Pimax Crystal Light
| Pimax Crystal Light | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | PC VR |
| Platform | SteamVR, Pimax Play |
| Creator | Pimax |
| Developer | Pimax Innovation |
| Manufacturer | Pimax |
| Announcement Date | April 2024 |
| Release Date | 2024 |
| Price | $699 |
| Website | https://pimax.com/ |
| Versions | Pimax Crystal Light |
| Requires | VR-ready PC (RTX 2080+ minimum, RTX 3070+ recommended) |
| Predecessor | Pimax Crystal |
| Successor | Pimax Crystal Super |
| System | |
| Operating System | Windows 10/11 (SteamVR) |
| Chipset | Host PC dependent |
| CPU | Host PC dependent |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 2080+ minimum, RTX 3070+ recommended |
| Storage | |
| Storage | Host PC dependent |
| Memory | Host PC dependent |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | QLED + Mini-LED LCD |
| Subpixel Layout | RGB |
| Peak Brightness | High (HDR, local dimming) |
| Resolution | 2880 × 2880 per eye (16.6 megapixels combined) |
| Pixel Density | High (35 PPD) |
| Refresh Rate | 72Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz (variable) |
| Persistence | Low persistence |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 115° (up to 130° diagonal) |
| Horizontal FoV | 115° |
| Vertical FoV | ~105° |
| Average Pixel Density | 35 PPD |
| Peak Pixel Density | 35 PPD |
| Foveated Rendering | Yes (Fixed 2.0) |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Glass aspheric lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | 58-72mm (manual) |
| Adjustable Diopter | Optional (diopter lens inserts) |
| Passthrough | No |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (inside-out or SteamVR Lighthouse) |
| Tracking Frequency | 1000Hz IMU |
| Base Stations | Optional (SteamVR Lighthouse compatible) |
| Eye Tracking | No (available in Crystal standard) |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | Optional (Ultraleap) |
| Body Tracking | Compatible (SteamVR trackers) |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Yes |
| Update Rate | Up to 120Hz |
| Tracking Volume | Room-scale |
| Play Space | Roomscale |
| Latency | <15ms motion-to-photon |
| Audio | |
| Audio | 3.5mm audio jack (interchangeable) |
| Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes |
| Camera | Inside-out tracking cameras |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | DisplayPort 1.4, USB 3.0 |
| Ports | DisplayPort 1.4, USB 3.0, 3.5mm |
| Wired Video | Yes (DisplayPort) |
| Wireless Video | No |
| WiFi | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Power | PC-powered |
| Battery Capacity | N/A (tethered) |
| Battery Life | N/A (tethered) |
| Charge Time | N/A |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Large-format HMD |
| Weight | 815g |
| Material | Premium plastic |
| Headstrap | Modular headstrap |
| Haptics | Controllers only |
| Color | Black |
| Sensors | IMU, inside-out cameras |
| Input | SteamVR controllers, Pimax controllers |
| Compliance | FCC, CE |
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The Pimax Crystal Light is a high-resolution PC VR head-mounted display developed by Pimax, announced in April 2024 at $699—representing a significant price reduction from the $1,599 Pimax Crystal while maintaining the same 16.6-megapixel display. The Crystal Light features dual QLED + Mini-LED displays with 2880 × 2880 resolution per eye, delivering exceptional visual clarity with 35 pixels per degree (PPD), HDR capability, and local dimming for enhanced contrast. Unlike many competitors using pancake lenses, Pimax employs custom glass aspheric lenses that offer a large sweet spot with only 1% light loss (versus ~90% with pancake optics), achieving up to 130° diagonal field of view depending on facial geometry. The headset supports variable refresh rates of 72Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz, features fixed foveated rendering 2.0, and offers flexible tracking options including inside-out tracking for quick setup or SteamVR Lighthouse tracking for maximum precision. With manual IPD adjustment from 58-72mm and compatibility with optional diopter lens inserts, the Crystal Light targets sim racing, flight simulation, and enthusiast VR users seeking maximum visual fidelity at a more accessible price point.
