Last update on 2024-04-06 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Interpupillary Distance (IPD) is a plain term that refers to the distance between your pupils.
Understanding your IPD is key to choosing your ideal VR headset and is quite easy to measure. You can even do it using your iPhone!
In this article, we look at some of the best VR headsets for people with wide IPDs.
How important is IPD for VR?
We all see the actual world from our own IPD, that’s why it’s essential to match the VR headset IPD with your internalized 3D depth and scale.
If the IPD is incorrect, your virtual world will appear slightly skewed. To enjoy your VR experience, you’ll need to correct this skew using physical adjustments on the headset.
VR headsets without physical IPD adjustments usually come with software adjustments to help you adjust your sense of scale.
While you can adjust the IPD on most VR headsets, some don’t allow you to do so.. For instance, most Windows Mixed Reality headsets and Oculus Rift S don’t have this feature.
How to measure your IPD for VR?
To get the best VR experience, you’ll need to get your IPD measurements right. Keep in mind that everyone’s view and perception is distinct, so you’ll change the IPD depending on the user.
So, how do you determine your IPD?
Use an app
Developers in the VR industry have created apps that can measure your IPD. These apps work for VR headsets that lack a manual IPD settings option.
In the iOS app store, you’ll find free apps like EyeMeasure that can help you determine your IPD length.
With your iPhone or iPad, you can get IPD measurements with an accuracy of up to 0.5mm.
Your iPhone uses TrueDepth technology to make the measurement, ending up with precise measurements you can use even on your eyeglasses.
Visit a professional optician.
Visiting a qualified optician is the best way of determining your IPD measurements. Visit your optician and get you IPD measured. Request that they give the reading in millimeters.
For teenagers, make sure you get updated measurement at least yearly. Since you’ll still experience growth changes, your IPD may change and your next reading may be different.
You can use the mirror and a ruler.
This is one of the easiest ways to get your IPD measurements. All you need is a stable mirror and a ruler with millimeter readings. Follow these steps to get yourself close to accurate reading;
- Place yourself in front of the mirror, and place the ruler on your eye level.
- Ensure the zero mark on the ruler is on top of your pupil. Use a transparent ruler for better results.
- With your second eye, look over the ruler and mark the reading.
- Repeat this process again to ensure your reading is accurate.
3 Best VR headset for wide IPD
Since IPD is essential to the quality of your VR experience, we’ll review three headsets with wide IPDs. Here they are:
Valve Index
Last update on 2024-04-06 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
The Valve Index is one of the best VR headsets with sleek hardware design. Valve Index not only comes with a physical IPD adjuster, but it also has a wide IPD range.
Users of different IPDs can adjust this headset to their exact comfort.
The Valve Index features an IPD range that falls between 58mm to 70mm. It’s ideal for family and office use, where different users share the same device.
It also features two 1400 X 1600 pixel LCD screens that display games and simulations in high resolution. An 80 to 144 Hz refresh rate ensures a smooth video stream whenever you enjoy games or movies.
A 130-degree field of view ensures that you enjoy a full-room experience every time you use the Valve Index VR headset.
This headset is backwards compatible with both HTC Vive and Vive Pro’s base stations and controllers. If you’ve owned any of these Vive accessories before, you’ll find them useful with this headset.
Pros
- Comfortable fit
- High resolution display with fast refresh rates
- Wide Field of View
- Backwards compatible with Vive and Vive Pro kit
Cons
- Expensive
HTC Vive Pro
Last update on 2024-04-06 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
The Vive Pro comes equipped with a 120-degree field of view and an adjustable IPD.
Not only does the adjustable IPD improve your VR experience, it also allows users with different IPDs to join you on your VR adventures. It also reduces nausea associated with VR motion sickness.
HTC Vive Pro has an IPD range of 57mm to 72mm and can handle people with both narrow and wide IPDs.
This goes well with its ergonomic design that ensures comfort during use. Two high-resolution AMOLED screens with a 90 Hz refresh rate ensure you enjoy seamless game and video streams with this headset.
Pros
- Better resolution than its predecessor
- Amazing ergonomics
- Wide field of view
Cons
- Lower refresher rates than Valve Index
- Pricey
Oculus Rift S
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Oculus Rift is one of the pioneer VR headsets using software-based IPD measurements since its launch. Oculus Rift S has now introduced a physical IPD adjuster to improve user experience.
This headset gives you an IPD range of between 52mm and 78mm, which is sufficient for different IPD requirements. This headset also features an ergonomic design for comfort and ease of use during gaming.
The Rift S also features a single screen resolution of 2560 X 1440 pixels. An 80 Hz refresh rate puts this headset on par with the best headsets in the market, for a fraction of the price.
It features two easy-to-use controllers that help you move and rotate within VR games and simulations.
Pros
- Great price compared to Valve and Vive
- Lightweight and ergonomic design
- High-resolution screen
Cons
- Downgraded display quality
Final thoughts and best pick:
Many VR headsets have developed methods of adjusting the IPD to fit the user’s needs. However, there can only be so many VR headsets worth purchasing because they have accurate IPD settings.
We liked the HTC Vive Pro. Besides outstanding IPD settings, this VR headset offers a high-quality display and blazing fast refresh rates. It’s also backwards compatible with Vive base stations and controllers. You won’t have to buy new hardware to go with the Valve Index.
