At the start of both the Mobile World Congress and the Game Developers Conference, HTC has confirmed the pricing for the Vive headset's latest accessories, the Tracker and the Deluxe Audio Strap. Each will retail for US$99.99.
The Vive Tracker is a peripheral device that seems capable of turning any real-world object into a VR prop. At CES last January, we had the opportunity to try it out on a fire hose, baseball bat and toy gun: Incorporating the heft and feel of real-life objects blends the lines between real and virtual very favorably. Developers will be able to order it starting on March 27, but availability to the rest of the public is expected later in the year.
The Deluxe Audio Strap adds improved audio to Vive headsets, along with a sizing dial for a comfortable fit. It goes up for pre-order on May 2 for shipping in June. Moving forward, the Vive Business Edition ($1,200) which also includes dedicated customer support, a commercial use license and an extended warranty, will have a Deluxe Audio Strap included.
HTC also announced new Vive financing options for customers in North America and China. Terms vary, but if the $800 price tag is too large to pay up front, US qualified buyers can finance a Vive for about $66 monthly with interest-free financing for 12 months. HTC plans on roll out similar options in Europe "soon".
The HTC Vive is one of the leading PC-powered virtual reality headsets, along with its main competitor, Oculus Rift.