{"id":2772,"date":"2023-09-06T12:08:51","date_gmt":"2023-09-06T12:08:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/?p=2772"},"modified":"2023-11-11T12:06:25","modified_gmt":"2023-11-11T12:06:25","slug":"pimax-crystal-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vrlowdown.com\/pimax-crystal-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Pimax Crystal Review: Impressive VR For Enthusiasts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Pimax Crystal is the latest virtual reality headset from Pimax and I’ve spent approximately 40 hours testing it, trying all the features across a range of applications, and comparing it to a range of other popular VR headsets. In this Pimax Crystal review, I’ll provide a comprehensive look at this headset, sharing all the information you’ll need to know to decide if this is the right headset for you. Does the Pimax Crystal live up to the hype? Read on for my full review.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Pimax<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Pimax Crystal is a very impressive VR headset with technical specifications that exceed most competing headsets. It launched with a number of technical issues but most of these have been resolved at the time of writing. Pimax Crystal is a terrific VR headset for racing and flight simulator enthusiasts and those who demand the best visual quality in a headset, but it comes at a premium price. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The setup was simple and I encountered minimal technical issues while using it. Some features such as standalone mode are still in the early stages of development, some features are yet to be fully implemented, and the software and hardware still have a few bugs to be iron out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you must have the best visual clarity for your VR headset, and you are prepared to pay a premium price and cope with a few rough edges, the Pimax Crystal is a fantastic VR headset. If you’re more of a casual VR user or are looking for a headset for room-scale or standalone experiences, Pimax Crystal is unlikely to be a good option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can purchase the Pimax Crystal from the Pimax website<\/a><\/strong> or from Amazon<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros of Pimax Crystal<\/strong><\/td>Cons of Pimax Crystal<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Exceptional visual clarity<\/td>Heavy and bulky<\/td><\/tr>
Wonderful display panels<\/td>Not particularly comfortable for prolonged use<\/td><\/tr>
Automatic IPD adjustment<\/td>Controller tracking is in need of improvement<\/td><\/tr>
Easy setup<\/td>Standalone mode is very basic right now<\/td><\/tr>
DMAS speakers are impressive<\/td>Hardware and software is not as polished as it should be<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Specifications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first thing that struck me when I heard about the Pimax Crystal was the highly impressive list of features and specifications. With some of the highest resolution panels on a consumer VR headset, impressive display technology, an enviable 35 pixels per degree of peak clarity, automatic IPD adjustment, a reasonable FOV, and the ability to function as both a wired PCVR headset and a standalone headset, I was certainly very interested in this headset from day one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tempering my expectations was the fact that Pimax has developed an unfortunate reputation for promising a lot, but struggling to deliver exactly what they originally planned, on the timescale they intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once again, the early reviews of the Pimax Crystal have been quite mixed, with some praising the impressive technical achievement, and others bemoaning the fact that some features are not fully ready or working as smoothly as originally intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m reviewing the Pimax Crystal<\/a><\/strong> at the start of September 2023, and it has been rolling out to users for a few months now. I’m pleased to say that many of the early issues with hardware and software have been resolved, but there is still room for improvement. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Pimax<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Pimax Crystal Specifications Comparison<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Feature \/ Specification<\/th>Pimax Crystal<\/th>HTC Vive Pro 2<\/th>HP Reverb G2<\/th>Valve Index<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Display Type<\/strong><\/td>Dual QLED + Mini-LED<\/td>Dual RGB low persistence LCD<\/td>Dual LCD<\/td>Dual LCD <\/td><\/tr>
Resolution (per eye)<\/strong><\/td>2880 x 2880<\/td>2448 x 2448<\/td>2160 x 2160<\/td>1440 x 1600<\/td><\/tr>
Total Resolution<\/strong><\/td>5760 x 2880<\/td>4896 x 2448<\/td>4320 x 2160<\/td>2880 x 1600<\/td><\/tr>
Pixels Per Degree (approx) (PPD)<\/strong> <\/td>35<\/td>20.4<\/td>19<\/td>11<\/td><\/tr>
Lenses<\/strong><\/td>Aspheric glass lenses<\/td>Dual-element Fresnel lenses<\/td>Fresnel lenses<\/td>Dual-element Fresnel lenses<\/td><\/tr>
Refresh Rate (Hz)<\/strong><\/td>90\/120<\/td>90\/120<\/td>90<\/td>Up to 144<\/td><\/tr>
Field of View (FOV) (Horizontal)<\/strong><\/td>125\u00b0<\/td>120\u00b0<\/td>98\u00b0<\/td>109\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
IPD Range (mm)<\/strong><\/td>58-72 (Manual and Automatic)<\/td>57-72 (Manual)<\/td>64 +\/- 4 (Manual)<\/td>58-70 (Manual)<\/td><\/tr>
Audio<\/strong><\/td>Off-ear stereo speakers (Optional DMAS)<\/td>Off-ear stereo speakers<\/td>Off-ear stereo speakers<\/td>Off-ear stereo speakers<\/td><\/tr>
Microphones<\/strong><\/td>Integrated triple<\/td>Integrated dual<\/td>Integrated dual<\/td>Integrated dual<\/td><\/tr>
Tracking Type<\/strong><\/td>Inside-out and SteamVR Tracking<\/td>SteamVR Tracking<\/td>Inside-out<\/td>SteamVR Tracking<\/td><\/tr>
Eye Tracking<\/strong><\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td>No<\/td>No<\/td><\/tr>
Battery<\/strong><\/td>6000mAh Replaceable + 120mAh inside<\/td>N\/A<\/td>N\/A<\/td>N\/A<\/td><\/tr>
Weight (g)<\/strong><\/td>960g including battery<\/td>850g<\/td>550g<\/td>809g<\/td><\/tr>
Price<\/strong><\/td>$1600<\/td>$1399 (including external tracking stations and controllers)<\/td>$599<\/td>$999 (including external tracking stations and controllers)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

First Impressions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pimax Crystal arrived in a suitably premium-looking box and the headset and accessories were presented nicely. The headset looks and feels like a premium product, with materials and build quality that feels appropriate for the premium price tag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The controllers look like clones of the Quest 2 touch controllers, although feel much lighter and I was surprised that they come with the integrated battery installed, as they really do feel much lighter than other VR controllers. The thumbstick and buttons feel solid, although the triggers feel a little more flimsy than some other VR controllers. Overall though, I was very pleased with my first impressions of the controllers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the accessories come presented in black bags and cardboard boxes, and the packaging and presentation were very much in keeping with what you would expect from any other piece of premium technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is what came in the box:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n