The Dual Knit Band introduced Wednesday with the new M5-powered Vision Pro is compatible with Apple’s original headset, too. You don’t need to shell out another $3,499 — the extra comfort can be had for a fraction of the price.
Other improvements to the new headset are somewhat minor, with nothing else standing out as a must-have for current Vision Pro owners (all 12 of them lol). The Dual Knit Band might be all you need to spice up life in your spatial computer.
Dual Knit Band works with original Vision Pro
Other upgrades to the just-announced Vision Pro include its M5 chip. The new Apple silicon boosts performance, allowing for 10% more pixels to be pushed to the headset’s displays and a higher variable refresh rate up to 120 Hz (up from 90 Hz). This should lead to an improved passthrough video experience, but how much of a difference it will make remains to be seen. The new GPU and Neural Engine speed up AI tasks like creating a Persona, something you do once a year.
All things considered, the revision seems targeted at new customers, not as an essential upgrade for existing owners. But that doesn’t mean they were left out of today’s announcement.
The best of both worlds
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
The new Dual Knit Band combines the best of both worlds from the two bands that shipped with the original Vision Pro. Now you don’t need to choose between the beautiful and easy-to-put-on Solo Knit Band and the comfortable-but-finicky Dual Loop Band, which looks a lot like a headstrap for a CPAP mask.
Instead, the Dual Knit Band adds a second adjustable strap to the cool-looking design of the original Solo Knit Band. It also gets even cooler and cleverer. The Fit Dial can pop out to switch between tightening the rear strap and the top strap.
It uses the very same clip mechanism as the Solo Knit Band, so it’s backward-compatible with the original Vision Pro. And it’s available for purchase separately for $99, so anyone with an ancient M2 Vision Pro can cosplay as a new owner in comfort.
GIF: Apple
Even more third-party alternatives
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Of course, Apple’s solution to the Vision Pro’s comfort problem isn’t the only one. Personally, I’m a big fan of the Annapro Head Strap. This sits on your forehead, rather than the top of your head. It’s a solid piece with a cushion, rather than a flexible knit band, so it keeps the headset elevated while significantly reducing pressure on your face.
It also allows you to use the headset without the isolating Light Seal. While this can impact the accuracy of eye tracking, it completely transforms the experience of using Apple’s headset. Having your full peripheral vision is far more engaging; it feels like wearing some chunky glasses rather than a big, isolating headset.
It also costs half the price of Apple’s Dual Knit Band. So you can significantly upgrade your Vision Pro experience for just $45 — a far cry from $3,499.
This accessory is a must-have for every Vision Pro owner. It reduces the weight of the Light Seal on your face — and even lets you take it off, if you so choose, for a less isolating experience with your full peripheral vision.
- Super comfortable
- Removes pressure from face
- Use Vision Pro without the Light Seal
- Installation requires unplugging Vision Pro battery
