Pimax boasts nearly a decade of experience in the VR space and their headsets consistently push the boundaries of what virtual reality can be. Their devices are often technologically more advanced than the competition, but they tend to cater to specific segments of the audience rather than aiming for a broader user base, which is already relatively small due to the cost of VR headsets. However, with each new device, Pimax aims to inch closer to the more popular brands to the extent that their latest headset attempts to be an all-encompassing solution. The Pimax Crystal strives to be everything, but is it the home run that Pimax hopes it will be?
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DESIGN AND COMFORT
Pimax Crystal is a VR headset that stands out not only for its technical specifications but also for its appearance and design. We’re talking about a relatively robust and large VR headset with a refined sci-fi, angular design that deviates from the softer lines of many competitors. The front almost resembles some sort of robot, but it conceals several key features.
First and foremost, there are four external depth-of-field tracking cameras positioned at the edges of the headset. They are well-placed here and subtly integrated into the headset’s design, so you almost have to look closely to even notice them. The headset also features built-in high-fidelity DTS-X off-ear headphones that are relatively well-positioned. You have the option to adjust them a centimeter forward or backward to achieve an even better fit relative to your head.
Futuristic robo-like faceplate
The front also features several cooling vents, USB-C ports for connecting to a PC, as well as primary buttons for power, volume control, and manually setting the IPD. In addition to the USB-C ports, the notably largest one is the display port connector. This port is thoughtfully designed in that it features a slot to minimize any stress on the cable during movement. Moreover, it’s well-positioned so that the connected display port cable extends towards the back, generally not causing any hindrance during use.
The inner side of the headset, where it rests against the face, is lined with a fine, soft foam that makes wearing it quite comfortable and also accommodates glasses. The same soft foam padding can be found on both the sides and the back, while a thin layer of rubber is placed on the nose for protection. All of these features ensure that the headset won’t chafe or accidentally cut into your skin, which is definitely not something you’d want during your VR experience.
It’s a bulky but well though out headset
Now, all of this sounds great, but I believe many will take issue with the weight and relative bulkiness of the Pimax Crystal. Even though the entire headset is primarily made of plastic, it weighs a full 960 grams, making it almost 200 grams heavier than even the Valve Index VR, and you’ll definitely feel it here. Due to its weight, the Crystal is immediately less suitable for any fitness or other titles that require vigorous body and head movements. Instead, it’s recommended for more static VR experiences where you can sit down and give your neck a break.
When used in a seated or static position, the comfort situation improves significantly. This is because the Crystal employs a somewhat superior combination of Velcro, rubber, and adjustable plastic to strap you in, utilizing a cog wheel on the back of the headset. The relatively good weight distribution is also aided by a removable battery located behind the aforementioned strap cog on the rear of the headset.
There’s abundant, soft padding on all sides
The controllers are almost identical in design, albeit slightly larger than the Quest 2 controllers. They feature a tracking ring on the top and a similar button layout, with an additional Pimax button. They fit comfortably in the hand and are very lightweight, allowing for hours of use without causing hand fatigue. The plastic they’re made of is a bit smoother than that of the Quest 2 controllers, making them slightly less grippy, which might pose an issue for those with sweatier palms. Fortunately, they come with wrist straps attached, so I’d definitely recommend using them if you fall into that category.
SETUP
The Pimax Crystal supports not only a tethered mode but also a standalone VR experience, between which you can switch using a small toggle on the headset itself. The setup will largely depend on which mode you wish to play in. While the standalone is self-explanatory and easy to use, tethered mode requires a bit of forethought. The headset definitely isn’t as plug-and-play simple as something like the Oculus Rift S or similar headsets, but connecting it is not overly complicated either.
To simplify things, Pimax provides a small power saving USB hub through which most of the cables are connected. The cable from the headset branches out into three smaller cables – two USB A cables that go into the hub and a display port that connects to the PC. You also plug the power cable into the hub. Once everything is connected, things might look a bit messy, but the hub is relatively lightweight and can be positioned adequately, so it’s not too much of an eyesore. The main cable coming from the headset is 5 meters long, which is ample length to route it as needed and still have enough slack for maneuvering around the space in which you’re using it.
Connecting through USB hub helps conserve the battery
Of course, you need to ensure you have the appropriate system specs, but the final step when connecting via cables is to install the Pimax application on your PC, and then you’re all set. The app is relatively user-friendly, quick to recognize the connected device and controllers, and essentially provides everything you need to ensure a smooth experience with the headset.
An important note before jumping into the performance is that the Crystal requires the use of the battery even when using the headset in tethered mode, and the battery won’t charge via the main cable. As mentioned, while having the battery in the device helps with weight distribution it also means you can use the device for approximately 6–8 hours before it runs out of juice.
Pimax provides two batteries for longer play sessions
You then have two ways to charge the battery – either by connecting headset to a PC via the USB-C port on its side while having the battery inside, or using the external charging dock that Pimax includes with the headset package. They also provide an additional battery, so at least you don’t have to worry about an abrupt end to your gaming session when one runs out of charge.
