Pimax Vision 8K Plus
| Pimax Vision 8K Plus | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | PC VR |
| Platform | SteamVR, PiTool |
| Creator | Pimax |
| Developer | Pimax |
| Manufacturer | Pimax |
| Announcement Date | 2019 |
| Release Date | 2019 |
| Price | $899 |
| Website | https://pimax.com/ |
| Versions | Pimax Vision 8K Plus |
| Requires | High-end VR-ready PC (RTX 2060 or better), SteamVR base stations |
| Predecessor | Pimax 8K |
| Successor | Pimax 8K X |
| System | |
| Operating System | Windows 10/11 |
| Chipset | N/A (PC-tethered) |
| CPU | N/A (host PC) |
| GPU | N/A (host PC) |
| Storage | |
| Storage | N/A (host PC) |
| Memory | N/A (host PC) |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual CLPL (Customized Low Persistence Liquid) |
| Subpixel Layout | RGB stripe |
| Peak Brightness | Not specified |
| Resolution | 3840 × 2160 per eye (upscaled from 2560 × 1440) |
| Pixel Density | ~15 PPD |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz (110Hz experimental) |
| Persistence | Low persistence (CLPL) |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 170° diagonal (normal), 200° diagonal (large) |
| Horizontal FoV | ~150° (normal), ~170° (large) |
| Vertical FoV | ~110° |
| Average Pixel Density | ~15 PPD |
| Peak Pixel Density | ~15 PPD |
| Foveated Rendering | Optional (with eye tracking module) |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Custom wide-FOV lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | 60-75mm (mechanical) |
| Adjustable Diopter | No (glasses compatible) |
| Passthrough | No |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (SteamVR Tracking 1.0/2.0) |
| Tracking Frequency | 1000Hz (IMU) |
| Base Stations | Required (SteamVR 1.0 or 2.0) |
| Eye Tracking | Optional (add-on module) |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | Optional (Leap Motion module) |
| Body Tracking | Via Vive Trackers |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Yes |
| Update Rate | 90Hz (110Hz experimental) |
| Tracking Volume | Room-scale (base station dependent) |
| Play Space | Roomscale |
| Latency | <20ms motion-to-photon |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Via 3.5mm or modular audio accessory |
| Microphone | Optional (modular) |
| 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 1.4) |
| Wireless Video | No |
| WiFi | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Power | Powered by PC |
| Battery Capacity | N/A |
| Battery Life | N/A (tethered) |
| Charge Time | N/A |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | 280.1mm × 108.2mm × 135.9mm |
| Weight | ~470g (headset only) |
| Material | Plastic |
| Headstrap | Modular (standard or deluxe audio strap) |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | Black |
| Sensors | IMU, proximity sensor |
| Input | SteamVR controllers, Pimax Sword controllers |
| Compliance | FCC, CE |
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The Pimax Vision 8K Plus is an ultra-wide field of view virtual reality head-mounted display developed by Pimax, released in 2019 at a price of $899. As part of Pimax's Vision series, the 8K Plus targets enthusiasts and simulation professionals seeking the widest possible field of view in consumer VR, offering up to 170-200° diagonal FOV compared to the 110° typical of mainstream headsets. The 8K Plus features dual 3840 × 2160 RGB stripe CLPL (Customized Low Persistence Liquid) displays that upscale from a 2560 × 1440 per eye render resolution, 90Hz refresh rate (110Hz experimental), and SteamVR Lighthouse tracking compatibility. While not offering native 4K input like its 8K X sibling, the 8K Plus provides a balance of high resolution and wider GPU compatibility, delivering an immersive peripheral-vision-filling experience for flight simulation, racing simulation, and VR enthusiasts who prioritize field of view over raw pixel density.
