Life after HP G2

[C3PO]

Any ideas what's best to move up to from the G2?

Shame that Varjo aren't doing any consumer units any more.

Tricky to know what's best now ...

[Gun Jam]

The crystal or one of its variants right? They seem like the best for the dollar based on what I have read.

[Hartsblade]

I just jumped from an Index to a Crystal Light.  Very happy so far.

[speed-of-heat]

Yep, I made the switch to an Aero, but, the Pimax would have been my alternative!

[C3PO]

Thank you all - on the Pimax Crystal / Crystal Lite ... can I just buy the headset and speakers ala my G2, or do I need those box things that site on the desk and provide tracking?

[Pinchanroll]

15 minutes ago, C3PO said:

Thank you all - on the Pimax Crystal / Crystal Lite ... can I just buy the headset and speakers ala my G2, or do I need those box things that site on the desk and provide tracking?

It comes with headphones but from what I've read (and what I ordered) is to get the DMAS earphones. They're similar to what's on the HP G2. The Crystal/Crystal light has inside-out tracking. No need for the box things/base stations.

I ordered the Crystal Light with local dimming, DMAS earphones and without controllers.

 

Regards,

Bill

Edited June 11, 2024 by Pinchanroll

[Mr_sukebe]

2 hours ago, Hartsblade said:

I just jumped from an Index to a Crystal Light.  Very happy so far.

Oooohhh, do tell us more 

[Hartsblade]

1 hour ago, C3PO said:

Thank you all - on the Pimax Crystal / Crystal Lite ... can I just buy the headset and speakers ala my G2, or do I need those box things that site on the desk and provide tracking?

The various Crystals have inside-out tracking like the G2, or you can add a Lighthouse tracker faceplate if you already have lighthouses.

 

They also have built-in speakers, but I understand that sound quality is not great.  I opted to add the extra over-the-ear speakers (for an extra cost).

 

If you decide to look into the Crystal just be aware that there are a bunch of options, so pay attention. 

[Hartsblade]

1 hour ago, Mr_sukebe said:

Oooohhh, do tell us more 

Ok.

 

I opted for the Crystal Light w/local dimming, Lighthouse tracking faceplate and no controllers. (I already have lighthouses and controllers from the Index).  I also added the DMAS earphones for an extra charge.

 

My initial impressions are positive.  I have much better clarity and visuals, and with the Quad Views, and a few tweaks I picked-up from Tallymouse 's latest video, I've even managed a small performance boost.  I'm running DCS with settings pretty maxed out, and both my GPU & CPU frametimes are in the mid to high teens on average with bumps into the 20's on those "unoptimised" spots all maps seem to have down in the weeds.

 

The only downside for me so far is that it is not as comfortable as my Index was, but I'm working on that.

Edited June 11, 2024 by Hartsblade
Spelling

[Keith Briscoe]

5 hours ago, C3PO said:

Any ideas what's best to move up to from the G2?

Shame that Varjo aren't doing any consumer units any more.

Tricky to know what's best now ...

I too have the Reverb G2.  First vr headset for me - I think it's great.  But, i upgraded my system since I became a VR convert and started looking for my NEXT vr headset.  I also decided on Pimax Crystal Light (w/ local dimming; no controllers).  Videos are starting to slowly come out with early experiences.  Looks/seems like the best option so far.

Looking forward to receiving mine hopefully within 30 days...

[NAM]

54 minutes ago, Hartsblade said:

Ok.

 

I opted for the Crystal Light w/local dimming, Lighthouse tracking faceplate and no controllers. (I already have lighthouses and controllers from the Index).  I also added the DMAS earphones for an extra charge.

 

My initial impressions are positive.  I have much better clarity and visuals, and with the Quad Views, and a few tweaks I picked-up from Tallymouse 's latest video, I've even managed a small performance boost.  I'm running DCS with settings pretty maxed out, and both my GPU & CPU frametimes are in the mid to high teens on average with bumps into the 20's on those "unoptimised" spots all maps seem to have down in the weeds.

 

The only downside for me so far is that it is not as comfortable as my Index was, but I'm working on that.

 

At present, I have pimax 8kx with lighthouse.. might interest in getting crystal with lighthouse faceplate.

 

Regarding lighthouse tracking... let assume that one day your lighthouse base station is dead..

Does the crystal light still work by revert back to inside out tracking instantly without the need to takeout the lighthouse faceplate ?

or the need install firmware version for inside tracking that need ?.

[Hartsblade]

6 minutes ago, NAM said:

At present, I have pimax 8kx with lighthouse.. might interest in getting crystal with lighthouse faceplate.

 

Regarding lighthouse tracking... let assume that one day your lighthouse base station is dead..

Does the crystal light still work by revert back to inside out tracking instantly without the need to takeout the lighthouse faceplate ?

or the need install firmware version for inside tracking that need ?.

The inside-out tracking is fully functional, I did test it.

[Hartsblade]

30 minutes ago, Keith Briscoe said:

I too have the Reverb G2.  First vr headset for me - I think it's great.  But, i upgraded my system since I became a VR convert and started looking for my NEXT vr headset.  I also decided on Pimax Crystal Light (w/ local dimming; no controllers).  Videos are starting to slowly come out with early experiences.  Looks/seems like the best option so far.

Looking forward to receiving mine hopefully within 30 days...

I think you might find this usefull after you receive your Crystal Light.

 

 

[Chief_Biv]

I decided on the Pimax Crystal to replace my G2. The eye tracking allows better visuals and fps performance and was a big upgrade without upgrading my GPU. Everything is better (visuals, performance and software). The only drawback compared to the G2 is weight and comfort. I can still play for hours though.

