Google Cardboard VR Headset

[RowaN]

Anyone had a go at building one?

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Tempting to buy premade ones ($20 .. or $40 shipped to the UK) but postage kills it.
e.g. [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Install the app NOW for a bit of a preview.
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I've ordered the lenses today from amazon.de (search Durovis lens kit) for £10 delivered to the UK.... will let you know how I get on!

[grrrd]

Looks very cool indeed - £35 from Ebay;

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[RowaN]

Looks very cool indeed - £35 from Ebay;

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Yeah saw that.. but something inside me refuses to pay £35 for something you really can make yourself, and is just a piece of cardboard. Its even designed to be made at home.. no excuses! Come on get making!

[RowaN]

FWIW, I've had a confirmation email from amazon.de saying the lenses have an expected delivery date of "10-28 July" ... from Germany?? I'm in England surely it won't take that long... we'll see..

Edit: my progress so far:

[WRATH OF BOD]

hands on vid
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[RowaN]

So I've finished! Just gotta wait for the lenses to arrive.

Prior to assembly:


Ta da!


What I learned:

• If I make another I'll deffo use thinner cardboard. As strong, but thinner.. if that makes sense.
• Only use the Stanley knife to cut the small intricate bits. Scissors are faster for the big cuts (seems obvious in hindsight)
• Print it a little bigger! Annoyingly, Google don't tell you to print the A4 template as is, shink-to-fit, or expand-to-max-area ... so I wasn't sure if I was making this at the right scale. Turns out OK with shrink-to-fit, but could be half a cm bigger I think. Next time I'll use a print method that makes it a little bigger.
• Use a cutting mat (as I did) or you will ruin your table when cutting
• Set aside some time.. took me over 2-3 hours to cut everything out by hand.. I think.. lost track of time.
• Galaxy S4: I cut out an extra notch where the home button sits because otherwise it keeps getting accidently pressed by the cardboard holding it in place.
• Now is there is a REASON to want a phone with better-than-1080p screen because so close to your eyes, higher resolution will make a difference.

[beerman]

Looks good Rowan.

[RowaN]

Cheers beerman it was a labour of love.

Tomorrow: get velcro, NFC tag, magnets. Or cheap out and not bother.

Edit: 2x NFC tag stickers 99p delivered from eBay.

Edit 2: Lenses arrived from Germany 1 day after dispatch!!

Edit 3: Tried the lenses both ways round but neither is that good.. its better than no lenses at all, but its not very focused at all I think something is wrong... sigh...

[WRATH OF BOD]

what lenses are they, can you use a different type

[RowaN]

I used the ones Googles recommends, Durovis.

Interestingly... these are bi-convex lenses... i.e. rounded on both sides. BUT, one side is MORE rounded than the other. You have to make sure the more convex side faces the screen, not your eyes. Someone on the #cardboard G+ board just gave me that advice and it has improved things no end!

AGAIN, A CRUCIAL POINT THAT GOOGLE'S OWN INSTRUCTIONS TOTALLY MISSES OUT! F F S!

The "Chrome Experiments" rollercoaster is awesome.. makes you tipsy on your feet.
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[AP0ll0UK]

Have you tried watching a 3D movie aside from the stock stuff on the Cardboard app?

[RowaN]

Have you tried watching a 3D movie aside from the stock stuff on the Cardboard app?

Omg didn't think of that! What am I looking for, an "SBS" movie?

[AP0ll0UK]

Yeah probably. I'm not sure what the stock Android video player would do with it. MX Player 'might' support SBS....

[AP0ll0UK]

Omg didn't think of that! What am I looking for, an "SBS" movie?

Any joy?

[WRATH OF BOD]

found lenses £11.20 for 2, not sure about shipping
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[Stinger40]

I'm a spamming twat.

[AP0ll0UK]

I'm a spamming twat.

LOL

I want to know if this copes with 3D movies :/

[holycowdude]

I've got the oculus rift and its really cool, ordered the dev kit 2 so i'll let you guys know what its like. check it out on youtube

[stevo25]

DX appear to have them now
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[beerman]

Cheers Stevo, ordered.

They also do a plastic set with a strap, although these are £21 instead of £6.
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