ORIGINAL VR Pimax Crystal vs HP Reverb G2 review

[@plazma1945]

THIS is my Opinion and experience: some folks use and LOVE the PIMAX Crystal - it did not work for me, bad batch? maybe but it speaks to the quality control - I have NOT had a single bad reverb g2 from HP, they work great and have a build quality twice as good as the crystal.

[@WhatsupAbroad]

Hello, I'm Josh from Pimax. I'm sorry to hear about the delay on your refund. Can you provide me with your ticket number so I can pull that up and get it fixed for you? A few minor notes btw. We no longer ship units that way. USA, EU, UK, AU, JP and Canada are all serviced by local warehouses now. This started several weeks ago to avoid the issue of import duties. Also the XR2 isn't a cell phone component, it's specifically for VR devices and it is integrated. We have a new breakdown video you can watch actually. Kinda cool. Anyways I'd like to help you get your refund situation fixed. Please hit me back with that ticket number and I'll get it done ASAP.

[@WhatsupAbroad]

An order number will work too btw.

[@scottmcfarland9965]

I bought a Crystal a month ago, I already returned it and went back to my Reverb G2. I only DCS in VR and don't VR in other games really either. Similar experience as you.

[@plazma1945]

@@scottmcfarland9965 hey get open xr toolkit it's great I figured out you cause it to boost Colors makes reverb look colourful and punchy in dcs

[@scottmcfarland9965]

Ty for the info. Will give it a try. Be well.

[@RonniePeterson]

Had my Pimax for several months now and it is phenomenal. Set up and worked from day one. Guess I was just lucky but I would recommend this headset to anyone who plays VR games seated. It does not feel heavy and is comfortable to wear. The only minor issue is initial fogging of the glass lenses but once warmed up they are perfect. Worth every penny. Last but not least I am using this in combination with a bog standard RTX 3080 and the image and fps obtainable is just stunning.

[@swe-timberwolf3642]

Thanks for the heads up, I was thinking of buying one. But it is probably a good idea to stick with my G2 and wait for something better.

[@plazma1945]

yup.. wait it out.. its nice.. but its not MUCH wider, and its REALLY expensive. its not worth the 3x price of G2.. maybe 2x price.. maybe if it is under 1000$ consider it. Love my G2, its light. doesnt make my neck hurt and i can turn neck to check six

[@wickfut-racing]

I've returned two Crystals so far. Not getting another. Will probably go for an Aero once Amazon return my refund. Lucky I kept my Reverb. Still a great headset.

[@plazma1945]

Reverb!!! What was wrong with your two crystals? I still didn't get my refund.

[@wickfut-racing]

@@plazma1945 first one, right side lens had severe blur/doubling defect. The second one was fine for near a month then just before my 30 day return window was up become difficult to connect to the PC. It'd take like 2-3 minutes of power cycling and pressing on/off on the headset before it'd finally connect. My eye tracking started to not be found, removing the lenses and reseating them didn't fix it. As it wasn't doing this previously I thought it best to return it while I could rather than deal with Pimax support , who take 5 days to reply to everything. it also had other things like the audio sync, which got made worse with the latest firmware update. I've owned a lot of headsets. I've had more issues with a Crystal than I had with every other headset combined. I bought both from UK Amazon. The first took 1 month to refund to my account. My 2nd has been delivered to Amazon but not had any confirmation email yet. I wouldn't have bought the Crystal if my only option was via Pimax store directly. Good luck with the return. Can't you do a chargeback on your credit card ?

[@er3bor323]

I agree with you 100%. Thanks for the review.👍

[@sezaiturkmen9561]

I decided to return mine as well. I think I have a defect one as the warping or barrel distorsion is terrible. Terrible depth perception.

[@plazma1945]

If you notice it you notice it no way to unsee it

[@fansaaap]

Shame to hear you have such a bad experience, i got mine like a month ago and so far everything is working fine. Its a bitch to setup properly when your new to VR (software packages PIMAX/OpenXR/PimaxXR/Quadviews/XRNecksafer) but now its running im loving every minute. The USB hub is poor quality and mine didnt work properly but after an email they send me a new one so pretty happy with support so far.

[@plazma1945]

Sounds like it's a hit and miss. I really wanted to like it, but it died and when I asked pimax for a swap and waited for week/s I said to heck with it

[@Taipan303]

Shame you got the bad batch, I took on the Pimax lottery and got lucky. I did need to buy a new USB Hub to prevent power issues though (and you can charge with the USBC port). Battery never runs out now. But it took sooo much work to get the Crystal and settings where I'm happy with them. Including the poor comfort and having to make after market mods to the straps. In the end it's the only thing that can give me full clarity at 90fps via QuadViews. Thankfully I'm tall enough it doesn't hit my headrest either, but damn I wish it didn't need all that battery stuff it was a pain.

