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Review: Syntech MR Walnut Stand
When I initially saw Syntech’s MR Walnut stand, I thought it appeared classy and distinct from all the plastic stands that have been released. It exudes a sophisticated appearance compared to the typical plastic injection moulded designs, and it made me wonder if the Made for Meta product could also be a wise choice for other headsets, considering the tray isn’t shaped to accommodate just one specific headset.
Product Details
Brand: Syntech
Price: US $64.99
Reviewed On: Meta Quest 3
* Product Provided For Review *
What’s In The Box?
Inside the box, you will find the stand’s base, the head strap bracket with the support, a tray for the headset, a 4mm hex/allen key, five 30mm allen head screws, a silicone pad, four cable clips, and the user manual.
Assembly
Although this stand is made of wood and assembling it was relatively quick, it did take longer than the plastic alternatives, but it’s definitely worth it. First, you need to attach the head strap and support bracket to the base using one of the screws, then slide the headset tray over the support bracket, align the holes, and secure it with two screws – this part took me the longest because I struggled to get enough light to ensure proper alignment, no matter what I tried. Once those steps are completed, the stand is ready for use.
There are also optional steps involving the silicone pad and cable clips. If you want to enhance the grip where the headset strap rests in the bracket, you can apply the silicone pad. I was initially uncertain about this, but ultimately decided to go for it, and it doesn’t detract from the stand’s overall appearance. Additionally, if you wish to route the charging cable along the back of the stand, you can attach the black cable clips to the back of the support bracket (though you receive four, you’ll find that two are sufficient). Thanks to the wide design of the support bracket, the cable clips are not visible when viewed from the front of the stand.
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Benefits
The benefits of the stand are straightforward; it provides a classy and elegant method to showcase your headset while also offering storage for your controllers. The front of the headset looks fantastic on the headset tray, prominently displayed at the front of the stand, while the base serves as an ideal spot to keep your controllers organised. Additionally, the optional steps enhance grip in the head strap bracket, preventing it from slipping on the stand and the grips concealing any unsightly cables.
Quality
When the stand is assembled, with it being crafted from walnut wood and secured with screws, it stands out as the most robust stand I’ve ever used for storing my headset. With the headset resting on the stand, it feels well-balanced. Given this, I have no worries about the headset slipping off or the stand collapsing. The only scenario where this might occur is if the stand is accidentally bumped with significant force. I intentionally tested it by giving it light to medium taps with my hand, and there was minimal movement of the headset; I have complete confidence that the stand would not fall apart.
The silicone pad included is designed to adhere to the wood and wrap around the base of the headset bracket. The extra grip it provides is quite adequate. As I mentioned, I applied this after some consideration, so the knock test was conducted with it in place – meaning I cannot assure that the headset wouldn’t have shifted without it. The cable clips are made from good quality rubber, making it easy to detach the cable when necessary, such as when you want to take your Quest with you outside.
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Multi-functional Test
As mentioned earlier, I observed that the headset stand is not specifically moulded for any particular headset, which raised the question: can it accommodate other headsets even with its Made for Meta label? With several headsets in my collection, I seized the chance to test it with most of them (excluding my PSVR and the original Vive).
Through my testing, I discovered that all but one headset were securely held on the tray and the head strap bracket with the grip applied. The headsets that felt completely secure included the PlayStation VR2, DPVR E4, Valve Index, HTC Vive Pro, and the Oculus Rift S. The only headset that didn’t feel entirely secure was the Pimax Crystal Super. However, I believe it could still be displayed without any issues. The reason I felt it wasn’t fully secure is that the edges of the headset slightly overlapped the edges of the tray, and I couldn’t get the head strap to fit completely into the head strap bracket.
The Verdict
What initially drew me to Syntech’s Walnut MR Stand was its elegant and classy design, as the team chose walnut wood instead of the commonly used plastic. After receiving the product and assembling it with screws rather than snapping pieces together, it became immediately clear that this is the most durable and sturdy headset stand I have ever owned. It is perfectly balanced to feel solid and stable once you place the weight of the headset on it, and the silicone pad added for extra grip in the head strap bracket ensures that your headset is securely held on the stand. Additionally, since the headset tray is not moulded for a specific headset, it can be used with other headsets even though it is labelled Made for Meta, allowing you to enjoy its aesthetic appeal without needing a Meta headset. With the team’s choice of wood over plastic, I believe this stand is the most stylish and elegant option available. Furthermore, its screw assembly makes it the most secure and robust headset stand, making it the best one I have used to date, and I highly recommend it if you are in search of a stand.
Copyright / The VR Realm / 2016 -