1 even if it means adjusting prices. They admit that the production process has been more complex than initially expected, leading to the planned price increases.
For those placing orders today, deliveries are estimated for February to March 2025, with shipping available throughout most of Europe, the UK, and the US.
Looking ahead, Somnium Space also has plans to sell spare parts for the VR1, including everything from optical modules to screens.
In terms of specs, the Somnium VR1 boasts a QLED Mini-Led Fast LCD display with a resolution of 2,880 × 2,880 per eye, a field of view reaching 130° horizontally and 105° vertically, a refresh rate that can go up to 144 Hz, and features such as eye tracking at 120 Hz, connectivity options, and adjustable IPD range.
For a deep dive into the Somnium VR1, you might want to check out our hands-on experience from July 2024 to get more insights.
