Pimax 5K Plus
| Pimax 5K Plus | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | PC VR |
| Platform | SteamVR, Pimax Experience |
| Creator | Pimax |
| Developer | Pimax |
| Manufacturer | Pimax |
| Announcement Date | September 2018 |
| Release Date | November 2018 |
| Price | $699 (headset only) |
| Website | https://pimax.com/ |
| Versions | Pimax 5K Plus, Pimax 5K Super, Pimax 5K XR |
| Requires | Gaming PC, SteamVR Tracking |
| Predecessor | Pimax 4K |
| Successor | Pimax 8K X |
| System | |
| Operating System | Windows |
| Chipset | N/A (tethered PCVR) |
| CPU | N/A (PC-powered) |
| GPU | N/A (PC-powered) |
| Storage | |
| Storage | N/A |
| Memory | N/A |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual LCD (CLPL) |
| Subpixel Layout | RGB stripe |
| Peak Brightness | ~100 nits |
| Resolution | 2560 × 1440 per eye (5120 × 1440 combined) |
| Pixel Density | ~15 PPD (center) |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz |
| Persistence | Low persistence |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 200° (diagonal), 170° (horizontal) |
| Horizontal FoV | 150°-170° (adjustable) |
| Vertical FoV | ~115° |
| Average Pixel Density | ~12 PPD |
| Peak Pixel Density | ~15 PPD |
| Foveated Rendering | No |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Custom aspherical lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | 60-75mm (mechanical adjustment) |
| Adjustable Diopter | No (glasses compatible) |
| Passthrough | No |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF outside-in (SteamVR/Lighthouse) |
| Tracking Frequency | 1000Hz (base stations) |
| Base Stations | Required (sold separately) |
| Eye Tracking | Optional (Droolon module) |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | Optional (Leap Motion compatible) |
| Body Tracking | Via VIVE Trackers |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Yes |
| Update Rate | Up to 144Hz |
| Tracking Volume | Lighthouse 1.0/2.0 supported |
| Play Space | Roomscale |
| Latency | <25ms motion-to-photon |
| Audio | |
| Audio | No built-in (MAS/DMAS upgrades available) |
| Microphone | No (without audio strap) |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes |
| Camera | No |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | DisplayPort 1.4, USB 2.0 |
| Ports | DisplayPort 1.4, USB, 3.5mm audio |
| Wired Video | Yes (DisplayPort) |
| Wireless Video | No |
| WiFi | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Power | USB powered |
| Battery Capacity | N/A |
| Battery Life | N/A (tethered) |
| Charge Time | N/A |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | ~260mm × 140mm × 130mm |
| Weight | ~470g (headset only) |
| Material | Plastic |
| Headstrap | Modular (basic strap, MAS, DMAS, KDMAS) |
| Haptics | Controller haptics (via SteamVR controllers) |
| Color | Black |
| Sensors | Lighthouse tracking photodiodes, IMU |
| Input | SteamVR controllers (Valve Index, VIVE), Pimax controllers |
| Compliance | FCC, CE |
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The Pimax 5K Plus (also styled as 5K+) is a high-end PC VR head-mounted display developed by Pimax, announced in September 2018 and released in November 2018 at a price of $699 for the headset only. The 5K Plus was born from Pimax's highly successful Kickstarter campaign that raised over $4.2 million, promising to deliver ultra-wide field of view VR at an accessible price. Featuring dual LCD displays at 2560 × 1440 per eye with RGB stripe subpixels and Pimax's signature 200° diagonal field of view (approximately 170° horizontal)—far exceeding the ~110° of competitors—the 5K Plus became the enthusiast's choice for flight and racing simulation where peripheral vision is crucial. Supporting up to 144Hz refresh rate and SteamVR Lighthouse tracking, the 5K Plus offered a compelling alternative to standard FOV headsets at a price below the HTC Vive Pro.