Regardless, this solution is far from ideal, adding even more cables to an already cable-heavy setup and is something you won’t have an issue with using any other tethered device. It also doesn’t help that the battery latch is incredibly rigid, requiring a significant amount of force to remove the battery from the headset, and excessive force is definitely not something you want to apply to a device this expensive.
PERFORMANCE
Arguably the most impressive aspect of the Pimax Crystal are its specifications, which actually make it one of the most powerful VR headsets on the market. The Crystal boasts aspheric optical lenses with a 140-degree field of view, and a 200 nit QLED panel with MiniLED technology, delivering a 2880 x 2880 resolution per eye at either 90 or 120Hz. If you’re familiar with VR headsets and display technologies in general, then you know this is a formidable combination capable of producing truly outstanding visuals.
If that wasn’t enough, Pimax has pushed the pixel-per-degree density to a value of 35, which is the highest of any consumer headset on the market. This means the image is incredibly sharp and clear, devoid of the washed-out, pixelated effect typical of devices with a lower pixel density. Furthermore, the Mini LED technology on such a QLED panel ensures exceptionally accurate color reproduction that you usually get in the most high-end TV’s or monitors. The first effect of these specs is that the 3D effect and the sensation of being in a space are much more pronounced than on some cheaper competitors, which takes immersion to a whole new level.
The tech crammed inside the Crystal is incredible
Even its introductory screen, set in a cosmic wasteland, looks better than some full-blown games on other headsets. When it comes to playing those on the Crystal, the headset definitely doesn’t disappoint. It was a real pleasure exploring a bunch of VR games in my library just to see how they looked on the Crystal. Everything, from more movement-heavy games like No Man’s Sky, Half-Life Alyx, and Subnautica to the more seated simulation experiences like F1, Assetto Corsa, and Microsoft Flight Simulator, looked absolutely stunning, with an extremely wide field of view and, dare I say, a “crystal” clear image.
But that’s not all, as the Crystal further enhances the user experience in several ways. The first pertains to the eye tracking and IPD setting. While there’s an option for manual adjustment, it actually auto-adjusts and sets itself every time you put on the headset. In practice, this works so well that even if, for instance, three different people successively try out the headset, there’s almost no need for them to adjust the IPD. The Crystal seamlessly auto-adjusts it for them, enhancing the viewing experience and reducing motion sickness.
The controllers are excellent
The inclusion of eye-tracking offers an added benefit: the use of dynamic foveated rendering (DFR) technology in games that support it. In essence, DFR dynamically adjusts the level of detail in a game based on where a person is looking. The Crystal’s eye-tracking enhances the detail and resolution in the area of the screen you’re focusing on, while simultaneously reducing them in areas you’re not looking at. The result should bring about a significant performance improvement, and I can attest that it works wonderfully on the Crystal. Playing on an Nvidia RTX 4090, the hardware-intensive, almost photorealistic game Digital Combat Simulator at ultra details and native resolution with DFR can reach a dizzying 100 FPS and almost never drops below 60.
Now, that’s the tethered mode. Standalone is a whole different story, and while it looks good and functions quite solidly, it’s hard to shake the feeling that it’s simply unnecessary for this device. First and foremost, the Crystal is quite large and impractical for many games where standalone would be beneficial, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 chip can’t deliver the same level of visual clarity you get with PC hardware. Moreover, standalone has its own game offerings through Pimax’s store, and it’s currently quite lacking in terms of intriguing, well-known games or other VR experiences. Standalone is definitely a cool feature to have, but I genuinely believe Pimax would have had much more success with the Crystal if it were exclusively a tethered headset.
The integrated headphones greatly help with immersion
Two things that work exceptionally well on the Crystal, whether you’re using it in tethered or standalone mode, are the controller tracking and the headphones. I can’t claim it has the most precise inside-out tracking system, but I encountered almost no issues, jittering, or connection losses when using the controllers, even in faster-paced games. Furthermore, I’ve already mentioned that the headphones are very well-positioned, yet they never actually touch your ears, functioning more like near-field speakers. While they might lack a bit in bass, they offer a pretty good soundstage, crisp sound, and someone can call out to you or warn you if you’re dangerously close to a wall while using the headset.
FINAL THOUGHTS
To sum it up, despite some criticisms, my experience with the Pimax Crystal was undeniably enjoyable. It stands as an incredibly powerful VR headset, setting a new standard for visual quality in the industry. While it primarily emphasizes stunning visuals, the Crystal impresses with a diverse range of features, catering not only to simulation enthusiasts seeking photorealism but also offering surprising comfort in seated sessions.
Incorporating excellent controllers, impressive sound quality, and advanced functions like automatic IPD adjustments, eye-tracking, and DFR, the Crystal presents a comprehensive package. It even includes a currently limited standalone mode, which holds promise for future improvements. As for the $1500 USD price tag, its justification hinges purely on your personal priorities. When paired with a potent PC, the tethered mode of the Crystal truly shines, delivering a top-tier, immersive VR experience. Although there’s room for enhancement, the Pimax Crystal unquestionably represents a step forward in the realm of virtual reality.
