Going from HP Reverb G2 to Pimax Crystal - Is it worth it?

Is Pimax Crystal a worthy upgrade from HP Reverb G2? Today, I'm diving deep and comparing the Pimax Crystal VR headset against the HP Reverb G2 - finding out why so many VR enthusiasts have taken this route! What are the differences, how much of an upgrade is the Crystal - and is it worth the additional cost?
Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
00:58 Why making this comparison?
02:23 The similarities
03:45 What to focus on in this comparison
04:40 What wasn't compared
05:41 Tracking differences and advantages
06:27 QLED vs LCD Displays: Colors, color range, contrast, black levels, brightness
09:39 Mura effect
10:24 Peak brightness
11:40 Resolution & screen-door-effect, clarity & image sharpness
14:33 Refresh Rates
15:59 Lenses: Aspheric vs Fresnel, glare & God-rays, sweet-spot & edge clarity
19:18 Advantages of eye-tracking: Auto IPD, Auto adjustment & DFR
20:34 Frame rates & performance
21:11 FOV - Field Of View
23:11 Software
24:16 Accessory support: Hand-tracking, swapping lenses & WiGig support
25:38 Verdict & Final words
Learn more about Pimax Crystal on the official Pimax website. Celebrate Pimax's 8th anniversary with Pimax, enjoy exclusive 8% off sitewide, plus $30 gift card with your purchase:
pimax.com/8years/?...
Do you like the new stylish custom front-plates on the Pimax Crystal shown in this video? Read more about the Crystal-SIM limited Edition headsets available in our store:
pimax.com/crystal-sim-flight/...
pimax.com/crystal-sim-racing/...
Credits to KZbin channels providing content to this video:
Pimax Crystal advanced Fiber Optic Cable /\ 120hz VS 90 hz VS 72hz Mode
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• Pimax Crystal advanced...
Pimax Crystal 72hz TESTED! Black Square TBM 850 Full Flight TEST | Microsoft Flight Simulator
VR Flight Sim Guy
• Pimax Crystal 72hz TES...
Introducing Full Array Local Dimming
HisenseUK
• Introducing Full Array...
In case any credits has been missed out, please let us know and we will add them here. Thank you
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#pimaxcrystal
#hpreverbg2
#vrgaming
#vr

[@dathyr1]

Same here, as other commenters mention, The cost of a PIMAX VR headset is just too much for me to justify playing games. I know they are nice, but anything over 500-600 dollars is just not in my budget (even those I consider expensive). So for right now I will live with my other Tethered VR headsets for SIM racing games.

[@Thorloar]

I really wish they would come out with a headset that wasn’t stand alone at all, just PC VR, inside out tracking, pancake lenses and eye tracking. I don’t need or want to pay for a stand alone chipset and a battery. If Pimax wants to be the sim headset they would do this and get it to the $700-600 USD price point.

[@quantumsoftware1424]

This headset is all about having the big tech attach to your face. If they can connect the 4090 straight to the headset. I bet this company will be the most famous on earth.

[@ocularcavity8412]

Agreed if I could have a headset that good connected to my PC with an RTX4090 why would I EVER use the weak stand alone hardware and if they could get the price down to $700 it would be a NO BRAINER

[@PaddyPatrone]

Absolutely! Give us a oure RC-VR sim headset that does the job well and doesn`t need all the nonsense.

[@deejnutz2068]

Prophetic

[@laartwork]

So guess you are getting the Crystal light

[@Rafabi78]

This video reflects exactly my doubts and my case thnak you

[@konari88]

problem is crystal cost almost 2000€(VAT tax) vs competition 1200€ for varjo aero and 1500€ for bigscreen beyond

[@mich5528]

1650€ now in EU

[@ebasguy]

€1400

[@robertodolsak3566]

1500€ with controllers,which Aero and bigscreen do not have.

[@laartwork]

Try $699 ... no mo problem

[@kennykanada]

I went from G2 to Crystal. I found a big difference/improvement. Other than the size and weight, it’s a nice upgrade (along with a 4090). Great comparison!!

[@SweViver]

Thanks for sharing, happy to hear! 😀

[@corvette2834]

I received my Crystal three days ago right away. I have issue with the firmware not updating I Summit a ticket for Support somebody answered three days later asking me what’s the problem after I submit a ticket for Photos customer service is the worst. No phone number to call no Technical Support I am looking to return this product.

