Dangerzone

From my testing, I don't believe the issue is GPU based, but CPU based. I have a 4090 that I'm running on very conservative settings while trying to sort this out. OpenXR toolkit shows I have 99 overhead on the GPU, and I believe it with those settings. Yet I keep getting stutters. It shows that I'm CPU bound from time to time when those stutters occur. I've noticed doing some things to help dedicate the CPU to DCS has helped a little. (Project Lasso, P-Cores only, turning off CPU Core Parking, etc) - but it's not a complete solution. What it did tell me though is that the issue seems to be CPU related. DCS seems to be doing some intense CPU work - and that's definitely having issues with stutters, etc. In addition to this - I also seem to have one CPU pegged at 100% and another close to it... just sitting at the main screen. (This is with the latest update that dropped a couple of hours ago). VR 2D

Unfortunately, I don't believe that the post above is relevant to to the Crystal Light. The only reference of this I can find is at https://community.openmr.com/t/crystal-shipping-update/40766 which appears to be from last year (for the Pimax Crystal, not the Crystal Light I'm guessing)? I have replacement lenses being sent to me at the moment. I'll have to weigh them both when I swap them over just to see if they are indeed the same lens, or something different, but I suspect that it'll be the same weight. Hopefully just a different batch without the 'bottle' sensation.

The only reference of this I can find is here: https://community.openmr.com/t/crystal-shipping-update/40766 Which appears to be from last year, so most likely talking about the Pimax Crystal, not the Crystal Light?

What is the benefit of 120 locked to half vs say 72 unlocked? (Besides 12fps) Which is better?

Check to see if your CPUs are parking the core. It might be worth trying the registry entry that turns off core parking and see if that has any results. From my experience it seems windows has a habit of enabling parked cores again after it does updates and it’s a real issue when it does for me with DCS.

Just a reminder to please check and make sure that CPU Parking is disabled. I noticed issues with poor performance again, but in my instance it seems that Windows decided to do an update, and in it's update it seems it re-enables CPU Core Parking. IDK why - but even just in the DCS main menu screen (not the launcher, but the main screen), if I viewed FPS's, I was getting nasty FPS drops consistently every second or so - which would cause stuttering. Disabling CPU Core parking appears to have resolved the issue (at least for me). IDK enough about game development to know if DCS can tell windows not to park cores that it's using so this hack doesn't need to be done? This may not be the issue that everyone is facing, but even if it helps one or two... If unsure of how to do this, it can be done via the registry under Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings. Search for a value that ends with dec35c318583, and change ValueMax to 0. Obviously usual registry disclaimers apply. Plus - if anyone knows a better way of doing this so that CPU parking is only disabled while DCS is running, I'd love to know.

I'm looking for a way to integrate the CH47 into my missions. (24/7 servers with dynamic missions, not a dedicated mission). I'm aware that the Chinook can be used natively for carting from one base to another to increase/decrease warehouse figures, but I'm also aware that this is very limited in it's nature, and that few people are going to be satisfied just doing this. I'm really wanting the Chinook to be a more vital piece to dynamic mission progressions, and more helpful to other players on MP servers. I'm wondering what people are doing, or considering doing with the Chinook to make it a more contributable piece to the battlefield. As a starter, here are some idea's I've come up with to share: JTAC Troop Deployment The ability to pick up and deploy JTAC troops. This is already achievable with CTLD scripting, and isn't new. I do notice that the Chinook has embarking/disembarking troops natively built in to the core functionality thought. Does anyone know whether or not this can work with CTLD so that if a CTLD Jtac troops are spawned somewhere, all the attributes associated with them (that make them a JTAC unit) 'go with them' when they are embarked and disembarked? FARP / Milk Cow I know this isn't native yet, but could potentially be done via MOOSE coding. I'm just not aware if this has already been done somewhere (as I'd prefer not to reinvent the wheel if it's been done and is available)? SAM Site / FARP / FOB Construction Again, CTLD had this included many moons ago. But I do like the idea of sling-loading actual items instead of just crates - and was wondering if there's anything available that allows for construction of SAM sites or similar where you actually see the real gear sling-loaded, instead of crates magically turning into the sam sites once enough of them are at a particular area. To actually see the site slowly being built with the items getting delivered would be far more immersive. I know that we can sling load certain items, but I think these are just static in nature, unless it is actually possible to sling-load real ground units? If ED is reading this - it would be great to have the ability to sling-load real ground units, and not just static items/cargo. (Forgive me if this is already available, as I don't have the Chinook, but if it is, I'll go and buy the Chinook right now!). CSAR Again, already available in CTLD scripting as with other helo's. However - if ED is reading this - could I recommend that this be native - and can pick up the actual downed pilots that are on a MAP please? So does anyone else have any ideas how the hook can be integrated into missions, or any comments on the above if there are better ways to achieve any of this that I haven't already touched on? I'm aware that this is EA, and that ED are probably working on some more features natively (such as the COW), but I also see this as an opportune time to start using it in missions while it's been developed so that we can have feedback and say into the future development of this. (Such as hopefully the ability to sling-load real ground units / relocate SAM sites, etc). Cheers DZ

