To: SCI-VIRTUAL-WORLDS@GATECH.EDU
Organization: Central Michigan University
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 1995 22:49:57 EST
From: John Goggan <34II5MT@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Subject: CyberMaxx Group Purchase Info-Sheet & Specs!

[Note to the sci.v-w moderator!!! : If possible, could these be posted
 as a normal post and not only included in the MarketPlace-type stuff?
 It does contain information regarding the specs on the current CyberMaxx
 HMD and (as you can see below) I am not making any money from this
 purchase -- just trying to get good prices for everyone.  I think this
 is relevent to all and many don't read the MarketPlace-type post and
 would miss it. So, if you would, it'd probably be beneficial to all to
 have it as a normal post.  In either case, please remove this paragraph
 before posting.  Thanks.  - John...  ]


What's Up?
----------
I'm putting together a group purchase of VictorMaxx CyberMaxx Head Mounted
Displays (HMDs).  I'm not making any money on this deal; I'm simply trying
to get enough people together to get an excellent price on the equipment.

Cost
----
Retail: $799
Group purchase price: $600! each (shipping to your door!)
Number of people needed: 10
Number that we have (as of 1/18/95): 3 "for sure", 2 "probably"
   Note that the $600 price now INCLUDES SHIPPING anywhere in the U.S.!
   So -- that will be $600 TOTAL to have them in your hands within only
   a few days once we get the ten people!  (Heck, we went from $625 plus
   shipping to only $600 total in two days!  This is good!)
   (International shipping can be arranged -- just mail me.)

Head Tracking
-------------
Angular range: +/- 45 degrees, horizontal 360 degrees
Angular resolution: vertical 0.1 degrees, horizontal 360 degrees
Degrees of freedom: yaw (azimuth), pitch (elevation), roll (tilt)

Interface
---------
Uses your PC's existing VGA card.  A single cable coming out of the unit
contains all the connectors the system needs.

Displays
--------
High resolution twin 0.7" active-matrix color LCDs
120k pixels per each LCD panel
Delta pixel configuration (40,000 three-color elements per screen)
Depixelation filters

Optics
------
Field of view: 54 degrees
Adjustable interocular distance
Individual eye focus adjustment

Connections Included
--------------------
Standard DB9 RS-232 communications output (for the head-tracking)
Standard VGA in/out (you can pass-through to display in glasses & on-screen)
Three RCA jacks (one video, two audio)
Power jack
One 3.5mm stereo plug (for PC sound card)

Sound
-----
High fidelity, dynamic range stereo speakers

Weight and Fit
--------------
14 oz.
Form fitting
Ergonomic design

System Requirements
-------------------
IBM PC or compatible 386, 486, or Pentium
Standard VGA card
Serial port
Stereo sound card (optional)

The 180k Model
--------------
Ok, current plan according to VictorMaxx is that the 180k model will be
available around May, 1995.  The upgrade cost to go from the 120k model
to the 180k one is to be around $200.  However, the new model will be
around $100 more (i.e. like $900, according to the VictorMaxx representative
that I talked to on 1/17/95) -- so, even if we buy now and go for the
upgrade later, this is still an excellent deal.  AND, we may be able to
get an upgrade discount so that it may be even less if we want to upgrade
making this an even better deal!  Either way, I feel that it is definately
worth it right now and that it is the best deal that we will find.

Software Availability
---------------------
The following companies have announced CyberMaxx-compatible products:
  Origin (System Shock, Wings of Glory)
  Looking Glass (Flight Unlimited)
  New World Computing (Zephyr)
  Domark Software (Flight Sim Toolkit)
  Velocity (Spectre VR)
  Synthetic Dimensions (Ghost Train)
  Interplay Productions (Descent, Stonekeep)
  & others (I'll try to get a list from VictorMaxx)
I believe Doom and Heretic drivers are currently available (at least alpha)
A "mouse driver" is included.

The Deal Itself
---------------
Please note that this is a group purchase so that we can all get a good
price on some nice VR equipment.  I AM NOT MAKING ANY MONEY FROM THIS
DEAL!  I am simply trying to get myself an excellent price on the CyberMaxx
by getting ten of us an excellent price!  If you need any further details,
please feel free to write me (goggan@cps201.cps.cmich.edu)!

What To Do Now?
---------------
Write me and let me know that you want to have a CyberMaxx HMD at your door
within a couple weeks for a total price of $600!  I will add you to a list
of buyers and keep you updated as to what exactly is going on (how many
people so far, any new news on the deal, etc.).

 - John Goggan
   goggan@cps201.cps.cmich.edu
   (517) 773-5643