Aukey Cortex 4K VR Headset Review

The Aukey Cortex 4K VR headset is one of several sets of premium VR goggles offered for PC users. It’s clearly geared toward the serious gamer market, though A/V aficionados who want to watch 3D movies in the highest definition possible might also like these glasses. We were interested in the exceptionally high pixel depth that the manufacturer promises, so we took a look at the device, to get a better picture of what makes the Aukey Cortex goggles so great. What we found was actually a little surprising, so read on.

Aukey Cortex 4K VR Headset Specs

With dual 1000Hz gyroscopes, the Aukey Cortex should be able to offer a rollercoaster-like experience to the majority of users. Since these sensors take around 18ms to respond, they might be a bit problematic for some. The goggles overcome this somewhat by offering a few different modes for users to choose from, which gives them the opportunity to match the display to the type of content they’re working with.

The default video mode allows applications to use an extended display. Many users prefer the direct mode, which provides them with a more modern interface. The Pimax mode offers an enhanced version of the direct mode, and it can be used to emulate other more expensive virtual reality headsets.

Pros & Cons

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Aukey Cortex 4K VR Headset: Design & Requirements

These goggles are designed around a patented, proprietary Aukey VR-W1 Cortex 4K HMD system. While they’re internally very different from the Oculus Rift headset and other similar VR goggles, they should be compatible with most games that require them.

Aukey designed their goggles to masquerade different configurations, so users wouldn’t have to go out and buy a different pair of goggles each time they wanted to try a different application. They require 64-bit computers running Windows 7 or higher, which means those running the newest version of Windows 10 on a 32-bit processor won’t have much fun with them. They also don’t work with OS X or macOS Sierra products from Apple, or with anything running Linux.

Aukey Cortex 4K VR Headset: Controls & Display

Some people complain that they see visible pixels when working with 2K virtual reality headsets, and the Cortex completely solves this issue. While the images won’t be quite as bright as if they were on a Vive or Rift, they’ll still be pretty good.

Vertical banding tends to be about the absolute worst problem the Cortex suffers from. Since the goggles only come with rotational sensors, you’ll have to move around with a game controller. This gives you a different feel than if you were able to move a character in a game by simply turning your head around.

Aukey Cortex 4K VR Headset: Setup

You’ll need to download the Pimax installation package in order to get your goggles to work. The installer will then instruct you to disable your security software, which is a concern for many users. Some parts of the installer are written in Chinese, which was also a concern for users who were afraid that the software might be installing questionable routines without their permission.

You may also have to roll the version of the Java runtime libraries you have installed, depending on whether the Pimax installer likes it or not. Once you’re done resolving dependencies, however, you should be able to use your goggles normally.

Aukey Cortex 4K VR Headset: User Experience

While it may come as a surprise to readers, relatively few people have actually voiced their opinion on the Aukey Cortex 4K VR Headset. This isn’t really a mark against the product, though, because Aukey’s smartphone-based solutions are more popular.

Out of the people who did review this headset, some were concerned about the irregularities involved with the Pimax software installation. The main issue is that the Java installation might have to be wiped out in the process. Other users felt that the virtual reality in itself wasn’t all that impressive.

Important Factors to Consider When Buying a VR Headset

We hope you enjoyed reading this Aukey Cortex 4K VR review. Before you leap into making a purchasing for a VR headset, there are some essential factors to consider throughout your search. 

Compatibility

One of the first factors to consider is if your chosen device is compatible with the VR headset you’re interested in. Make sure you check the minimum requirements for your device compared to the headset.

Field of View

A VR headset is all about the field of view and visibility, so you need to research the angle and zoom your device offers. Fortunately, the Aukey Cortex 4K VR headset offers a 110-degree field of view. This particular dimension is ideal for experiencing an incredible view. Should you choose a headset that features a small field of view, you’ll still feel like you’re in your current environment and not a part of something new. Consider your budget and what you’ll mainly use the headset for. If it’s for watching movies, you won’t require an expansive field of view compared to playing games.

Weight

It’s also essential that the headset has an appropriate weight for the user. The lighter the headset, the better, otherwise this will impact the duration you can play for. Research the measurement and weight of the straps, so the headset doesn’t cut your ears. If you intend to use the headset with multiple users, check that the straps are adjustable to accommodate everyone’s sizes.

Bottom Line

The Aukey Cortex 4K VR headset is a relatively good VR headset. It can eliminate the need for many types of costly VR headsets. Moreover, gamers will get a huge boost in the pixel department. On the other hand, it suffers from serious software problems. It could certainly use a few more sensors to make it more suitable for those playing FPS games. Do you have any experience with the Aukey headset? If so, we’d love to hear what you thought of these goggles.

Recommended read: Utopia 360 Virtual Reality Headset Review