[@arrowdemon2638]

Good to see you back!! Got a lot of great info from you back in the day.

[@eatthisvr6]

how fast is the eye tracking on the crystal? is it fast enough to track rapid glances?

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

So I know the PiMax has a passthrough camera, but you have to hit a button on the headset in order to get it to work. My question is will it work with Reality Mixer, a Steam app that allows the user to set boxes in VR that when you look there it triggers the pass through camera. So for example, that Logitech setup you were flying, with Reality mixer I can bring in my entire setup, Switch Panel, Radio Panel, Auto Pilot Panel and throttle quadrants into VR where I can easily use them in VR. It looks AMAZING on the dems I have seen with the Quest 3, can the Pimax do that?

[@PaddyPatrone]

How about people with a BIG nose? Will it fit? I have a 1st gen vive and its painful to wear.

[@zawiszaczarnysulima3700]

Do you suppose one could use TrackIR for head-tracking with Pimax Crystal instead of the head-tracking technology that comes with Pimax? Due to a previous accident, I have a bit less left-to-right head mobility, and being able to check 6 in a flight sim requires me to use the curve technology that makes TrackIR an absolute must-have in my case. Without the curves, I am not able to actually look directly at my 6, which, as you are aware no doubt, is a terminal problem in titles like DCS and IL-2. As far as I know, VR headset do not allow for curve settings and adjustments. To see 90 degrees to the starboard, one needs to turn one's head 90 degs to the right. To check 6, one needs to do a 180. Am I correct?

[@redrumcoke2363]

0:59 Sweviver, you work for Pimax now? I remember watching your VR videos, some 5 years ago, and was really appreciative of the indepth coverage and info you provided. Then, it seemed like you vanished! Good to see you're back. Hopefully, landing your position within Pimax has been majorly beneficial for you. However, I won't be able to shake a feeling of bias, even with your statement to the contrary. It's simply a factor of the human condition, that you will have even a subconscious, inate bias for your employer and I will have a conscious feeling that reviews will have a subconscious, inate bias toward your employer. Nothing personal, but no statement will change that. There exists a conflict of interest due to employment and likely profit sharing of some kind. Whatever Pimax was able to offer. Even reviewing or comparing headsets that don't include a Pimax HMD will feel skewed. As you're intrinsically linked to Pimax, their success and your employment. It must also be said that Pimax, being a Chinese company, doesn't lessen my feeling that you can speak candidly and freely. I'm surely not alone here.

[@mrbilginc]

Glad you came back SweViver. But sorry, no more Pimax's anymore. it costs a lot, so heavy, and no large FOV!

[@alexsp7086]

Heavy 😂 thing is not so heavy like everyone is making it out to be.

[@mrbilginc]

@@alexsp7086 It is very heavy like everyone is making out to be!

[@alexsp7086]

@@mrbilginc i don't think so i just got mine and i was expecting night vision style weight. its like a bit more over the G2 but hardly.

[@user-hd6pb6no4d]

I bought a powerhouse of a PC a month ago spending $6000 USD and after two weeks my G2 stopped working. Long story short, I tested it on my laptop and realized the cable must have gone bad. I decided again to splurge beyond my means for this Pimax and I can't wait for it to arrive. Love hearing good things are coming for it 😊

[@Flexium_GG]

did you get it? how has it been?

[@zubunapydaddelt6407]

I have got the HP Reverb G2 and loved it! Best HMD i ever had... since the Quest 3 was released^^ After many hours of playing with the Quest 3, i decided to make und upgrade on my PC: The 4090 was integrated and... well let´s just say the Quest 3 doesn´t really challenge the 4090. So i needed a new HMD: The Pimax Crystal. And damn! That´s some beast! I really loved my Reverb G2, but now it´s collecting dust on my shelf. Btw: I don´t play simulations of any kind pretty often^^ Once a year i play Project Cars or MS FlightSim. I´m more into shooter, RPG or Demeo and stuff. But what i need is a great image quality. The image of the Quest 3 is beautyfull! But Pimax Crystal is even better. You´re working with/ for Pimax? Is there a chance to get a thicker face cover? I´ve got the 15mm cover and it is slightly too thin for my face. I would need 20mm at least! Any chance? Or any article from other companies?

[@Savage_Viking]

Pass through is an important feature for me and I think I will hold off till 2025 before getting a new set. Headsets should be lighter, resolutions should improve and better refresh rates by then. Good stuff and great video.

