Acer's Windows Put together Truth Head set OJO 500 is last but not least available to buy after twelve months delay

Looking Back at the Acer OJO 500 and Windows Mixed Reality

The Acer OJO 500 was one of the more interesting headsets to come out of Microsoft's Windows Mixed Reality programme. That programme let several PC manufacturers build headsets around a shared platform built into Windows 10. Its long road to store shelves is now old news, but the hardware still says a lot about where PC virtual reality was heading at the time.

What made the OJO 500 different

The headline feature was a detachable front display module. The visor could be separated from the head strap, which made cleaning easier and allowed the headset to be shared between users more hygienically. That was a practical idea for clubs, LAN events and households with more than one player.

The OJO 500 also offered physical adjustment for the distance between the lenses, known as IPD. Getting that setting right reduces eye strain and blur during long sessions.

Like other Windows Mixed Reality headsets, it used inside-out tracking. Cameras on the headset itself tracked your position, so there were no external base stations to mount around the room. That lowered the barrier to entry for people with small apartments or desks shared with a regular monitor setup.

Things to know before picking one up today

If you come across an OJO 500 or a similar headset second-hand, keep a few points in mind:

• Software support has changed. Microsoft has deprecated Windows Mixed Reality, and its support in newer Windows versions is being removed. Check compatibility with your operating system before buying.
• SteamVR compatibility historically came through a separate bridge app. Confirm it still works on your setup.
• Controllers and cables are easy to lose in used bundles. Make sure the motion controllers and the hybrid HDMI/USB cable are included.
• GPU requirements are modest by current standards, but a stable USB 3.0 port and a supported graphics output are still essential.

Why it matters for modders and developers

For the community here, older headsets remain useful test hardware. They are cheap, widely documented and good for experimenting with VR mods, private server clients or custom input layers without risking expensive gear.

If you are tinkering with VR support in an emulator or game client, look through our tutorials for setup walkthroughs. You can also browse the tools section for utilities that help with debugging and configuration.