Double strap: How Belkin's additional strap for the Vision Pro works
In early videos of the Vision Pro, Apple shows the glasses with an additional strap over the head. This is now available at – from an accessory supplier.
Belkin headband for Apple Vision Pro: The part Apple didn't want?
(Image: Belkin / Apple)
Ensuring that the Vision Pro sits comfortably on the head is not that easy. For some users, the Solo Knit Band without additional support on the surface of the head is enough, while others urgently need this relief and therefore reach for the Dual Loop Band, which Apple fortunately includes. However, both would actually be good together: while the Solo Knit Band –, also known as the "Solo Band made of knitted fabric" –, can be conveniently adjusted with a wheel, the Dual Loop Band only has an annoying Velcro fastener.
(Image:Â Ben Schwan / Mac & i)
Apple had actually already shown a combination of the Solo Knit Band and an additional band over the head in early videos for the Vision Pro, but the variant was never launched on the market. Until now: Apple's favorite accessory supplier, the Foxconn subsidiary Belkin, has been supplying its own solution called the headband for the Vision Pro for a few weeks now
Solo Knit Band can stay on
The beauty of the Belkin product is the fact that it can be combined with the Solo Knit Band, as Apple apparently intended. This gives you the best of both worlds. Installation is simple: the fully pre-assembled headband has two flexible clips that can be slipped over the Vision Pro's audio pods.
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Just like the Dual Loop, the strap is secured using Velcro strips. Due to the fact that the Belkin version is slightly wider – about a little finger thick –, it is more comfortable to wear and is also easier to adjust. The combination with the Solo Knit Band provides additional comfort, which is also lacking with the Dual Loop alone. In practice, you can stay under the headset for longer. This is especially true for people who have already been able to cope with the Solo Knit Band, but are hoping for pressure relief. After all, the Vision Pro weighs between 600 and 650 grams, depending on the "light seal" and headband.
(Image:Â Ben Schwan / Mac & i)
What doesn't work with the Belkin headband
There is one problem with Belkin's headband: it is not suitable for use with Apple's Developer Strap. This can be used to retrofit a USB-C port for the Vision Pro at – for a professional price of 329 euros –. While the strap has a circular opening on one side for the power supply (puck with bayonet catch), there is no bulge on the other side, where the USB-C connector is located on the Dev Strap. Accordingly, the strap cannot be attached here. Developers and other owners of the Dev Strap must therefore first replace it with the standard audio pod – using the tool provided, which is certainly not something you want to do regularly.
(Image:Â Ben Schwan / Mac & i)
At 54.95 euros, the Belkin headband isn't exactly cheap, but it's a far cry from the moon prices that Apple charges for the Solo Knit Band or the Dual Loop Band when purchased individually – 115 euros each. However, there is competition for Belkin: Apple accessory specialist Spigen sells a similar "Head Strap" for 39.99 US dollars (although it is currently available for 21.99 dollars). The Spigen solution is also intended to be used in combination with the Solo Knit Band and also offers light padding. Hobbyists can also combine two Solo Knit Bands with 3D printing components (for the aforementioned 115 euros plus printing costs), probably the most convenient solution by far, as there are then adjustment wheels for both directions of pull.
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