REVIEW – The Goggle Tech Virtual Reality Goggles are not trying to be a heavy headset with built in electronics. They are a small folding viewer for phones, meant for quick 360° videos and Google Cardboard apps on Android or Apple smartphones with screens up to six inches.
Virtual Reality and 360° video keep drawing more attention, especially with companies like Google and Facebook investing in the format. That attention has created a wide accessory market, from expensive systems such as Oculus Rift to very basic Google Cardboard style viewers.
This product sits on the inexpensive, phone powered side of that market. There is no screen, no processor, and no onboard sound. Your smartphone supplies the app, display, and controls while the Goggle Tech frame supplies the lenses and viewing position.
Quick Take
The appeal is portability. Instead of a bulky headset, the goggles open like a pair of reading glasses and clip to the outside of the phone. That makes them easy to carry and simple to set up, but it also means you will be holding the phone while you watch.
Case and Included Gear
Goggle Tech includes a small carrying case with a foam insert that protects the lenses from scratches. I liked the case more than expected because it makes the goggles genuinely packable. Most VR goggles are awkward to bring along, while these can be tossed into a bag without much drama.
The glass lenses are the same type found in most Google Cardboard devices. For me, that makes them best for showing someone a quick demo or watching a short sample from a longer 360° video. I would not choose them for long sessions or serious gaming.
How the Frame Works
More expensive phone based VR headsets often include a mechanical button or ship with a Bluetooth controller. These goggles do not. Interaction is handled by touching the phone screen with your fingers, so the experience is simpler and less hands free.
They also do not feel as immersive as pricier goggles. Adding headphones helps a lot, since audio makes the viewing experience feel more complete even though the frame itself remains minimal.
The phone does not slide inside a box. Instead, the frame unfolds and uses two U shaped end pieces to grip the outer edges of the device. The hold is reasonably secure for normal viewing, but I would not shake it around. I would keep one hand on the phone and one on the goggles while using them.
There is no head strap, so anyone who wants a headset they can wear without holding the phone should look elsewhere. On the positive side, this open design is easy to use if you wear glasses.
Phone Setup and Cardboard Support
Setup is straightforward because the goggles support Google Cardboard. Scan the QR code on the side with a Google Cardboard app and the app recognizes the viewer as “C1-Glass”. After that, Cardboard compatible apps can use the goggles normally.
Final Thoughts
For the money, these goggles do well. The folding design and protective case make them worth a small premium over similarly specced goggles, and the jump in price to models with a somewhat better experience is large enough that these still feel like a good deal.
The Goggle Tech Virtual Reality Goggles are available in black, white, red, and green. They are marketed for adults and children age seven and up. Based on the frame plastic, though, I would be cautious about handing them to kids who are hard on gear.
Source: The sample for this review was purchased with my own funds. Please visit Goggle Tech for more info.
