The Oculus Rift VR headset only started shipping this week, but it’s already been cracked open.
As always, the team over at iFixit has been quick to secure the new device and start prying it open for secrets. Indeed, it had already opened up both development models of the VR headset prior to the final retail model.
So what did the repair specialist find?
After an infrared camera reveals the many invisible LEDs embedded around the outside of the headset (for tracking purposes), the Oculus Rift headset was opened up.
It turns out that the Oculus Rift’s innards are surprisingly easy to access, once the hidden interior clips that secure the frame are discovered.
The team notes how the single 1080p display of the original development device (which was pulled straight from the Samsung Galaxy Note 3) has been replaced in the final model by two OLED displays mounted right on the lenses.
Speaking of lenses, it’s discovered that these aren’t the bog standard interchangeable lenses of the original. Rather, they’re asymmetric hybrid Fresnel lenses, which employ thin arrays of concentric prisms for a large viewing angle and short focal length with minimal weight penalty.
An extra sloping layer to these lenses accounts for how you can adjust the focus of the Oculus Rift by physically shifting it up and down your face.
Related: Oculus Rift vs HTC Vive
Overall, the Oculus Rift is given a decent repairability score of 7 out of 10. That bodes well for 18 months down the line when your warranty has expired and one of the fancy lenses falls out of alignment.
If you’re wondering what Oculus Rift founder Palmer Luckey thinks of his beloved VR headset being broken down, well…
https://twitter.com/statuses/715269888948854784
Having been asked for tips on how they could ‘go further,’ Luckey added this:
https://twitter.com/statuses/715285235169034241
Still, that sounds like a challenge.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.