After spending several weeks with the Pimax Crystal Super QLED and publishing my initial review, Pimax followed up with something far more interesting for long-term users: two additional optical engines.
Alongside the original 50 PPD QLED, I received:
- the 57 PPD optical engine, focused on maximum clarity
- and the Ultrawide optical engine, designed to push field of view to the limit
Both replace the default optics entirely and fundamentally change how the Crystal Super feels in use. On paper, this looks like a simple specs comparison. In practice, it becomes a very personal choice - especially for sim racers.
Swapping Optical Engines: Surprisingly Easy
Before talking visuals, it’s worth mentioning how easy the hardware side is.
Replacing the optical engines is refreshingly simple:
- Remove the face cover
- Press two small release buttons
- Slide the entire optical engine out
- Insert the new one
- Put the face cover back in - done
No tools, no risk, no complicated alignment. This matters, because it turns the Crystal Super from a fixed-compromise headset into a modular platform you can adapt to your preferences.
The 57 PPD Optical Engine: Incredible Clarity - With a Catch
On paper, the 57 PPD engine is the holy grail: higher pixel density, sharper imagery, and improved detail reproduction. And yes - the image is noticeably crisper.
However, in my case, that theoretical advantage quickly ran into a real-world problem.
Eye Strain and Cross-Eye Effect
Within a short time, I noticed a cross-eye / eye convergence issue that made extended sessions uncomfortable. I later found similar reports from other testers and early users, so this doesn’t appear to be an isolated case.
Because of this, I wasn’t able to properly evaluate the 57 PPD engine over longer sessions. While the clarity increase is real, it simply wasn’t something I could enjoy for hours at a time.
That alone pushed me toward the Ultrawide option fairly quickly.
Ultrawide Optical Engine: Why Field of View Matters So Much in Sim Racing
Switching to the Ultrawide optical engine immediately changed the experience - not subtly, but fundamentally.
The numbers tell part of the story:
- Ultrawide FOV: ~140° horizontal
- Standard / 50 PPD FOV: ~127° horizontal
A 13-degree increase might not sound dramatic on paper. In a racing cockpit, it absolutely is.
Peripheral Vision = Situational Awareness
In sim racing, field of view is not about spectacle — it’s about information.
With a wider FOV:
- You maintain better awareness of cars alongside you
- You rely less on artificial mirrors or head movement
- Speed perception feels more natural and convincing
This is especially noticeable in side-by-side racing, tight chicanes, and fast corner sequences. The track stops feeling like something in front of you - it surrounds you.
Less Head Movement, More Consistency
One of the biggest advantages of Ultrawide FOV in sim racing is reduced head movement.
You don’t need to turn your head as much to check apexes or judge car placement. Over long stints, this directly improves:
- comfort
- consistency
- and fatigue levels
Clarity vs. FOV: When “More” Stops Being Better
There’s an important realization that happens after using multiple high-end VR headsets:
Once clarity reaches a certain level, additional sharpness delivers diminishing returns - especially in motion.
At 50 PPD and above:
- dashboards are readable
- braking markers are clear
- track detail is no longer the limiting factor
At that point, field of view becomes the dominant immersion factor, particularly in racing sims where peripheral vision plays a constant role.
This is why opinions in VR communities are so divided. People aren’t disagreeing about specs — they’re reacting to different immersion breakers.
Ultrawide vs. 57 PPD: The Practical Trade-Off
| Aspect | Ultrawide | 57 PPD |
|---|---|---|
| Field of View | Excellent (≈140°) | Limited (≈106°) |
| Peripheral Awareness | Outstanding | Moderate |
| Image Sharpness | Very good | Exceptional |
| Stereo Overlap | Reduced | Strong |
| Long-Session Comfort | Excellent | Problematic (for me) |
For sim racing, the Ultrawide engine clearly plays to the strengths of the genre.
Final Thoughts: Why Ultrawide Would Be My Go-To Choice
The Crystal Super is unique because it doesn’t force a single compromise. It lets you decide what matters most to your experience.
In my case:
- The 57 PPD engine offered impressive clarity but introduced eye strain I couldn’t ignore
- The Ultrawide engine immediately enhanced immersion, awareness, and comfort in racing
For sim racers, especially those who value realism, spatial awareness, and endurance comfort, field of view is not a luxury feature - it’s a performance advantage.
Sure, there are other competitors in the market, but I only have direct contact to PIMAX.
THR has direct contat to PIMAX, cause months ago PIMAX asked us for a partnership. We show their logos on our Website and in our streams and they offer us support and an Affiliate Link which gives you a 2% discount and THR receives a small provision per order, which we use to run our servers, etc.
If you are interested in purchasing a new headset, you can use the following affiliate links to receive the 2% discount.
Crystal Light:
https://pimax.com/discount/THRACING?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fpimax-crystal-light/?ref=THRacing
Crystal Super:
https://pimax.com/discount/THRACING?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fpimax-crystal-super/?ref=THRacing