[C3PO]

20 minutes ago, Chief_Biv said:

I decided on the Pimax Crystal to replace my G2. The eye tracking allows better visuals and fps performance and was a big upgrade without upgrading my GPU. Everything is better (visuals, performance and software). The only drawback compared to the G2 is weight and comfort. I can still play for hours though.

That's great to hear!

Edited June 12, 2024 by C3PO

[Dodge]

I've purchased (awaiting delivery, which is indicated somewhere late-Aug) the Pimax Crystal Light (local Dimming, but no controllers or any addons)- (Trial payment, final payment). This will allow me to see what Pimax offers; as I've never used one before.

If it meets my needs, I will then pay the final fee to keep the headset, or return it (either because it didn't fulfil my expectations, or I *might* purchase the Pimax Crystal Super if I enjoyed the Crystal Light, but want more features from the Crystal Super)

https://pimax.com/pages/pimax-new-trial-payment-final-payment-model

https://pimax.com/products/pimax-crystal-light-headset-only

Then again, I could wait until support if ended and/or I can't use my G2 (2026?), and see what headset are available at that time (You never know, apart from the vendors ) 

 

[Added after posting]

Pimax - Why we have these setbacks (YouTube) - 15/06/2024

Edited June 16, 2024 by Dodge

[Maddaawg]

On 6/11/2024 at 6:50 AM, C3PO said:

Any ideas what's best to move up to from the G2?

Shame that Varjo aren't doing any consumer units any more.

Tricky to know what's best now ...

The Pimax Crystal Light looks promising. I'm waiting for reviews comparing the Quest 3 which I have now after using the G2.

[edmuss]

22 hours ago, Hartsblade said:

I'm running DCS with settings pretty maxed out, and both my GPU & CPU frametimes are in the mid to high teens on average with bumps into the 20's on those "unoptimised" spots all maps seem to have down in the weeds.

What's the resolution of the focus and peripheral views?

So you're realistically getting 50-70fps from the 4090?

[Hartsblade]

27 minutes ago, edmuss said:

What's the resolution of the focus and peripheral views?

So you're realistically getting 50-70fps from the 4090?

The focus is 150% of Native, while the peripheral is 5% Native.

I'm using the Quad Views settings suggested by Tallymouse in his most recent video (linked below).

Yes I am realistically getting 50-70+fps with the 4090 on average with the expectation that some terrains are better optimized then others, especially down in the weeds.

 

Reference Video:

 

Edited June 12, 2024 by Hartsblade
Spelling

[edmuss]

Thought you would be running a fair amount of focus multiplier, what are the actual resolutions though, should be listed in the logs? Interesting to see how the resolution factors in with the performance

[Hartsblade]

2 hours ago, edmuss said:

Thought you would be running a fair amount of focus multiplier, what are the actual resolutions though, should be listed in the logs? Interesting to see how the resolution factors in with the performance

I'll see if it is in the logs later. But doing some quick math:

2880 x 2880 per eye = Native Resolution

4320 x 4320 per eye = 150% Native Resolution

140 x 140 = per eye 5% Native Resolution

Edited June 12, 2024 by Hartsblade

[edmuss]

Is the focus area really wide? Presuming that is and the peripheral is only narrow because it's fixed foveation. Also the stereo resolution should be higher than the display resolution of 2880x2880.

The maths doesn't add up though, as you're not stretching 140 pixels across the width of the display

In the aero the foveation is a little differently set up because it's not modifying the stereo resolution like quadviews does but taking it direct from the runtime. At 39ppd I have a 1200x1200 focus area and about 1300x1100 peripheral. Total pixel count is about 5.8mp over both eyes.

[Hartsblade]

2 hours ago, edmuss said:

Is the focus area really wide? Presuming that is and the peripheral is only narrow because it's fixed foveation. Also the stereo resolution should be higher than the display resolution of 2880x2880.

The maths doesn't add up though, as you're not stretching 140 pixels across the width of the display

In the aero the foveation is a little differently set up because it's not modifying the stereo resolution like quadviews does but taking it direct from the runtime. At 39ppd I have a 1200x1200 focus area and about 1300x1100 peripheral. Total pixel count is about 5.8mp over both eyes.

Sorry, those are per eye, over all resolutions.  I edited my post. The native Stereo resolution is reported as 5760 x 2880.

 

The Focal area that is 150% is ~33% of the image at the center.

Edited June 12, 2024 by Hartsblade

[Chief_Biv]

11 hours ago, Maddaawg said:

The Pimax Crystal Light looks promising. I'm waiting for reviews comparing the Quest 3 which I have now after using the G2.

I tried the Quest 3 before going with the Crystal. I found the Quest 3 was not as sharp in the middle of the view point compared to the G2. The Q3 had consistent clarity edge to edge. However, I struggled to read instruments and see targets compared to the G2. The Crystal is better visually than the Q3. It remains sharp a lot wider than the G2, however near the edges of the view it does go blurry and there is chromatic abberations. I have found the Crystal a more pleasant and WOW! experience compared to the Q3.

[C3PO]

Hoping the Crystal / Crystal Lite works well with the GTX 3090.

What is the most significant difference between the Lite and the Crystal?

4 hours ago, Chief_Biv said:

I tried the Quest 3 before going with the Crystal. I found the Quest 3 was not as sharp in the middle of the view point compared to the G2. The Q3 had consistent clarity edge to edge. However, I struggled to read instruments and see targets compared to the G2. The Crystal is better visually than the Q3. It remains sharp a lot wider than the G2, however near the edges of the view it does go blurry and there is chromatic abberations. I have found the Crystal a more pleasant and WOW! experience compared to the Q3.

Would you say the Crystal is better than the G2 overall?