Like other headsets, the Valve Index has been in high demand but limited supply due to the Coronavirus pandemic. While we’ve seen stock of Oculus Quest and Rift starting to return over the two months or so, Index has been backordered globally. Though it’s still backordered, we’re seeing the first strong signal that Index stock starting to flow again.
Updated – August 5th, 2020
We checked stock availability for all Index packages across all 31 regions where sold. Our last check in July was the first time in months that any of the Index packages had a backorder less than eight weeks. At the time, most regions showed the ‘Headset’ package at 3–5 weeks, while all other packages were either 8+ weeks or outright unavailable.
Now in August we’re seeing more packages with a backorder less than 8+ weeks. Though the ‘Headset’ package has returned to 8+ weeks, the ‘Headset + Controller’ package now stands at 5–7 weeks and the ‘Controllers’ package at 3–5 weeks in almost all regions, with the US, Canada, Italy, and Japan being outliers.
See chart for: 7/6/20 | 4/30/20 | 5/6/20 | 5/18/20
“We are continuing to make every effort possible to keep up with the ongoing demand and deliver units in a timely fashion, while navigating the challenges of shipping during the pandemic. We appreciate everyone’s patience, and we’ll let you know when we have more specifics to share,” a Valve spokesperson told Road to VR earlier this year.
Index had been backordered by eight weeks or more in all regions since a small supply of new stock was gobbled up just before Half-Life: Alyx launched in late March. Today is the first time since then that we’ve seen shipping estimates of less than 8 weeks on more than one of the Index packages.
Despite the backorders, it’s been possible to register your interest in any of the Index packages (except for the base stations). To reserve a spot in line, check out the Index store page and click the order button.
Valve is then sending out notifications by email when stock is available, giving customers one week to pull the trigger. Even so, when offered the option to buy, no specific estimate for delivery is provided leaving, customers wondering how long they’ll be waiting.
Like other headsets, the Chinese-manufactured Index has seen a double-whammy due to the Coronavirus pandemic: supply decreasing due to manufacturing disruptions and demand increasing due to shelter-in-place orders in many parts of the globe.
Oculus had been in the same boat; in the last month however we’ve seen Oculus steadily beating back its Quest and Rift S backorders, showing that manufacturing of the headset has picked up significant steam. When the same might happen for Index isn’t clear, but we’ve got our eye on the situation.
The post Valve Index Stock Check – Manufacturing Looks to be Spinning Up as Backorders Shrink appeared first on Road to VR.
Ream more: https://www.roadtovr.com/valve-index-stock-check-headset-availability-shipping-countries/
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