Modern virtual reality headsets usually embrace one of two design philosophies: stand-alone or tethered. Stand-alone devices like the Meta Quest 3 and HTC Vive XR Elite have been ultra popular amongst enthusiasts and casual users alike. They’re easy to set up, they don’t require additional hardware and they’re free of wires. Tethered headsets like the PSVR 2 and Valve Index require either a console or a gaming PC to operate. This setup provides a higher visual fidelity and more console-like experience with the better-performing hardware. The Pimax Crystal attempts to blur the lines between both worlds.
Offering both stand-alone and PC-based VR, the Pimax Crystal offers a fantastic audiovisual experience on both fronts. Each QLED + Mini LED display offers an impressive resolution of 2880 x 2880 pixels per eye in addition to an incredibly wide 125-degree horizontal and 140-degree diagonal field of view. Add some wonderfully sounding DTS:X-certified off-ear speakers that sound audibly rich and powerful in volume and combine that with intuitive rechargeable controllers, and the Pimax Crystal could be considered one of the best ways to play PC-based VR for those who can afford the high $1,599 asking price. However, things begin to fall apart considerably when you’re using stand-alone mode.
After spending around three weeks with the Pimax Crystal, here are some of our takeaways with the hybrid VR headset.
The Pimax Crystal features two QLED + Mini LED displays with 2880 x 2880 pixels per eye alongside 125-degree horizontal and 140-degree diagonal field of view. Meanwhile, the headset itself features two switchable modes between stand-alone and PCVR.
What we liked about it
Solid all-around design
There’s something premium-looking about the Pimax Crystal from first glance. The all-black angular design feels futuristic, from the front faceplate to the rear straps that also house the battery. The pack includes two batteries alongside a USB-C charging case. Regardless of whether you’re using the headset stand-alone or with your PC, batteries are required, and they do add weight to an already heavy device.
Despite being heavier than most VR headsets at around 2 pounds, it still remains comfortable to wear due to proper weight distribution, though some may find it a bit much during longer sessions. When it comes to immersion, the wide field of view and more enclosed design didn’t lead to any situations where outside light could bleed through.
Alongside the top straps is a tightening dial for added comfort beyond various padding. When it comes to ports, there’s one port that connects to a small hub for PCVR, a USB-C port at the bottom for a hand-tracking accessory, a second USB-C port on the side for charging the headset and a 3.5mm if you’d rather not use the included off-ear speakers.
There are some toggles and various buttons that are spread throughout the Pimax Crystal headset with a silver colorway. The top right hosts the power button and volume rocker, while the opposite side has a manual slider for interpupillary distance tracking (IDP). Finally, the upper right side of the right lens is where users can switch between PCVR and AIO (or stand-alone) mode.
The rechargeable controllers work well enough with various types of games. They could easily be mistaken for blacked-out Meta Quest 2 or XR series Vive controllers. There is an extra Pimax button that doubles as an on/off switch for the controllers alongside some device-related settings.
Best-in-class audiovisual presentation
The Pimax Crystal currently has the best consumer-priced audiovisual package of any modern VR headset. As mentioned previously, the headset features a QLED + Mini LED display that is 2880 x 2880 pixels per eye with a peak brightness of 200 nits. Due to additional capabilities like?local dimming, a 20000:1 contrast ratio and the use of aspheric glass lenses, image quality is top-tier. The Crystal excels in color reproduction, achieving full coverage of the NTSC color spectrum at 100%. This capability ensures it can accurately display an extensive array of colors and even works when editing content through software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Photoshop.
Everything from Half-Life: Alyx to Microsoft Flight Simulator to The 7th Guest VR looked phenomenal. Outside of gaming, the Virtual Desktop app allowed us to even work on half of this review in VR due to how crisp and clear image quality was. Having the wider 125-degree horizontal and 140-degree diagonal field of view relieved the eyes of that binocular, immersion-breaking feel that many of the best VR headsets have.
The display also features a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, which allows for smooth gameplay and can help with eye comfort. There’s even a testing mode that can push the refresh rate even higher to 144Hz and 160Hz. Of course, enjoying the higher refresh rates is going to require a beefier gaming PC. Another crucial performance feature is its low motion-to-photon (MTP) latency of just 15 milliseconds. This minimal lag between user input and the resulting visual response is vital for creating a smooth and immersive experience. The headset also features eye tracking, which should help with foveated rendering — a trick that allows for optimal performance by focusing resources on what you’re actually looking at — on supported games.
Audio quality is just as outstanding. The DTS:X-certified off-ear speakers sound great and can be upgraded to even higher-fidelity speakers via a separate purchase. Overall clarity and heavy bass gracefully added to the immersive feeling while gaming. From gaming and watching video content to listening to music, the sonics are well thought out.
Respectable versatility
Offering separate stand-alone and PCVR modes isn’t the only thing that makes the Pimax Crystal so multifaceted. A quick look at Pimax’s online store accessory section displays the amount of add-ons available that could rival the HTC Vive (but more on that later).
There’s a lighthouse faceplate that works with SteamVR Base Stations and grants the usage of the Valve Index Controllers alongside for notably better tracking through Steam Base Stations. Adding the lighthouse faceplate really does put this further above the HTC Vive and Valve Index headsets. Then there’s the hand-tracking device that we mentioned earlier. That’s on top of purchasable options for off-ear speakers, different comfort kits and controllers.
