Pimax Connect Q&A

Jaap Grolleman Updated on May 20, 2025

In case you missed it, here's Pimax Connect, where we announced the Dream Air SE, the most affordable full feature 8K small form factor headset, and did an update on the Dream Air, headsets that complete the Pimax line-up alongside the Crystal Light and Crystal Super.

Below we answer frequently asked questions on specs, time estimates, and features.

Tech questions

Do the Lighthouse versions of the Dream Air and Dream Air SE have hand tracking?

No, the Lighthouse versions do not come with hand tracking as it doesn't have the required tracking cameras.

Do the headsets support wireless?

No, they're pure PCVR headsets. Right now, only the OG Crystal supports wireless.

Do all versions support the USB-C as display in?

The headsets only support devices that have DisplayPort Alternate Mode. (For instance, it works on the Xiaomi 15S Ultra.)

Will phones or laptops connected to the headset have any form of tracking?

No, there is no tracking. Basically the headset becomes a big screen that hovers in front of your face, like a private cinema. It's just screencasting.

The small form factor headset lends itself to more MR-type experiences. Is there any plan to add HD colour cameras to enable a high-quality passthrough experience?

This is not planned right now. It could happen in the future through the USB-C port, perhaps with third-party accessories. Like, a modern smartphone with DisplayPort Alternate Mode can work that way if you open the camera app.

Pimax's advertised specs for the Dream Air are 105h FoV, despite the FoV for what was shown off to MRTV and VoodooDE apparently being much higher and got extreme praise. I understand that Pimax cited the reduced stereo overlap as a reason for not pursuing that wide profile, but to go from around 120 to 105 is a huge difference. Would Pimax not consider going for a middle ground of something like 115 FoV with okay stereo overlap? That'd be quite a high value for micro-OLED and something unique, which'd make the Dream Air stand out more from some of its other uOLED contemporaries.

This is a valid point and a good question. All we can say now is that we're aiming at 105 degrees of horizontal field of view. We're trying not to overpromise on FOV numbers!

Will they support 10-bit HDR?

No, although the specs get extremely close to 10-bit HDR.

How many nits does the Dream Air have?

The panel is 1000 nits but not all of that reaches the users eyes, due to the nature of pancake lenses. It's not as bright as the Crystal Super, this is one of the downsides of micro-OLED panels compared to QLED panels (but it has other benefits, such as being very small-size and perfect black levels.)

What's the PPD of the Dream air?

We will announce this later.

Will the Dream Air have an optical or copper DP cable?

We have a 5 meter long cable, taking inspiration from the Playstation VR2 cable, which is thin and flexible. There will not be an optical cable available for the Dream Air.

Is the Dream Air DP cable removable?

Yes.

What will be the focus point on the Dream Air and Dream Air SE ?

0.8 to 1 meter.

Will the Dream Air get a top strap?

We're releasing with the softstrap that is self-adjusting, as well as the halo strap that is hugely flexible, so you could use it with a Crystal Light or even a Quest 3 BoboVR strap. We're also sure many third-party straps will be released.

Are there any USB or audio ports on the Dream Air and Dream Air SE?

There is one USB-C on the bottom for accessories and audio (but it already comes with integrated audio).

Is the audio integrated into the headset or the strap? If its the strap will the Halo strap have audio? If it doesn't what are the audio options?

There is a separate USB-C plug for accessories, this can also be used for other audio devices. If you use the default strap of the Dream Air or Dream Air SE, this connects to the headset not via this USB-C, but a customized plug.

Will it support asymmetric IPDs? i.e the lenses move separately instead of only being able to move both of them at the same time so you can accommodate offset eyes from the nose?

This is not supported.

Is there burn in warranty coverage?

This is much less of an issue with modern micro-OLED panels. We will make sure there is burn-in prevention in the software. If it's due a technical malfunction, obviously Pimax will respect the warranty.

