Pimax 5K Super
The Pimax 5K Super (marketed as Pimax Vision 5K Super) is a high-refresh-rate PC VR head-mounted display developed by Pimax, announced at CES 2020 and released in 2020 at $750. The headset is notable for being the first consumer VR headset to reach 180 Hz refresh rate (in experimental mode), with standard support for 160 Hz. Featuring dual 2560x1440 LCD panels with RGB stripe matrix and up to 200° diagonal field of view, the 5K Super targets sim racing and competitive gaming enthusiasts who prioritize high refresh rates and wide FOV over maximum resolution.
| Pimax 5K Super | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | PC VR |
| Platform | SteamVR, Pimax Play |
| Developer | Pimax |
| Manufacturer | Pimax |
| Announcement Date | January 2020 (CES 2020) |
| Release Date | 2020 |
| Price | $750 USD |
| Website | https://pimax.com/ |
| Predecessor | Pimax 5K Plus |
| Successor | Pimax Crystal |
| System | |
| Storage | |
| Display | |
| Display | 2x LCD (RGB stripe matrix) |
| Resolution | 2560x1440 per eye (5120x1440 combined) |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz, 120 Hz, 144 Hz, 160 Hz, 180 Hz (experimental) |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 200° diagonal, 170° horizontal, 115° vertical (varies by mode) |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Angled displays with custom lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | 60-73mm (physical slider) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (SteamVR Lighthouse 1.0/2.0) |
| Eye Tracking | No (optional add-on) |
| Hand Tracking | No (optional add-on) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Modular Audio Strap (MAS) included |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | DisplayPort 1.4, USB, Power |
| Device | |
| Weight | ~470g (headset only) |
History and Development
Pimax first showed the 5K Super prototype at CES 2020, positioning it as a high-refresh-rate variant of their 5K lineup. The headset launched in 2020 for $750, offering an alternative to the higher-resolution 8KX for users who preferred smoother motion over maximum pixel count. The 5K Super introduced the industry's first 180 Hz mode for consumer VR.[1]
Design and Hardware
Display
Fast-switching LCD panels:
- Dual LCD panels (RGB stripe matrix)
- 2560x1440 resolution per eye
- 5120x1440 combined resolution
- Low latency panels
- Reduced screen door effect vs PenTile
- Wide color gamut
Refresh Rate
Industry-leading options:
- 90 Hz
- 120 Hz
- 144 Hz
- 160 Hz (standard high mode)
- 180 Hz (experimental)—first consumer VR headset
- Lower persistence at higher rates
- Smoother motion for competitive gaming
Field of View
Adjustable ultra-wide FOV:
- 200° diagonal (Large mode)
- 170° horizontal (Large mode)
- 115° vertical
- Normal mode: ~170° diagonal
- Small mode: ~140° diagonal
- FOV limited at highest refresh rates due to bandwidth
- 170° max at 160 Hz+
Optics
- Custom angled lens design
- Canted displays for peripheral vision
- Large sweet spot
- Manual IPD adjustment (60-73mm)
- Physical slider for IPD
Tracking
SteamVR Lighthouse compatibility:
- 6 Degrees of Freedom (6DoF)
- SteamVR Tracking 1.0 support
- SteamVR Tracking 2.0 support
- Built-in 3DoF gyro sensor
- External base stations required (sold separately)
Audio
Modular Audio Strap:
- MAS (Modular Audio Strap) included
- Off-ear speakers
- Integrated audio solution
- Improved comfort
- Optional headphone jack
Build
- ~470g headset weight
- Wide facial interface
- Adjustable head strap
- Comfortable foam padding
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | LCD RGB stripe |
| Resolution | 2560x1440 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 90-180 Hz |
| Field of View | Up to 200° diagonal |
| IPD Range | 60-73mm (physical) |
| Tracking | SteamVR 1.0/2.0 |
| Audio | Modular Audio Strap |
| Weight | ~470g |
| Price | $750 |
FOV and Refresh Rate Modes
| Mode | FOV | Max Refresh Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Large | 200° diagonal | 120 Hz |
| Normal | 170° diagonal | 144 Hz |
| Small | 140° diagonal | 180 Hz |
Reception
Praise:
- 180 Hz refresh rate first in consumer VR
- Ultra-wide 200° FOV immersive
- RGB stripe LCD reduces screen door effect
- Multiple refresh rate options
- Excellent for sim racing
- Good for competitive gaming
- SteamVR tracking reliable
- Included Modular Audio Strap
- Physical IPD adjustment
- $750 reasonable for features
Criticism:
- FOV limited at highest refresh rates
- LCD black levels inferior to OLED
- Requires external base stations
- Controllers sold separately
- Software can be finicky
- Heavy GPU requirements at high settings
- Distortion at FOV edges
- 5K naming misleading (not true 5K)[2]
See Also
References
- ↑ "Pimax Launches "5K" Super VR Headset Featuring 180Hz Refresh Rate". Road to VR. https://www.roadtovr.com/pimax-5k-super-vr-launch/.
- ↑ "Pimax Vision 5K Super Review: VR at 180Hz". Tom's Hardware. https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pimax-vision-5k-super-review.
- ↑ "Pimax Launches 5K SUPER VR Headset with 180Hz Refresh Rate". TechPowerUp. https://www.techpowerup.com/275455/pimax-launches-5k-super-vr-headset-with-180hz-refresh-rate/.