Index

Released June 2019

Valve's PC VR headset with 1440 × 1600 LCDs per eye at up to 144 Hz, tracked by SteamVR base stations and sold with the finger-tracking Index controllers, for PC players who want a wired headset with off-ear speakers.

Works: Needs a PC or console
Per eye: 1440 × 1600
Refresh: 144 Hz
Weight: 809 g

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree its finger-tracking controllers are the highlight, with a wide field of view, smooth high refresh rate and, for TechRadar, excellent audio. Both find it expensive; TechRadar criticises the need for base stations, unreliable SteamVR software and glasses getting in the way, and PCMag found the tether frustrating at times.

From techradar.com and pcmag.com

Specifications

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Display

Resolution per eye: 1440 × 1600
Panel: LCD
Refresh rate: 144 Hz
Display details: Dual 1440 × 1600 LCDs, full RGB per pixel; ultra-low persistence global backlight (0.330 ms at 144 Hz); 80, 90, 120 Hz and experimental 144 Hz
Lenses: Double-element, canted lenses; Valve says typical users see 20° more field of view than the HTC Vive, and doesn't give a figure
Lens spacing (IPD): 58–70 mm, physical adjustment; eye relief also adjustable

Tracking and input

Eye tracking: No
Hand tracking: No
Colour passthrough: Yes
Sensors: Outside-in; SteamVR 2.0 sensors, compatible with SteamVR 1.0 and 2.0 base stations
Controllers: Valve Index Controllers with per-finger capacitive tracking; the headset also works with HTC Vive and Vive Pro controllers
Passthrough: Stereo 960 × 960 global-shutter RGB (Bayer) cameras

Performance

Works: Needs a PC or console
Connections: 5 m tether with a 1 m breakaway trident connector; DisplayPort 1.2, USB 3.0 and 12 V power; USB 3 Type-A port in the front expansion slot

Design

Battery: None (powered by a PC or console)
Weight (headset): 809 g
Audio: 37.5 mm off-ear Balanced Mode Radiators (40 Hz–24 kHz, 6 ohm); 3.5 mm headphone out; dual microphone array
Strap: Adjustable head size, face angle and speaker position; rear cradle adapter included; magnetic quick-swap face gasket
In the box: Headset (sold alone, with controllers, or as the VR Kit with two SteamVR 2.0 base stations); Half-Life: Alyx included

Pros and cons

Pros

80, 90, 120 and experimental 144 Hz refresh rates
Physical IPD (58–70 mm) and eye-relief adjustment
Off-ear speakers and controllers with per-finger capacitive tracking

Cons

Needs a PC with a 5 m cable and external SteamVR base stations
809 g without the cable (Tom's Hardware)
1440 × 1600 per eye, lower than current headsets

Closest rivals

Model	Works	Per eye	Refresh	Weight	Released
HTCVIVE Pro	Needs a PC or console	1440 × 1600	90 Hz	769 g	Apr 2018
MetaOculus Rift S	Needs a PC or console	1280 × 1440	80 Hz	561 g	May 2019
SonyPlayStation VR	Needs a PC or console	960 × 1080	120 Hz	610 g	Oct 2016

Sources

Photo: Valve, exact official product photograph; complete supplied canvas and background

Valve Index headset, controllers and two base stations, complete supplied kit photograph on black: Valve, official exact-model product page; complete supplied photograph and background

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