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Pimax 8K X: Difference between revisions

Improving page with detailed specifications, sections, and references
 
Improving page with detailed specifications, sections, and references
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|Type = [[Head-Mounted Display]]
|Type = [[Head-Mounted Display]]
|Subtype = [[PC VR]]
|Subtype = [[PC VR]]
|Platform = [[SteamVR]]
|Platform = [[SteamVR]], [[Pimax Platform]]
|Developer = [[Pimax]]
|Developer = [[Pimax]]
|Manufacturer = [[Pimax]]
|Manufacturer = [[Pimax]]
|Release Date = 2020
|Release Date = 2020
|Price = $1,299+ USD
|Announcement Date = CES 2020
|Price = $1,299 USD
|Website = https://pimax.com/
|Website = https://pimax.com/
|Predecessor = [[Pimax 5K Plus]]
|Predecessor = [[Pimax 5K Plus]]
|Successor = [[Pimax Crystal]]
|Successor = [[Pimax Crystal]]
|Display = CLPL LCD (dual native 4K)
|Display = LCD (dual 4K)
|Resolution = 3840x2160 per eye
|Resolution = 3840x2160 per eye (native)
|Refresh Rate = 60/75/90 Hz (native) / 110 Hz (upscaled)
|Combined Resolution = 7680x2160
|Field of View = 200° (170° diagonal)
|Refresh Rate = 75/90 Hz (native) / 90/114 Hz (upscale)
|Field of View = 200° diagonal / 170° horizontal
|Ocularity = Binocular
|Ocularity = Binocular
|Tracking = SteamVR 1.0/2.0 (outside-in)
|Eye Tracking = Optional module
|Lenses = Fresnel CLPL
|Tracking = SteamVR Lighthouse (external)
|IPD = Adjustable
|IPD = 55-75mm
|Audio = Modular audio strap
|Latency = 15ms MTP
|Connectivity = USB + DisplayPort 1.4
|Weight = ~500g
}}
}}


The '''Pimax Vision 8K X''' is a PC [[virtual reality]] [[head-mounted display]] developed by [[Pimax]], released in 2020. The world's first dual native 4K consumer VR headset, the 8K X features 3840x2160 resolution per eye using customized CLPL panels with RGB pixel matrix, an ultrawide 200° field of view (170° diagonal), and refresh rates up to 90Hz native or 110Hz upscaled. Selected as "Top Tech of CES: AR/VR" by Digital Trends in 2020, the 8K X targets extreme VR enthusiasts and simulation users who prioritize visual clarity and immersion over all else.
The '''Pimax Vision 8K X''' is a high-end PC-tethered [[virtual reality]] [[head-mounted display]] developed by [[Pimax]], announced CES 2020 and released 2020 at $1,299. Pimax's flagship ultra-wide VR headset featuring dual native 4K displays at 3840x2160 per eye (true 8K combined), industry-leading 200° diagonal field of view, Dual Engine Mode for 4K native or upscaled rendering, SteamVR Lighthouse tracking, and canted display design. Winner of Digital Trends CES 2020 Top Tech AR/VR award.


== History and Development ==
== History and Development ==


Pimax unveiled the Vision 8K X at CES 2020, where it won "Top Tech of CES: AR/VR" from Digital Trends. As the flagship of Pimax's Vision series, the 8K X delivers the highest resolution and widest field of view available in consumer VR. The headset comes in SMAS (Standard Modular Audio Strap) and DMAS (Deluxe Modular Audio Strap) variants, with the premium DMAS version featuring high-fidelity detachable headphones.<ref name="tomshardware">{{cite web |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pimax-vision-8k-x-review-ultrawide-gaming-with-incredible-clarity |title=Pimax Vision 8K X Review |publisher=Tom's Hardware |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
Pimax showcased the Vision 8K X at CES 2020 as their flagship headset, where it won Digital Trends' Top Tech of CES 2020: AR/VR award. Delivering on Pimax's promise of consumer 8K VR (originally Kickstarter-funded 2017), the 8K X features true native 4K per eye displays without upscaling (unlike the earlier 8K model). The ultra-wide FOV canted display design differentiates Pimax from all competitors.<ref name="pimax">{{cite web |url=https://pimax.com/ |title=Pimax |publisher=Pimax |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>


== Design and Hardware ==
== Design and Hardware ==
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=== Display ===
=== Display ===


Dual native 4K system:
Dual 4K native:


* '''3840x2160 per eye''' (true 4K)
* '''3840x2160 per eye''' (native)
* '''Dual native 4K displays'''
* '''7680x2160 combined''' (8K)
* '''CLPL panels''' (customized)
* '''Dual 4K LCD''' panels
* '''RGB pixel matrix'''
* Full RGB subpixels
* 8K total resolution (7680x2160)
* CLPL (Custom Low Persistence Liquid)
* No upscaling in native mode
 
* Exceptional clarity
=== Dual Engine Mode ===
* Highest resolution consumer VR
 
Flexibility:
 
* '''Native 4K mode''': 3840x2160x2 @ 75Hz
* '''Upscale mode''': 2560x1440x2 → 4K @ 90Hz
* User switchable
* Performance vs quality tradeoff


=== Refresh Rate ===
=== Refresh Rate ===


* '''60/75/90 Hz native'''
* '''75/90 Hz''' (native 4K)
* '''110 Hz upscaled mode'''
* '''90/114 Hz''' (upscale mode)
* Multiple refresh options
* Balance quality vs performance
* Native 4K at 90Hz supported


=== Field of View ===
=== Field of View ===


Ultrawide immersion:
Ultra-wide:


