I am not interested in Argumented Reality (AV or some would consider Mixed Reality [MR]), I want the full experience, so that leaves the new HP device out for me.
Are you talking about the HP Reverb 2? That's not AR, it's a VR headset just like the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Valve Index. The same goes for all of the existing "Windows Mixed Reality" headsets that have been on the market the last couple years. That branding is used by Microsoft to cover their platform for both VR and AR headsets, though currently only VR headsets are being sold to consumers. More precisely, they are referred to as "Windows Mixed Reality immersive headsets", but that's a lot to type, so it generally gets shortened to Windows Mixed Reality or WMR. They all provide "the full experience" as far as current VR headsets are concerned, though some of these headsets and controllers will offer better specifications or ergonomics than others.
Sadly, AFAIK, Oculus is the only one who makes affordable HMDs that aren't Windows Mixed Reality. I'd love to see a Valve Index Lite with wireless, and a Index 2 with wireless. That might entice me : ).
The Reverb 2 seems to be pretty much an "Index Lite". In fact, it's made in collaboration with Valve, using Valve-designed lenses, and the same headstrap and off-ear speaker design as the Index. Based on what's been shown so far, it appears the only major thing it gives up to cut costs and improve ease of setup is the Lighthouse tracking stations, which it trades for Windows Mixed Reality's inside-out camera based tracking, though with additional cameras to improve controller tracking compared to current WMR headsets. The controllers are also not the same as what the Index has, but apparently are an improvement over the existing WMR controller design, and more like the Oculus Touch controllers.
The biggest issue with the Index is it's cost, which could be largely due to the requirement of pricey lighthouse tracking stations. Lighthouse tracking might be nice, but many would argue its not worth the premium Valve is currently charging for it. The Reverb 2's $600 price might not exactly be classified as "affordable", but it's a lot more affordable than a complete Index kit, at the very least, and appears to be a much more premium product than something like the Rift S.
And while the Reverb 2 doesn't have wireless PC connectivity, none of the current headsets do without the use of an expensive addon kit. It does offer higher resolution than any other current consumer-focused headset though, at 2160x2160 per-eye, roughly double that of the Index, even if refresh rates are a more industry-standard 90Hz. Perhaps this headset is just the first in a wave of second-generation WMR headsets, and it's possible some of these improvements may come to lower-cost headsets as well.
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