Pimax 8K X

Pimax Vision 8K X
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	October 2019 (Pimax Frontier)
Release Date	Q4 2020
Price	$1,299 (headset only)
Website	https://pimax.com/pimax-8k-x/
Versions	Pimax Vision 8K X, Pimax Vision 8K X DMAS
Requires	High-end gaming PC, SteamVR Tracking
Predecessor	Pimax 5K Plus
Successor	Pimax Crystal
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 CLPL (Custom Low Persistence Liquid Crystal)
Subpixel Layout	RGB stripe
Peak Brightness	~100 nits
Resolution	3840 × 2160 per eye (7680 × 2160 combined)
Pixel Density	~20 PPD (center)
Refresh Rate	75Hz (native 4K), 90Hz/114Hz (upscale mode)
Persistence	Low persistence
Image
Field of View	Up to 200° (diagonal), 170° (horizontal)
Horizontal FoV	150°-170° (adjustable)
Vertical FoV	~115°
Average Pixel Density	~18 PPD
Peak Pixel Density	~22 PPD
Foveated Rendering	Fixed foveated rendering available
Optics
Optics	Custom aspherical lenses
Ocularity	Binocular
IPD Range	60-75mm (mechanical adjustment)
Adjustable Diopter	No (glasses compatible, lens inserts available)
Passthrough	No
Tracking
Tracking	6DoF outside-in (SteamVR/Lighthouse)
Tracking Frequency	1000Hz (base stations)
Base Stations	Required (sold separately)
Eye Tracking	Optional (Droolon F1 module)
Face Tracking	No
Hand Tracking	Optional (Leap Motion compatible)
Body Tracking	Via VIVE Trackers
Rotational Tracking	Yes
Positional Tracking	Yes
Update Rate	1000Hz (tracking)
Tracking Volume	Lighthouse 2.0 supported
Play Space	Roomscale
Latency	<25ms motion-to-photon
Audio
Audio	No built-in (DMAS version has speakers)
Microphone	No (DMAS version includes microphone)
3.5mm Audio Jack	Yes
Camera	No
Connectivity
Connectivity	DisplayPort 1.4, USB 2.0/3.0
Ports	DisplayPort 1.4, USB, 3.5mm audio
Wired Video	Yes (DisplayPort)
Wireless Video	No
WiFi	No
Bluetooth	No
Power	USB powered + separate power adapter
Battery Capacity	N/A
Battery Life	N/A (tethered)
Charge Time	N/A
Device
Dimensions	~260mm × 140mm × 130mm
Weight	~340g (headset without audio strap)
Material	Plastic
Headstrap	Modular (basic strap, MAS, DMAS, KDMAS options)
Haptics	Controller haptics (via SteamVR controllers)
Color	Black
Sensors	Lighthouse tracking photodiodes, IMU
Input	SteamVR controllers (Valve Index, VIVE), Pimax Sword controllers
Compliance	FCC, CE

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The Pimax Vision 8K X is a high-end PC VR head-mounted display developed by Pimax, a Shanghai-based VR company known for ultra-wide field of view headsets. Announced at Pimax Frontier in October 2019 and released in Q4 2020, the 8K X features dual native 4K displays (3840 × 2160 per eye) for a combined resolution of 7680 × 2160, along with Pimax's signature ultra-wide field of view up to 200° diagonal. Priced at $1,299 for the headset only (base stations and controllers sold separately), the 8K X targeted VR enthusiasts seeking the highest resolution and widest field of view available in consumer VR. The headset was recognized as the Best AR/VR Product at CES 2020, validating Pimax's position at the cutting edge of VR display technology despite requiring extremely powerful PC hardware to drive its native resolution.

History and Development

Pimax Background

Pimax founded in 2015:

Shanghai-based VR company
Kickstarter success with Pimax 4K (2016)
Known for wide FOV headsets
Pimax 8K Kickstarter (2017)

Kickstarter Legacy

Pimax 8K Kickstarter campaign:

$4.2 million raised (2017)
Promised 8K resolution
FOV leadership goal
Lengthy development and delays

8K X Development

Distinct from original 8K:

True native 4K per eye
No upscaling like 8K/8K Plus
Higher hardware requirements
Premium positioning

CES 2020 Recognition

Industry validation:

Best AR/VR Product at CES 2020
Digital Trends editors' choice
Demonstrated technical leadership
Market credibility established

Q4 2020 Release

Consumer availability:

Extended development period
Hardware refinements
Software optimization
Backer fulfillment priority

Design Philosophy

Maximum Field of View

Pimax's core differentiator:

Widest FOV in consumer VR
Up to 200° diagonal claimed
Peripheral vision emphasis
Immersion priority

Native 4K Resolution

True high resolution:

No upscaling in native mode
Full 3840 × 2160 per eye
Pixel-perfect clarity
Professional-grade detail

Enthusiast Focus

Target audience:

VR enthusiasts and early adopters
Sim racing community
Flight simulation users
High-end PC gamers

Modular Ecosystem

Flexible configuration:

Multiple audio strap options
Optional eye tracking
Controller compatibility
Accessory ecosystem

Display Technology

Dual 4K CLPL Panels

Custom display technology:

Resolution: 3840 × 2160 per eye
Total: 7680 × 2160 (marketed as 8K)
Panel Type: CLPL (Custom Low Persistence Liquid Crystal)
Size: Large panels for wide FOV

Native vs Upscale Modes

Dual Engine switching:

Native Mode: Full 4K per eye, 75Hz
Upscale Mode: 2560×1440 upscaled to 4K, 90Hz/114Hz
Performance vs quality trade-off
User-selectable

Refresh Rate

Mode-dependent:

75Hz in native 4K mode
90Hz in upscale mode
114Hz maximum (upscale)
Higher refresh requires upscaling