Even though the stand-alone mode isn’t up to snuff (more on that later), the headset does feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 alongside an internally developed PCVR Engine dual-processor chip with 8GB of RAM, which puts it on par with the Meta Quest 3 and Pico. There’s also the ability to connect to your computer via Wi-Fi to play your PC-based VR games while in stand-alone mode. Just be mindful that lag can be an issue if your Wi-Fi speeds aren’t fast enough.
What we didn’t like about it
Expensive and lacking some key features
By itself, the Pimax Crystal is a pricy purchase at a retail price of $1,599, though it can be found on sale at some retailers. This makes the headset more expensive than other PC-based rivals like the HTC Vive and Valve Index. More so, it’s significantly higher priced than stand-alone VR headsets like the Meta Quest Pro and HTC Vive XR Elite. The Pimax Crystal is also missing some of its competitors’ key features, which may disappoint owners of higher-end tethered and untethered headsets.
While the Crystal’s audiovisual package and standard controller inputs are both impressive, overall tracking isn’t as good as the Vive and Valve Index due to the lack of base stations. Though the Crystal is compatible with base stations and the best-in-class Valve Index controllers, the only way to use those is through the $199 lighthouse faceplate. Users who want the hand tracking of the cheaper Meta Quest Pro and HTC Vive XR Elite are going to have to plunk down $160 for the hand-tracking attachment.
With all that in mind, those who want to have the Crystal’s high-resolution display and DTS:X-certified audio while also using the Valve Index controller and hand tracking are going to pay nearly $2,000. Disappointingly, the headset also lacks true passthrough capabilities, which allow you to check on your real-world surroundings and can be found on much cheaper headsets like the Meta series. Users who buy the Pimax Crystal will have a better time sticking to PC-based VR.
Stand-alone VR headset software is lacking
As a hybrid VR headset, the Pimax Crystal’s biggest strengths lend itself more to PCVR because the stand-alone mode is fairly useless at the moment. There are some ports of popular games from other platforms like First Person Tennis and Rolling Line. But one thing that’s for sure? Multi-platform VR games that are available on the Pimax get the optimal experience due to the higher resolution and field of view.
When it comes to games that compete with both the Meta Quest 3 and, to an extent, the HTC Vive XR Elite, the Crystal is surely lacking. There aren’t any top-tier triple-A games like Asgard’s Wrath 2 or even high-caliber fitness apps like Supernatural or FitXR. There are a nice assortment of genres across shooters, puzzle-based games and rhythm-based games, but they’re genuinely forgettable. Right now, the stand-alone mode lacks a true killer app that places this alongside competitors.
It’s heavy and complicated to set up
Setting up the Pimax Crystal isn’t necessarily difficult; there are just a lot of steps that feel unoptimized, whether you’re going PC-based or stand-alone. Similar to the Valve Index, the Crystal connects to a hub that uses one USB-C port, one DisplayPort and another port that connects to a power outlet.
Also, users are going to have to make sure one of the headset batteries is charged. Between the headset, battery and cords, the Crystal can get a bit heavy for those who don’t have strong enough necks for long play sessions.
Once the Crystal is hooked up, you’ll have to set up your actual positioning. Unlike the PSVR 2 and Meta Quest 3, positioning and guardian walls (virtual boundaries that keep you from knocking into walls and household objects) aren’t automated and can’t be drawn. The only way to draw guardian walls is through SteamVR, which requires base stations that only work on the expensive lighthouse faceplate. The simplest part of setup is syncing the controllers, which just requires holding down the Pimax button on each controller hand.
Meanwhile, height positioning is measured in centimeters instead of inches and still doesn’t feel just right at times, depending on the game. In stand-alone mode, there isn’t a guardian mode to help keep you in your play space. This means that users are definitely going to have to clear some space to use this headset safely.
Bottom line
The Pimax Crystal stands out as a respectable hybrid VR headset that sometimes has a difficult time straddling the line between stand-alone and PCVR experiences. Its dual QLED + Mini LED displays, delivering an astounding 2880 x 2880 pixels per eye, set a new benchmark in visual fidelity. The expansive 125-degree horizontal and 140-degree diagonal field of view, coupled with top-tier audio capabilities, provide an immersive experience that rivals and even surpasses many of its competitors. However, its high price point of $1,599 and the complexities in setup might deter some potential users.
While the headset shines in its PCVR mode, offering an unparalleled audiovisual experience, its stand-alone mode falls short in comparison to industry leaders like Meta and HTC. The lack of a robust software ecosystem and compelling stand-alone content significantly limits its appeal in this mode. Moreover, the weight and complexity of setup could be challenging for some users, especially during extended play sessions.
Regardless, versatility and performance in PCVR mode are impressive. It’s a fitting choice for users seeking the highest-quality VR experience and who are willing to invest both financially and in terms of setup time. For those prioritizing a more user-friendly and affordable VR experience, other options like the Valve Index and HTC Vive XR Elite might be more suitable. Ultimately, the Pimax Crystal’s advanced technology and dual-mode functionality make it a noteworthy contender in the ever-evolving landscape of virtual reality headsets.
