Shiftall MeganeX
| Shiftall MeganeX | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | PC VR |
| Platform | SteamVR |
| Creator | Shiftall (Panasonic subsidiary) |
| Developer | Shiftall, Panasonic |
| Manufacturer | Shiftall |
| Announcement Date | CES 2022 |
| Release Date | 2023 |
| Price | $1,699 - $1,899 |
| Website | https://en.shiftall.net/ |
| Versions | MeganeX 5.2K, MeganeX Superlight 8K, MeganeX 8K Mark II |
| Requires | High-end VR-ready PC (NVIDIA RTX 20+), SteamVR base stations (for outside-in) |
| Predecessor | None |
| Successor | MeganeX 8K Mark II |
| System | |
| Operating System | Windows (SteamVR) |
| Chipset | Host PC dependent |
| CPU | Host PC dependent |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20/30/40 series required |
| Storage | |
| Storage | Host PC dependent |
| Memory | Host PC dependent |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual micro-OLED (Kopin) |
| Subpixel Layout | RGB |
| Peak Brightness | High (HDR capable >1000 nits for 8K) |
| Resolution | 2560 × 2560 per eye (5.2K), 3552 × 3840 per eye (8K Mark II) |
| Pixel Density | High (micro-OLED) |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz |
| Persistence | Low persistence |
| Image | |
| Field of View | ~96° (estimated) |
| Horizontal FoV | ~96° |
| Vertical FoV | ~96° |
| Average Pixel Density | High (~32-40 PPD) |
| Peak Pixel Density | High |
| Foveated Rendering | No |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Pancake lenses (Panasonic) |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | 56-72mm (hardware), motorized (8K Mark II) |
| Adjustable Diopter | Yes (0 to -7D, 8K Mark II) |
| Passthrough | No |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (inside-out or SteamVR outside-in) |
| Tracking Frequency | N/A |
| Base Stations | Optional (SteamVR 1.0/2.0 for outside-in) |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Body Tracking | Compatible (FlipVR, GripVR) |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Yes |
| Update Rate | 90Hz |
| Tracking Volume | SteamVR room-scale |
| Play Space | Roomscale |
| Latency | <20ms motion-to-photon |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Integrated speakers |
| Microphone | Yes |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes |
| Camera | None (SteamVR tracking), optional inside-out |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | DisplayPort, USB |
| Ports | DisplayPort, USB |
| Wired Video | Yes (DisplayPort) |
| Wireless Video | Optional (WiGig adapter) |
| WiFi | Optional (wireless adapter) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Power | PC-powered |
| Battery Capacity | N/A (tethered) |
| Battery Life | N/A (tethered) |
| Charge Time | N/A |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Glasses-like form factor |
| Weight | 330g (5.2K), 179g (8K Mark II) |
| Material | Lightweight materials |
| Headstrap | Forehead pad distribution |
| Haptics | Controller-based |
| Color | Black |
| Sensors | IMU, optional tracking cameras |
| Input | SteamVR controllers (GripVR, FlipVR, Valve Index) |
| Compliance | FCC, CE |
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The Shiftall MeganeX is an ultra-lightweight PC VR head-mounted display developed by Shiftall (a Panasonic subsidiary), announced at CES 2022 and available in multiple generations. The MeganeX line represents a collaboration between Panasonic's optical expertise and Kopin's micro-OLED display technology, creating headsets that prioritize slim form factor and low weight while delivering high-resolution visuals. The original MeganeX features dual Kopin 2560 × 2560 (5.2K combined) micro-OLED displays with 10-bit HDR support and custom Panasonic pancake lenses, weighing approximately 330 grams. The latest MeganeX 8K Mark II (shipping December 2025 at $1,899) achieves an extraordinary 179 grams while packing dual 3552 × 3840 (4K per eye, 27 megapixels combined) micro-OLED panels at 90Hz, built-in 0 to -7D diopter adjustment, and motorized IPD adjustment. All MeganeX versions support SteamVR tracking (with base stations) and are compatible with Shiftall's ecosystem including GripVR and FlipVR controllers, requiring NVIDIA RTX graphics cards (AMD Radeon not supported).
