Bigscreen Beyond, the slim and light PC VR headset from the creators behind popular VR app Bigscreen, is getting new optics in the production pipeline which the company says will feature improved field of view (FOV) and optical performance, as well as increased IPD range.

“Over the past few years, we have been continuously investing in research & development in VR optics for current and next-generation VR devices,” Bigscreen says. “Thanks to improvements to our optical elements, coatings, canting, and manufacturing processes, we are excited to announce several key optics breakthroughs that have improved field of view (FOV) and optical performance.”

Bigscreen says that while its new optics tech is now making its way to production, Beyond is still on track for a Q3 ship date for the first wave of customers in the United States.

Here’s the new features coming to all pre-order customers:

  • Improved field of view, up to 102 degrees: FOV has been increased from ~93 degrees to 102 degrees. It’s said to beat the FOV of many headsets on the market today, including Meta Quest 2, HP Reverb G2, and Varjo Aero.
  • Improved sweet spot, glare, and optical performance with 32 PPD: Various optical characteristics such as clarity and sweet spot have improved. Lens artifacts such as glare have been reduced as well. Pixels per degree is now officially 32 PPD.
  • Increased IPD range, to 55mm to 72mm: Now available in 18 different IPD sizes from 55mm to 72mm. The optical design features a large eye box that allows users to comfortably use the headset even if the headset is not their exact IPD. Bigscreen says Beyond accommodates people with a physical IPD of 53mm to 74mm to comfortably use the headset.
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The company says its optical improvements critically don’t come at the expense of angular resolution (PPD) or stereo overlap, the latter of which is similar to that of Valve Index. Notably, Bigscreen says all Beyond customers will note an improved FOV except those with a 70mm-72mm IPD due to physical size limitations.

Bigscreen Beyond is set to launch sometime in late 2023, with its baseline version priced at $1,000. The company is now taking pre-orders.

To learn more about Bigscreen Beyond, check out our hands-on back in March that talks about the headset’s specs, displays, custom facial interfaces, form-factor, as well as some of the criticisms the company hopes to address with its latest optical tech.

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Scott Hayden
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.
  • Bob

    Interesting. I take it that these improvements should hopefully make it to the final version SKU? The FOV was the only remaining factor that deterred me from being even remotely interested in this device despite the huge positives in other areas such as form factor, weight and display performance. Now, this company has my full attention.

    • MarcDwonn

      Similar here. Now that i’ve read about the FOV, i’m thinking of maybe replacing my Reverb G2 (which is not exactly the ideal Steam HMD – it’s not native). My only worry is that i’d need to buy base stations and controllers for this as well.

  • Cless

    To be honest, now only brightness is the biggest weakspot for this headset… and they’ve mitigated it quite well if you are using the good facemask so… Its a full upgrade for anyone that has Base stations already, without a doubt.

  • Cl

    Higher fov and less glare? I think this will be my new headset. Good job. I really didn’t want to go with less fov than my quest 2.

  • alxslr

    FOV, great. Now just get rid of the cable and base stations.
    Even if it’s slightly bigger/heavier. Tethered and Lighthouse are sooo 2010’s. Loved my Index, but it’s time to move on….
    Guess we can’t have it all, but we can dream…

    • MarcDwonn

      I’d rather have a cable than compromise on image quality. I don’t think that with the current tech we can stream perceptually lossless video.

  • Barbablas

    Now if they offer an inside out tracking option, even if it’s not the best, I would buy this. Still hard (though not impossible) to justify a $1500 price tag (assuming $500 for lighthouse) to upgrade from my pico 4 to this honestly. At $1000 it would be a no-brainer for flat2vr and simming options at least.

  • CrusaderCaracal

    While i like how it’s small, i really think there’s no point of making it compact if you’re still using it with base stations. I honestly wouldnt mind it being a little bigger if it meant it could accomidate standalone tracking and make it a true compact system

  • David Blackman

    I having been waiting for an OLED upgrade to my Vive Pro (with knuckles). While I will miss the Wireless, I would trade that for the big resolution and comfort increase

  • pastor_tedhaggard

    sorry the FOV is still crap. I have an index and i find that borderline, when it comes to FOV the technology hasn’t improved since the original Vive!
    and a $1000?! (which’ll probably be £1000 also) – absurd.