Reddit reviews TENAVOLTS 1.5V AA Lithium Rechargeable Battery, 1.8h Fast Charge, USB Charger, Constant Output at 1.5V, 2775 mWh, 4 Count with Charger

Aight, so I bought one of these on a different sale and here are my thoughts. For the record I've used a 1st gen Oculus, 1st gen Vive, a Index, and my head is tall and narrow-ish. My rig I run it off of is has a Vega 56, Ryzen 3600, 16 gigs of ram, and a m2.boot/game drive.


First and as kind of a side note, I would not recommend you use this with glasses at all. Some headsets like the Vive have enough clearance that glasses can kind of fit but this one certainly does not.

The Goods:

Screen- The Screen quality is among the best of any Ive ever used. I would say it is better then a 1st gen Vive by a good margin. It has width (IPD) adjustment, colors are very good, and there is no perceivable screen door effect. It's certainly the strongest point of the headset especially when contrast with it's price point. If you want to do things like VR racers, Elite Dangerous, or educational research this is easily your best bang for your buck.

Audio-
Strapping a headset to yourself when you have a vr set on is mostly a pain in the ass. The fact it is included on this set is great and means there is one less cable you have to worry about tripping on. While I'm sure it isn't audiophile levels of quality it makes light yet solid contact with your ears and doesn't sound cheap or hollow. There is also volume buttons on the headset.

The Mids:

Tracking-
An upside of most of the Windows MR headsets is that they don't need separate sensors mounted in your room. A downside of most of the Windows MR headsets is that they don't use separate sensors mounted in your room.
The tracking is pretty solid so long as the controllers are in front of you, but will frequently desync the moment you cross the 180 degree plane in front of you. They will re-sync instantly once brought back into view, but certain actions like shooting a bow can get dicey in a way headsets with separate tracker won't. I still play a lot of shooters with mine with very little complaint, bit I have to try and avoid actions like storing guns on back.

The Controllers-
I'm gonna go on the record for saying that I actually really like the controllers. The don't feel quite as sturdy as a Vive or Index, but the button layout is very traditional and they fit well in my big with long fingered hands. The Index controllers are still the gold standard in my book (control stick issues not withstanding), but the Windows MR controllers are very good all rounders with more buttons then a OG Vive or Occulus. One big note! The reason I wouldn't describe them as a plus for the device is that they require 1.5v AA batteries to function at the full 90hz refresh rate. If you stick normal rechargeable batteries rated at 1.2v they will function in low power mode at 60hz. You need specifically "dry" cell batteries (read:not rechargeable) or rechargeable rated at 1.5v. I personally bought these on sale when they were 15$ (https://www.amazon.com/TENAVOLTS-Rechargeable-Batteries-rechargeable-electrical/dp/B07HQ7QV7W?ref_=ast_bbp_dp) and they do the job very well

Headset Fit-
The thing goes over your head and there is clicky wheel you spin to tighten/loosen the headset on your head (like a face shield). Some people reportedly have had a hard time with this headset due to the lack of top head strap. When I bought it I preemptively bought one of these (https://www.studioformcreative.com/product-page/odyssey-head-strap) and I've never actually felt the need to use it. It's always been pretty comfortable for friends and myself. What was a pretty big problem was the amount of light bleed from the foam surrounding the headset. It's not very thick and I would always get light from the top and bottom. I bought this (https://vrcover.com/product/samsung-odyssey-plus-replacement/) and it eliminated that pretty well. You also get one extra so other people don't have to use the foam you've been using.

The Bads:

Windows™ Mixed™ Reality™™-
God I fucking hate Windows™ VR home. You have to install this for your headset to function. After the initial start up you can avoid Windows MR and launch stuff directly from steam or your desktop, but anytime you want to change environment settings (room space/floor height) you have to leave steam vr and go into MR. It always is running in the background when your headset is plugged in, it's completely unnecessary, and serves only to eat the resources you want for VR.

Cord Length-
The cord length is honestly pretty unacceptable. The HDMI and USB3 Cord the headset has measure just long enough for you to beat most minimum space requirements, but not much more. This might not be a downside if you only want to play games in your chair/do research, but if you want to play shooters or Beat Saber you need a longer cord. Now buying a longer usb 3 and hdmi cord isn't that big of a deal, but you have the chance of running into a bug other users and myself ran into when there isn't quite enough power for the audio to be transmitted correctly. What happens is that instead of your normal audio you get what I can only describe as screeches from hell @128 kbit/s. The screen and tracking will function properly but sure as hell not the audio. To prevent this you have to plug in a separately powered usb 3 hub into your computer and then plug your headset's usb3 into that. It works, but it's a pretty stupid problem to have


TL;DR Its a bit of a mixed (reality) bag. If you want something that is a better all rounder or don't want to mess with Windows™ Mixed™ Reality™ ™ you will need to spend quite bit more. As it sits, I still think it is remarkably good value, just don't expect it to perfect for everything right out of the box.

if your pc does not have built-in Bluetooth, you're going to have to get an adaptor. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0775YF36R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Use rechargeable batteries that have more than 1.5 V. Avoid 1.2 V if you can, controllers will occasionally read them as 'low' and turn off, even though they are fine. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HQ7QV7W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

free games to keep you busy: google earth, vrchat, and rec room.