Time to ask ED for a bug fix only release maybe. No enhancements. No new functions. Just dedicated the entire next release cycle to bug fixing. Both the new ones and others that have been outstanding for years. Because honestly, this OB/SR migration it seems is turning back into OB instability with a longer release cycle.

Hi Pikey, Do you know if anything was implemented in this latest update that would allow us to use Dynamic Spawn from Dynamically created FARPS? Cheers DZ

I agree that it would be good to have this resolved by ED. However, you could play the mission now if you want, by rolling back to version 2.9.5.55918 until ED has this resolved. Not ideal - but it is an option.

Thanks for posting your experience. Feedback (both good and bad) is essential for others to review products (as most youtube reviews aren't much more than a repeat of the specs of the product. What I really want to know are the real life experience of customers after purchasing their product). I'd question the remote postage cost. I've been hit with this before with one shipment (unrelated) "your postcode is remote, huge fee increase". Yet, I seem to be able to buy products from Aliexpress for a couple of dollars, including shipment - for parts that are far larger than I would imagine the size of the replacement part you're looking for. It doesn't surprise me that even good quality units will have the odd defective switch, so these things happen from time to time. The question is how will it be handled. To ignore your original information, and passively accuse you of what you already said wasn't the case I think sums it up. Then making you battle for a free part and still want you to pay for freight. This smells of someone trying to save cents ignoring the dollars (or thousands) that they're going to lose. When I purchased my last set of gear, I went with a VKB/Virpil combination. I briefly considered WinWing but reviews like yours quickly had me discarding them. I had hoped that maybe over time they would mature into a more professional and reliable company because the more manufacturing gear we can get in this market the better, but it appears as though maybe this level of service isn't a growing-issue for a newer company, but actual company policy. Sorry you had to go through this, but take some comfort in that you may have saved a number of us from going through a similar experience. Thank you.

SP for me is exactly what you mention - mostly a trainer. A good online multiplayer campaign help give me that objective for DCS. Being involved with a bunch of guys, and choosing objectives on a dynamic map for the night. Might be to clear out an area, or capture a base, etc. A map that has serious threats, and will be a challenge - not just a normal routine. However, being involved in developing and hosting these, I know just how much effort, sweat, tears and frusturations go into them. I know that the admins/dev's of such can get burned out by the constant fault finding as to why things aren't working, or the amount of work just to get something scripted and working as expected. A dynamic campaign for both SP and MP will bring a lot more to DCS, and make what's already available now in limited ways with much effort, available to all with hopefully little effort.

Hmm... that's a very different experience to what I've had. I admit, I haven't had many hours in the new headset yet (the warped left lens is a big issue for me - I'm waiting for them to ship a replacement - which hasn't shipped yet - but I am told that there is a delay due to the high demand of the headset at the moment. From the time I have had within the headset, the headset has been able to turn off and back on without crashing games. Headset starts extremely quickly. I've been able to use passthrough (double-tap the side of the headset - fantastic feature BTW) without it crashing as you have mentioned, and if I recall correctly the restart headset button has worked for me as well. For clarification, this is with the Crystal Light - so if you're using the Crystal, maybe it's a bit different? If so, that would be disappointing given the extra cost of the premium unit. As mentioned in my last post - I agree that a headset is only as good as it's after-sales support. I'm hoping I have a different experience to you and that Pimax are improving on their support side of things. I've got friends considering upgrading from the WMR headset (given Microsoft are dropping it), and are watching how things turn out for me. They weren't impressed by how my headset arrived to start with (neither was I) and are hesitant to buy right now, so a lot of credibility is relying on their after sales support at the moment. FWIW - I want Pimax to shine through this, and for them to get and love their units as much as the youtube reviews. We really need a decent PCVR headset in the market, and Pimax appear to really be focused on PCVR - just need the QC and after sales support to give the market confidence in them.

Will the CH-47 have the ability to 'capture bases' on release? I'm aware it will have cargo capabilities and will allow warehouse deliveries, etc - but just wondering if any of the cargo it delivers will have the ability to capture a base (such as unloading a Humvee, etc)?

I'm not sure if Lasso deals with core parking. I think it only deals with limiting apps to certain cores - not actually dealing with the parking side from my understanding. Either way please let us know how you go if you change the registry (and restart the PC) to see if it makes any difference.

