Got A Pimax Crystal Light?

[Johnny Dioxin]

I see these are now arriving to the earliest customers. I probably have a couple of months to wait, having just ordered mine earlier this month, but I - and I'm sure many others - am very keen to find out how it performs in DCS World.

So if anyone gets theirs soon, please do share your experiences, even if it's just a short post to say "great!", "not so good" or "it'll do"!

 

Thanks

[Hartsblade]

I should get mine later today, but I'll only be able to spend any real time later Sunday.

[Calvin.Pimax]

Personally, I don't want to come across as too biased, although it works well for me. However, given my affiliation with Pimax, it would be best for you to consider reviews from other users. That being said, I do prefer the Light over the OG Crystal because of its lightweight design, allowing for longer sessions without feeling tired. 

Additionally, it's worth noting that some users heavily utilize DFR in DCS. Therefore, there should be some comparisons between DFR and FFR game performance soon by our users.
 

22 hours ago, Hartsblade said:

I should get mine later today, but I'll only be able to spend any real time later Sunday.

Please keep us posted mate! 

[Ganesh]

vor 2 Stunden schrieb Calvin.Pimax:

 

Additionally, it's worth noting that some users heavily utilize DFR in DCS. Therefore, there should be some comparisons between DFR and FFR game performance soon by our users.

That's exactly what interests me most: how much difference eyetracking really makes, in terms of performance.

Edited May 30, 2024 by Ganesh
performance wise

[dock999]

Yes, I understandthat the Quad- view lifts so much weight in DCS VR and I am also looking forward to the answer.  This is the difference between DCS vr and MSFS vr.

[Calvin.Pimax]

17 hours ago, Ganesh said:

That's exactly what interests me most: how much difference eyetracking really makes, in terms of performance.

 

We shall wait for the reviews then.

[Ganesh]

Such a performance test should also be possible with the standard Crystal by comparing with and without DFR, but I can't find any "clear/clean" informations here in the forum.

[Aapje]

@Calvin.Pimax

Will the new FFR be available right away or later on?

Because the proper test would be to compare DFR with both FFR and no FR.

Edited May 31, 2024 by Aapje

[Calvin.Pimax]

It's available right now.

null

[Aapje]

4 hours ago, Calvin.Pimax said:

It's available right now.

But there would be a better version of FFR, right? Has that been released already?

[Johnny Dioxin]

I'm sure I read about FFR v2 on either Reddit or the Pimax site. How big a difference it is I don't know.

I did watch a Pimax video showing FFR giving equal and sometimes better framerates than DFR in flight sims, but I guess that's to be expected from the maker of the headset. I am a little skeptical of the marketing info, as the pictures they have on the Pimax site showing apparent differences in clarity between the Crystal and "other" headsets is obviously not real. I've never had a cockpit as blurry as those shown in this comparison - not even in Rift CV1. But I am convinced that the Crystal is a step up from anything I currently have - and I am already well impressed with my Pico 4 in DCS World.

edit - just got an email and link to this:

https://pimax.com/pages/crystal-light-estimated-shipping-time/?ref=imc&utm_source=Pimax+Newsletter&utm_campaign=d45db68baa-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_09_22_04_31_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-1bf68ce23d-[LIST_EMAIL_ID]&mc_cid=d45db68baa&mc_eid=72c2cf1fca

Looks like mine will be processed in June and delivered in late July.

Edited May 31, 2024 by Johnny Dioxin

[Qcumber]

I pre-ordered but I'm not sure if I will buy it. I have used FFR with a Pico 4 and this works very well. But, it's not the same as DFR. I have had a quest pro for 6 months and DFR is much better than FFR. 

[Hartsblade]

 

On 5/30/2024 at 9:29 AM, Calvin.Pimax said:

Personally, I don't want to come across as too biased, although it works well for me. However, given my affiliation with Pimax, it would be best for you to consider reviews from other users. That being said, I do prefer the Light over the OG Crystal because of its lightweight design, allowing for longer sessions without feeling tired. 

Additionally, it's worth noting that some users heavily utilize DFR in DCS. Therefore, there should be some comparisons between DFR and FFR game performance soon by our users.
 

Please keep us posted mate! 

Just a quick update, and first impression. 

 

Some background.  I'm come from using a Valve Index, so no eye tracking or ffr/dfr. 5800x3d & 4090.

 

My initial impression is very positive. The visuals are a solid improvement over the Index and definitely an upgrade to color, blacks, and clarity. 

 

As far as comfort, I have to say that initially I found the Crystal Light uncomfortable, but the more time I spend in the HMD the better it feels.  The Index was/is more comfortable and for me a better fit.  I will continue to make adjustments and see if things improve.

 

Now the biggest question I have in regards to if I will keep it or not.  FFR and no DFR/eye tracking.  For most non-DCS titles, performance and quality have been great, but DCS calls for more tweaking.  I've been learning the ins and outs of FFR using Quad Views.  FFR/Quad Views definitely improves performance, but I keep moving my eyes before I move my head and the lower resolution outside the FFR sweet spot is very noticeable and a tad distracting.  This is why I really wish Pimax had considered an Crystal Light+eye tracking version.

 

I have to say I am impressed, if not totally sold yet.  I need more seat time to workout the rest of the quirks before I decide to keep or not.  If there was eye tracking it would be a no-brainer.

