The Moscow-based VR headset manufacturer DEUS announced the latest version of their Odin VR headset that incorporates support for SteamVR content and higher resolution LCD displays than Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.

Update (11:00 AM ET): Deus tells us that the Horus Pre basestation is indeed proprietary and “not compatible with SteamVR controllers from other brands.”

Dubbed the Odin Pre, the headset boasts dual 2,160 × 2,160 LCD displays clocked at 90 Hz. Using Fresnel lenses, Deus claims the headset’s field of view (FOV) is around 110 degrees—the same as Oculus Rift, and both HTC Vive and Vive Pro variants.

Going by raw numbers currently available, at very least Odin Pre will have higher resolution displays than even Vive Pro, which touts dual 1,440 × 1,600 pixel OLEDs.

Image courtesy DEUS

The company is also producing a SteamVR-style laser position basestation they call the ‘Horus Pre’ which will track Odin thanks to sensors embedded in the headset and controller.

Deus says their Horus Pre basestation is however their own design, so it’s uncertain if that means standard SteamVR controllers such as Vive’s controllers, or both the upcoming Valve ‘Knuckles’ and Pimax’s SteamVR controllers, will work with the system (see update).

We’ve reached out to the company to clarify whether Horus Pre is indeed a true SteamVR basestation, or a proprietary design that will only work with Odin’s own controllers. We’ll update this article when we hear back.

Image courtesy DEUS

Deus claims Horus Pre can cover up to 200 square meters with only two base stations with its 170 degree horizontal and vertical tracking angles. This also includes the ability to add “an unlimited number of base stations and local multiplayer support allows you to scale the tracking zone, including indoors with corridors.” The headset supports both its own DEUS SDK and the OpenVR SDK.

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Deus says Odin Pre is focused on enterprise and government markets as well as on content developers. The headset’s final price isn’t set yet, although the company estimates that it is will be approximately $1,100. The Odin Pre bundle is said to come with a single 3DOF controller first, and then two 6DOF controllers in the final version sometime in Summer 2019.

The final version could also include built-in eye tracking and a VirtualLink port, Deus says in a press statement. At this time, the headset boasts a mini DisplayPort, USB Type-C, and 3.5 mm audio jack.

Deus will be showing off both Odin Pre and Horus Pre at CES 2019, which takes place January 8th – 12th in Las Vegas, Nevada. We’ll have feet on the ground in Vegas, so check back for more CES 2019 news then.

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Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 3,500 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.
  • Well it’s a competitor to the VIVE Pro, but not really to anything else. The cost is crazy high, especially considering that the $1100 is just for the headset.

    • FireAndTheVoid

      The Vive Pro has official wireless support through the wireless adapter. I own the combo myself and it is a *huge* plus in my book. The Odin Pre is welcome competition, but it would have to be extraordinary in order to get me to switch back to wired.

    • Ballpeen

      Also the Samsung Odyssey has visuals comparable to the Vive Pro at under $500.

  • Firestorm185

    Those knockoff Touch controllers look REALLY flimsy. Like, if someone hits that ring against a table a single time, looks like it could snap. Otherwise, really cool design though!

  • brandon9271

    Non-lighthouse tracking is a real downer.

  • Data Soul

    “Deus says Odin Pre is focused on enterprise and government markets…” and just like that, I no longer care.

  • crim3

    That’s some sweet pixel density there. Good thing.

  • MW

    This specs should be standard right now. Not in enterprise/government, experimental, very expensive HMD’s. Shame… So much for VR.

  • VRgameDevGirl

    Hmmmmmm. So the pimax with its killer FOV that uses steam lighthouse tracking is cheaper and sounds better too. Ill just get that instead. Why wouldn’t i?

    • kontis

      Some people cannot use Pimax due to eyestrain caused by angled screens.

  • Tom Szaw

    Do they think enterprise are dumb? They would pick Samsung Odyssey Plus over this crap.

  • Dark Evry

    Probably some sort of scam, never trust Russian companies

  • I don’t know… this startup comes from nowhere and promises so much. Doing hardware is hard. Let’s see if they will be able to keep their promises

  • Patrick McKee

    I hate to break to everyone, but this stuff technically isn’t that tough to do. You buy panels, some lens, add lighthouse tracker, use OpenVR software. I for one will wait. My vives are fine until we get a true next gen hmd.