[VR Gyro Compilation/Jealous] Last month, Oculus began launching the Oculus Link beta version, which allows Oculus Quest users to enjoy high-end PC VR games and experience on independent headsets. Using a USB 3.0-compatible cable, users can connect to a VR-enabled PC that not only accesses the Oculus Rift/Rift S content library, but also accesses SteamVR and other VR platforms.
In the initial statement released on Oculus Connect 6 last September, Oculus promised to eventually release its own official cable by the end of this year. Sure enough, the company fulfilled this promise today.
Oculus' official Link cable is now available in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand , Japan and Taiwan through the Oculus store, priced at $79.99 and is 16 feet (5 meters) long. USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C connected USB Type-C fiber optic cable has high-quality wrap-on shielding, 3A power supply and 5GBps bandwidth, all wrapped in a soft, low friction outer packaging, ensuring more comfortable movement during connection. Overall, the cable is designed entirely for running PC VR content on the Oculus Quest. But what are the reasons for choosing this expensive $80 cable when there are several far cheaper options on the network? The biggest difference between the official connection cable of
Oculus and the connection cable of third-party manufactured is the length. For weeks, users have been sharing and viewing numerous cables under $20; even Oculus itself recommends the 10-foot Anker Powerline ($16.99) as a temporary alternative. There is also a 10-foot PartyLink USB 3.1 Type-C. While 10-foot length may sound like a long one, most wired VR headsets usually need to be available at least 16-foot lengths, including the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift S, and Valve Index. This allows the user to move within the room without worrying about accidentally pulling the cable out of the PC. Prices start to soar once users start searching for Quest-compatible USB 3.0 cables that are longer than 10 feet in length. This is because active cables (copper cables that can be used for data transmission) are more expensive to produce than passive cables.
Currently, Amazon has several Link-compatible 15-foot USB 3.0 cables, including TetherPro USB 3.0-to-USB-Ch ($48.95) and TetherPro USB-C-to-C ($56.95). Each product has relatively similar specifications to the Oculus cable, including full shielding and plating protection. However, these alternatives lack any charging function and can only be used for data transmission. Although the lack of charging itself is not a big problem, Oculus' official cable can both charge Quest headphones and transmit data.
Finally, the advantage of the official connection cable is its convenience. If the user is looking for the cheapest option and doesn't mind bundling with short belts, the best option is to buy a 10-foot-long Anker wiring. If users want a more comfortable feeling, but no more than the $80 price point for the Oculus, one of the better options is the 15-foot TetherPro. Likewise, most cables in this price range ($50 to $60) will not support both data transfer and charging. However, if users don't mind pausing for hours to charge their headsets, you can save yourself $30 with a more basic alternative.
Honestly, if users would spend $60 on third-party connection lines, they wouldn't mind spending $20 extra to buy Oculus' official connection lines products. The cable has high-quality components and supports charging and data transmission, allowing users to enjoy PC VR content at will without worrying about running out of all their power during a call. Of course, just like buying anything, the cheaper the device, the greater the chances of users experiencing subsequent problems. Oculus's cable is tailored and takes into account Link software adaptation, which means users will have little chance of any lag or game crashes.
Although the initial expensive price may discourage users, after delving into third-party alternatives, I found that the 80 USD is the more reasonable.
Official Oculus Link cable is now available for purchase. But according to Oculus, the connecting line will remain "open purchases in some areas" by 2020. Therefore, it is still unclear when the device will be available in Europe.
