What is IPD?

Interpupillary distance (IPD) is the distance measured in millimeters between the centers of the pupils of the eyes. This measurement is different from person to person and also depends on whether they are looking at near objects or far away.

Source: Wikipedia (Representative data from the 1988 Anthropometric Survey based on Military Handbook 743A and the 2012 Anthropometric Survey of US Army Personnel)[/caption]

Why is accurate IPD important?

Accurate IPD settings help get a clear image and reduce eye strain. When you put on a headset for the first time, all positions will be in a mess. That’s the reason why you can’t see a sharp and clear image. We will clean it up and center them all in one straight line as in the following picture.

• – eye position
• – lens position
• – displayed images (distortion center)

The headset lenses focus images toward their optical center. This is sometimes called the sweet spot‍ in the VR industry. By adjusting the IPD, you can tune the sweet spot for the most comfortable view. Misaligned IPD and improperly adjusted headsets are common causes of blurry images, dizziness, and eye strain. 

How can I find my IPD?

Get a Standard Eye Test

You can go for an eye exam to get your IPD by a standard eye test, or your optometrist probably has your IPD on record. This is the most accurate way to get your IPD number.

Use a Mirror and Ruler

If you have a mirror and a ruler measured in millimeters, you can get a fairly accurate measurement of your IPD at home. To do this, stand in front of the mirror and look straight into your eyes. Place the 0 mm mark under one eye, aligned with the center of the pupil. Note the measurement under the other eye. You can also ask a friend to do the measurement.

Listen to your Eyes

Even if you get an accurate IPD measurement and set your headset accordingly, it may still not be the best setting for you personally. You may still have problems with clarity or eye strain. If the IPD setting you adjusted when you actually used the headset works better for you, please use it.

How to set it?

1 Hardware IPD:

Users can use the buttons in the upper left corner of the Pimax Crystal for manual adjustment.

2 Software IPD: 

• – Come to the Pimax Store
• – Click the device settings, and then find pupil distance adjustment 
• – Enter the pupil distance number and click “Set” to adjust the pupil distance to the appropriate position.

3 Automatic IPD: 

The auto-adjustment software recognizes your pupil distance and automatically adjusts after you put on the Pimax Crystal. 

Tips

1: Please do not forcibly break the lens barrel, so as not to cause damage!

2: Please note that setting the use of an inappropriate pupil distance may cause visual ghosting or eye fatigue. Accurate pupil distance settings help to obtain clear images and reduce eye fatigue.

3: Long-term use of the headset may lead to slight glare or eye fatigue, it is recommended to take appropriate rest to relieve discomfort.

For Videos

Thanks for your time. This is the second video of the series for Crystal setup. You are welcome to share what you want to know more about Crystal setup. Stay tuned and see you next blog!