[@plazma1945]

Heya yup, Iglad yours is working (knock on wood) and have had great feedback from two guys I fly in dcs and I was stocked and was gonna convince myself to keep it despite being heavier. But when it broke and supper was lacking and I had to send it back to Asia, and a replacement to be sent to me first to use was not possible I said screw it. It's a great picture , is it wider, a little bit yeah compared to g2.. Maybe I would have gotten used to it. Does your face get red and warm when you use it?

[@Taipan303]

​@@plazma1945in terms of wider I think the vertical FOV is more noticeable if you dogfight. You'll be rolling when someone passes you so looking up as they pass over your head or checking your 6 when sideways it can see more. In terms of red face the default "comfort foam" is like sandpaper, it's crap. I replaced it with the stuff recommended in the comfort mod thread in the unofficial Pimax Discord. However since I added HonsVR prescription lenses I've had to add some foam to fit them which means I have to crank it a bit tighter. I don't get hot surprisingly probably due to air conditioning on, but can get red marks. I think Crystal is like a prototype for new technology and feel like 2024 someone will release a new headset with the good features that the Crystal showcases without alot of the problems. So for yourself if you've got a refund and can wait maybe 2024 can offer something better.

[@l8knight845]

Great video. Im waiting for the 2024 headsets before upgrading

[@plazma1945]

That's the vibe I'm getting too. Another year and new gen will be here. Ps repost & check my other tech videos on that playlist! 👍

[@l8knight845]

@@plazma1945 the Sominium VR1 looks pretty promising. Pricing will be key.

[@British_Dragon-4K-Simulations]

Thanks for the review! After switching to an OLED monitor I'm not sure I could go back to my Reverb G2, so I just fly with TrackiR now. I was hoping the Pimax Crystal with the OLED panels was going to be good but it looks to damn heavy and comfort is really important for me when I play for four hour sessions when I can. I just checked and I think I would also hit the headset on my chair as well. I really dislike the ringed circle lenses on the Reverb G2 and I wanted a headset with the option to lower the frame rate to 60Hz and approximately 70Hz to 80Hz. The perfect headset for me would be inside out tracking (so I could use it anywhere with ease)and the option for Base Stations, OLED display with clear lenses and options for multiple frame rates I.e. 45Hz 60Hz 72Hz 90Hz 120Hz, light, small and comfortable with decent software that works and is easy to use. Works with and without my PC so I can take it to peoples houses to introduce more people to Virtual Reality. The Pimax Crystal came so close! :(

[@plazma1945]

i think we are a year or so away from more headsets like crystal but smaller lighter and easier to use. the whole battery pack is a useless burden for those who play flight sims and vr games on pc. i mean yes the quality is awesome in the headset the panels are way better. but i used to tweaks to boost my colors and contrast in g2 now.. have you used vr toolkit for open xr? for this purpose

[@nialball9023]

@@plazma1945 I have the Bigscreen VR on order, hopefully it'll be here before Christmas. I also have an OLED monitor so the Bigscreen VR should be as good as that - all reviews that I have read so far are all good.

[@plazma1945]

@@nialball9023 oooh awesome ok definitely post your experience vs reverb g2 when you get it!

[@pyroscot]

Glad I went from the G2 to the Varjo Aero, serious quality all round.

[@plazma1945]

Crystal is heavy, heavy. Ps how's the field of view and sharpness g2 vs aero I heard it's only a little wider but a bit shaper too and contrasty

[@pyroscot]

The Aero vertical FOV is slightly smaller, the horizontal FOV is far better, around 102 degrees with my IPD. Clarity is outstanding at 39ppd and its right across the lenses. Build quality is on par with the G2 just quality attention to detail. I would buy again and recommend mate.

[@MCP2002]

​@@pyroscotIsn't it 35 PPD peak? Either way, I've heard great things about the Aero minus the Vertical FOV.

[@pyroscot]

​@MCP2002 no buddy its 39 in the Varjo Base software.

[@MCP2002]

@@pyroscot Nice! If they don't announce a new one of 11/27 I think I'm going to pick one up, though my G2 has been great.

[@WarbirdsVR]

Yup, sold mine and kept my qpro. It's huge, hard to get it to fit and find/stay on the sweet spot and had terrible chromatic aberration. Not a good time at all.

