HP Reverb G2 vs Pimax Crystal

The HP Reverb G2 came out at the end of 2020 and is popular among flight and race simmers. The Pimax Crystal came out in 2023 and is equally popular among these types of gamers. How do these two VR headsets compare to each other? Let’s go into a deep dive.

Through-the-lens

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Biggest differences

Resolution

The HP Reverb G2 has a resolution of 2160×2160 per eye, while the Pimax Crystal has a resolution of 2880×2880 per eye. The G2 uses an LCD panel while the Crystal uses QLED + MiniLED to display vibrant colors (and local dimming).

Lenses

The HP Reverb G2 uses resin fresnel lenses, while the Crystal uses aspheric lenses made of glass. These give a much higher clarity, a bigger sweet spot and zero god rays (Many G2 users have mentioned the sweet spot is relatively small).

Refresh rate

The G2 can run at 60 or 90 Hz, while the Crystal has options such as 72 Hz, 90 Hz, and 120 Hz.
With 60Hz, it might produce flickering whereas 72Hz can avoid ghosting and other artifacts.

Brightness

Crystal runs at a maximum of 200 nits, while the G2 has 150 nits. A higher brightness increases colors, and sharpness, and helps reduce motion sickness, and along with the local dimming feature, prevents a washed-out look.

Field of View

The G2 has a narrower field of view than the Crystal.

Eye-tracking

The Pimax Crystal does offer 120 Hz eye tracking which provides foveated rendering. Eye-tracking enables DFR which can give 10 to 50% FPS boost in games. Also in social games like VRChat, the avatar will move her/his/its eyes naturally, creating more of a social presence.

Only the $1,250 Omnicept edition of the G2 has eye-tracking integrated and its DFR doesn’t work in as universally as the DFR on the Pimax Crystal. The standard HP Reverb G2 has no eye-tracking.

Standalone mode

The Pimax Crystal not only offers PCVR capabilities but also includes 256GB onboard storage and standalone mode for gaming and enjoying VR movies without a PC. On the other hand, the G2 is exclusively designed for PCVR functionality.

Wireless Streaming

The Crystal offers WiFi/WiGig streaming via a module, as the 60G Airlink is upcoming.

Software ecosystem

The G2 came out in 2020 and is part of the Windows Mixed Reality ecosystem, but since the G2 no other new headset has been launched in this ecosystem. It’s questionable whether this software will continue to receive updates. The Crystal runs on Pimax Play which is constantly getting new updates. (Luckily, both headsets with work SteamVR as well as OpenXR Toolkit.)

Modularity

Crystal supports various modular accessories, including Ultra-Leap hand tracking, swappable lenses, and modular faceplates.

Biggest similarities

Tracking Type

Both headsets can track itself in 6Dof Inside-out via 4 integrated cameras. This is ideal so that you don’t need to purchase base stations ($149 each), nor do you need to install them. The tracking is done on the headset itself.

(If you already have base stations though, the Crystal does offer alternative Base Station tracking if the modular faceplate is installed.)

Controllers

Both headsets come with controllers (although you could get the Crystal-Sim if you don’t want controllers).
Crystal’s controllers offer partial finger and thumb tracking via capacitive sensors.

Audio

Both headsets have integrated audio with ear-on headphones.

PCVR

Both headsets require a gaming PC with certain specifications to function optimally. They’re perfect for racing or flight sims. Be sure to check the PC requirements for each headset before making a purchase.

Conclusion

The HP Reverb G2 and the Pimax Crystal are both excellent VR headsets. The HP Reverb G2 (regular edition) is more affordable, while the Pimax Crystal offers a higher field of view, better clarity, and eye-tracking. Ultimately, the best headset for you will depend on your individual needs and budget.

If you are looking for the most immersive VR experience possible, the Pimax Crystal is the better choice. However, if you are on a budget or need a more comfortable headset, the HP Reverb G2 is a great option.

Specs