RGB Stripe

Subpixel arrangement:

Full RGB stripe layout
Sharp text
Reduced screen door effect
Good color reproduction

Optical System

Wide-Angle Optics

Canted display design:

Displays angled outward
Ultra-wide horizontal FOV
Custom aspherical lenses
Unique optical geometry

Field of View Settings

Adjustable FOV modes:

Large: ~170° horizontal
Normal: ~150° horizontal
Small: ~120° horizontal
Trade-off with distortion and performance

Peripheral Distortion

Wide FOV challenges:

Some edge distortion
Software corrections applied
Varies by user
Better in recent firmware

IPD Adjustment

Mechanical adjustment:

Range: 60-75mm
Physical lens movement
Software IPD offset option
Wide accommodation

Processing Requirements

Extreme Hardware Needs

Demanding specifications:

Recommended GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3080 or better
Minimum GPU: RTX 2080 (upscale mode)
Most demanding consumer VR headset
Native 4K requires top hardware

Performance Optimization

Strategies for usability:

Upscale mode for older GPUs
Per-game optimization
Fixed foveated rendering
Resolution scaling

Parallel Projection

Performance impact:

Required for some games
Significant performance cost
Wide FOV compatibility
Software overhead

Tracking System

SteamVR Tracking

Lighthouse compatibility:

Base stations required (sold separately)
Lighthouse 1.0 and 2.0 supported
Sub-millimeter accuracy
Room-scale tracking

Base Station Requirements

Additional purchase needed:

Minimum 2 base stations
Up to 4 for larger areas
Valve or HTC stations compatible
Major additional cost

Controller Options

SteamVR ecosystem:

Valve Index controllers recommended
VIVE Wand controllers compatible
Pimax Sword controllers available
Full SteamVR compatibility

Audio Options

No Built-In Audio (Base)

Basic headset:

3.5mm jack only
BYO headphones required
Lightweight design
Modular approach

MAS (Modular Audio Strap)

First audio upgrade:

Over-ear headphones
Improved head strap
Better weight distribution
Additional cost

DMAS (Deluxe Modular Audio Strap)

Premium audio option:

Off-ear speakers
Spatial audio
Improved comfort
Microphone included

KDMAS

Latest audio solution:

Premium off-ear audio
Better bass response
Improved comfort
Highest quality option

Physical Design

Distinctive Shape

Unique appearance:

Wide, angular design
Large form factor
Distinctive silhouette
Functional aesthetics

Weight

Lightweight for features:

~340g headset only
Audio strap adds weight
Light for resolution/FOV
Comfortable for size

Materials

Construction:

Plastic housing
Quality build
Modular connections
Durable design

Comfort

Extended use considerations:

Modular head strap system
Various comfort options
Face gasket options
Individual fit variation

Optional Modules

Eye Tracking (Droolon F1)

Optional upgrade:

Tobii-based tracking
Foveated rendering potential
Additional purchase
Module attachment

Hand Tracking

Leap Motion compatible:

Module attachment point
Controller-free interaction
Application support limited
Developer applications

Prescription Lens Inserts

Vision correction:

Third-party options available
VR Optician compatible
Magnetic attachment
Glasses alternative

Software Platform

PiTool

Pimax software:

Device configuration
Performance settings
Profile management
Firmware updates

Pimax Experience

Newer software:

Streamlined interface
Game profiles
Automatic optimization
User-friendly

SteamVR Integration

Platform compatibility:

Full SteamVR support
Steam library access
VR game ecosystem
OpenVR support

Use Cases

Simulation

Ideal application:

Flight simulation
Racing simulation
Wide FOV crucial
Peripheral vision important

Immersive Gaming

Enhanced experience:

Action games
Exploration titles
Horror games
Atmospheric experiences

Professional Applications

Enterprise potential:

Architectural visualization
Design review
Training simulation
Research applications

Community and Support

Enthusiast Community

Active user base:

Pimax forums
Reddit community
Discord servers
User modifications

Modding Scene

Community improvements:

Comfort mods
Cable management
Software tools
Community profiles

Support Challenges

Historical issues:

Customer service improvements needed
Warranty handling
Shipping complications
Better with time

Comparison with Competitors

Feature	Pimax 8K X	Valve Index	HP Reverb G2
Price	$1,299 (HMD)	$999 (full kit)	$599
Resolution/eye	3840×2160	1440×1600	2160×2160
FOV	Up to 170°	~130°	~98°
Refresh Rate	75-114Hz	Up to 144Hz	90Hz
Tracking	Lighthouse	Lighthouse	WMR (inside-out)
Audio	Optional	Integrated	Integrated

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

Highest resolution consumer VR
Widest field of view
Excellent for simulation
Lighthouse tracking quality
Modular design

Limitations

Extreme PC requirements
No integrated audio (base model)
Base stations not included
Software maturity
Edge distortion in wide mode

Legacy

Technical Leadership

Pushed VR boundaries:

Resolution leadership
FOV expansion
Enthusiast validation
Competition driver

Successor Development

Led to Pimax Crystal:

Lessons learned applied
Hybrid lens approach
Improved software
Continued innovation

Technical Specifications Summary

Specification	Details
Display	Dual CLPL, 3840 × 2160 per eye
Total Resolution	7680 × 2160 (8K)
FOV	Up to 170° horizontal
Refresh Rate	75Hz native / 90-114Hz upscale
Tracking	SteamVR Lighthouse
Audio	Optional (DMAS/KDMAS)
IPD	60-75mm mechanical
Eye Tracking	Optional (Droolon F1)
Weight	~340g (HMD only)
GPU Requirement	RTX 3080+ recommended
Price	$1,299 (HMD only)

References