It's now a few days after our Pimax Sync event, in which we shared our progress on the Crystal Light, 60G Airlink, Crystal Super, and introduced Pimax Prime.
Let's go over these topics and answer some frequently asked questions. And we'll also include some questions about the original Crystal, and the 12K Trade-In program.
Crystal Super
When will deliveries begin?
The 57 PPD QLED version will start shipping from late January 2025. We're expecting the 50 PPD QLED version to ship in March, and the micro-OLED in April.
So can I pre-order now?
Yes. If you pre-order before Christmas, you get DMAS headphones, and free shipping to selected regions. We are also opening up the pre-orders for the 50 PPD QLED today. Pre-ordering for micro-OLED will start later.
I placed a reservation — if I don’t pre-order now, will my slot still be lost?
For the 57 PPD QLED and 50 PPD QLED, yes. Pre-order before Christmas to get the pre-order benefits, as well as to keep your place in the queue. As for the micro-OLED, those pre-orders will start in Q1 and you will keep your place in their queues.
Does it support 120Hz at native resolution?
So to make clear, we're talking about the QLED here. The resolution is 3840 by 3840, and this is a challenge to run this at 120 Hz. We will make a Labs Mode and push for 120 Hz native resolution. It's like a beta mode. We also had these on previous headsets as well. Sometimes a feature becomes stable, sometimes we remove it later.
Is it using DisplayPort 2.1 or 1.4?
DP 1.4a. There is currently no Nvidia GPU out there that supports 2.1, and not just that. There is currently no high band bridge-IC for DP to MIPI conversion available in the industry that supports DP 2.1. The highest version on any VR headset right now is 1.4a. It's an industry bottleneck.
That said, the clarity of the Crystal Super is unaffected and gets the maximum out of these panels. With Display Stream Compression, there is visually losless compression.
What is the field of view?
It's 120 degrees horizontal on the 57 PPD QLED, 135 degrees horizontal on the 50 PPD QLED. I know there's been a lot of debate on Pimax's FOV numbers, but these are real.
What are the minimum PC requirements?
The RTX 20s series is supported, but I'm not sure if I'd recommend it. That said, the GPU requirements are a lot less than people think. There's also a part in the Sync presentation that talks more in-depth about this, like why you can tune down or turn off your anti aliasing. I'll put the link with timestamp in the description.
Is the tracking algorithm the same as the one in Crystal Light?
We're always improving this. The camera position has changed, but the algorithm is just the newest version, which is also coming to the Crystal Light.
Is the passthrough view still black and white?
Yes, still black and white.
Does it support MR?
Yes but for this you'll need the MR faceplate, which is coming later.
When will the Lighthouse faceplate be released?
We don't have a clear date for this yet.
When will it be available on Amazon?
Same.
What eye-tracking solution does it use?
This is made together with Tobii.
Does the DMAS come as a default feature?
Nope. This is a benefit for pre-orders though
What exactly is eye relief?
The adjustable distance between your eyes and the lens. This helps making the Super more easily adjustable for loads of users. Previously you could tweak this distance by using thicker foam, now you just roll a wheel.
Is the fiber optic cable compatible with the Super model?
No. The Crystal Super uses the same cable as the Crystal Light.
How much does the headset weight?
Similar to Crystal Light.
How many optical engines are there?
57PPD QLED, 50PPD QLED, MicroOLED. And maybe more in the future.
Does it have upscale mode?
Yes. We originally thought this was only useful for low-end GPUs, but because of customer feedback, we're adding this also to the Crystal and Crystal Super.
Will the 60G Airlink will be supported?
No. The Super like the Crystal Light, has no battery. The 60G Airlink is only for the original Crystal.
Can I buy only Crystal Super 50PPD without buying 57PPD when it is released?
Yes. So actually to answer this better. nce the 50 PPD and micro-OLED versions are ready, you can buy each version as its own headset, or as a separate optical engine.
Are the controllers that come with the Super similar to the Crystal and Crystal Light?
There are some improvements but they're largely the same, and compatible with each other.
How can I use the $399 discount mentioned during the Frontier event?
Original Crystal owners can use this. But you first pay the base price. This discount is taken off the price of Pimax Prime in Pimax Play, after you've received the headset.
