The whole 'power to lighthouse' thing is bunk. It is much easier to get an extension cord than it is to get USB extensions. I know people are clamoring for anything they can to prove Rift is better than Vive, but it really is a nonsense argument IMO:
Vive lighthouses > Rift Cameras
Rift built in headphones > Vive plug
Vive visuals > Rift godrays
Steam for front end > Oculus Home
Comfort, as I mentioned above...not really a difference except for the headphones. They are so much nicer than the buds, or using 3rd party headphones.
Haven't tried touch so can't comment on that part and I really don't plan to anytime soon.
Games...well...hard to say really. Honestly, not blown away in terms of any great things that one does that the other doesn't. I think it again comes down to preference of game types.
Most of the arguments might be nonsense-arguments since we can debate the differences all day and night, both systems have their pros and cons. It's more one of these "discussions for the sake of entertainment"
Look, I got me the cheapest passive 2m USB3.0 extensions I could find on ebay...and they work flawlessly at USB3.0. This is all I can add there. OTOH, you are of course correct, my previous statement with the power outlets was silly since I did in-fact not consider the availbility of simple power extension cables
Steam is "subjectively" the better front end, and I actually love the Steam interface in VR, the OH just doesn't provide much functionality BUT "looking nice". But that being said, the amount of junk on Steam is also staggering. But since we can use both (I mean I do every day!) steam and oculus home, it cannot be an argument pro or con Rift. In fact it would speak for the Rift since I can play (MOST) from Steam without needing the Revive hack.
Visuals? Yes, possible. Can't say because I never tried the Vive. Common notion is that it comes out the same, god-rays are traded for SDE etc...so no clear "winner" there I think.
Headphones as I mentioned previously, they are really, really good. And light and comfortable. This is was one of my arguments pro Rift....not that the need for a plug would be a unsolvable problem, it sure ain't...but the quality of the headphones really surprised me. Far exceeds what you'd expect with typical "gamer hardware" in terms of sound quality. As a whole...it's just one more thing which adds to a quick and easy "out of the box experience", where the Vive would need a lot more, including that you'd need headphones.
Rift in general, and also Touch...again was stupidly simple to setup. I am not denying that some/numerous/many (?) people have troubles with setup, USB, tracking whatever. Judging from posts on the O support forum is always a thing that you need to take with a grain of salt. But I am *assuming* that for the average, normal person, getting "into VR" with the Rift might be far easier and more streamlined...which makes it possibly more suited for less technically inclined people. And this is important if a system wants mass-appeal.
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Edit this just as a side note: I think it was last week where I came across some article from a show where they featured the new/upcoming wireless pack for Vive (which is another "can of worms" topic right there)....with some girl having strapped an entire mini-PC on her back, with the Vive, massive headphones on and controllers etc. She looked like an astronaut getting ready for spacewalk.
As "cool" as this looked because of the "nerd factor"...so totally ridiculous it was. I don't in a million years think that the "average" person will strap a ton of gear on themselves to get into VR...the picture just looked in some way really silly at second glance. I don't think this is the future of VR. Arcades, military training etc...ok...but sure not for "normal" people