History and Development
Kickstarter Success
2017 campaign:
- Over $4.2 million raised
- World's widest FOV promise
- 8K and 5K variants
- Strong backer interest
5K Evolution
Design iteration:
- Original 5K scrapped
- 5K Plus replaced it
- RGB stripe vs PenTile
- Better text legibility
Backer Fulfillment
Delivery timeline:
- Initial delays common
- November 2018 shipping began
- Backer units prioritized
- All backers fulfilled by July 2019
Retail Availability
Post-backer sales:
- $699 retail price
- Competitive with Vive Pro
- Wider FOV advantage
- Enthusiast market
Design Philosophy
Maximum Field of View
Core differentiator:
- 200° diagonal claimed
- 170° horizontal practical
- Peripheral vision included
- Immersion priority
Canted Displays
Optical approach:
- Displays angled outward
- Extends horizontal FOV
- Unique geometry
- Trade-offs in rendering
RGB Stripe Display
5K Plus distinction:
- Full RGB subpixels
- Better text clarity
- Replaced original 5K
- User preference
Enthusiast Target
Market positioning:
- Sim racing community
- Flight simulation
- VR enthusiasts
- Early adopters
Display Technology
Dual LCD Panels
CLPL displays:
- Resolution: 2560 × 1440 per eye
- Total: 5120 × 1440
- Type: CLPL (Custom Low Persistence Liquid Crystal)
- Subpixels: RGB stripe
Refresh Rate
High refresh options:
- 90Hz: Standard mode
- 120Hz: High refresh
- 144Hz: Maximum (reduced FOV)
- User selectable
RGB vs PenTile
Display arrangement:
- Full RGB for clarity
- Better text legibility
- Reduced screen door
- 5K Plus advantage
Visual Quality
Image characteristics:
- Wide peripheral view
- Good center clarity
- Some edge softness
- Trade-off for FOV
Field of View
Ultra-Wide FOV
Pimax signature:
- Diagonal: 200°
- Horizontal: ~170° (Large mode)
- Vertical: ~115°
- Near-human FOV
FOV Settings
Adjustable modes:
- Large: ~170° horizontal
- Normal: ~150° horizontal
- Small: ~120° horizontal
- Performance trade-offs
FOV Impact
User experience:
- Peripheral vision immersion
- Sim racing advantage
- Flight sim peripheral awareness
- More present feeling
Peripheral Distortion
Wide FOV challenges:
- Some edge distortion
- Software corrections
- Individual perception varies
- Improved over time
Optical System
Canted Display Geometry
Unique design:
- Displays angled outward
- Custom lens design
- Extended viewing area
- Complex rendering
Custom Lenses
Aspherical optics:
- Wide-angle coverage
- Good center clarity
- Some edge softness
- Typical for ultrawide
IPD Adjustment
Physical lens movement:
- Range: 60-75mm
- Mechanical adjustment
- Software offset available
- Wide accommodation
Tracking System
SteamVR Lighthouse
External tracking:
- Base stations required
- Not included
- 1.0 and 2.0 compatible
- Sub-millimeter accuracy
Base Station Requirements
Additional purchase:
- Minimum 2 stations
- Valve or HTC compatible
- Significant additional cost
- Standard SteamVR setup
Controller Options
SteamVR ecosystem:
- Valve Index controllers
- VIVE Wand controllers
- Pimax Sword controllers
- Full ecosystem access
Audio
No Built-In Audio
Modular approach:
- 3.5mm jack only
- Headphones required
- Various upgrades available
- Weight savings
Audio Strap Options
Upgrades available:
- MAS: Modular Audio Strap
- DMAS: Deluxe Modular Audio Strap
- KDMAS: Premium off-ear audio
- Improved comfort with audio
Physical Design
Distinctive Shape
Recognizable form:
- Wide angular design
- Large front housing
- Unique appearance
- Function over form
Weight
Reasonable for features:
- ~470g headset only
- Audio strap adds weight
- Comfortable for size
- Good distribution
Comfort
Extended use:
- Basic strap included
- Audio strap recommended
- Various face gaskets
- Individual fit varies
Materials
Construction:
- Plastic housing
- Adequate build quality
- Modular design
- Upgrade path
PC Requirements
High-End Hardware
Demanding specifications:
- Recommended GPU: GTX 1070 / RTX 2070+
- Minimum GPU: GTX 1060
- CPU: i5-4590 equivalent+
- RAM: 8GB+
Performance Optimization
Managing demands:
- Parallel projection option
- Per-game profiles
- Resolution scaling
- FOV adjustment
Parallel Projection
Compatibility feature:
- Required for some games
- Performance impact
- Canted display compensation
- User configurable
Software
PiTool
Original software:
- Device configuration
- Firmware updates
- Settings management
- Game profiles
Pimax Experience
Newer interface:
- Streamlined setup
- Automatic optimization
- User-friendly
- Continued development
SteamVR Integration
Platform support:
- Full SteamVR compatibility
- Steam library access
- OpenVR support
- Standard ecosystem
Content Compatibility
Platform access:
- SteamVR games
- Oculus (via Revive)
- PiHome
- Wide library
Use Cases
Flight Simulation
Ideal application:
- Peripheral instrument view
- Wide situational awareness
- Cockpit immersion
- Community favorite
Racing Simulation
Sim racing benefits:
- Mirror visibility
- Peripheral awareness
- Track boundaries
- Competitive advantage
VR Enthusiasts
General use:
- Immersive experiences
- Exploration games
- Social VR
- Wide FOV preference
Variants
Pimax 5K XR
OLED alternative:
- OLED panels
- Better blacks
- Same FOV
- Different trade-offs
Pimax 5K Super
Later upgrade:
- Up to 180Hz refresh
- Same resolution
- Improved performance
- Premium option
Comparison with Competitors
| Feature | Pimax 5K Plus | HTC Vive Pro | Valve Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $699 (HMD) | $799 (HMD) | $499 (HMD) |
| Resolution/eye | 2560×1440 | 1440×1600 | 1440×1600 |
| FOV | ~170° | ~110° | ~130° |
| Refresh Rate | Up to 144Hz | 90Hz | Up to 144Hz |
| Audio | None | Integrated | Integrated |
| Tracking | Lighthouse | Lighthouse | Lighthouse |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Widest consumer FOV
- High refresh rates
- Competitive pricing
- SteamVR ecosystem
- RGB stripe displays
- Active community
Limitations
- Base stations not included
- No integrated audio
- Peripheral distortion
- Software maturity
- Support challenges
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | Dual LCD, 2560 × 1440 per eye |
| Total Resolution | 5120 × 1440 (5K) |
| FOV | ~170° horizontal (Large mode) |
| Refresh Rate | 90/120/144Hz |
| Subpixels | RGB stripe |
| Tracking | SteamVR Lighthouse |
| IPD | 60-75mm mechanical |
| Audio | None (3.5mm jack) |
| Weight | ~470g |
| GPU Requirement | GTX 1070+ recommended |
| Price | $699 (HMD only) |