Pimax Crystal Light
| 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 |
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.
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/.