Lenovo Explorer is the first Windows Mixed Reality Headset by Lenovo which is one of the biggest tech companies in the world. The Lenovo Explorer was launched with the aim to provide affordable VR experience to consumers. In this guide, we will tell you everything you need to know about Lenovo Explorer. We will also address the important question, is WMR (Lenovo Explorer) worth buying in 2022. Lets’ get started.
Design & Build Quality
Lenovo is a well-known company and it is known for its quality products and Lenovo Explorer is no exception. The Design of Lenovo Explorer may look identical to the Oculus Touch but there are some differences which make the Lenovo Explorer more unique. It features the visor-shaped headset which you can flip upward. This small design move is very useful as it allows you to lift the headset up and do things without taking it off.
The Lenovo Explorer Headset also features the soft cushioning on the forehead rest which makes it more comfortable to use. The cushion is not sweat-resistant which means it absorbs the moisture. However, you can remove the cushion and wash them. There is also another cushion on the back of the head strap and it is also removable.
The Lenovo Explorer also features the halo-style headband which is designed in a way that all of the weight should be distributed on the forehead and back of the head. The headband also features the dial which you can use to tight or lose the strap. The problem with this strap design is that it is not elasticated which you find in other WMRs. You can only use the dial to fit the Lenovo Explorer around your hear which is not very effective. It may slightly feel uncomfortable if you wear it for extended periods.
The design of motion controllers is also very similar to other you find in the market. They are sturdy and feel solid in hands. The only problem with motion controllers is that they don’t have some good texture so you may feel uncomfortable holding it for a long time.
Visual Quality
The Lenovo Explorer features the two 2.9 inch 90Hz LCDs with a 110-degree field of view which is standard these days. We tested the Visual Quality of Lenovo Explorer and we are satisfied with its performance, the visuals are sharp and frame-rate is also smooth. As the panels are LCDs, the colors are not very vibrant, so if you have used the WMR with OLED Panels then this may be a deal breaker for you. However, if you haven’t used that high-end WMRs and looking for a decent visual performance then Lenovo Explorer is for you.
Setup & Performance
The installation process of Lenovo Explorer is very simple, all you have to do is to plug in the headset and you will be asked to download the Windows Mixed Reality Portal from the official Microsoft Store. Once you download the software, you will follow the step-by-step guide to calibrate the headset. After this step, you are all set to use the Lenovo Explorer.
Now you get the option to either use the Lenovo Explorer in both sitting down and standing up position. You can use it comfortably in both positions. We also tried the motion controllers via Bluetooth but we encountered some issues in Bluetooth reception but you can easily fix it with USB Bluetooth receiver. Overall, Lenovo Explorer is a good performer there are some issues with the Windows Mixed Reality Platform but they will be fixed sooner rather than later.
The Lenovo explorer also doesn’t come with headphones. The good thing is that you can pick the quality headphones of your own choice and have the best audio experience. The bad thing is that it is a bummer for those who want good headphones with WMR headset. However, considering the price of Lenovo Explorer it may not be a deal breaker for some people as you can pick the quality headphones from the market for $50 to $70.
Price
The Lenovo Explorer was launched with the price tag of $449 but after 1 year its price has dropped and now you can get it with the motion controllers for just $287. If we compare it to other headsets, Oculus Rift S is available for $399 and HTC Vive Cosmos is also available for $699. Lenovo Explorer is much cheaper and affordable than other headsets.
Pros
- Lenovo Explorer is one of the most affordable WMR headsets in the market.
- It is very easy to set up.
- It is also one of the lightest headsets in the market.
- Lenovo Explorer also has a good design.
- It has decent tracking and it offers great performance.
- It is comfortable to use.
- Good Displays with a sharp image.
Cons
- Lenovo Explorer doesn’t come with Headphones. It may be a deal breaker for a few people.
- It has a small library of games which will eventually grow but for now, it is one of the major problems.
- Lenovo Explorer is 2 years old and there is a new generation headsets which offer good performance.
So, is it worth buying wmr lenovo explorer in 2022? If you are on tight budget and looking for a decent VR Headset then Lenovo Explorer is for you. However, if you want the best then there are other options available which you can consider which will give you top of the line VR experience. If you have any questions, let us know in the comment section below. Also visit our website for more useful guides.