[@leedove7255]

The best comparison would include the Quest 3. It is very high display quality and a great price.

[@ocularcavity8412]

I think it is the Glass lenses and display tech, not the minor resolution difference that are responsible for the Clarity glass lenses are FAR superior to plastic and QLED with diming zones if FAR superior to LCD

[@ANJIN79SAMMA]

Damn good to see you back 💪🏻

[@bakzetary3145]

Thanks for the useful and detailed comparison here. HP Reverb G2 user for the last 3 years. At 21 minutes in was what I was looking for and also reinforces my conclusion why I am holding off upgrading to any other product. (DCS and MSFS2020 are my main sims too.) However this Pimax unit has inched up to the top of my list lately especially if you will soon offer wide FOV lenses. (Now fix the battery snap-in/swap-out problem!) My I7-9700K and a RTX-3080Ti is not enough to get the full benefit of the Pimax product to justify a change at this time! I will upgrade when I see next-gen video card hardware; hopefully AMD is smart enough to make a superior 4090 product but with their more reliable power connector design, (VS the marginal 12VHP fiasco on the 4090!)

[@meer-cha4985]

the best take in this comment section!

[@alexsp7086]

Reverb is getting bricked soon. Because of windows mixed reality being removed.

[@Qhimadi]

@@alexsp7086 if you use win11 , yes, no pb on win10 which is superior

[@ClayJitsu]

love the comparison, thank you!

[@SmokeyMesa]

Great video. I've seen some great deals on the Reverb here in the US, so I get how this HMD is worthy of consideration for simmers on a budget. I hear Microsoft is "deprecating" WMR, this worries me about recommending the HP hmd. As a Index/Pico 4 owner, I'm not sure what this means for owners of WMR headsets, but I think I'd steer clear of a WMR headset.

[@b.s.7693]

MS will sustain WMR it until 2027 they said

[@Delver639]

If the Reverb G2 (v2) would be discontinued Today you could swap the XR Runtime software to SteamVR and use the G2 normally. The Mixed Reality Portal (the app) will be removed in 2027 but, like some other Microsoft deprecated/obsolete/legacy software, they (usually) only remove the app from Windows Update and future versions of the Windows ISO, but still provide the software as standalone from their support site.

[@jacooosthuizen3593]

I have a G2 headset and the only thing i can highly recommend is get rid of the defaul gasket and get a modded head gasket which improves FOV and that damn sweet spot! i just have the leather gasket stuck on and it makes a huuuuuuuge difference! So glad i have a G2. oneday when i upgrade my graphics card i can run games in SS 1.5 or higher which improved sharpness!

[@kyran64]

For clarity, there absolutely are ways to use the Knuckle controllers with the G2. Just 3rd party, not stock. Not that I particularly like the G2 (I have the ver1 with the defective cables and terrible cameras) but given how biased his preference for the Pimax clearly is, it seemed unnecessarily disingenuous to say that the G2 CAN'T.

[@WORLDGAMESETECNOLOGIA]

Good comparison, but the price of pimax products isnt worth. Actually, quest 3 is thw best choice for anyone around 500$.

[@diggler64]

This is a corporate version of "trust me bro" 😂

[@plazma1945]

Great review .. JUST make sure that critical things like what i mentioned are not LEFT up to "personal preference" and ignored anything that is a possible 👎for Crystal you flag as "personal preference" -colors and contrast (ARE AWESOME in CRYSTAL) -massive weight, and size (personal preference) - crystal is HUGE -fov .. (varies from person to person) - crystal is NOT much bigger than G2 -edge to edge sharpness - in preview you can see the edge blur of pimax crystal as well (mention that) -power pack... (its a pain) -support ( I am still getting messages from Pimax about my headset, which broke after 2 weeks, then i spent 2 months trying to return it... only to finally get it returned. and for SOME reason the Pimax team is still keeping my ticket open despite refunding my money already and keeps asking me for status. that is very bad internal management and support. ) so colors and contrast great, picture quality supreme, FOV / comfort .. nope.. my lil G2 is ok with that ;) ..

[@D-Day-fb3pw]

I still find it amazing that the Reverb G2 was so ahead of its time resolution wise, and with no screen door effect, and that its still talked about today given that it's primary competitors at the time were the Samsung Odyssey and the Lenovo explorer. Why HP never made a Reverb G3 is beyond me 🤷 cause it would've sold like gang busters 💯. My G2 is still my Primary headset (also see; my only headset, lol) Id like to upgrade, but the pimax is too expensive, and I don't like Meta so yeah, anyone on a budget looking for a great OG headset the Reverb G2 is still king 👍

[@Roy-qn2ie]

What a nice promotion video for the Pimax from a Pimax employee, i dont think anything positive was said about the G2.