History and Development
Shiftall Background
Company origins:
- Panasonic subsidiary
- VR and metaverse focus
- Hardware ecosystem
- Japanese engineering
Panasonic Partnership
Optical collaboration:
- Panasonic pancake lenses
- Optical design expertise
- Compact form factor
- Premium optics
Kopin Displays
Micro-OLED technology:
- Kopin Lightning displays
- High-resolution micro-OLED
- HDR capable
- ColorMax technology
CES 2022 Announcement
Original reveal:
- 5.2K MeganeX
- Ultra-lightweight design
- SteamVR compatible
- Premium positioning
Evolution
Product line:
- MeganeX 5.2K (original)
- MeganeX Superlight 8K
- MeganeX 8K Mark II (latest)
- Continuous improvement
Design Philosophy
Ultra-Lightweight Priority
Weight as differentiator:
- 179g (8K Mark II)
- Glasses-like weight
- Extended comfort
- All-day wearable
Glasses Form Factor
Compact design:
- Slim profile
- Natural appearance
- Component optimization
- 0.1mm tolerances
Premium Display Quality
Micro-OLED focus:
- Kopin micro-OLED
- HDR capability
- High resolution
- Studio-quality color
SteamVR Ecosystem
Platform integration:
- SteamVR tracking
- Valve/HTC base stations
- Wide controller support
- Established ecosystem
Display Technology
5.2K Original
First generation:
- Resolution: 2560 × 2560 per eye
- Combined: 5.2K (5120 × 2560)
- Type: Kopin micro-OLED
- 10-bit HDR
8K Mark II
Latest generation:
- Resolution: 3552 × 3840 per eye
- Combined: 7104 × 3840 (27MP)
- Type: 4K micro-OLED per eye
- 10-bit HDR compatible
Refresh Rate
Performance:
- Refresh: 90Hz
- Low persistence
- Smooth motion
- VR-appropriate
HDR Capability
Visual quality:
- 10-bit color depth
- High dynamic range
- >1000 nits brightness
- Studio-quality images
Kopin Technology
Display features:
- ColorMax technology
- >100% sRGB color fidelity
- Duo-stack OLED structure
- >10,000:1 contrast ratio
Pancake Optics
Panasonic Design
Lens engineering:
- Custom pancake lenses
- Compact form factor
- Weight reduction
- Premium quality
Optical Benefits
Lens characteristics:
- Slim profile enabled
- Reduced distortion
- Edge-to-edge clarity
- Natural viewing
Weight Achievement
5.2K Original
First generation:
- Headset: ~330g
- With accessories: 395g
- Excludes cable
- Lightweight class
8K Mark II
Latest achievement:
- Weight: 179g (6.3 oz)
- Among lightest VR headsets
- 0.1mm component optimization
- Meticulous engineering
Weight Comparison
Industry context:
- Lighter than Quest 2 (503g)
- Lighter than Index (809g)
- Glasses-like weight
- Extended comfort
Vision Correction
8K Mark II Diopter
Built-in adjustment:
- Range: 0 to -7D
- No glasses needed
- Integrated adjustment
- Many users covered
IPD Adjustment
Eye alignment:
- 5.2K: 56-72mm (manual)
- 8K Mark II: Motorized
- Wide range
- Optimal positioning
Tracking
SteamVR Tracking
Outside-in option:
- SteamVR 1.0/2.0 base stations
- Sub-millimeter accuracy
- Room-scale capable
- Professional tracking
Inside-Out Option
Alternative tracking:
- Available with adapter
- No base stations
- Self-contained
- Flexibility
Controller Compatibility
Supported devices:
- GripVR (Shiftall)
- FlipVR (Shiftall)
- Valve Index controllers
- SteamVR compatible devices
GPU Requirements
NVIDIA Required
Compatibility:
- GeForce RTX 20 series
- GeForce RTX 30 series
- GeForce RTX 40 series
- AMD Radeon NOT supported
Performance Demands
High resolution:
- 5.2K/8K rendering
- 90Hz refresh
- High-end GPU needed
- Premium PC required
Physical Design
Forehead Pad
Weight distribution:
- Pressure distributed
- Forehead support
- Balanced wearing
- Comfort focused
Build Quality
Construction:
- Premium materials
- Lightweight components
- Precision engineering
- Professional finish
Shiftall Ecosystem
GripVR
Hand controller:
- SteamVR tracking
- Finger tracking
- Grip sensing
- Natural input
FlipVR
Full-body compatible:
- SteamVR tracking
- Body tracking integration
- VRChat-ready
- Social VR
WiGig Adapter
Wireless option:
- Wireless PC streaming
- Low latency
- Untethered operation
- Optional accessory
Versions Comparison
| Feature | MeganeX 5.2K | MeganeX 8K Mark II |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 2560×2560/eye | 3552×3840/eye |
| Total | 5.2K | 27 megapixels (8K class) |
| Weight | ~330g | 179g |
| Diopter | No | 0 to -7D |
| IPD | 56-72mm manual | Motorized |
| Price | ~$1,699 | $1,899 |
| Release | 2023 | December 2025 |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Ultra-lightweight (179g 8K Mark II)
- High-resolution micro-OLED (up to 4K/eye)
- 10-bit HDR capability
- Panasonic pancake optics
- Built-in diopter adjustment (8K Mark II)
- Motorized IPD (8K Mark II)
- SteamVR ecosystem compatible
Limitations
- NVIDIA GPU only (no AMD)
- Requires SteamVR base stations (outside-in)
- Premium price ($1,699-$1,899)
- 90Hz (vs 120Hz competitors)
- Limited inside-out tracking
- Tethered operation
- Niche market positioning
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | MeganeX 5.2K | MeganeX 8K Mark II |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Dual Kopin micro-OLED | Dual 4K micro-OLED |
| Resolution | 2560×2560/eye | 3552×3840/eye |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz |
| HDR | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| Optics | Panasonic pancake | Panasonic pancake |
| Diopter | No | 0 to -7D |
| Weight | ~330g | 179g |
| Tracking | SteamVR 1.0/2.0 | SteamVR 1.0/2.0 |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 20+ | NVIDIA RTX 20+ |
| Price | ~$1,699 | $1,899 |