In-Depth Look: Varjo XR-4 Focal Edition Elevates Passthrough Technology

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of visiting Varjo and getting my hands on the Varjo XR-4 Focal Edition. I’m excited to share just how impressed I was with its passthrough clarity.

My Visit to Varjo

I’m currently in Helsinki for MatchXR, so naturally, a visit to Varjo’s headquarters was on my list. During my time there, I explored a few of their innovations and plan to delve deeper into one of them in an upcoming article. At the end of my visit, they invited me to try out a plane simulator in their demo room. I’m a sucker for flight simulators, so I gladly hopped into the cockpit, strapped on the Varjo XR-4, and took to the virtual skies. The simulator was designed for pilot training, so, unfortunately, there was no Top Gun action, just the challenge of maintaining a steady flight—which ended in a spectacular crash. Yeah, let’s just say aviation isn’t in my future.

The experience was a blend of mixed reality, allowing me to see the physical cockpit alongside a virtual flying environment that appeared through the cockpit windows. It was a seamless integration of both worlds.

Varjo XR-4

I’ve had previous encounters with the Varjo XR-4, sharing my initial thoughts about a year ago. It’s a powerhouse for enterprise use, boasting remarkable resolution specs: 3840 x 3744 per eye, a 120° x 105° field of view, and a screen free of any grid-like visual disturbances. It’s ideal for industries where visual detail is crucial, such as design and architecture.

Here’s the full breakdown of the XR-4’s impressive specs:

• Display: Two mini-LEDs
• Resolution: 3840×3744 (each)
• Refresh Rate: 90 Hz
• Contrast: 1:10000
• Luminance: 200 Nits
• Lenses: Custom, full-dome, aspheric optics
• FOV: 120° x 105°
• Passthrough Cameras: 2 x 20Mpx with ~22ms latency
• LiDAR: 300-kilo pixels, 7-meter range
• Connectivity: 1x display port + 1x USB-C
• Audio: Spatial audio + 3.5mm jack; 2x noise-canceling mics
• Tracking: Inside-out + SteamVR support via faceplate
• Controllers: Varjo (powered by RAZER™)
• Weight: 1021g

On my previous XR-4 trial run, I couldn’t fully assess its passthrough capabilities due to using a preview unit. Now, equipped with a production model, I was eager to test it out thoroughly.

Varjo Passthrough and the Focal Edition

I finally got a chance to put the VR headset’s passthrough to a proper test, and I must admit, it delivered. Although if this was a comparison from the days of Oculus Quest 2, I’d have said it’s the best by far. However, given the rapid advancements, especially with competitors like Oculus Quest 3 and the Apple Vision Pro raising the bar, the Varjo’s offering seemed like another solid contender for high-definition passthrough in 2024. Yet, I noted some noise compared to others—though this is only a casual observation, lacking a direct comparison.

My impression shifted during the cockpit demo. Amidst my multiple virtual aviation mishaps, a Varjo team member handed me some sheets of data pilots would typically use. I glanced over the small print and pretended to find it fascinating—got to keep up appearances, right?

While busily flying (and crashing), a delayed realization hit: I had been able to read this small text via the headset’s passthrough. I looked at the papers more closely—the details were extraordinarily sharp. It dawned on me that the clarity was unexpected even for such small fonts.

Varjo XR-4 Focal Edition Hands-On

This eye-opening clarity is a hallmark of the Varjo XR-4 Focal Edition, thanks to its unique autofocus capability. The headset’s eye-tracking tech controls the focus of its 20 MP passthrough cameras, zeroing in on precisely where your eyes are looking. As I focused on the paperwork, the cameras fine-tuned to highlight the text with remarkable sharpness. This adaptation felt natural, akin to my own eyes. With a display resolution of up to 51 PPD—close to the retinal standard of 60 PPD—the clarity was nearly life-like.

It was fascinating to experience this level of detail. Whether glancing at cockpit switches or papers, everything rendered with striking detail, almost like I didn’t have a headset on at all. The headgear dynamically focused based on my eye movements, no need to tilt my head, just shift my gaze, and clarity followed. It was a technical marvel, no doubt about it.

However, innovations often come with quirks. The astonishing definition is limited to a small focal area, clearly demarcated—you begin to notice that you’re maneuvering this high-def rectangle around with your eyes. There’s also a slight lag when shifting focus, making it feel marginally unnatural, and there’s a subtle digital screen noise even within the focus zone. Hopefully, Varjo can smooth out the transition points and address the delay to mimic a more realistic experience.

Final Considerations

Exploring the Varjo XR-4 Focal Edition was truly enlightening. It underscores how passthrough in mixed reality headsets might evolve towards matching human vision. I dream of the day when such impressive capabilities are available in an affordable package.

For now, though, we’ll just have to wait for these futuristic features to become more accessible—here’s hoping they bring the price down from that steep €10,000 mark. Perhaps they’ll start accepting organ donations… just kidding!

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