[@DrR1pper]

QLED is LCD too.

[@loocius]

Your Comparing Apples To Oranges At This Stage. The Pimax Is Years Newer With Technology That Wasn't Available For The G2. I Bought My G2 For $400, Compared To The Cost Of Pimax.

[@d-wired]

Thank you for this comparison video! I really like that Pimax still evolves rapidly and now (finally) they bring out more robust and mature products. However, once you've got used to pancake lenses, thinner form factor and probably a more comfortable headset, it's hard to pick up a mammoth-headset like the Pimax variants. For me: Comfort is #1, Edge to Edge clarity is #2, Resolution is #3, Tracking #4, Price #5 @SweViver, you didn't mention comfort in the video? What about the weight? Personally, I will wait for a configurable headset like bigscreen beyond (dual micro oled panels at 2560x2560) with pancake lenses where you can adjust IPD and use a ordinary rigid headstrap. The cost for a device like this would be secondary.

[@chotus69]

It would wanto be for the price lol I'd rather just grab 3 quest 3s myself since crystal doesn't have the 170° no more so it's slight fov it has with the wide lenses over the quest 3 I don't see the point sure crystal is clearer but 3 times the cost difference no way

[@salazarbernardo]

Still too expensive and way too big of a form factor for my taste.

[@toututu2993]

Quest 3 then

[@gaminginstilllife9429]

Im scared that the tracking will not be as good as my quest 3... but i really want a real PCVR headset for 699

[@alexandergrobe16]

Microsoft just posted that Windows Mixed Reality is deprecated and will be removed in a future release of Windows. This deprecation includes the Mixed Reality Portal app, and Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR and Steam VR Beta.

[@mich5528]

SERIOUSLY? With no replacement? M$ can be so lame…

[@shabanimakiwa]

I currently use my quest2 with MSFS2020 and obviously it’s nothing compared to the Crystal. The quest2 has a large form factor but the crystal even larger which is keeping me from making the decision to upgrade at this stage even though the crystal is much better. I’m hoping there’ll be a similar headset to the big screen beyond headset which doesn’t need base stations but more or less have the same form factor, ideal to use with MSFS2020. Maybe Pimaxx is working on something like that? Would be nice.

[@darthmelbius]

Is using SteamVR optional?

[@stoni]

man legendary sweviver the years went by and i look like you now lost all my Hair :D hope you doing well.

[@TheBigb1973]

Nope, quest 3.

[@bjrnchrstn]

Don’t forget to tell people need an rtx4090 to get maximum out of the pimax.

[@jamiesalmonsculpture8599]

Obviously it's going to be a massive upgrade from the antiquated G2. It should be though as it costs about 5 times as much here in Canada. Add to that the $8k beast pc you'd need to maximize it. Yeah, it has a 72 hz mode, but it's hard to justify an expensive purchase and then have to dial it way back 😢 Motion smoothing sounds a bit sketchy still as well. Can't live without that......HMDs need to well south of $1000 for most to be honest. Enthusiast means mega serious $$$$$ in gaming now, I guess 😢😢 Seems like you're also Gaslighting us over those wide FOV lenses. They haven’t been reviewed well yet, but you're ignoring that small fact. PIMAX NEED TO MAKE A GOOD HEADSET THAT GOES IN THE PRICE RANGE OF THE G2. THAT'S SORELY MISSING EVERYWHERE. YOU'D HAVE A WINNER THERE.

[@Balthazar030]

There is no way to buy something so expensive even to do my hobby which i love which is flight simulation. Unfortunately for as long as the companies have customers who are willing to pay this ridiculous amount of money just to play games, prices will not go to normal levels. They ask 2K for crystal and you need another 7-8K min to have the right rig and peripherals for having good experience. If you include the needed SW too you go up to 10K. For the same amount i can go and have private pilot license and have the ultimate experience!

[@kennethmkirschprofessional267]

Good luck simply connecting it! After 16 months, it decided to not connect easily anymore! Ridiculous!

[@johncamp5737]

Windows Mixed Reality makes me not want to use the Reverb G2. I gave mine away.

