👋 Greetings, fellow THR-Racers!
As the founder and head admin of THR, I'd like to share some insights and experiences from my recent exploration of virtual reality.
A few months ago, I was approached by PIMAX with an exciting opportunity for collaboration. As a result, we've been featuring PIMAX on our website and stream, while our community members benefit from exclusive discounts on PIMAX VR headsets through an affiliate link.
Then I had the pleasure of meeting Ying, the COO of PIMAX, at the SimRacingExpo in Dortmund, and, surprisingly, I was given a PIMAX Crystal Light headset on loan to experience its features firsthand.
Having spent some time with the PIMAX Crystal Light, I wanted to share my impressions and how it stacks up against my long-time companion, the HP Reverb G2.
🎧 Wearing Comfort
The HP Reverb G2 is lightweight at 500 grams, making it quite comfortable to wear. The PIMAX Crystal Light, on the other hand, weighs in at 815 grams, which makes it a bit bulkier. Despite its heavier weight, it is well-padded and well-balanced, almost like putting on a helmet.
However, I did encounter some discomfort as the frame of the lenses pressed against the bridge of my nose. I suspect that this has to do with my narrow head shape. Fortunately, this issue was resolved by adding an extra 15mm padding, which was kindly provided by PIMAX Support, to the headset at the forehead. Though this adjustment slightly reduced the field of view (FOV), the gain in comfort was more than worth it - and even with the reduced FOV, it remained significantly larger than that of the Reverb G2.
Personally, I would appreciate it if VR headset manufacturers included a selection of padding sizes by default. This would allow users to achieve an optimal fit and comfort level right from the start - without having to rely on aftermarket solutions. But that's just my opinion.
PIMAX Statement regarding Comfort:
Crystal Light has often been described as a bit bulky—admittedly, comfort hasn’t been Pimax’s strongest suit. But this trade-off enables its standout features: 2880×2880 per-eye resolution, wide FOV, and glass aspheric lenses. We’ve prioritized immersion and visual fidelity, making it ideal for racing/flight simulators where clarity matters most. That said, many users, through official/third-party accessories or DIY mods, have significantly improved comfort. Our ongoing 1st-anniversary limited edition includes free Studioform comfort straps (blue padding).
🖼️ Visuals
The PIMAX Crystal Light has an impressive resolution of 2,880x2,880 pixels per eye, a clear improvement over the G2’s 2,160x2,160. Everything looks razor sharp, especially in long-distance views during races.
Thanks to the QLED display with local dimming, you also get deeper colors and stronger contrast. The aspheric lenses eliminate chromatic aberration and reduce glare - a big step up from the G2's concentric ring effect.
In short: the image quality is stunning.
👀 Field of View (FOV)
One of the major highlights is the wide field of view: 115° horizontally and vertically - a noticeable upgrade over the G2’s ~98° horizontal FOV.
A wide field of view is something we SimRacers always look for, cause the added peripheral vision makes a huge difference in sim racing. You’re more aware of cars beside you, and it gives a more realistic cockpit feel.
🔊 Audio
The G2 features good over-ear speakers, but I always preferred using my Steelseries Arctis 7. In contrast, the PIMAX Crystal Light’s SMAS speakers sound quite decent right out of the box.
Also worth noting: the PIMAX headset includes a microphone, which the G2 doesn’t. I tested it during races, and fellow drivers confirmed that I was coming through loud and clear.
🕹️ Tracking and Controllers
I can only comment on headset tracking, which worked reliably for me. My test unit came without controllers, and I couldn’t connect the G2 controllers to the PIMAX headset 😉.
⚙️ Practical Features
The PIMAX Crystal Light comes with several convenient features that enhance the user experience. It offers a manually adjustable IPD range (like the G2), which allows for better alignment of the lenses to fit different users' eye distances.
The headset also includes:
- Buttons to adjust the volume of the speakers
- An action button to easily choose menu options
- A lookthrough mode (activated by tapping the side of the headset)
(This is especially helpful when trying to find your water bottle while waiting on the starting grid!)
💻 Compatibility and Software
The updated PIMAX software works well with SteamVR and OpenXR. In my system, OpenXR boosted my FPS - especially in Assetto Corsa - because it allows you to bypass the resource-heavy SteamVR runtime.
👓 User Experience
When I first put on the Crystal Light, I was blown away by the clarity. I went straight into a race with every car from the GPL 1967 mod.
But something felt off.
I couldn’t explain it at first. After some days of testing, I realized that the image felt slightly misaligned, and my eyes had to cross to focus properly.
Using the built-in test images, I was able to confirm the issue. PIMAX Support was very responsive and guided me through various adjustments. Eventually, they sent me replacement lenses, which solved the issue completely. The shipping took some time, but the swap was easy.
Now the headset works great - crisp image, wide FOV, and solid sound.
I’m happy with the Crystal Light, even though I’ll have to return it in a few weeks, since it was only provided on loan.
PIMAX Statement regarding Lens Distortion:
As one of the few VR manufacturers using glass lenses, Pimax prioritizes superior optical clarity and durability, though this comes with significant production challenges. Last year, our quality control relied on manual visual inspections, which unfortunately allowed a small number of lenses with distortion to reach customers—your case being one of them. However, whether for you or any other customer, we’ve actively addressed every after-sales issue to ensure a fully resolved and satisfactory outcome. This year, we’ve made major improvements by adopting laser-based inspection systems, virtually eliminating defective lenses from reaching users. Here’s a video showcasing our upgraded QC and after-sales process.
🏗️ Build Quality and Price
The HP Reverb G2 has earned its reputation for high build quality. It was originally sold for around $600 but is no longer officially available. Nowadays, it can be found for approximately $250 through platforms like eBay.
In comparsion the price of the Crystal Light is actually $858–$887 USD, depending on the payment method. If the full amount is paid in one go after receiving the headset, the price would be $858. You can also choose to pay for the Prime fee in 24 months. In that case, the total price would be $887.
For G2 users, there’s an additional $80 discount available by submitting proof of purchase here, which means the lowest possible price is $778.
While the build quality may not be quite as robust as the G2, the Crystal Light offers enough high-end features to make it a worthy contender.
✅ Conclusion and Recommendations
If you're looking for a visual upgrade in your sim racing setup, the PIMAX Crystal Light is a strong option. While comfort and build quality might need tweaking, the immersive experience makes it worth considering.
This partnership with PIMAX offers some interesting opportunities for our community.
Thanks to PIMAX for reaching out and providing the headset for testing.
Stay fast, stay vintage
Pitman (THRacing Admin)
If you're thinking of upgrading, check the following Flash Sale.