Minutes? What kind of batteries are you using?

I've used these with great results-

1.8 mAh TENAVOLTS Rechargeable AA Battery Charger with 4 Counts Lithium 2775 mWh AA Rechargeable Batteries https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HQ7QV7W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_1OgnDbJXY7QAJ

And these as well.

1.5mAh USB Rechargeable Batteries 1.5V/1500mAh Lithium Ion AA Battery with 4-in-1 Micro USB Charging Cable 1.5h Quick-Charge Built-in Integrated Safety Circuit Protection Double A Batteries(4 Pack)) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F27PK2M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GVgnDb1C8DPXZ

Just to throw it out there if you haven't yet purchased the other batteries yet, I encourage you to consider these

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HQ7QV7W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Dn9MDbSJYHMJK

They are lithium rechargeable batteries so they are much better than Nimh rechargeable at maintaining that 1.5v the controllers want. I personally have a set and they are great! Good battery life and no annoying false notice of low battery. When I'm not using them with my wmr controllers I throw them in my steam controller too, lol. They have overall worked fantastic for me. Much better than Nimh's, those dont last as long and don't hold a charge well with prolonged non use. Something to consider!

these guys are on sale for $12 again. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HQ7QV7W

After doing a bunch of "research" the past few days I decided to buy some Tenavolt 1.5v AA Rechargeable Li-ion.

Some people report tracking issues when using 1.2v Ni-Mh rechargeable so 1.5v plus seems to do the trick (Have not personally tested since headset comes on Monday). You have a few choices but here is my opinions on them:

• 1.6v Ni-Zn Rechargeable: Although this is a fine choice voltage wise, I have heard reviews of slow charging time (+4 hours) and low life time (some cells stop working after 30~50 cycles). Capacity of ~1562mAh per cell (mWh/v=mAh since many batteries list their mWh)
  
  
• 3.2v LiFePO4 14500 WITH dummy cell, smallest capacity (600mAh ~ 800mAh) I didn't want to only have a few hours per charge (Have read different suggestions that the controllers use 150mAh~200mAh) nor spending time charging different sets to use in a long session. (Think these are made since they are a less energy dense brother of a standard Li-ion so is considered "safer")
  
  
• 3.7v Li-ion 14500 WITH dummy cell, smaller capacity (800mAh ~ 1200mAh) which people have used (even though fully charged the cell is at 4.2v) since the [controllers seem to be correctly stepping down the voltage (actual talk about correctly stepping down voltage is in the comments)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsMR/comments/a0gee8/windows_mixed_reality_selfrecharging_controller/) however if we assume that the controllers step down the voltage to 3v then the 3.7v Li-ion 14500 have a capacity of (987mAh ~ 1480mAh).
  
  Note: I messaged Nagorak who did the 3.7v testing to see about any long term effect since it had been almost a year however they had only had a few dozen more hours due to being busy but no long term effects had been shown so far. I am not saying there isn't any stress put on the controllers' voltage regulators (ie, overheat damage) but wanted to add that for anyone's future use
  
  
• 1.5v Li-ion Rechargeable: So these cells are just 3.7v Li-ion with a 1.5v regulator packaged into the 14500 form factor (standard aa size). This means each cell has a higher capacity (1500mAh for charging controller built into the cell (has a micro usb jack on the cell) ~ 1850mAh for external charger) due to the output being 1.5v regulated.
  
  I went with the 1.5v Li-ion rechargeable since I wanted +1.5v, long lasting, and quick to recharge. I got the Tenavolts at $24.5 after 30% coupon (missed the $12 sale on them) and they were still less expensive per mAh then any +1.5v option (since for the 3.2v or 3.7v 14500 you have to add on like $13 for a two cell Li-ion charger).

Honestly, those who would have issues doing this project without a video would probably struggle to get the very short wiring soldered to the boost controller in the first place.

I like this project, but for most people, just buying a NiMH wall charger and two sets of rechargeable NiMH batteries do the job just fine. Alternately, a set of these would accomplish the same thing.

