Experiencing the immersive world of haptic gaming, and my spiritual self may never be the same.
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Strap in for a wild ride, folks! That's the instant reaction I had when I laid my hands on the Woojer Vest 3, an unusual gaming vest from the future.
What's the point? What's the purpose? Why strap yourself with something that looks like a hybrid of a parachute vest, tactical gear, and a waistcoat with speakers for company, especially when we all yearn to ditch the shackles of daily grind and escape into the enchanting lands of fun and escapism? And all that for a price ranging from £270 to £540?
But why do I want it?
The generous folks at Woojer were kind enough to send me one of those strange marvels of engineering to give it a whirl.
After a few weeks of wearing it while playing racing, sports, and action games, I'm still not convinced anyone needs the Woojer Vest 3. But do I want it? Hell yeah!
Appearance and Configuration
The Woojer Vest 3 seems to be a strange blend of a parachute vest, tactical vest, and a waistcoat adorned with speakers. It comes in a variety of designs, including a Meta-themed one and a couple of game-branded motifs (Call of Duty, Fortnite). However, the one sent my way was the classic black version. I'd say this is my favorite option and the most stylish, covering all bases in terms of aesthetics.
The vest is made from fabric throughout, with faux leather on the back and plastic coatings covering the sensors and control panel. It's heavy-duty and sturdy from the get-go, tipping the scales at 1.5kg, so it's not quite the unyielding endurance of a Kevlar vest, but you'll definitely feel the heft once it's on.
Rather than offering various size options, it comes with adjustable straps, fitting most body types according to the Woojer website, from sizes M through XXL. Before you can strap yourself in, though, it needs to be charged up first. That's a first for a piece of clothing, I'd say...
Once fully charged, power it on and open the Woojer app on your phone to connect to the thing. You can also connect your headphones/earbuds (via Bluetooth or the audio jack on the vest) and plug in your computer using the USB-C port on the front. I felt like a science experiment when I first threw myself into it, but with anticipation and just a hint of trepidation, I discovered that everything hooked up fairly smoothly, which meant I was all set to go within a few minutes of unplugging the charger.
And it's a good thing I'm not embarrassed easily, because this might be the first gaming accessory that makes you look as ridiculous as the Apple VisionPro ever did...
Features and Experience
The main magic in the Woojer Vest 3 comes from the six "polyphonic & silent Osci V2 TRX haptic transducers" attached to it. There are two each on the back, the side, and the front, all set to rumble and thrill your bones.
Once you've activated the thing, connected your headphones, controller, and computer to the vest, and set the app controls to "Maximum Derek," boy, does it rumble.
Just giving it a listen to some music is an experience in and of itself, as the haptic transducers channel the bass directly into your body, making me feel like I'm standing inches away from a concert or rave speaker stack.
Firing up an RPG was next on the agenda. Every impact was transported straight into my soul, with a frequency response ranging from 1-250Hz, and when I played NBA 2K, haptic feedback to my entire upper body on bone-crunching slams and high-flying dunks offered an immersion level I never knew existed outside of sci-fi. Riding over the curbs at Silverstone, swooshing over the grass, and smashing into walls in Forza Motorsport brought a similar immersive sporting exhilaration. The same could be said for Doom: The Dark Ages, except for the obvious difference in complete and utter terror.
The claimed battery life is 8 hours, but there's a disclaimer on the Woojer website that states "depending on usage and volume/sensation level." There must be some intense, over-the-top users out there who will test the limits of that battery life. However, as thrilling as it all is, I'm not sure I could last more than a single race, game, or action sequence (90-120 minutes max) wearing the vest before needing a good, long break, or a similar amount of time spent battling against adversaries in warfare or bloodthirsty monsters.
Price
The Woojer Vest 3 can be purchased for £447 on the manufacturer's website, and £537 for a pack that includes a chair attachment, gold-plated cable, and a wall mount. At the time of writing this, though, you can get the vest alone for £270 and the combo pack for £295. Even at the discount price, this is still quite an extravagant indulgence, only suitable for the truly dedicated gamer. But boy, it's a unique experience.
Buy if...
- You are (or want to spoil) a serious gamer
- You lust after complete immersion in gaming and music
- You don't mind being a total oddball
Don't buy if...
- You're not an all-in gaming enthusiast (or your intended recipient isn't)
- You scare easily
- You only buy what you strictly need
- The Woojer Vest 3, an unusual gaming vest, boasts a creative 3D layout, blending elements of a parachute vest, tactical vest, and a waistcoat, showcasing a stylish black design that appeals to aesthetics.
- The vest design, adorned with six silent Osci V2 TRX haptic transducers, aims to provide a unique UI and UX experience that enhances both gaming and music, delivering advanced technology and art.
- Art enthusiasts might find the Woojer Vest 3 to be an intriguing piece of wearable technology, bridging the gap between conventional gaming accessories and innovative gadgets.
- Those who wish to explore more immersive gaming and music experiences might find the haptic feedback offered by the Woojer Vest 3 to be an attractive addition to their collection, fitting alongside other tech-focused jewelry and art.
- If you're not an avid gamer, easily frightened, or prefer a minimalist approach to technology, the Woojer Vest 3 may not be the ideal investment, as it caters to a specific niche within the tech and gaming community.