Not a question but another thing to consider I got from a recent Mark Kovalcson video. MeganeX neoprene headstrap is really bad for motion rigs. It's too soft and headset wiggles with motion even if it's overtightened. Thus loosing sweetspot.

We provide options and it's, even for such a small headset, pretty modular. We'll allow it to work with different straps, such as, just giving an example — the strap from the 8KX or Crystal Super, but also the HTC Vive or BoboVR strap for the Quest 3.

Is the Cobb puck still in development? If so will the Dream Air eventually be able to wirelessly stream PCVR??

We're still working on Ciobb and options. Ideally, everyone's smartphone becomes this media device. Cobb is an add-on feature. Our R&D resources are first spent on the Dream Air and Dream Air SE.

Please make an accessory for wireless PCVR, tunnelling DP via a custom 60/70 GHz link. There are chips available that can accommodate DP 2.1 bandwidth, like HMC6300/HMC6301 mmWave Transmitter/Receiver. Battery & processing in a pocket-sized device, like Apple Vision Pro.

Not all components exist for DP 2.1. I also think people focus too much on DP 2.1, the bandwidth of 1.4a can accommodate the native resolution at max refresh rate of the Dream Air, Dream Air SE, and even the Crystal Super.

How do the controllers track? Are they tracked by the headset like the quest 3 controllers, or do they have their own cameras and inside-out tracking like the quest pro controllers?

The controllers are tracked in two ways, one with infrared lights and the inside out tracking of the camera, and another way is with an IMU chip that measures the movement and inertia of the controller. This data is then merged for tracking accuracy.

Are the controllers on the SLAM tracking version compatible with Quest 3 accessories? Specifically, grips and gunstocks? How do controllers charge?

We cannot comment on compatability with these. The controllers charge with USB-C on the bottom.

Could you give some info on why the controllers are so expensive? In Europe, after tax, they are about $368. I realise that that includes the cost of the cameras on the headset but still - looking at the pics, they look like lower quality Quest 3 controllers. For reference, the Quest 3 controllers are $200 and the Index controllers are $334 in Europe. These are best in class, high quality controllers with excellent tracking. The sticks, for example, look a bit uncomfortable and cheap with the thumb rest sticking out instead of being hollow like Quest / Steamdeck stick. Historically, Pimax controllers are low quality with bad tracking which is fine for most because they are usually bundled with Pimax headsets at a very affordable price. There isn't anything in the pics that suggests these aren't also cheap lower grade controllers compared to the other controllers mentioned that are similarly priced, or even cheaper. I would love to get an understanding on how Pimax came to this decision to price the controllers so high. Is it simply a placeholder price that could change in the future or are you aiming to redesign the controllers so that they compete with the best in the market in terms of quality and tracking?

That's a long question but we'll answer it. The price difference between the SLAM version with controllers and the Lighthouse version without controllers is $200. That doesn't mean the controllers are priced at $200. The SLAM version also has more components such as four tracking cameras as well as the tracking algorithm for the headset and hand tracking. All these things are included in this price difference.

Understandable if you won't answer this question still: "What is the state of Dream Air controllers? Are you still commited to new ringless controllers? Can controllers delay SLAM version of the headset?"

Ringless controllers work with the same algorithm as the hand tracking. The risk of the controllers delaying the headset is minimal, as the headset is also cross-compatible with the controllers on the Crystal series.

I know there are promises that tracking will get better but we've been hearing this for years and I think to justify that price people need to see results before release.

If you feel your tracking isn't good, please contact our customer support. We can recreate GPU and CPU and game configurations in our offices, bu we cannot recreate your room and lighting conditions.

The tracking is always getting better, see this report:

https://skarredghost.com/2025/05/14/pimax-crystal-super-impressions-visit/

The sound MUST be good or with the possibility to add a DMAS-style headphones.

We think the audio will be great. We already increased the size of the speakers from the announcement in December last year. The Dream Air is smaller than the Crystal Super or Crystal Light and thus comes with less modular options.

Will the audio quality be better than the built-in audio of the Crystal series? Also will the microphones be an improvement?