It's been said many times, but Tenavolts work great

> Yup, they don't make 'em like they used to. I've found Eveready AAs in old flashlights, radios that still worked after 20 years. Today's shit alkalines leak and destroy electronics at an alarming pace. I've moved to Lithium batteries for devices that require good power.

I suspect those are actually aren't alkalines, and are actually zinc carbon cells. They have much less energy than alkalines, but are still manufactured in enormous numbers because they're the ones included for free with devices that include batteries. They are a bit cheaper than regular alkalines, but I don't think that's the reason obsolete technology is still being used so enthusiastically. I think it's because inventory can sit on shelves for years before being sold, and manufacturers don't want their inventory destroyed by leaking alkalines, so they use zinc carbon instead.

All batteries age and lose power over time, but if I had to guess, I think the old ones you're finding might actually be zinc carbon. If not, well, alkalines don't normally leak until after they're depleted, so if they haven't lost all their energy yet, good ones probably wouldn't leak, so you can still find them sometimes.

You're right, today there are HUGE problems with leaking alkalines, especially with Duracell, which is among the most popular brands:

• Why I'll Never Skimp On AA Batteries Again : r/AAMasterRace
  
  I think the quality dropped because profits are dropping due to so many people buying rechargeable batteries instead. In any case, Energizer is the only alkaline battery that has a good guarantee against leaks:
  
  
• No Leaks Guarantee | Energizer
  
  Incidentally, Energizer is the only company that has true lithium AA battery technology, so your non-leaking lithiums are also probably Energizer. You can actually get rechargeable lithium AA batteries now, though:
  
  
• AmazonSmile: TENAVOLTS Rechargeable AA Battery Charger with 4 Counts Lithium 2775 mWh AA Rechargeable Batteries: Home Audio & Theater
  
  Those are the best ones I know of, and they actually exceed the capacity of Eneloops AND they have a decent 1000 charge cycle specification that isn't a joke compared to Eneloop 2100 charge cycles. Most other lithium cells are only good for 300 to 500 charge cycles, which is pathetic.
  
  Either way, no AA battery matches AA Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries. They are amazing, if you can afford the high cost.
  
  > https://imgur.com/au6sfYD (granted this photo was taken when I still had a number of alkaline batteries in the mix).
  
  r/AAMasterRace would like to see that.

TENAVOLTS Rechargeable AA Battery Charger with 4 Counts Lithium 2775 mWh AA Rechargeable Batteries https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HQ7QV7W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QhjpDbJSN29M7

These work great. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HQ7QV7W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

About once a month, they offer a coupon and you can get 4 for $12

I have used the eneloops and while good they do not last as long as I would like. I picked these up and they last much longer between recharges. I also have a windows mixed reality headset and was only able to get about4-6 hours of play with the eneloops. With these I get around 16-20 hours before needing recharge. TENAVOLTS Rechargeable AA Battery Charger with 4 Counts Lithium 2775 mWh AA Rechargeable Batteries... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HQ7QV7W/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_GOYVDbQ0SJQEW

Awesome post. I'm in the US so I just ordered the 4 of each sping+contact on digikey for $8 shipped. Thanks!

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/5202/36-5202-ND/316366

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/5201/36-5201-ND/316365

I think the 1.5volt batteries are going to be the biggest factor, so I'm looking at ordering these (your ebay link is broken btw):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HQ7QV7W

EDIT FROM THE FUTURE:

The 5202 contacts work SO WELL. Thank you OP! I just played a ton of Thrill of the Fight and I was really trying to mess it up and I couldn't

I have a couple different kinds.

These are the least expensive and they work fine, you just have to trade them out ever two or three play sessions.

They should be good for 800 to 1000 full charge cycles, so even if you swapped the out daily to make sure they did not die during a game, they would still last a very long time.

These are the the others I have.

> but do these headsets have issues with power often?

It can certainly happen, but doesn't seem very common. My Lenovo here doesn't like any of the motherboards USB ports, but works with a USB PCIe card. I still have to reboot the PC quite often to get the headset started, as it might throw 1-4 display cable errors or otherwise not properly detect the headset.

