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iFixit’s July 31, 2014 teardown of the Oculus Rift Development Kit 2 (DK2) documents a development headset built around an external infrared tracking camera, a low-persistence display, and repairable internal components. The teardown reports a preliminary repairability score of 9 out of 10, while noting that opening the tracker is tricky without a guide.
What changed from the first Rift development kit?
DK2’s defining addition was positional tracking through a purpose-built external infrared camera. The headset could still track 360-degree orientation without the camera, but positional tracking depended on the DK2 tracker. Oculus VR told iFixit that “it is not possible to substitute an old webcam, nor is it possible to retrofit the tracking to the original Development Kit.” That statement appears in iFixit’s 2014 teardown and concerns the original Development Kit, not later Oculus or Meta products.
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The teardown describes DK2 as smaller and more streamlined than its predecessor, with a low-persistence HD Super AMOLED display and an integrated latency tester. Its cable hub brought together USB 2.0, HDMI, optional DC power, and a sync connection for the tracker.
DK2 specifications reported in the teardown
The figures below are specifications presented by iFixit in 2014, not fresh measurements or current specifications for later Rift products.
#1 Best Overall
- Top VR gaming library: Blast, slash and soar your way through the top library in VR gaming. Oculus Rift S lets you play hundreds of games and exclusives already available in the Oculus store, with so much more to come.
- Improved optics: Stare down the competition with next-generation lenses and a sharper display. Improved optics deliver bright, vivid colors and reduced “screen-door” effect.
- Ergonomic design: Keep your head in the game thanks to a Halo headband redesigned with speed in mind. Rift S stays securely and comfortably in place with a quick twist of the fit wheel, so it can take-or double take-your fastest reactions.
- Oculus touch controllers: Arm yourself with our updated Oculus touch controllers. Your slashes, throws and grab appear in VR with intuitive, realistic precision, transporting your hands and gestures right into the game.
- Oculus insight tracking: take a step forward with Oculus insight. It translates your movements into VR No matter which way you're facing and provides room-scale tracking without external sensors.
| Item | Figure or description |
|---|---|
| Display | 5.7-inch Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 960 × 1080 pixels per eye |
| Field of view | 100° |
| Motion-sensor update rate | 1000 Hz for the accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer |
| Positional tracker | External, custom-made infrared camera; the headset retains orientation tracking without it |
| Tracker LEDs | 40 infrared LEDs on a ribbon cable |
| Latency feature | Built-in latency tester |
What iFixit found inside
Cable and headset electronics
iFixit found a Spectra7 VR7100 processor in the HDMI cable and attributed the thinner cable design to that component. Inside the headset, the teardown describes a motherboard that consolidated electronics previously split across boards and control hardware.
Identified components
The teardown identifies several chips, including a Toshiba TC358779XBG HDMI interface bridge, an InvenSense MPU-6500 motion sensor, a Cypress CY7C65632 USB 2.0 hub controller, and a Texas Instruments TPS65632A AMOLED display power supply. These are historical component identifications from the 2014 teardown, not a claim about later Rift hardware.
Rank #2
- A limited supply of refurbished Oculus Rift products are now available.
- Get the original VR headset that changed the PC gaming world forever.
- All refurbished Oculus Rift products are inspected, cleaned, and tested to function and look like new.
- Oculus ready gaming PC is required.
- Windows 10 operating system
How repairable is the DK2?
iFixit gave the DK2 a preliminary repairability score of 9 out of 10, with 10 representing the best score. The score was preliminary because the DK2 was a beta development product. Positives included standard Phillips #0 screws in the headset and tracker, an accessible motherboard, and improved cable management. The main caution was that accessing the positional tracker is difficult without a repair guide.
A Phillips #0 precision screwdriver is relevant for work involving the documented fasteners, but the teardown does not establish that every repair requires one or identify a tested tool or brand.
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- Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
Which DK2 repair guides are documented?
iFixit’s DK2 repair page lists guides for the cable hub, camera motherboard, display screen, eye-relief adjustment screw, headset motherboard, and lenses. A separate headset motherboard replacement guide describes static shock, overheating, or component failure as possible causes of motherboard failure.
These guides document repair procedures; they do not establish current parts stock, prices, compatibility with other Oculus or Meta devices, or repair success rates.
Rank #4
- Oculus Rift’s advanced display technology combined with its precise, low-latency constellation tracking system enables the sensation of presence
- Customizable, comfortable, adaptable, and beautiful, Rift is technology and design as remarkable as the experiences it enables
- Every aspect of Rift was designed to be easy, inviting, and comfortable to use - and that extends to the VR environment we’ve created as a starting point for your journeys
- Discover and download games across genres ranging from action RPGs, sci-fi shooters, mind-bending puzzle games, and more - and play them from an entirely new perspective Lucky’s Tale is included with every Rift purchase
- Windows PC and an internet connection are required for Oculus Rift - please review recommended system specs
Read the full iFixit teardown
The original Oculus Rift Development Kit 2 teardown was published July 31, 2014. Its findings apply to the DK2 development kit and should not be treated as specifications or repair guidance for consumer Rift models.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Top VR gaming library: Blast, slash and soar your way through the top library in VR gaming. Oculus Rift S lets you play hundreds of games and exclusives already available in the Oculus store, with so much more to come.
- Improved Optics: Stare down the competition with next-generation lenses and a sharper display. Improved optics deliver bright, vivid colors and reduced “screen-door” effect.
- Ergonomic Design: Keep your head in the game thanks to a halo headband redesigned with speed in mind. Rift S stays securely and comfortably in place with a quick twist of the fit wheel, so it can take-or double take-your fastest reactions.
- Oculus Touch Controllers: Arm yourself with our updated Oculus Touch controllers. Your slashes, throws and grabs appear in VR with intuitive, realistic precision, transporting your hands and gestures right into the game.
- Oculus Insight Tracking: Take a step forward with Oculus Insight. It translates your movements into VR no matter which way you're facing and provides room-scale tracking without external sensors.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