If you bought the Crystal second hand, you'll need the serial number and order number to apply for the $399 discount. Each Crystal can only use the discount once.
And one last Super question. Which color is the V on the front?
The color of the light can be changed, regardless of the model of the machine. And yeah I think it looks really good.
Original Crystal
Upscale mode when?
This feature is now in debugging and beta testing. It's coming soon. It's hard to set a time, depending on which bugs we still find or not.
Wide FOV lenses?
We know this is taking very long. Production is now scheduled for January, so in less than two months. They should start shipping in February and March. If this is delayed again, we'll offer a direct compensation.
60G Airlink
When is the beta starting?
Soon, we're looking for some candidates now. If you ordered the 60G Airlink, reach out to Calvin on Discord or Reddit.
When can I pre-order it?
Also soon. Ok that's the real Pimax word. But really soon ok.
Prime Program
So, how do refunds work?
You pay the base price of $599 (Light) or $999 (Super) and receive the headset.
If you like the headset, then choose Pimax Prime. You can choose to pay at once for a discount (10% for Light or 12% for Super), or you can keep trying the headset for 14 days, and then choose Prime. Or, you can choose to return the headset and get a refund.
We changed this time from 10 days to 14 days. We're absolutely confident in our product but this is customer feedback from the last few days.
Does that mean Prime is not refundable?
This is a kind of trick question. Prime is refundable. But you're not required to pay for Prime within the trade-in window.
If however, you bought Prime within the first 14 days and want to return the headset, the refund will also include any costs you made for Prime. Also if we refund the headset for whatever reason, the costs for Prime will be included.
Why Pimax Prime?
We see this as offering more flexible options for users. Users can try the headset for a lower base price and see if they like it. We're certain that the clarity of the Crystal Light and Crystal Super is extremely high, unlike anything you've ever seen. But online this is very hard to see. You have to see it for yourself. Then when you get the headset, you can choose to pay the remaining amount at once, or choose for 24 months.
What if I want to sell the headset when I still have months left to pay off?
- So again, the fact you choose 24 months is an option. Users can also just choose to pay in one-go and never have this situation.
- But, any contract duration left, users can also pay off the remainder of the months left, but then no discount (10% for Light and 12% for Super) is available.
- Every headset (including Pimax Prime) can be transferred twice in the duration of the contract.
After what time of not paying does it lock?
Again, you can pay Prime at once and you never have the risk. If you choose for monthly payments, then yes after some time the Pimax Play software will stop functioning. You can use it again as soon as you complete the payment.
Do I need to pay for Prime after I paid for it?
No. If you paid for Prime in one-go or after after 24 months, the whole headset is yours and you'll never be required to pay for any subscription. The subscription is tied to your headset, so even if you sell it, the subscription won't reset.
What if I buy from a retailer instead? Or must the purchase be made through the official Pimax website?
This depends on the retailer, especially now that we're still just after Sync and there's a transition period. Check with the retailer.
I owned the Crystal Light. Do I still need to pay extra?
No. Never.
About the refund window, what if I have a problem during it and I cannot test out the headset in 10 days?
If a problem is reported within the 14 days, then Pimax will extend the try out time (and so too the option for the user to return the headset) until the issue is solved. If a new part needs to be shipped, then the return window is reset to when the new parts have arrived.
The same thing for warranty. If a technical issue is mentioned to Pimax within the warranty period, but because of debugging and trying to trouble shoot, it is dragged out of the warranty, then it will still be covered under warranty. (In other words, the warranty is frozen.)
Whether it is a one-off payment or after the two-year installment, do users still need to be connected to the Internet to use Pimax Play?
No, you don't. You may still occassionally want to update your Pimax Play and firmware, as that is always being improved. But it's no requirement.
12K Trade-in program
The 12K is taking longer than we expected, but it's still being developed. It's coming. But to ease the wait, we want to partially open up the trade-in program.
Eligible headsets can use part of their trade-in value for the Crystal Super. The only thing is that this does not stack with the discount offered for Crystal users. You can use up to 50% of your headset's trade-in value for the Super, up to 399 USD, and keep the remaining trade-in value for the 12K. Like that discount, this will be taken off Prime, not the base price of the Crystal Super.
Any questions you still have, come join us on Discord.