As for the headsets, they are fine, especially for the price, but they lack a bit of polish:

• controller ergonomics leave a bit to be desired, there are 3D printable handles to improve that
  
• controller power management is broken, they don't work properly with NiMH or Alkaline batteries and require basically daily battery changes, this can be fixed with rechargable 1.5V Li-Ion batteries
  
• headset face foam is pretty fragile and will start disintegrating quickly, there is an official VRCover replacement or you can just get a cheap Vive cover from ebay/aliexpress, they fit the WMR quite well
  
• the HMD hinge is pretty fragile and has broken for quite a few users
  
• FOV is a bit lacking in the default config, but can be improved by about 10° by switching the front/back foam padding on the halo around and using a thin Vive cover
  
• some velcro ties to route the cable to the back are a good idea, by default the cable will pull the right side down which is annoying
  
• the cable clip can break quite easily, not even sure how I managed to break mine, but one day it just fell apart, there is a 3d printable replacement or just a velcro tie will work as well
  
• the driver situation between SteamVR, Oculus, Revive and WMR can be a bit messy and depending on what combination you use not everything will work properly
  
• the Windows 1903 Update, brings a ton of new features to WMR (flashlight, ability to open windows in game), doesn't automatically install for all people and might need to be done manually
  
• a USB Bluetooth dongle isn't included and needs to be bought separately, also a good idea to put it in a USB 2.0 port and attach is to an extension cord to avoid interference problems which will lead to jittery controller in-game
  
• the tracking is pretty sensitive to light, keep windows covered or otherwise the tracking might mess up, e.g. controllers go flying in all directions, the tracking will also have problems in a dark room, so you have to keep the lights on

As for batteries, I use mine with Tenavolt Li-Ion batteries. They charge fast, last a long time, and report 1.5v at all times, which means you won't get the annoying low battery warning you would see with standard batteries. They ARE expensive, but they go on sale pretty frequently. I got 8 of them and two chargers for ~$20 a couple of months back.

This will solve your battery issues: https://www.amazon.com/TENAVOLTS-Rechargeable-Batteries-Constant-Electrical/dp/B07HQ7QV7W

A samsung Odyssey+ has better displays than the Rift S any day.

These should work too. I dunno what kind of runtime you can expect, though:

https://www.amazon.com/TENAVOLTS-Rechargeable-Batteries-rechargeable-electrical/dp/B07HQ7QV7W/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=tenavolt&qid=1567983282&s=gateway&sr=8-2

I personally use Eneloops and they work well.

I have purchased these Lithium rechargeable batteries (while on-sale for $12). So far they are doing very well! They always report as full, and I'm yet to see how they will die :) I have already had 4 Beat Saber sessions (each ~1 hour long) and batteries are still reported as ~70%. I read somewhere that 1.5 volt Lithium batteries lie about their change level, but at least I'm not getting that dreaded "Battery low, haptics will be disabled" message anymore when NiMH batteries are still half-full :) Actually, that was the main reason for buying these 1.5 Lithium batteries.

P.S. There is a comprehensive tear-down review of these batteries on YouTube. They are quite well-made ones!

I had an issue where my batteries would say there dead and the controllers would act up. I spent weeks trying to find the right batteries and I came across these. Came charged and lasted about 4 straight hours before I charged them. so far I get about 6-8+hr of constant use out of them before I even think about having to recharge. little pricey but you only need the 4 . So far the best thing i found, I was spending way more money on regular batteries. They keep a constant 1.5 and I never have any tracking issues. I use a Samsung O+

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HQ7QV7W/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_nnChDb4DR13D1

I've had luck with improving tracking with using batteries that are fully charged above 1.5v. Haptics and tracking will degrade as life of batteries fall off below 1.2v Rechargeable eneloops i heard are notorious for this. I use these and haven't had any issues. They are expensive now but i bought when there was a huge coupon in the past bringing these down to ~$12.

TENAVOLTS Rechargeable AA Battery Charger with 4 Counts Lithium 2775 mWh AA Rechargeable Batteries https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HQ7QV7W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9DdpDb4HSCGZH

I got these for $12 when it went on sale
TENAVOLTS Rechargeable AA Battery Charger with 4 Counts Lithium 2775 mWh AA Rechargeable Batteries https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HQ7QV7W

I seriously question anyone talking about this. Those are with basic AA batteries. Us at /r/WindowsMR are literal professionals in this field since Fall of 2017. We know how this shit works and how to fix it, defer to their infinite knowledge on the matter. Recently I purchased https://www.amazon.com/TENAVOLTS-Rechargeable-Batteries-rechargeable-electrical/dp/B07HQ7QV7W/ for $12 on sale.

There are options.

And using swappable batteries is SUPERIOR to locked away batteries. I would know because I also have a full set of Vive Trackers and Valve Index Controllers as well. I am a VR power user that uses VR for extended periods of time that can burn through any battery life of an integrated battery pack. And guess what? I have to put down my equipment and charge it at that point. I don't have a choice. Replaceable batteries do give you that option.

So yeah, I assure you, I'd rather not be stuck not having controllers because people complained because they are too lazy to swap batteries in and out for 60 seconds every 2 hours (minimum).

You're supposed to have 4 batteries charging, 4 batteries in the controllers. You will never run out of power that way.