Today, Bigscreen officially unveiled their cutting-edge Beyond PC VR headset, which promises to revolutionize the virtual reality experience with its enhanced field-of-view (FOV) and crystal-clear visuals, thanks to innovative pancake lenses. This headset is slimmer and lighter, and it’s now equipped with features that cater to both home and enterprise users, such as an adjustable interpupillary distance (IPD) and a universal Lightseal facial interface.
Bigscreen is rolling out two versions of this new headset: the Beyond 2 and the Beyond 2e. Unlike the ‘e’ suffix you might recognize from Apple’s recent iPhone 16e, the ‘e’ in Beyond 2e signifies the addition of eye-tracking technology.
The Beyond 2e contains all the features found in the Beyond 2, plus a compact eye-tracking suite. This suite boasts AI-driven computer vision technology for low-latency, privacy-focused tracking, and integrates seamlessly with SteamVR, OpenXR, and platforms like VRChat. A beta program for these features is expected to launch in the summer of 2025.
Now, let’s talk price. The headsets are priced at $1,019 for the Beyond 2 and $1,219 for the Beyond 2e. However, Bigscreen is offering a discount for those who were early adopters of the original Beyond, bringing the prices down to $849 and $1,049, respectively.
The first batch of these headsets is anticipated to hit the market in April. Additionally, there’s an optional halo-style strap mount that’s slated for a Q3 2025 release. Both Beyond 2 models will be available in three stylish colors: Carbon Black, Crystal Clear, and Nuclear Orange.
Just like its predecessor, the Beyond 1, this new slim and lightweight PC VR headset utilizes the SteamVR tracking standard. This means it supports SteamVR 1.0 and 2.0 base stations and works with a variety of SteamVR accessories, including body trackers and controllers like Valve’s Index controllers, known as ‘Knuckles.’
Before using the Bigscreen Beyond 2, you’ll need to ensure you have a VR-ready PC, along with the necessary base stations. To find out if your PC meets the requirements, click here.
In terms of hardware, while the Beyond 2 doesn’t offer a resolution upgrade over the original Beyond from 2023, it maintains the same dual 1-inch 2,560 × 2,560 micro-OLED displays. However, the standout enhancement lies in its fresh pancake lenses, which boost the FOV to 116 degrees diagonally, up from the original’s 102-degree diagonal FOV.
Moreover, the new headset is lighter—about 16% less than its predecessor—coming in at just 107 grams. That’s remarkably lighter compared to standalone headsets like the Meta Quest 3 (515g) or the Apple Vision Pro (650g), and even other slim PC VR headsets like the upcoming MaganeX superlight 8K, which weighs 179 grams.
Although the displays remain unchanged, Bigscreen assures us that Beyond 2 offers improved brightness and significantly reduced glare. The new pancake lens design provides "dramatic improvements over Beyond 1," promising edge-to-edge clarity and a substantial sweet spot.
A significant enhancement in Beyond 2 is the introduction of an adjustable IPD mechanism, which users can modify using an included tool. This new mechanism, featuring visible markings inside the headset, allows users to fine-tune each lens independently for optimal viewing clarity.
This is considered a "major improvement" over Beyond 1’s fixed IPD system, which required choosing from 18 different sizes and scanning one’s face with an iPhone for a customized fit.
Speaking of accessories, Beyond 2 supports the same custom-fit cushions as its predecessor. However, it’s now equipped with a universal-fit Lightseal interface, making it more appealing for home users who seek better shareability as well as enterprise clients.
Furthermore, many accessories from the original Beyond are compatible with the Beyond 2, including the five-meter fiber optic cable, link box, Audio Strap, and soft strap. Notably, prescription lens inserts made before 2025 for Beyond 1 are compatible with Beyond 2 but not with Beyond 2e. Inserts manufactured from 2025 onwards will be compatible with Beyond 1, 2, and 2e.
The headset also comes with a soft strap, and Bigscreen plans to introduce a new halo-style mount in Q3 2025. Inspired by night vision goggles, this mount offers fine-tuned controls for tilt and eye relief and is compatible with various configurations, including the headset’s Lightseal, original custom interfaces, or even no interface at all.
The halo mount, serving as a mount rather than a complete strap unit, is compatible with various strap solutions, including the provided soft strap, Bigscreen’s Audio Strap, and third-party options. Current pricing details are still under wraps, but more information should emerge closer to its Q3 2025 launch.
Bigscreen Beyond 2 will soon be available for order on Bigscreen’s website. The headsets will ship from their Los Angeles facility to customers across the US, Canada, Japan, the UK, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. Bigscreen also intends to expand to countries such as South Korea, Mexico, Israel, and the UAE later this year.
Specifications
- Field of View: 116° diagonal
- Weight: 107 grams
- IPD: Adjustable, 48mm to 75mm (55mm to 70mm physically)
- Resolution: 2,560 × 2,560 per eye
- Refresh Rate: 90Hz, 75Hz
- 6DOF Tracking: SteamVR tracking
- Tracking Requirements: SteamVR 1.0 and 2.0 Base Stations (not included)
- Eye Tracking: Yes, on Beyond 2e
- Full-body Tracking: Compatible with SteamVR trackers like HTC Vive Trackers, Tundra Trackers (not included)
- Controllers: Compatible with SteamVR controllers like Valve Index Controllers (not included)
PC Requirements
- Audio Input: Dual microphone array
- Audio Output: Built-in on-ear speakers with the Audio Strap (not included)
- Accessory Ports: 1 × USB-C
- Cable: 5-meter fiber optic cable
- GPU: Nvidia RTX 2070 or AMD RX 5700 XT or newer (DisplayPort 1.4 and DSC required)
- CPU: Quad-core Intel or AMD
- Ports: 1 × DisplayPort 1.4, 2 × USB 3.0 ports
- OS: Windows 10 or Windows 11