* '''200° total FOV'''
* '''200° diagonal'''
* '''170° diagonal'''
* '''170° horizontal'''
* Multiple FOV settings:
* Near human vision
** '''Large''': 170° diagonal (full)
* Canted display angle
** '''Normal''': 150° diagonal
* Industry-leading FOV
** '''Small''': 120° diagonal
** '''Potato''': Compact mode
* Angled display placement
* Peripheral vision coverage


=== Lenses ===
=== Optics ===


* '''Fresnel CLPL lenses'''
* '''Dual Fresnel lenses'''
* Wide sweet spot
* Angled (canted) design
* Edge clarity
* Wide FOV enabled
* Optimized for ultrawide FOV


=== Audio ===
=== IPD ===


Modular options:
* '''55-75mm range'''
* Hardware adjustment


* '''SMAS''' (Standard Modular Audio Strap) - included
=== Tracking ===
* '''DMAS''' (Deluxe Modular Audio Strap) - premium option
* High-fidelity detachable headphones (DMAS)
* Immersive spatial audio
* Comfortable head strap


=== Tracking ===
* '''SteamVR Lighthouse'''
* 1.0 and 2.0 compatible
* External base stations
* '''6DoF'''
* 9-axis sensors


* '''SteamVR 1.0/2.0 compatible'''
=== Latency ===
* Base station tracking (outside-in)
* Sub-millimeter accuracy
* Full room-scale support
* Lighthouse compatible


=== Build ===
* '''15ms MTP''' typical
* Motion-to-photon


* '''~500g weight'''
=== Modules ===
* Premium comfort kit included
* Special damage-resistant coating
* Durable construction
* Modular design


=== Connection ===
Optional upgrades:


* '''DisplayPort 1.4'''
* Eye tracking module
* '''USB 2.0 + USB 3.0'''
* Hand tracking module
* No external power box required
* Wireless adapter (prototype)
* Direct PC connection
* High bandwidth support


== PC Requirements ==
== PC Requirements ==


=== Recommended Specifications ===
High-end system needed:
* '''OS''': Windows 10/11
 
* '''GPU (Upscale Mode)''': RTX 2060 or above
* NVIDIA RTX 2080 recommended
* '''GPU (Native 4K)''': RTX 2080 or above
* Dual DisplayPort connections
* '''GPU (Optimal)''': RTX 3080 or better
* Powerful CPU
* '''CPU''': Intel i5-9400 or above
* Native 4K extremely demanding
* '''RAM''': 8 GB or more
* '''Ports''': USB 2.0, USB 3.0, DisplayPort 1.4


== Technical Specifications ==
== Technical Specifications ==
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Specification !! Details
! Specification !! Native Mode !! Upscale Mode
|-
|-
| Display || 3840x2160 per eye (dual 4K)
| Resolution || 3840x2160/eye || 2560x1440/eye → 4K
|-
|-
| Panels || CLPL (RGB pixel matrix)
| Combined || 7680x2160 || 7680x2160
|-
|-
| Refresh Rate || 60/75/90 Hz (110 Hz upscaled)
| Refresh Rate || 75/90 Hz || 90/114 Hz
|-
|-
| FOV || 200° (170° diagonal)
| FOV || 200° diagonal || 200° diagonal
|-
|-
| Tracking || SteamVR 1.0/2.0
| IPD || 55-75mm || 55-75mm
|-
|-
| Audio || SMAS/DMAS modular
| Tracking || Lighthouse || Lighthouse
|-
|-
| Connection || DP 1.4 + USB
| Price || $1,299 || -
|-
| Weight || ~500g
|-
| Price || $1,299+
|}
|}
== Variants ==
=== 8K X SMAS ===
* Standard Modular Audio Strap
* Basic audio solution
* Lower price point
=== 8K X DMAS ===
* Deluxe Modular Audio Strap
* High-fidelity headphones
* Premium audio experience
* Higher price


== Reception ==
== Reception ==


'''Praise:'''
'''Praise:'''
* 3840x2160 per eye highest resolution
* True 8K (native 4K/eye)
* Dual native 4K unprecedented
* 200° FOV unmatched
* 200° FOV most immersive
* Near human vision
* No screen door effect
* CES 2020 award winner
* CES 2020 award winner
* Multiple FOV options flexible
* Dual Engine Mode flexible
* RGB pixel matrix sharp
* Native + upscale options
* Modular audio options
* SteamVR compatible
* SteamVR ecosystem compatible
* Modular upgrades
* Simulation excellence


'''Criticism:'''
'''Criticism:'''
* $1,299+ premium pricing
* $1,299 expensive
* High PC requirements
* RTX 2080+ required
* RTX 3080+ for best experience
* Very demanding native mode
* Complex setup process
* Lighthouse required (extra cost)
* Base stations extra cost
* Heavy headset
* Controllers sold separately
* Software polish issues
* Large form factor
* Pimax customer support
* Not for casual users
* Limited sweet spot<ref name="tomshardware">{{cite web |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pimax-vision-8k-x-review-ultrawide-gaming-with-incredible-clarity |title=Pimax Vision 8K X Review |publisher=Tom's Hardware |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
* Fresnel lens artifacts possible<ref name="gamingtrend">{{cite web |url=https://gamingtrend.com/reviews/pimax-vision-8k-x-vr-headset-review-absolutely-mind-blowing/ |title=Pimax Vision 8K X Review |publisher=Gaming Trend |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Pimax 5K Plus]]
* [[Pimax 5K Super]]
* [[Pimax Crystal]]
* [[Pimax Crystal]]
* [[Pimax Crystal Super]]
* [[Valve Index]]
* [[Varjo Aero]]
* [[Varjo Aero]]