The Crystal Super's microphone's audio isn't great and we're aware of this. The issue is more a bug rather than the hardware, which is great. This will be vastly improved. The hardware on the Dream Air and Dream Air SE is not the same.

Self adjusting strap is the most STUPID thing I have heard. That is just something that makes the headset more expensive, and its probably just another thing, that can break and be a problem. It's not needed, Noone EVER asked for that. WHY - when Pimax is finally getting closer to a perfect VR solution, does they manage to OVERTHINK what we need in a VR, and add something that is stupid, that raises price, and that can break. - IDIOTS!

Well, about this question! A few things to mention:

We like to put some innovation on each headset. Some innovations look crazy at first but become obvious in hindsight.
Also light and compact, looks pretty. We think it's an addon innovation, it's not the core feature. Not like optics or slam. But we think we can do this yeah. We'll try this in beta testing.

Is the self-adjusting strap flexible/robust enough so that you can easily lift the headset if you need to check the keyboard or desk?

You will be able to adjust the amount of 'hug', so yes. If not, then there's also the universal halo strap adapter so you can use any headstrap, like that of the Crystal Light or the BoboVR strap for the Quest 3.

Since the strap is made out of fibre, Is the strap machine washable? Will the auto-lace system not rust or break under the water, either from cleaning or sweating?

Great question but the headstrap cannot be put into the laundry machine. You can still spray it some cloth refresher or soak it as long as you don't drown the self-adjusting headstrap engine and audio speakers. It's also a replaceable part, so if it's really dirty you could consider replacing it.

Are you planning to do a custom face cushion?

No we don't. We think the universal cushion is better for most people, more comfortable because it breathes a bit.

What was the thinking behind the resolution of the DA SE being lower than the Crystal Light? Is there any perceivable screen door effect? Which GPUs are capable of driving it?

There's no perceivable screen door effect on these panels. The PC specs will be lower than the Crystal Light, because the Dream Air SE has eye-tracking

Why did the micro-OLED optical engine for the Crystal Super go form 699 to 1199 USD?

For the Dream Air we take on a bigger portion of the price increase due to the change to Sony panels, but for the micro-OLED optical engine for the Crystal Super, this is around the actual price increase due to the improved panels.

Purchasing and shipping

As the prototypes were lacking key features of the finished product, how realistic are the shipping dates? Why is the Dream Air SE shipping estimate before the Dream Air? Is this due to pre-orders for the Dream Air or the wait for Sony panels?

The timing is tight but feasible We're working full on this, but hardware is more difficult than software, because we're also reliant on suppliers, and for this high-tech there are not many manufacturers out there that can deliver on these standards, but we think Q3 is feasible. We have done the hardest work with the optical stack, and we'll have a fully working headset end of June. We'll update everyone on the progress on our channels, so if there's a risk of delay, we'll let everyone know about it. Just to make it clear, from all the Dream Air headsets, the Dream Air SE Lighthouse version will start shipping first.

Does the OG Crystal Discount or 12K Trade-In apply for the Dream Air and Dream Air SE like it works for the Super?

No. We had briefly mentioned this in an earlier blog before the Sony panel change. For users who pre-ordered the headset (not reservations), we will allow it, but not for new orders. The price has increased and we already take on a huge part of these extra costs.

The new price for the Dream Air, does this change for previously made orders?

Not for pre-orders, for reservations yes.

How the USA case will be handled: will there be a Regional Surcharge like with Super?

This situation is changing all the time, hence still we charge a Regional Surcharge due to the complications and the current tariffs. For the Dream Air this is 95 USD, for the Dream Air SE this is 50 USD.

When can we expect to buy the Crystal Super OLED in one package?

Not sure if you mean a separate micro-OLED Super (headset + optical engine), or the optical engine itself, or a bundle (QLED optical engine, micro-OLED optical engine + headset). In either case, these things will happen when the micro-OLED optical engine for the Crystal Super goes into mass production.