Aah - Not sure about oculus. I have zero experience with Meta sorry. But- since it hasn't been mentioned here, please make sure that CPU Core Parking is disabled. I jumped on last night to find that I had the same symptoms as you - and realized that Windows somehow (probably after an update) decided to re-disable CPU Core parking again. To disable (or check it's disabled): Open Registry (Regedit) Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings Right-click the PowerSettings folder and search for dec35c318583. You'll get a folder that ends with dec35c318583. Check the ValueMax. This should be set to 0. If not, double-click it and change it. Restart your computer. Hopefully this is the cause, and it's a simple fix. Cheers DZ

Firstly, if you're running motion reprojection, try turning it off completely and see how you fair. I found that motion reprojection was costing frames, so it was dropping from 90 to 45 when otherwise if i had it disabled, would remain above 90 consistently. Secondly, are you able to advise: 1) What headset are you using 2) What settings are you using 3) Is this on 'Instant Action', 'Campaigns', 'Multiplayer servers', etc? After the last major update I've been noticing some performance issues - primarily on multiplayer servers similar to what you describe. Works fine, then drops dramatically for a moment, then back again. Seems to be a CPU bound issue. I note that your 3070 didn't do this - but was your upgrade around the same timing as the DCS update? (Not saying it is definitely DCS, but there are definitely numerous issues that have been introduced during the last update as there's some major code changes that could be a contributing factor).

Just got an update on my ticket. They've just recommended that I use a microfibre cloth to wipe the dust off the mirror.

Like you, I consider after-sales support to be on par with the features of the headset itself. That's one of the things that actually attracted me to Pimax. Unlike my HP Reverb, it seems that Pimax are aware of post-sale issues in their products and have designed the headset with user-replacable parts in mind. The fact that the lenses can be replaced means that if the unfortunate scenario of a lens scratch does occur - it's not the end-of-the-world for the user. I also asked about whether they provide replacable parts, such as the cable (was a big deal with my HP reverb) - and yes - they are. So, another tick there. But I'm now putting the 'full experience' to the test, as I'm undergoing a support issue at the moment. They were a bit late to reply to my first support ticket enquiry but they have gotten back to me. The issue I'm facing is warping in the lenses (after them not being assembled properly to start with). They have told me they're going to ship replacement lenses to me to see if that resolves the issue. I'm making notes on this and am thinking of putting up a youtube video of a review. (We have lots of reviews now that are all stepping over each others toes on the specs of the headset and what it's like "in game", but very little about the actual end users full experience including general support & warranty claims - so I think there's opportunity to place one up there. It will be a good test, as I was really wanting DFR and eyeing off the Super, but couldn't wait due to my HP Reverb giving up[ the ghost so went with the Crystal Light. I'm hoping at the moment that what's being experienced is simply a matter of higher-than-expected demand for the headset and that the company simply hasn't got the resources behind it to keep up with everything in the way they would like. That's not making excuses, but I am trying to give them a little bit of understanding - and as long as things are sorted out well in the end, I'm willing to overlook some short delays in warranty process, etc. I think they put too much pressure on themselves with the release date, and got caught out (hence their initial delays). I'm hoping once that initial marketing nonsense is out of the way and the pressure dies down. This has left me with a current impressions to advise people not to pre-purchase a headset from them, nor to get one immediately after release, but to wait until the initial rush dies down, and any crinkles in the process are ironed out. This would also avoid disappointment relying on a release and shipping date that could very well be extended in future. I'm suspicious (reading various forums) that my issue with my lenses isn't isolated, and that there is still a QC issue that needs to be sorted out that I hope will settle once the initial rush is off - so again, waiting is probably key - if you can afford to do it. I really have high hopes for Pimax, and want them to succeed. There's not any significant other players in the PCVR community (except meta - which I think would be disasterous for us all if they became the only ones). The only other big gripe I have about the Pimax at the moment is the 'phone home' calls that appear to be coming from their software. That was my primary reason for avoiding meta in the first place. The requirement to have it linked to an account, and T&C's that I have no interest in agreeing to. I have interactive firewall turned on for my network communications, and I can see calls going back. I don't like the idea of this unless there's an opt-in or opt-out function. I like to keep my network traffic as minimal as possible so I know exactly what my computer is doing, but that's really a whole new conversation. I'm yet to find out more about what is going on in this area, but initial research appears as though this can be blocked without it stopping the headset from working, which is promising.