History and Development
Pimax Background
Company origins:
- Founded 2015 in China
- Wide-FOV VR focus
- Kickstarter success
- Enthusiast market
Pimax 8K Original
First generation:
- 2017 Kickstarter
- Wide FOV promise
- Production challenges
- Enthusiast interest
Vision Series Launch
2019 refresh:
- Improved displays (CLPL)
- Better refresh rates
- Refined design
- Multiple variants
8K Plus Positioning
Market segment:
- Between 5K and 8K X
- Upscaled 4K output
- Lower GPU requirements
- Enthusiast value
Design Philosophy
Ultra-Wide FOV
Immersion priority:
- 170-200° diagonal
- Peripheral vision filled
- Natural field of view
- Simulation focused
Upscaled Approach
Performance balance:
- 2560×1440 render per eye
- Upscaled to 4K display
- Lower GPU demand
- Quality trade-off
Simulation Focus
Target applications:
- Flight simulation
- Racing simulation
- Space simulation
- Immersive experiences
Display Technology
CLPL Displays
Custom technology:
- Panel Resolution: 3840 × 2160 per eye
- Render Resolution: 2560 × 1440 per eye
- Type: CLPL (Customized Low Persistence Liquid)
- Layout: RGB stripe
RGB Stripe Matrix
Subpixel advantage:
- 50% more subpixels than PenTile
- Better text clarity
- Sharper images
- Reduced screen door
Upscaling System
Resolution processing:
- Native render at 2560×1440
- Upscaled to 3840×2160
- Some softness vs native
- GPU efficiency gained
Refresh Rate
Display timing:
- 90Hz standard
- 110Hz experimental
- Smooth motion
- VR comfortable
Field of View
Ultra-Wide Options
FOV modes:
- Normal: ~150° horizontal
- Large: ~170° horizontal
- Diagonal: Up to 200°
- User selectable
Comparison to Standard VR
Massive difference:
- Valve Index: 130°
- Quest 2: 90°
- Vive Pro: 110°
- 8K Plus: 170-200°
Peripheral Vision
Immersion benefit:
- Natural viewing experience
- Peripheral awareness
- Reduced tunnel vision
- Simulation advantage
FOV Trade-offs
Considerations:
- Distortion at edges
- Higher GPU demand
- Reduced pixel density
- Sweet spot challenges
Optical System
Wide-FOV Lenses
Custom optics:
- Specially designed lenses
- Canted displays
- Wide sweet spot
- Some distortion
Mechanical IPD
Physical adjustment:
- Range: 60-75mm
- Dial mechanism
- Wide accommodation
- Precise fit
Distortion Correction
Software compensation:
- PiTool settings
- Profile adjustment
- User calibration
- Continuous improvement
Tracking System
SteamVR Tracking
Lighthouse compatible:
- 1.0 and 2.0 support
- Base stations required
- Sub-millimeter accuracy
- Wide play space
Modular Tracking
Optional expansion:
- Eye tracking module
- Hand tracking (Leap Motion)
- Face tracking option
- Upgrade path
Audio System
Modular Audio
Optional configurations:
- 3.5mm jack standard
- DMAS (Deluxe Modular Audio Strap) option
- User headphones
- Flexible setup
No Built-In Speakers
DIY approach:
- Bring your own audio
- Modular upgrade available
- Quality your choice
- Weight reduction
Physical Design
Large Form Factor
Wide-FOV housing:
- Dimensions: 280.1 × 108.2 × 135.9mm
- Weight: ~470g
- Larger than standard headsets
- Wide display accommodation
Modular System
Upgrade path:
- Replaceable face gasket
- Audio strap options
- Comfort mods
- Community accessories
Build Quality
Enthusiast grade:
- Plastic construction
- Functional design
- Reasonable durability
- Value focused
Controllers
SteamVR Compatible
Controller options:
- Index Controllers recommended
- Vive Controllers supported
- Pimax Sword Controllers
- Wide compatibility
Pimax Sword Controllers
First-party option:
- Included in some packages
- 6DoF tracking
- Touchpad + buttons
- Alternative to Index
Software
PiTool
Pimax software:
- Device configuration
- FOV settings
- Rendering options
- Profile management
SteamVR Integration
Platform support:
- Full SteamVR compatibility
- OpenXR support
- Wide application support
- Standard ecosystem
Parallel Projections
Compatibility feature:
- For games not optimized
- Canted display correction
- Performance cost
- When needed
Performance Requirements
High-End GPU
Recommended specs:
- Minimum: RTX 2060
- Recommended: RTX 2080 or better
- CPU: Intel i5-9400 or better
- RAM: 8GB+
Upscaling Benefit
vs 8K X:
- Lower render resolution
- More GPU headroom
- More accessible
- Still high demand
Use Cases
Flight Simulation
Primary application:
- Peripheral awareness
- Natural cockpit view
- Instrument visibility
- Immersive flying
Racing Simulation
Driving experience:
- Wide windscreen view
- Mirror visibility
- Track awareness
- Natural racing
Space Simulation
Immersive space:
- Cockpit presence
- Wide star field
- Elite Dangerous
- Star Citizen
Enthusiast VR
General use:
- Maximum immersion
- Unique experience
- Enthusiast appeal
- Demonstration piece
Comparison with 8K X
| Feature | Vision 8K Plus | Vision 8K X |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $899 | $1,299 |
| Panel Resolution | 3840×2160 | 3840×2160 |
| Render Resolution | 2560×1440 (upscaled) | 3840×2160 (native) |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz (110Hz exp.) | 75Hz (native), 90Hz (upscaled) |
| GPU Requirement | RTX 2060+ | RTX 2080 Ti+ |
| Image Clarity | Good (upscaled) | Excellent (native) |
| FOV | Same | Same |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Ultra-wide FOV (170-200°)
- RGB stripe displays
- Lower GPU requirements than 8K X
- SteamVR tracking compatible
- Modular design
- Simulation-focused
- 110Hz experimental mode
Limitations
- Upscaled resolution (not native 4K)
- Image softness vs native
- Large and heavy form factor
- Edge distortion
- Complex setup
- No built-in audio
- Still high GPU demands
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | Dual CLPL, 3840 × 2160 per eye (upscaled) |
| Render Resolution | 2560 × 1440 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz (110Hz experimental) |
| FOV | 170-200° diagonal |
| IPD Range | 60-75mm (mechanical) |
| Tracking | SteamVR 1.0/2.0 |
| Audio | 3.5mm jack (modular options) |
| Weight | ~470g |
| Price | $899 |