Are You Planning on Buying Pimax Crystal Super or Crystal Light?

[jww123]

Do you think the improved visuals with the Pimax Crystal Super will be worth the increased cost when running DCS? Will DCS provide enough visual detail to take advantage of the higher resolution?

[Maddaawg]

It's hard to say until the super is in the hands of reviewers and users. The CL seems to be getting good reviews but since it is missing any hand recognition I'm not interested until a solution like HTCC or PointCTRL can be used. I'm not yet convinced I will buy a Super either, which I did the $.99 cent deposit on, and would only do so if the new MR front plate was available and had hand recognition. Though my turn on the PointCTRL list is coming up around the same time the Super is available, so that may be an option if PC parts also become available to run the SC.

I don't think it a question If DCS can provide enough visual details for the SC, but whether or not your PC can push those details that are available. The 50 ppd is going to be very demanding and I'm thinking a future system 5090 plus a 9800x3d will have trouble getting to high settings.

Edited September 21, 2024 by Maddaawg

[slughead]

Exactly. I have no intention of upgrading my VR headset (Quest Pro) until PC hardware or perhaps the software improves enough to run current VR headsets to the best of their capability. Anything with higher resolution is likely a waste at this time.

[WipeUout]

On 9/22/2024 at 1:53 AM, slughead said:

Anything with higher resolution is likely a waste at this time.

I feel exactly the same.  The day I can run my 8KX in DCS at its highiest possible settings will be the day I will start thinking about upgrading my HMD.

[Dangerzone]

I'm going to hold back and wait when it comes to the super. There's a few firsts from what I can tell, including the higher resolution that I want to see how others fair with it first, and whether it's better, or creates more issues before I am considering upgrading. With DFR it could work brilliantly and not be an issue as I was pleasantly surprised how well the CL runs compared to my HP Reverb - but I've also learned that if at all possible, avoid buying on release as my personal experience with new releases were delays, as well as quality control, software issues, etc. It pays to let the dust settle and see if at all possible) 

Additionally, buying a headset at that price, with only one year warranty concerns me, so I also want to see how people fair with longevity of Pimax gear, and how the CL fairs over the next few years before looking at a more expensive headset from them. 

I really hope that the super kicks butt in an incredible way. I love the market that Pimax are focused on, and there's been a need for a while for something of this nature, especially since other more notable brands are abandoning their consumer products (HP with reverb, or Microsoft with WMR, etc).  I have high hopes. Pimax were smart to build their products with replaceable parts (lenses especially, cable, etc). 

[Maddaawg]

2 hours ago, Dangerzone said:

With DFR it could work brilliantly and not be an issue as I was pleasantly surprised how well the CL runs compared to my HP Rever

How do you feel the FOV is on the CL compared to the Reverb?

[Dangerzone]

1 hour ago, Maddaawg said:

How do you feel the FOV is on the CL compared to the Reverb?

That's a bit of a tricky one, as I made a custom spacers on my Reverb to get my eyes further away from the lenses. (My eyelashes kept touching the lenses and oiling them up), so the CL felt like it has more FOV than the Reverb - but I'm not a really good gauge to say for sure.

What I have found though is that everything is just nicer. The center is so much nicer. The sweet spot so much larger, and even though I'm using fixed foviated rendering - it doesn't really affect me as much as I thought it would, so I feel as though I can read with more clarity too on the CL than I could on the reverb, not just in the center, but also off to the sides.

All in all - it was a significant upgrade for me. But in saying that - this was only after using Quadviews and the companion to get FFR setup with super-sampling in the center. I never tried that with the HP Reverb, which I wish I had have known it worked with that as well, as I may have had a better experience with the Reverb had I tried.

[Maddaawg]

@Dangerzone which Reverb did you have? I have the G2+, and it has an insert that allows more room for Rx lens inserts. I never noticed my eye lashes hit them, but i did on the Q3 and bought an AMVR facial interface and it's further back than stock decreasing my FOV but keeping from hit the Rx inserts.

I may get it back out and run a test on my non‐DCS system. There is a $5 tool that let's you do VR testing like FOV.

[Dangerzone]

33 minutes ago, Maddaawg said:

@Dangerzone which Reverb did you have? I have the G2+, and it has an insert that allows more room for Rx lens inserts. I never noticed my eye lashes hit them, but i did on the Q3 and bought an AMVR facial interface and it's further back than stock decreasing my FOV but keeping from hit the Rx inserts.

I may get it back out and run a test on my non‐DCS system. There is a $5 tool that let's you do VR testing like FOV.

Mine was the original. I can't test now because HP don't know how to make cables that last, and have them as a single point of failure. Thankfully they (almost) lasted me until the CL came out because I was beginning to get worried on what to move to. 

[kerlcat]

I intent to hands on Super instead of Light for its small form besides high PPD. Light or Crystal are too bulky for me. Yes, 5090 seems a must have to Super. Will see if I would have to return it after trial on Super in a few month.

[Panzerlang]

Pimax can't be trusted to maintain supplies of accessories, much less adequate software, so it's a no from me.

[Dangerzone]

4 hours ago, Panzerlang said:

Pimax can't be trusted to maintain supplies of accessories, much less adequate software, so it's a no from me.

What do you mean? Have they dropped accessories and replacement parts in the past?

[Panzerlang]

7 hours ago, Dangerzone said:

What do you mean? Have they dropped accessories and replacement parts in the past?

The integrated hand-tracking module is the biggest example, out of stock for almost a year and zero intention of making any more. 

[Damalio]

Using the Crystal SIM version here.  Visuals are amazing, but the headset is extremely uncomfortable.  The super at a glance looks like it might fit better... but not sure at that price.  Pimax is by far the worst in terms of reliability of product and support of any VR HMD.

[Gyster]

I've had the 8kx for a few years now and have only had a couple issues that were solved with firmware changes.  Having said that, I fly with guys using other headsets that routinely call out contacts long before I can see anything.  Even though I am concernced about the degree of performance my pc can deliver (i9-13900k/rtx4900), I'm willing to take the chance that the added ppd along with eye tracking will provide a better overall experience.  So, I pre-ordered and am anxiously waiting for late January.  My experience with Pimax' customer support was frustrating at times, but they always managed to get me the right firmware - definitely, not great support.  As far as features, the Super should be an ideal hmd for me - high resolution, wide FOV, eye tracking, no battery, and no hand tracking.  Pretty much everything I want, and nothing I don't want or plan to use in the future.  I'll put up a review on youtube after I've had some time to try it.

Edited December 22, 2024 by Gyster

[Panzerlang]

Since they updated the return window to two weeks and there's a $400 discount for Crystal owners I decided to give the Super a go and pre-ordered it. I'm also impressed with their native Quadviews software. I would have bought the Somnium VR1 if they sold them to Japan but they dropped the ball on that.