The Virtoba S1 Daydream VR Bluetooth Controller

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The Virtoba S1 is a Daydream compatible controller from China that costs around
£15 ($20). Let me just start with saying I’ve got a lot of cheap Bluetooth
controllers – and for the most part they’re crap.

I hit the “Buy now” button for the Virtoba S1 half expecting this to be the
case, but I was quite happily wrong.

[IMAGE: https://blog.omgmog.net/images/2017-08/daydream.jpg]

The official Daydream controller from Google can only be bought as part of the
Daydream View bundle (headset included) for upwards of £60.

I’m using a plastic Google Cardboard headset that features elastic/velcro straps
to hold my phone.

I don’t own a Google Pixel – as much as I’ve loved the previous generations of
Nexus devices, after my Nexus 5X died I decided instead to buy a OnePlus 3T.

[IMAGE: https://blog.omgmog.net/images/2017-08/op3t.jpg]

The OnePlus 3T has a spec that rivals the Google Pixel XL, but weirdly enough it
doesn’t come with Daydream enabled out of the box. So I unlocked, rooted and
installed the necessary components to make Daydream work on the OnePlus 3T, and
here we are (http://status.omgmog.net/1501775191/).

The Virtoba S1 pairs in the same way that the official Daydream controller does,
and works instantly.

I’ve tested the controller with a number of Daydream experiences, including some
games, navigating around the enjoyable user experience of the Daydream menu
inteface, and logging in and playing some videos on the Netflix VR application.

[IMAGE: https://blog.omgmog.net/images/2017-08/Screenshot_20170816-143203.png]

As with the official Daydream controller, the Virtoba S1 features a clickable
touchpad, two buttons and two volume buttons. The layout and bindings are
exactly the same as the official Daydream controller.

The Virtoba S1 charges with a USB-C cable, so if you’re already using USB-C
that’s one less thing to worry about.

The controller contains a 300mAh battery that is rated at about 12 hours of
continuous use, and over a month of standby – but I’m yet to test either of
these scenarios.

In all I’m very impressed with this controller. Even at such a low price, it
feels very solid and works exactly as intended. Until Google sell the Daydream
controller separately I would say this is a great alternative.

You can buy the Virtoba S1 for around £15 ($20) on Geekbuying
(http://www.geekbuying.com/item/Virtoba-S1-Daydream-Controller-381227.html) and
other online stores.

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Published August 16, 2017

Generated from the original post:
https://blog.omgmog.net/post/mini-review-virtoba-s1-daydream-vr-controller/


Max Glenister is an interface designer and senior full-stack developer from
Oxfordshire. He writes mostly about front-end development and technology.

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