Oculus Quest 2 Elite Strap with battery is practically an indispensable...

The Oculus Quest 2 is a fantastic standalone VR headset. But it does have some drawbacks (moreover, controversially, it now requires a Facebook Login): The battery life is okay, the new head strap is a bit uncomfortable, and it’s difficult to easily and safely store the VR headset.

These problems are all solved with a single Oculus accessory that, while expensive, is pretty awesome. I’ve tried the Oculus Quest 2 Elite Battery Pack for a week and it has changed my feelings about the Quest 2. It’s an accessory that, while bulky, is great for any longer term VR user looking to spend a buck a lot of time playing. Consider the extra $ 129 a worthy upgrade to a decked-out Quest 2, especially since it also includes a very sturdy carrying case.

The belt is much more comfortable

The first Oculus Quest had a bulky but sturdy head strap that Facebook ditched from the Quest 2 in favor of a simpler (and probably cheaper) elastic set of Velcro straps. These can be jumped off and the new elite belt snapped in place. The foam padded wristband is more like the way the best PC VR headsets are made.

The side bands stick out and a rear dial on the back of the headband tightens and loosens the fit. It’s easy to take off and the head strap balances the weight better to avoid eye pressure. The Quest 2 face mask now fits me differently and presses a little more against my forehead, my cheeks and eyes less. It’s much better for longer sessions.

The battery doubles the playing time

A battery on the back of the headband plugs into the USB-C port on the side of the Quest 2. There is a new USB-C pass-through connector on the back of the belt system (only for charging): To use the Oculus Link functions connected to the PC, pull out the battery. The battery and Quest 2 charge together when plugged into USB-C, and together they provide much more play than the Quest 2’s two to three hours typically.

I can’t tell yet how much longer the battery life is as I haven’t been able to play for several hours in a row. However, now I can play for hours all day and still have a charge, which is great. The only downside is that it takes a long time to charge the battery and Quest. We are talking about a night charge.

The case is essential

Oculus sells the Quest 2 carrying case separately, but it is included with the battery pack. It’s more important than you might think. I find it extremely annoying to store VR headsets safely in the house. I try to make sure the inner lenses are not scratched and that VR headsets are kept out of bright sunlight. Direct rays of the sun can burn in the displays if they hit the inner lenses.

The Quest 2 case offers just enough space for the headset, controllers and charging cable. The plastic barriers prevent the headset from being damaged. The hard case also provides some protection against travel. I keep the Quest 2 in it as light and dust protection and it goes perfectly with the Elite belt and battery. Or you can store the Quest 2 without the Elite harness.

Three accessories in one bundle

The head strap, case, and battery are useful add-ons for hardcore users. The bundle makes sense together and Facebook made the whole thing elegant to make it work very well. You can also buy the Elite sling without a battery or carry case, but it costs $ 49 each. The bundle feels a lot more logical and adds the battery for an additional $ 30. I would call this an accessory that Facebook should have included in Quest 2, but it’s clear that Quest 2’s lower price tag came at the expense of extras. As you add these accessories to your Quest 2, the price of your VR headset will approach the cost of the Quest last year. It’s worth it.

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Oculus Quest 2 is better and cheaper … with a Facebook …

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