[@dougsmall3436]

I placed an order for the Crystal on 02/14/24 & so far, I have to say I recommend against it. Not because of the product, though, because I've yet to receive it. For the first 4 days, the order never even showed up in my account even though the money was transferred from my bank account. Then, on the 19th, it was corrected & I was told it hadn't shipped yet because they were out of stock, but they would find another warehouse to ship from & I was told it would be shipped in 3-5 days. Today is day 5 & my account says it's still processing & not shipped. I'm waiting until Monday to contact them again & if it hasn't shipped, I'm cancelling my order & getting my money back. Until they get a bit more sophisticated as a company, I can not, at this time, recommend this product.

[@kennethmkirschprofessional267]

Just as well. After 16 months, it suddenly stopped connecting. The software is so amateur and cheap. You dodged a bullet!

[@lassmirandadennsiewillja3943]

The g2 just lost WMR Support and it will disappear from windows. WMR was never good at all. Pimax is total chaos. They annouce the 12k QLED while trying to sell their current HMD with their "up to 800$ trade in" trick. Bad marketing, a lot of delay on everything and so on. The standalone mode (the reason why you have to deal with batteries) is still not working. i would not buy any of them. ill wait for the somnium vr1.

[@Popesta]

Leaving out the obvious comfort weakness of the pimax just goes to show that this is a sales pitch and not a fair and honest comparison. Its big, Its bulky and moves around with sudden movements and not a single comment on this. Regardless of your face shape this is an obvious flaw of the pimax and one that deters VR enthusiasts from going to the pimax. Pimax will not last much longer with its form factor. Especially with the bigscreen beyond which ticks all the boxes. FOV is not as big a selling point as what Pimax has banked on

[@jacobside2656]

For the clarity that the crystal gives, I'm willing to pay the price. With the amount I wear a headset, I don't want the eye strain from the screen door effect of other headsets anymore

[@willcorg1979]

Anybody wanna buy my HP Reverb G2? 🤣

[@XSI5]

I know Crystal is superior in many aspects, but you don't mention weight, size and confort, which for G2 is way better. Totally biased video.

[@PaddyPatrone]

just to expensive to justify

[@johnmichelly8051]

G2 is great.... till the flawed usb 3.0 controller chip design overheats to the point it fails with 1.4 errors , windows not recognizing the device correctly, and finally, a quick and unceremonious death. You are duped by hp and forums to buy another cable and finding out you did not solve the issue. All that after only 2 years of light flight sim use, and conveniently (for hp) out of warranty Is not a matter of if but when guys. Beware. If you get tech like this do yourself a favor and buy extra warranty time.

[@thedrewh10]

Yes it’s worth it. You can clearly see further away.

[@Dg-zj6jo]

very big

[@davewills6121]

No its not, until the development is lifted out of its stagnant state, tethered, large and bulky......in 2024, its just a cash grab. VR is also Blind-Man simulator, with users funbling around trying to find the switch or button, c'mon VR......wake up, you haven't evolved from the CV1, and yes i have a G2, which hasn't been used after completing ALYX, wcich was awesome as the premier VR title.

[@crimmy0204]

you have to hate your self to buy a pimax.

[@radstandardracing2945]

YUP YOU ARE BIASED, you intentionally omitted to mention: Price!! Confort!! Buggy software!! And after sale expenses where there’s a world of a difference!! Although the crystal is a better headset your supposed none biased video leaves a bitter after taste!! But I guess you can’t help it. You work there !!!

[@attilassimcorner5277]

I have Pimax 8KX and is total shit, build quality is utterly crap, this was my first and last I bought from this crap company.

[@enlacecomunitario]

I have 8kx and now Crystal and is a good improvement on quality and graphics

[@mich5528]

@@enlacecomunitariosame here… 8Kx has wider FOV though 😊

[@melvinf78]

Pimax 8KX have given me so much fun that no other headset could even come close. Really looking forward to their 12K, so that I would not have to struggle between FOV and PPD.

[@mikemace7774]

Using a G2 for a couple of years and with lots of tweaking including OpenXR i believe the image you are displaying for the G2 is not representative of the G2 of today. Not saying the Crystal is not better, just saying it’s an unrealistic visual. I would love to have the fidelity improvements of the Crystal but the compromise required with respect to price, weight and unnecessary battery (for me) means I am not likely to upgrade with the current version, especially with the promises of some new VR models debuting this year; Bigscreen Beyond, Varjo XR4, Somnium VR1.