Samsung SM-R324NZAABTU Galaxy Gear VR 2017 with Motion Controller (UK Version)

I pre-ordered the new 2017 version of the Samsung Gear VR headset, with controller, as soon as it became an option on Amazon. Shame that it took so long to get released in the UK, and shame that we didn't get the same 'free headset' deal when buying a Galaxy S8/8+. However, that grumble aside I can honestly say that it was both worth the wait and every penny of the £119 cost.I'm using the Gear VR with a Galaxy S8+, so I cannot talk about how it performs with older handsets. I can say that it is just stunning with the S8+ though. To think that truly immersive, 360 degree virtual reality, can be achieved just by plonking on a self-contained headset with your smartphone inserted is, frankly, astonishing.Driven by the S8/S8+ the VR experience is both smooth and sharp. Complaints about phones overheating with Gear VR headsets in the past are gone; I've had this on for two hours straight, running everything from movies to immersive gaming apps. The phone has never even got warm. Complaints of jagged graphics are gone as well, possibly thanks to the resolution of the S8 screen I guess, but it's sharp, clear (once I'd adjusted the focus wheel to suit my eyes) and mind-blowing. The fact that this is made by Oculus, the same people as make the £500 Oculus Rift headset (plus £99 for the controllers, and don't forget the high spec PC to run it with) shines through; at just over £100 the value is truly palpable.I particularly like the fact that you get everything you need in the box, with the exception of a hard case to keep it safely in sadly. I got one from Amazon for £16. Unlike other VR headsets, there are no complex cabling issues to get your brain around, no additional cameras or sensors to be placed, no requirement for a large space to work/play in and no need to upgrade your computer either. It all just works, and works brilliantly. If you have an older, non USB-C, Galaxy there's even a handy converter included so you can join in the fun.The elastic strapping keeps the headset glued to your bonce, without being uncomfortable in any way. I speak as a bald bloke here as well, no sweating or chafing experienced. The headset is also very light, even with the phone inserted, and you really do forget you are wearing it after a while.Then there's the new controller. This takes a couple of (included) AAA batteries, and promises around 40 hours of usage. I'm up to more than 20 and they are still going strong. A rechargeable USB option would have been nice, but the price would have probably reflected that. As it stands, the controller is just fine. Not so small you will drop it all the time, not too big so that holding it is a chore. It fits the hand perfectly, and the controls are easily found when wearing the headset. My only real complaint is that it can lose track a tad too often, and so needs resetting. Luckily this just takes 10 seconds of pressing the home button on the thing while pointing it in front of you, so no real biggie.In VR, as with most things tech, the key is in the content. Fortunately there is tons to choose from in the VR store, and while some games are a tad pricey (£7.99 for an app is a little high) there are plenty of good ones under £3 and a myriad of free content as well. It will take some time before I get bored with what's out there, or go over my meagre budget. I imagine it's going to keep on coming, and improving, as well. By improvement, I mean the number that really take advantage of the new controller. It has worked well with most things I've thrown at it, but games need updating to ensure it is used to best effect. Affected Manor is a good example of a cheap horror game/experience that does this well. The controller becomes your torch to light the way ahead, and you depress the trigger to walk in the direction you are facing. Simple, effective, fun and scary.To wrap up then, if you are a VR newbie and have a Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+ (or even the 7 series as they come onto the market in cheaper deals now) buying the Gear VR is a no brainer. Just do it. There is no better, cheaper, way to get into VR right now. Sure, it's not the same type of VR experience as the bigger and much more expensive kit can offer, but it's not that far short to be fair.

So I was impressed with the gear VR, ideal to travel with. But if failed 2 days before I left for India. As it was sold by a third party seller all amazon could do was ask them to contact me. They didn't. Really annoying as I purchased a lot of oculus games to play on holiday, now I can't use any of them. I would recommend the Gear VR to anyone with a compatible Samsung phone, just don't buy it from this seller. I will change this review if the seller contacts me.

I am going to give this five stars because well to put it simply beats spending alot of money to upgrade computers etc and then there is the cost of the vr headset too so hey £120 and hook it up to a decent phone in my case the S8 and off you go. The wife and the kids love it the only draw back and even though the instruction manual makes mention of your phone getting hot it will depend how comfortable you are with this. Up to too now my S8 has remained super cool infact only time it got hot was when using the fast charger and then came this VR headset and well yes depending on what your doing it does get very hot indeed.I would definatley say this is more of a novelty something to pass time by dont get me wrong it is great fun watching roller coaster sims or exploring locations around the world, browsing the internet watching movies and listening to music etc etc etc but this is never going to be something you could wear for more than an hour or two at a time. But It is still worth the money you can only imagine where this tech will be in the next few years especially if they can increase resolution and sort out phones getting too hot.I know this is not the most in depth review and that is because I have only used this a little bit so fare but one tip I will leave you with Bluetooth earphones are a must I am using the Samsung Level U Pro got them for less than half the full price through Amazon and they make a huge difference seeing that my phones speaker is on the bottom so the sound comes out from the right side only not ideal.

It works fine with my S8 though it took me a while to sort out the navigation (and still learning). Watched some of the football world cup on it from the BBC - more immersive but as you turn your head around, you're in a room looking at a screen! I suppose I was expecting too much (from the BBC). Gets a bit tedious after a while, you will need breaks. To be fair, I'm not a gamer, just curious about this 'new' technology.