重點資訊
Valve has officially discontinued its Index VR kit. To clear remaining inventory, the company has launched a 20% discount on the headset and controllers.
The move follows the launch of the Steam Frame last month. Despite a price increase caused by memory shortages, the Frame's waiting list now extends into 2027. Critics note that the Index sale is not particularly effective, as purchasing the headset, controllers, and two required HTC-made base stations costs £1,027, exceeding the original £919 launch price of the full kit.
Launched in 2019, the Index was notable for its adjustable straps and wide field of view. Its primary legacy is the introduction of individual finger tracking, which allowed for nuanced gestures like thumbs-ups or finger guns, a feature famously utilized in Half-Life: Alyx.
While finger tracking is now standard, the author notes that the Index's 'Knuckles' controllers remain superior in accuracy compared to the Meta Quest 3 and the Steam Frame. However, the author argues this is an acceptable trade-off for the Frame's improvements, such as the removal of lighthouses and cables.
