Samsung GearVR with Controller is the latest duo of VR headset that uses the mobile technology to garner you access to the world of VR. How does this compared to the tethered counterparts like Oculus Rift or HTC Vive? There are split reactions, mine will be solely on the GearVR uses and GTK (good-to-know) Tid-Bits since other review focuses on the technical and comparable specifications. WHAT TO EXPECT: The streamlined packaging allows you direct access to the GearVR headset and the Controller (requires (2) AAA batteries). The Controller will need to be paired via Bluetooth to your headset (more on this later). Instructions are simple and the GearVR headset is available for use right out of the box because there is no 'charging' involved. The battery source is from the mobile itself so make sure your phone is well-charged. It may be good to mention this GearVR headset works only with Samsung (hence, it's a Samsung GearVR). I've used it with Samsung S7 Edge and the S8+. BOTH of the phones will require you to download the Oculus APP to use. Once you remove the plastic 'cover' from the front part of the GearVR, you will notice the phone port on the right side and a 'spring clasp' mechanism on the left. With the S7 Edge, you will need to use a microUSB attachment (which, by the way, is included in the package - AWESOME). Out of the box, the GearVR headset already has the USB Type-C port attachment (good for Samsung S8+) so changing the attachment out is a bit tricky but once you get it, it's pretty logical. The 'spring clasp' on the left side of the GearVR is adjustable to fit both the S7 Edge and the S8+ snuggly. From the other reviews, it looks like there will be no issues using with Note8 or the S8; but it looks like the GearVR will not work with J7. GTK #1: SIT. DOWN. PLEASE! Can't emphasize enough the danger in thinking you will 'walk' around in your VR. You can loose track of where you are standing, what's in front of you or underneath you. Last thing is for you to turn around only to hit a wall - and your nose, by the way, as it is the impact point of a side hit - so be sure to find a comfortable, 'safe' place to move your upper body around. Sofa seems to work the best, Beds... well, you can easily roll off so a word of caution on that! HEADSET: Black, solid quality plastic-body with two head strap adjustments and it makes a LOT of sense to have the one going above your head for support to carry off the weight of the mobile phone, Pretty comfortable, especially around the eyes where the padding snuggly fits to block out the ambient light. It can feel a bit front-heavy due to the mobile so be aware of you dropping your head down as it may happen faster. GTK #2: If you are generally a 'Hot' person - well, you can define that whichever way you'd like but we're talking about body temperature in this instance - your GearVR may 'fog' as it does retain heat. You can wipe down but the best solution so far seems to be to have a portable fan near by blowing on your face. This is actually for you to cool down so if there are other ways, do that as it does become a nuisance if you're in a VR Chat and people can all hear the rotating fan sound. Tid-Bit: One thing to look out for is the temperature from the Phone can also be alarming as it can get quite 'Hot' to touch but it seems to depend particular Oculus Apps. For example, the temperature may be higher if you're playing a rollercoaster game vs. a chat or Facebook360. No worries, though - the Samsung mobiles have a temperature gage so rest assured it will not become dangerously overheated. CONTROLLER: You do need to PAIR this via Bluetooth before it can be used and this may take several seconds, depending on the phone. There is also a 'touchpad' function available on the right temple area of the GearVR that is useful, especially if you don't have a Controller (or lost contact with it, which does happen!). All functions available on the Controller can be accessible in this manner as well. The Controller set-up is pretty simple, follow the instruction BEFORE you put your GearVR on. GTK #3: The Controller can disconnect unexpectedly from the mobile phone, which can disrupt whatever you are doing. In most cases, you would need to re-PAIR it via Bluetooth - notification seems to pop up that the Controller is available and you can use also the 'Home' button to reset the Bluetooth. However, if the Controller seem to 'loose control' (the pointer vibrates on screen or does not seem to point in the right place), one of two things can be done: If it doesn't seem to point in the right place, press the 'Home' button until you see the spinning Controller on your screen - keep it steady - and it will reset the pointer center. If the pointer seem to skip from here to there, it actually may be your BATTERY (it does seem to run out sooner than later!) CHARGING: There is a review that says you can 'charge' your phone while you use the GearVR. Actually, there is a port available on the right lower side of the GearVR; however, this port is so that you can connect your headset to the USB Type-C port (provided in the package) SO that it does not use your phone's battery. It does NOT charge your phone. SOUND: You can hear sounds without a headset but in certain places - like VR Chats - you are required to have a headset. You can use BOTH the wired and wireless - the wireless headset must be also paired via Bluetooth (yes, possible to have both the wireless headset and the Controller connected at the same time!). VISION: OK, the first few times you use the GearVR set, you will notice some changes to your vision. There is a rotary wheel on the front part of the GearVR that adjust the depth and clarity of your vision within VR. If you use glasses, it may be a good idea to use the GearVR without your glasses (yes it is possible to adjust your vision this way!). Same goes for the contact lens users. For those with 20/20 or better, lucky you! At first few times you may feel dizzy and even nauseous. Also your vision may feel dimmed after removing your GearVR. Brightness can be adjusted in the settings function within GearVR. It's NOT a good idea to have the brightness on full high as it will affect your eyes. GTK #4: SERIOUSLY consider NOT eating right before the GearVR experience especially if you're going to 'ride' the rollercoaster. It's trippy how your mind actually will make you feel like you're spinning, hence your body will feel nauseous!). MOBILE USAGE: YES, it will eat up your battery. YES, you can see notifications as you're using your GearVR. YES, you can actually use your phones if you have the correct App. There are many things you can explorer with the Samsung GearVR + your Samsung Mobile phone, however you do need to download the right Apps. Samsung has this pre-programmed to help you download - one of two you will definitely is Oculus and the SamsungVR. All other Apps you can download using those two to start. IMPROVEMENTS: Samsung GearVR is a Mobile-based VR system so unlike the tethered kind like Oculus Rift or HTC Vive, it has its limitations. For example, the graphics is not as crystal clear as the tethered kind - this may also be because you have a screen protector that is not 'clear' so keep that in mind. Some of the colors available may not translate into the MobileVR so you may not get the full color experience in some of the VR Apps. Also for GearVR, there is not peripherals available from Samsung yet, like the hand tracking movement. The Controller can give you SOME functions but you won't have the full hands-on experience. Hopefully as the VR world is popularizing, they are developing this option soon! There you have it! As more usage and experience comes with the GearVR, there may be more GTK or Tid-Bits to add to the review. This is based on first-hand experience using the GearVR for about 6 week weeks.

It's amazing, the quality and the control is so comfortable. The view is amazing in the games, movies etc.

We thoroughly enjoy the headset. It is well made and fits my S8 phone and all of the heads in our family properly. The touchpad and buttons on the headset respond quickly, as well as, the hand controller. Not all of the apps support the hand controller, but that isn't too big of a deal. It took a long time to download the apps and necessary files for the apps. Using the headset requires a lot of power, so the phone will need to have a good charge before starting a session. Plus the phone will be very warm when you are on it for more than 20 minutes, or so.

When I had my Note 4, my husband bought me a generic pair of VR glasses because they didn't have anything for my Note 4 as the phone had become obsolete in a sense. I have a new phone now and I bought the VR glasses to use. I love them. It is so cool to be immersed into the world of VR. This is the best experience I have ever had. The only thing that I don't like about it is that you can't keep them on for a long time as you start to become dizzy and your eyes and head become heavy.

More of a toy to entertain but still fun. Take a lot of set-up with different apps to really get it useful