Hi Calvin, Thanks for your offer. Pimax support have gotten back to me regarding the lens distortion yesterday, and are going to send out another set of lenses to replace with to resolve that issue. They haven't gotten back to me regarding on how to clean the dust out that's sitting on the mirror though. I'll let you know if I run into any complications with the tickets, but at present, even though it may take 2 days to get a response (I expect that's normal with the elevated workload that Pimax have with the unexpected demand on these headsets ) the responses seem to be coming back. Cheers DZ

Hi Calvin, Thanks for replying. I have tried the IPD through the whole range. The problem was primarily due to the lenses not being mounted. They were just sitting ontop of the lens mount (not clipped in), and only held in by the screw. The right side was also rotated, which is why it was so blurry I think. Reseating the lens has definitely helped, and I'm able to see a lot clearer now, however there seems to be some warping within the lens. I notice when I focus on an object in the distance, and then move my head slightly while focusing on the same object, that the image is distored slightly. (Like looking through glass that has some distortion on it). This is worse in the left lens. I've also noticed dust on the mirror behind the left lens too. I'm assuming that these are assembled in a clean room, but given the lens was not actually clipped in, dust has probably gotten on the lens during transport. Thanks for offering to help on discord too. I've created a support ticket now on the pimax website regarding the dust, and the lenses to see what can be done, so I'll see how things go there (and will report back), although to be quite frank - you are much quicker at responding than the official support channel is. Cheers DZ

I ended up taking off the facae plate to get a better look, and noticed that even though the left lens looked OK, with the plate removed, i could see clearly that it too wasn't clipped on. It's as though the person putting the lenses on only placed them on top and screwed in the screw - they didn't clip either side in. I'm going to unscrew the left lens, and remove and then replace it. Interesting that the left lens was 'in focus', just not aligned even like this, while the right lens was fully out of focus. Fingers crossed this will be the answer.

Hi Calvin, Thanks for your reply. I'm encouraged to hear that the lenses are indeed replicable. It's always good when manufacturers design their units to have replicable parts. Makes me think that they actually care about the longevity of their products. I have loosened the screw, and removed the right lens completely, and then re-applied as per the instructions in the video above. The focus is correct now, however the alignment seems way off - as though I'm in a fish bowl or a bubble. I've tried changing the IPD all the way through the scale, and it seems to have little change on the effect. (I know my IPD is 62.5 as I had it checked by an optometrist, so I've put it back to there). I notice in order to read the "Out of bounds" message that shows up in the Pimax application, I had to take the Horizontal IPD Offset out to a full 10, but this distorted other images in the view. If I brought the horizontal IPD Offset back to around 3, it helped with some of the other distortion, but it was distorted in other areas. However regardless of where I have it, I'm unable to get a unphased view of the "Interpupillary Distance" dialog that shows when adjusting the IPD dial on the headset - it's constantly out of alignment. Given the lens is now 'in focus' - just not aligned, I'm assuming that the lens is seated correctly now. Do you have any other suggestions please? Thanks & Regards DZ

Upon looking further, it seems as though the Pimax Crystal Light's lenses might be removable/replacable. (I jus tnoticed a screw holding each lens on). I was under the impression that the CL's lens wasn't supposed to be replacable - so this is interesting. I also noticed that the lens was a little 'sloppy, and could be rotated around the screw. After gently rotating it slightly, it fit snug into position as though where it 'should be'. Donning on the unit and trying again has the right eye in focus. What a relief! 2 months waiting, I wasn't looking forward to sending this back on day 1 on a RMA. Hopefully this post may help others in future if they receive their pimax and have a similar issue.

Just wondering if others have received their Pimax Crystal Light yet, and if so, have you had any QC issues? Mine just arrived today - finally going to be able to fly VR (or so I thought). After installing the software and donning the headset, I noticed that the right eye is completely out of focus. I've tried changing the PD all the way both ways, but to no avail. On closer inspection, the right lens appears different to the left lens. The left lens appears flush, whereas the right lens mount appears to be extruding from the case to what I think is a plastic clip. I've emailed pimax support - will have to wait until they're timezone comes around, but just wondering if anyone else has had a similar issue, and what your result was. After waiting 2 months to get this unit - it's hard to wonder how something as obvious as this could skip by their Quality Control. If it's the lens 'popping out' during shipping, I'm hoping that it can be pushed back into place - but I can't imagine what sort of a thump would be required to make it pop out. Maybe I'm just holding onto hope that it is something that can be fixed 'my end', but while waiting for their timezone to come around, thought I'd ask here to see if anyone else has experienced similar issues. I don't see it being PID related. I can close my right eye and get a clear picture on my left, even moving my head/eye around in alignment. When I close my left and do the same to the right side - it's completely blurry - not just a little bit - extremely bad. Like looking through my granfathers coke-bottle glasses. I also tried using the IPD range all the way from one side to the other "just in case" with no avail.