 

More to come...

 

(Edit for spelling)

Edited June 4, 2024 by Hartsblade

[winghunter]

FFR was useful in the Reverb G2. But in my Quest3 its not usable, you'll notice because of the edge to edge clarity. Same I'd expect for the Crystal.

[Raptor82]

On 5/30/2024 at 9:29 AM, Calvin.Pimax said:

Personally, I don't want to come across as too biased, although it works well for me. However, given my affiliation with Pimax, it would be best for you to consider reviews from other users. That being said, I do prefer the Light over the OG Crystal because of its lightweight design, allowing for longer sessions without feeling tired. 

Additionally, it's worth noting that some users heavily utilize DFR in DCS. Therefore, there should be some comparisons between DFR and FFR game performance soon by our users.
 

Please keep us posted mate! 

Not to Hijack but I anxiously await my super.  Any idea when that might come home to me?..  LOL

[Hartsblade]

20 hours ago, winghunter said:

FFR was useful in the Reverb G2. But in my Quest3 its not usable, you'll notice because of the edge to edge clarity. Same I'd expect for the Crystal.

I've been using Quad Views which is basically a version of FFR and I have to say after some time on the HMD, all is working as expected and FFR (Quad Views) is helping improve performance as advertised. 

[winghunter]

On 6/7/2024 at 5:16 PM, Hartsblade said:

I've been using Quad Views which is basically a version of FFR and I have to say after some time on the HMD, all is working as expected and FFR (Quad Views) is helping improve performance as advertised. 

I'm wondering since you also got a 4090. QuadViews can actually increase CPU load. You're probably CPU bound all the time like me. So is it really a good idea to help your GPU at the cost of your CPU?

 

I'm also wondering if eye tracking & DFR has any benefit with a 4090. It's unlikely to help my CPU

Edited June 9, 2024 by winghunter

[Hartsblade]

On 6/8/2024 at 8:25 PM, winghunter said:

I'm wondering since you also got a 4090. QuadViews can actually increase CPU load. You're probably CPU bound all the time like me. So is it really a good idea to help your GPU at the cost of your CPU?

 

I'm also wondering if eye tracking & DFR has any benefit with a 4090. It's unlikely to help my CPU

 

So I'm running a 5000X3D and without any FFR/Quad Views, my GPU frame times are in the mid to low 20's while my CPU frame times are in the mid teens.  Once I run Quad Views my GPU frame times and CPU frame times even out in the mid to high teens.

 

I'm running my DCS settings pretty much maxed out so my FPS averages around 60fps to 72fps and on some of the more graphically challenging sections down low of cities my fps will drop into the 40's.  I could tweak my setting and get even better performance, but I like to fly low so I need to squeeze as much eye candy as I can out of the terrain.

[Johnny Dioxin]

Thanks for your thoughts. I don't expect to find it comfy - the only strap I did not make any aftermarket changes to was the Rift CV1 (of 5 headsets I own) and even that I changed the face pad. Seems to be par for the course.

I already ordered prescription lenses, but unfortunately I was unable to use the manufacturers I like best because they don't do anything for Pimax headsets. I had to use VR Wave, who despite appearances are based in Hong Kong. That doesn't bother me as long as the lenses do the job. The only one I've had lenses before that do Crystal lenses are VR Optician - and their base price starts already above the total I paid VR Wave.

Feels like forever since I ordered, but it's only been just under 4 weeks. It does irk me a bit that Pimax are sending out emails - and their distributors are posting on their main sales pages - that if you order now you get your headset in 6 weeks. Yet many of us ordered almost a month ago and aren't scheduled to receive our headsets until early August - maybe late July if we're lucky. I think Pimax handled this release and the information given out pretty badly, but of course if the headset's a winner, we'll all forget about that!

Edited June 10, 2024 by Johnny Dioxin
spellling

[winghunter]

8 hours ago, Hartsblade said:

So I'm running a 5000X3D and without any FFR/Quad Views, my GPU frame times are in the mid to low 20's while my CPU frame times are in the mid teens.  Once I run Quad Views my GPU frame times and CPU frame times even out in the mid to high teens.

Not sure how you manage to max out a 4090, I never managed it even with ultra settings and Q3 native resolution. And you seem to be running an Index VR?

[Hartsblade]

12 minutes ago, winghunter said:

Not sure how you manage to max out a 4090, I never managed it even with ultra settings and Q3 native resolution. And you seem to be running an Index VR?

Sorry, not running the Index anymore, those numbers are for a Crystal Light and I'm still tweaking it.  I guess I need to update my signature.

[Hartsblade]

Saw this video yesterday and had some nice advice for setting up the Crystal Light for DCS.  Used a couple of the tweaks and improved my performance. 

 

Edited June 11, 2024 by Hartsblade
Spelling

[Calvin.Pimax]

On 6/7/2024 at 7:52 AM, Raptor82 said:

Not to Hijack but I anxiously await my super.  Any idea when that might come home to me?..  LOL

Stay tuned for more updates buddy.

[Maddaawg]

I saw a video on YT from Pimax on the delays, it's good information.

[Nodak]

Seems they were caught by surprise with the sudden demand for PCVR  Crystals.  That's what happens when you listen to your customer base, good on you Pimax.  Should have mine by August, too busy in June and July any way.