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.
Another year is behind us - and what a year it has been! In 2025, we successfully completed four championships:
F1 75 Championship II
US GTC Tour
F1 79 Championship
718 Rennsport Trophy
Throughout 2025, our championship framework ran smoothly, and we enjoyed countless fantastic races without technical issues. It’s been a true pleasure to organize these events and watch everyone compete on track.
We also hosted several unforgettable special events. One of the standout moments was the spectacular 6 Heures du Mans – THR’s 5th Endurance Race, where 135 drivers from ten different communities battled for top honors. We were fortunate to have PirateLaserBeam and Akashic delivering excellent English commentary, while Guido, Thomas, and Jascha provided a superb German broadcast.
Another highlight was our 7th Anniversary Celebration Race, featuring a full-length Grand Prix at Spa in classic GPL cars - a truly special occasion for our community.
Community Growth & Milestones
Our community continued to grow impressively throughout the year:
Our Discord server is nearing 3,000 members
Our YouTube channel has reached 1,000 subscribers
More than 570 drivers have registered on our website
Our Facebook news is now followed by over 500 users
Looking Forward
Looking ahead, we already have some exciting championships planned for 2026, and our next Endurance Race is scheduled for January 31st.
I’m confident that 2026 will bring even more fun, competition, and memorable racing moments. As the year comes to a close, I want to extend my sincere thanks to all of you. Our community continues to grow, our grids remain full, and it’s inspiring to see members constantly supporting one another with advice and technical help on Discord.
We’ve reached a point where many longtime THR drivers know each other’s racing styles, strengths, and weaknesses - just like in a real-life racing league. Thank you all for being such an essential part of THR.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, and successful New Year 2026.
See you on track next year, pitman and the THR Orga Team
Since many of us rely on VR to feel truly inside the cockpit, I wanted to share a new campaign from Pimax that might interest some of you.
Pimax is offering rewards for anyone who previously owned a VR headset. If you can provide proof of your old device, you can get:
Pimax Crystal Light → Up to $100 off
Pimax Crystal Super → DMAS audio + free prescription lenses (value up to $159.90)
Sounds like an interesting deal for those who want to escape the WMR support that has been discontinued in Windows 11, or for those simply looking for the next technological step bringing a huge upgrade in clarity.
(Note: The link to Fanatec is an affiliate link. If you use it to make a purchase, it helps support THR at no extra cost to you - Many thanks for your support!)
Fanatec Black Friday is over - but they started new December Deals:
A lot of rims, hubs and more…
Check out the full lineup here:fanatec.sjv.io/Qj5Dvo (We would really appreciate if you use our Affiliate link - cause it supports your beloved THR community.)
(To ensure that your purchases are counted for THR, it is advisable to delete the Fanatec cookies before using our affiliate link. Thank you in advance!)
A famous German football coach once coined the following wisdom: “After the match is before the match.”
The same applies to racing.
After the very demanding race in Silverstone, a true highlight awaits us. Our THR community will turn 7 years old on December 15, and as is tradition, we’ll celebrate this with a Full Length GP.
This year, we’ll be racing 28 laps of Spa (like they did back in 1967), which will take around 1 hour and 45 minutes. The race is part of THRs 7th GPL Championship and will count twice the points as the other races.
We’re really looking forward to this race, and since it’s our annual celebration, we hope to see many community members take part. Typically, we all sing "Happy Birthday" together in voice chat before the race. I can understand if that might sound a bit intimidating, but it’s always great fun every year.
After the race, we’ll raffle off a prize among all finishers. 3DRAP is sponsoring the raffle with a €50 coupon. Thanks a ton to 3DRAP for making this happen!
We’re really excited to have you join us!
Oh, and for those interested - I’ve put together some information and statistics covering THR’s seven-year journey.
Have you ever wanted to see your simracing car from the TTM Championship sitting on your desk as a real, physical model? Now you can – even your unique custom skin can be turned into a real-life miniature!
Our own race commentator Microlin runs JB Miniatures, a UK-based workshop specializing in handmade 1:43 scale model cars. Each model is built from a suitable diecast donor car and transformed through a complete strip-down, repaint, custom decal design, and reassembly - bringing your virtual livery into the real world.
Whether it’s your BMW M3, Mercedes 190E, Ford Sierra, Audi V8 Quattro, or even an Alfa 75, JB Miniatures can craft a stunning replica of your TTM ride.
And it doesn’t stop there – other cars, including formula cars or vehicles outside the TTM lineup, can also be made, depending on donor model availability and suitability.
Models start from around £50 for labour, plus the cost of the donor model and shipping. More complex builds - such as multi-colour paintwork, interior detailing, or 3D-printed parts - are also available.
Microlin has created custom commissions for real drivers, race teams, and collectors - and now we as THR members have the opportunity to own a unique 1:43 scale model as a lasting memento of our time on the grid.
👉 View more of his work on Facebook:JB Miniatures 👉 Contact directly for commissions: via the Facebook page or through the direct message to Mircolin via our THR-Discord.
Bring your simracing pride to life with a handcrafted 1:43 scale model for your shelf.
