Forte's VFX-1 HEADGEAR Virtual Reality System brings the IBM PC market a high-quality and economical virtual reality setup in a package. Retailing for about $1000, the VFX-1 ships with a Head-Mounted Display helmet, a Cyberpuck (more on this later), an proprietary internal card, and a CD-ROM full of VR applications. While the HMD is heavier than most, it is well balanced and distributes the weight over the entire helmet - allowing for less distraction by the helmet itself.
The HEADGEAR includes full 3-axis motion tracking (forward/back, left/right, up/down) which is quick and sharp. Its design is also sturdy and well-built. I found the cord connecting the VFX-1 and the computer to be a little short and somewhat constrictive, especially when I found myself turning 270 degrees in the opposite direction to unwrap the cord from my body.
One of the beneficial designs in the VFX-1 is the Smartvisor. This allows the user to lift the visor without completely taking the helmet off. The helmet also includes padded stereo headphones which block out most of the external noise around you, further immersing the user in the VR environment. The VFX-1 also contains a built-in Comset microphone, allowing users to communicate with one another in realtime via networking.
The Cyberpuck is a lightweight, VR input device that fits comfortably in the users hand. It can control roll (forward and back) and pitch (left and right) but not yaw (horizontal movement) and fits comfortably in either hand. In other words, the VFX-1 HEADGEAR is used for tracking head movement while the Cyberpuck controls devices used in the game.
In retrospect, the VFX-1 is one of the better HMDs on the market and the bundled package makes the helmet alone more affordable. It's not as portable as others - due to the internal card - but it makes up for it by being completely immersive and making you feel like you're really in another world.