History and Development
Pimax Heritage
Company evolution:
- Chinese VR pioneer
- Wide-FOV specialty
- High-resolution focus
- Enthusiast market
Previous Products
Product line:
- Pimax 8K (wide-FOV pioneer)
- Pimax 5K series
- Pimax Crystal ($1,599)
- Crystal Light (2024)
April 2024 Announcement
Product reveal:
- Pimax Frontier event
- $699 pricing
- Crystal display technology
- Accessible premium VR
Crystal Super
Sibling product:
- Crystal Super (ultra-premium)
- Micro-OLED option
- Higher-end target
- Complete lineup
Design Philosophy
Accessible High-End VR
Value proposition:
- $699 (vs $1,599 Crystal)
- Same 16.6MP display
- Premium visual quality
- Enthusiast pricing
Glass Aspheric Lenses
Optical innovation:
- 1% light loss only
- Large sweet spot
- Wide FOV possible
- Premium clarity
Sim Racing Focus
Target users:
- Racing simulators
- Flight simulators
- Seated experiences
- Cockpit VR
Modular Design
Flexibility:
- Interchangeable audio
- Tracking options
- Diopter inserts
- Customizable
Display Technology
QLED + Mini-LED
Panel specifications:
- Technology: QLED with Mini-LED backlight
- Resolution: 2880 × 2880 per eye
- Combined: 16.6 megapixels
- HDR: Local dimming support
Pixels Per Degree
Angular resolution:
- PPD: 35 pixels per degree
- High clarity
- Reduced screen door
- Text readable
Variable Refresh Rate
Performance modes:
- 72Hz mode
- 90Hz mode
- 120Hz mode
- User selectable
Color Performance
Visual quality:
- Wide color gamut (QLED)
- HDR capability
- Local dimming
- Vibrant colors
Field of View
Wide Coverage
FOV specifications:
- Standard: 115°
- Diagonal Maximum: Up to 130°
- Head-shape dependent
- Wider than most competitors
Sweet Spot
Optical quality:
- Large sweet spot
- Glass aspheric design
- Edge-to-edge clarity
- Comfortable viewing
Optics
Glass Aspheric Lenses
Lens design:
- Type: Custom glass aspheric
- Light Loss: Only 1%
- Lighter than Fresnel
- Premium optical quality
Pancake Comparison
Lens efficiency:
- Pancake lenses: ~90% light loss
- Aspheric lenses: ~1% light loss
- Brighter image
- Higher efficiency
IPD Adjustment
Eye alignment:
- Range: 58-72mm
- Type: Manual adjustment
- Wide accommodation
- Optimal positioning
Diopter Options
Vision correction:
- Optional diopter inserts
- Prescription lenses available
- No glasses needed
- Third-party compatible
Tracking System
Inside-Out Tracking
Self-contained option:
- No external sensors
- Quick setup
- Portable
- Convenient default
SteamVR Lighthouse
Outside-in option:
- SteamVR 1.0/2.0 base stations
- Sub-millimeter accuracy
- Large tracking volume
- Professional precision
Foveated Rendering
Performance optimization:
- Version: Fixed 2.0
- GPU efficiency
- Performance improvement
- No eye tracking required
Physical Design
Weight
Mass specifications:
- Weight: 815g (29 oz)
- Heavier than compact headsets
- Wide-FOV tradeoff
- Balanced distribution
Build Quality
Construction:
- Premium materials
- Durable design
- Modular components
- Enthusiast-grade
Headstrap
Fit system:
- Modular headstrap
- Adjustable fit
- Counterweight option
- Extended comfort
Audio
Audio Jack
Sound system:
- 3.5mm audio jack
- Interchangeable
- Use any headphones
- Flexibility
Microphones
Voice input:
- Dual microphones
- Voice chat
- Communication
- VR social
Connectivity
PC Requirements
Minimum specifications:
- NVIDIA RTX 2080 (minimum)
- NVIDIA RTX 3070+ (recommended)
- DisplayPort 1.4
- USB 3.0
Connections
Physical ports:
- DisplayPort 1.4 (video)
- USB 3.0 (data/power)
- 3.5mm audio
- Tethered operation
Software
Platform Support
Compatibility:
- SteamVR native
- Pimax Play software
- OpenXR
- Wide game support
Pimax Play
Configuration software:
- Display settings
- FOV adjustment
- Refresh rate selection
- Performance tuning
Use Cases
Sim Racing
Racing applications:
- iRacing
- Assetto Corsa
- Gran Turismo
- Wide peripheral vision
Flight Simulation
Aviation applications:
- Microsoft Flight Simulator
- DCS World
- X-Plane
- Cockpit clarity
General VR
Broad use:
- SteamVR library
- Social VR
- VR cinema
- Enthusiast applications
Comparison with High-End PC VR
| Feature | Crystal Light | Pimax Crystal | Bigscreen Beyond | Valve Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $699 | $1,599 | $999 | $999 |
| Resolution | 2880×2880/eye | 2880×2880/eye | 2560×2560/eye | 1440×1600/eye |
| PPD | 35 | 35 | 32 | 11.5 |
| FOV | 115-130° | 115-130° | 90° | 130° |
| Refresh Rate | 72/90/120Hz | 72/90/120Hz | 90Hz | 80/90/120/144Hz |
| Lenses | Glass aspheric | Glass aspheric | Pancake | Fresnel |
| Eye Tracking | No | Yes | No | Optional |
| Weight | 815g | ~980g | 127g | 809g |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- High resolution (2880×2880/eye, 16.6MP)
- 35 PPD visual clarity
- Wide 115-130° field of view
- QLED + Mini-LED with HDR
- Glass aspheric lenses (1% light loss)
- Variable refresh (72/90/120Hz)
- Affordable at $699 (vs $1,599 Crystal)
- Inside-out + Lighthouse tracking options
Limitations
- Heavy at 815g
- No eye tracking (Crystal has it)
- Tethered only (no wireless)
- Requires powerful GPU (RTX 3070+)
- No integrated audio
- Manual IPD only
- Large form factor
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | QLED + Mini-LED |
| Resolution | 2880 × 2880 per eye (16.6MP) |
| PPD | 35 pixels per degree |
| FOV | 115° (up to 130° diagonal) |
| Refresh Rate | 72Hz / 90Hz / 120Hz |
| Lenses | Glass aspheric (1% light loss) |
| Tracking | Inside-out + SteamVR optional |
| IPD | 58-72mm (manual) |
| Weight | 815g |
| GPU Required | RTX 2080+ min, RTX 3070+ recommended |
| Price | $699 |