Although theMeta Quest 3offers a lot all on its own, the VR headset has a wide variety of accessories that can further expand its utility. PrismXR is a new company that has introduced a line of handy accessories for Quest 3 owners to get even more out of their purchase.
PrismXR Puppis S1 Review
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First up is the PrismXR Puppis S1, a dedicated Wi-Fi 6 router that wirelessly connects your Meta Quest 3 (or Quest 2) VR headset to a PC. It looks a little bit like amini-PlayStation 5, but this small device is purpose-built for PC VR experiences on the untethered Quest 3.
While it’s possible to connect the Quest 3 and a PC using the Air Link app, the connection can be somewhat unreliable depending on several factors like range and connected devices. It’s also worth mentioning thatSteamreleased its own Steam Link app a little less than a month ago, but, again, this puts you at the mercy of a Wi-Fi connection, and not a dedicated one.
The Puppis S1, on the other hand, puts the focus directly on making the connection between PC and VR headset, and nothing else. It is extremely easy to set up – only requiring an app on the PC as well as two USB cables – and will get users up and running in a matter of minutes. In our testing of the Puppis S1 the signal was reliable and consistent, ensuring that there was minimal latency and no loss of connection.
With the Puppis S1, you will have access to an even bigger library of VR games, and depending on how much tinkering you want to do,great VR games outside the Quest ecosystemas well. While the Quest 3 is our recommendation for the best VR headset currently on the market, one of its limitations is the hardware. Without a PC running the VR games, the headset can only deliver a certain level of experience. PC VR games, however, can push graphical fidelity a little further and the Puppis S1 is one of the ways to leverage that extra power while remaining untethered.
PrismXR Carina W1 Review
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PrismXR’s other intriguing VR accessory is the Carina W1 Power Pak. It might look like something Rambo would take into a warzone, but this belt-like accessory (available in white or a dark gray) will give a Quest 3 VR headset anywhere from 4 to 9 extra hours of battery life. In fact, while it’s obviously built for VR, the Carina W1 could be used as a wearable battery pack for a number of situations.
The battery back clips together like a belt and can be worn around the waist. There is a Standard and a Small option both of which have velcro straps on either side to make adjustments for those who might be slimmer or larger than the average person, or for those who prefer something a little different, the Carina W1 can be worn across the chest. It’s a personal preference really, but we found that the PrismXR accessory was more comfortable as a belt, feeding its power cable out the back and up to the headset.
And for those that havebought the Meta Quest 3and its Elite Strap with Battery, the USB-C cable can feed right up into the battery on the back of the Elite Strap. Either way, it does take a little bit of arranging to ensure the cable is out of the way, but it’s a small inconvenience when extending the Quest 3’s battery life from roughly 2 hours to 5 or 6 in our testing. The package also includes small cord organizer that can stick to the back strap of a VR headset and keeps the USB-C cable nice and tidy as it feeds up to the port on the side of the Quest 3.
The big concern with the PrismXR Carina W1 is heat – this is a battery generating power for a VR headset, after all. But to PrismXR’s credit, they have designed the battery back with quality cooling and heat dissipation so that the Carina W1 never feels hot while wearing it. The pack can get a little warm but never to the point it was uncomfortable.
PrismXR has a few other accessories for VR enthusiasts like low latency earbuds and a motion sickness headband, but the Puppis S1 and the Carina W1 are arguably the most useful out of the bunch. Being able to access PC VR games wirelessly has a little smaller use case depending on how deep you are in the VR ecosystem, but the Carina W1 battery pack is a no-brainer when it comes to extending playing time on the Meta Quest 3. Both are reasonably priced, work exactly as advertised, and are worth taking a look at.
PrismXR’s Puppis S1 is available atAmazonfor $79.99 and the Carina W1 is available atAmazonfor $64.99. Game Rant was provided retail units of both for this coverage.
