Pimax Crystal Light
The Pimax Crystal Light is a high-resolution PC VR head-mounted display developed by Pimax, released in 2024 at $699. A streamlined version of the Pimax Crystal, the Crystal Light removes standalone capabilities, eye tracking, and onboard processing to deliver the same exceptional display quality at a significantly lower price point. Featuring dual 2880x2880 QLED + Mini-LED panels with 35 pixels per degree (PPD), glass aspheric lenses, 115° field of view, and inside-out tracking (with optional Lighthouse support), the Crystal Light targets sim racing, flight simulation, and enthusiast VR users who prioritize visual clarity over standalone features.
| Pimax Crystal Light | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | PC VR |
| Platform | SteamVR, Pimax Play |
| Developer | Pimax |
| Manufacturer | Pimax |
| Release Date | 2024 |
| Price | $699 USD |
| Website | https://pimax.com/pages/crystal-light |
| Predecessor | Pimax Crystal |
| System | |
| Storage | |
| Display | |
| Display | 2x QLED + Mini-LED |
| Resolution | 2880x2880 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz, 72 Hz, 90 Hz, 120 Hz |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 115° |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Glass aspheric lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | 58-72mm (manual) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (inside-out, SteamVR optional) |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Built-in speakers, 3.5mm jack |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | DisplayPort 1.4a, USB 3.0 |
| Device | |
| Weight | ~410g |
History and Development
Pimax released the Crystal Light in 2024 as a PC-only variant of the Pimax Crystal, addressing demand for a more affordable option focused purely on tethered PC VR. By removing the Snapdragon XR2 processor, eye tracking, battery, and standalone functionality, Pimax reduced the price from $1,599 to $699 while maintaining the same high-quality display panels and optics.[1]
Design and Hardware
Display
Same premium panels as Crystal:
- Dual QLED + Mini-LED panels
- 2880x2880 resolution per eye
- 35 PPD (pixels per degree)—exceptional clarity
- Local dimming technology
- HDR support via Mini-LED backlight
- Wide color gamut
- Deep blacks
- Nuanced lighting in dark scenes
Refresh Rate
Multiple options:
- 60 Hz
- 72 Hz
- 90 Hz
- 120 Hz
- Smooth, responsive gameplay
Optics
Premium glass lenses:
- Glass aspheric lenses
- Large, distortion-free sweet spot
- Higher transmittance than plastic
- Reduced aberration
- Edge-to-edge clarity
Field of View
- 115° FOV
- Immersive peripheral vision
- Balanced for clarity and immersion
IPD Adjustment
- 58-72mm range
- Manual adjustment
- Wide user accommodation
Tracking
Flexible tracking options:
- Inside-out tracking (default)
- Simple setup, no external sensors
- SteamVR Lighthouse compatible (optional)
- Enhanced tracking precision with base stations
Build
Lightweight streamlined design:
- ~410g weight (lighter than Crystal)
- Fully adjustable headband
- Designed for long sessions
- Comfortable ergonomics
Audio
- Built-in speakers
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- DMAS (Deluxe Modular Audio Strap) optional
Comparison with Pimax Crystal
| Feature | Crystal Light | Pimax Crystal |
|---|---|---|
| Display | QLED + Mini-LED | QLED + Mini-LED |
| Resolution | 2880x2880/eye | 2880x2880/eye |
| PPD | 35 | 35 |
| Eye Tracking | No | Yes (120 Hz) |
| Standalone Mode | No | Yes |
| Processor | PC only | Snapdragon XR2 + PC |
| Battery | None | 6,000 mAh |
| Weight | ~410g | 845g |
| Price | $699 | $1,599 |
Removed Features vs Crystal
- Eye tracking (120 Hz)
- Snapdragon XR2 processor
- Internal storage (256 GB)
- Battery (standalone mode)
- Standalone VR capability
- Wireless streaming
System Requirements
Minimum GPU
- NVIDIA RTX 2070 / RTX 3060
- AMD RX 5700 XT / RX 6700 XT
Recommended
- RTX 3070 Ti / RTX 4060 Ti or higher
Other Requirements
- CPU: Intel i5-12xxx or i7-10xxx+
- RAM: 16 GB
- DisplayPort 1.4a
- USB 3.0
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | QLED + Mini-LED |
| Resolution | 2880x2880 per eye |
| PPD | 35 |
| Refresh Rate | 60-120 Hz |
| Field of View | 115° |
| Lenses | Glass aspheric |
| Tracking | Inside-out (Lighthouse optional) |
| IPD Range | 58-72mm |
| Weight | ~410g |
| Price | $699 |
Reception
Praise:
- 35 PPD exceptional clarity
- Same display quality as Crystal
- $699 price (vs $1,599 Crystal) excellent value
- Glass aspheric lenses premium optics
- Local dimming enhances contrast
- ~410g much lighter than Crystal
- Inside-out tracking easy setup
- Lighthouse tracking optional
- Excellent for sim racing/flight sim
- Wide 115° FOV immersive
Criticism:
- No eye tracking (no foveated rendering)
- PC-only—no standalone mode
- Controllers sold separately
- Heavy GPU requirements
- Manual IPD (not automatic)
- Some users prefer included eye tracking[2]
See Also
References
- ↑ "Pimax Crystal Light". Pimax. https://pimax.com/pages/crystal-light.
- ↑ "Review: Pimax Crystal Light". FSElite. https://fselite.net/content/review-pimax-crystal-light/.
- ↑ "Review: Pimax Crystal Light VR Headset". MSFS Addons. https://msfsaddons.com/2024/09/03/review-pimax-crystal-light-vr-headset/.