A thorough analysis of the appeal and capabilities of the Pimax Crystal Light! A detailed review of its advantages and disadvantages
I was provided with the VR headset "Pimax Crystal Light" by Pimax, so I will review it.
Although this device can be used using the inside-out method, it is a PCVR HMD that is designed to be connected to a PC via a wired connection and used with SteamVR, etc.
Comfort and tracking
External camera recognizes and tracks the outside
The weight is 535g. When I put them on, I found that they were surrounded by a fairly solid cushion, so they weren't as uncomfortable to wear as they looked.
Lightweight design and head load distribution
The catalog specs say it's light, and it has a cushion at the back and a band on top of the head to distribute the weight.
Differences from Pimax Crystal
By the way, I also tried using the Pimax Crystal, but it was extremely heavy. The Pimax Crystal Light is the Pimax Crystal without the standalone features that are not related to PCVR.
Adjustable fit
Loosen this dial, put it on your head, adjust the position, and then tighten the dial to make it tight.
Glass lens for a wide field of view
This is a popular Pimax model. The lens is an aspherical glass lens. I think it has a wider field of view than the Quest series. You can experience the excellent optical system that Pimax products are known for.
High resolution and refresh rate adjustment
This device has a 2880 x 2880 resolution per eye, equivalent to Pimax 8K resolution. The high resolution allows for comfortable immersion. While it's not quite enough to render my 4K monitor (125%) directly in Overlay mode, scaling settings can improve the resolution. For those using a standard FHD monitor, this device is also suitable for applications like placing windows in a virtual space without changing settings. Refresh rates of 72Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz are supported.
Enjoy a comfortable visual experience even in VRChat
The rendering of the VRChat world seems excellent, too. The high-density resolution of 35 PPD is irresistible. Because it's an LCD, the only drawback is that dark areas tend to fade. The version I tested was the QLED panel version, so a higher-end MiniLED version would likely support local dimming of the backlight, allowing for a wider dynamic range.
Simple black and white pass-through function
Pass-through can also be called up by double-tapping the side, but it's in the nostalgic black and white that you'd expect these days. Of course, this isn't intended for mixed reality, and it's only intended for use as a quick way to check your surroundings, like "Should I have a drink without removing the HMD?", so it's safe to say that's a compromise.
Powerful acoustic experiences and microphone challenges
In terms of sound, the speakers are particularly noteworthy. They're attached to the HMD, so when you wear them, the speakers are positioned around your ears. The sound quality is pretty good, with solid bass, allowing you to enjoy powerful games.
The microphone quality is rather poor, being similar to that of the HTC Vive Pro or PICO 4. It gets significantly worse when the speaker volume is turned up, as noise is removed, so it's best to turn it down.
Extensive tracking options
Although it uses 6DoF inside-out tracking (a method of measuring your position by checking your surroundings using the camera on the VR headset), it can also be used in a separate Lighthouse environment. Similarly, inside-out tracking controllers are lighter, but they don't offer particularly good tracking or ease of use. Those looking for more advanced features may need to purchase the Lighthouse panel accessory separately.
Affordable prices and options
For those who want to use SteamVR and primarily use games, this might be a good option to consider. The price of the Pimax Crystal Light starts at 140,000 yen for the version without Lighthouse support. That's 100,000 yen cheaper than the Pimax Crystal and about 20,000 yen cheaper than BigScreen Beyond.
Pimax 8K is recommended for those who prioritize viewing angles
By the way, if you are not satisfied with the viewing angle of this device, I think you will be able to enjoy the manufacturer's individuality and true essence even more by choosing a monster HMD such as Pimax 8K.
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