14 DAY TRIAL // One of the main issues with virtual reality headsets is how few they are. Another one is that the ones that support smartphones are even fewer, and to make matters worse, can't handle them all.
It's not all that surprising. Some of them were made by companies like, say, Samsung and, thus, are intended only for same-brand phones.
Others just aren't big enough to fit smartphones beyond a certain screen size, like the OnePlus One smartphone that Rene Meeh recently bought.
Being not at all impressed with this state of affairs, Meeh decided to do what many people often dream of doing but few ever dare: take matters into his own hands.
Which is to say, he set about creating his own virtual reality headset that could accommodate the OnePlus One smartphone.
The 3D printable VR headset
The idea was to create something that would help him pass the time during an airplane flight, or allow one to take lessons without outside distractions.
The headset is made in such a way that it can adjust pupillary distance and diopter, meaning that even people with slight shortsightedness or farsightedness can use it comfortably.
First he bought a couple of magnifying glasses and stripped out the lenses. After he measured the distance needed between the lens and the phone screen, he designed the headset around the phone.
He employed the Rhinocerous 3D software to create the model and had to print several prototypes before he was satisfied. He used a CTC Printer, a Chinese clone of the MakerBot replicator apparently.
The threads for the adjustable parts have a design with 45 degree angle towards the print base.
Interestingly enough, the VR headset does not have any electronic devices of its own, meaning that anyone could make one.
To adjust the lenses, you only need to turn the lens rings, effectively rendering vision glasses unnecessary.
Availability
This is something you're supposed to print yourself, so it's not for sale anywhere, though this might eventually change. You'll have to buy the face foam, head strap and 4 screws separately though. Some kits at least may be put up for order if nothing else.