[@plazma1945]

👌It is pretty darn huge, how does quest pro compare. Resolution wise

[@WarbirdsVR]

Crystal has the pro beat resolution wise by far, buuuuuut with the pancake lenses of the qpro the crystal starts loosing fast. Edge to edge calrtiy on the pro is amazing. Just throwing on the headset without having to adjust it is great. You can actually look arouind with your eyes like you would in real life. It literally is a game changer, not in the way that we always hear it but in the way that it changed the way I fly and play DCS. And with eyetracking through quadviews it's even better. I know some people love the crystal and I'm stoked for them. It's still great to have options and compatition to help drive the future of VR foward, but I really think people shouldn't sleep on the qpro for flight sim. @@plazma1945

[@kangjames2492]

Crystal wins

[@algroyp3r]

You're not wrong, but I'm quite happy with mine anyway. The visual quality is a huge upgrade from Pico 4. I have not noticed the barrel distortion at all. The edge blurriness is there and can be annoying, but you use that area for peripheral vision anyway, and most competitor headsets would have nothing there. If you position the HMD in the right spot on your face, the distortion is only at the very edge. The comfort and weight are bad by default, but I got an aftermarket head strap for $40, and it makes it quite comfortable actually. I can swing my head around just fine now. You do need to learn to set it up on your face in the exact perfect position for this to work though. The eye tracking enables the use of foveated rendering, which boosts the performance a lot for essentially free, and you know you never have enough fps in DCS. The quality is definitely an issue, mine works fine, but if you're unlucky, it would be a huge pain to deal with return/repair to China. The build quality definitely feels subpar. Hopefully it will survive long enough so that I can trade it in for the 12K :) The biggest problem for me was the thin default face pad, which made my eye lashes touch the lenses. I had to pad it with velcro tape. The thick pad is still out of stock. You should not have to deal with this for a $1600 product, both should be included be default imho, but it is fixable... It's far from perfect, but after some research, there are no other options that offer the visuals I desire. Aero has poor FOV, needs base stations, controllers, and doesn't work on AMD cards at all. VR1 doesn't exist. Bigscreen Beyond tempted me, but because of its limitations, it would only be useful for the flight sim, wheras Crystal is more versatile. I would only consider the Bigscreen as competitive, but with different tradeoffs. A perfect headset for simming doesn't exist yet.

[@plazma1945]

Indeed, I'm sad mine stopped working and I couldn't get another one in a reasonable amount of time. I was going to convince myself to keep it. The picture color and contrast were Awsome compared to g2. Glad it's working out, I think it's a case of it needing to be 999$.or 1599 but wayyy wider lol. With that size of the headset I was hoping it would be wider.

[@algroyp3r]

@@plazma1945 There is a black Friday deal RN with a modest discount. I also didn't pay any sales tax or customs in the USA, so it's not that bad. Well, if you look at the competition, I think the price is kind of right unfortunately... Headsets that cost $1000 have lower res or FOV, don't have controllers, and need external tracking. Crystal is also promised to have wireless PCVR when they release the wifi module for it. We need to wait a few more years for better options, the tech isn't there yet. Hopefully the whole VR segment will pick up thanks to Quest 3.

[@WhatsupAbroad]

​@@plazma1945Too bad you didn't get to try the wide FOV lenses. They increase your viewable FOV by around 10 degrees. It's quite a nice bump in FOV.

[@dtrjones]

I have the G2 and I decided that there wasn't any high-end headsets available worth my money, so I opted for a smaller upgrade to the Quest 3 with a view to buy a dedicated PCVR simming headset when the time was right. Varjo have just made all other headsets obsolete with the release of the XR4, which is being sold to consumers without subscription like the Aero and promises to blow your socks off! Crystal, what Crystal, never heard of it! 😂😂😂. All jokes aside, I'm glad Pimax are doing what they are doing, but I'm also glad we have Varjo to counter the Pimax brand.

[@plazma1945]

Need more time with crystal dev. Maybe next version will be more stable at the qa level. Speaking of that how's the quality in q3 vs g2

[@agoodfriend45]

The Varjo will not make other VR headsets obsolete, and definitely would not even come close to the consumer market at such an astronomical of $4000 plus a subscription fee. Other more affordable headsets will improve with each new role out at a much larger consumer support.

[@user-spv96x3x7i.4kc]

crystal the best vr headset i ve ever used! bought from amazon for 1500 euros...

[@plazma1945]

I may try it to again once Amazon in Canada has it , I willl not order it from pikas via china again though. What I s the return and exchange policy on the Amazon bought head set ?

[@CubPilot84]

Could fit better, could have better build quality and definitely better quality control for folks like you. That being said, I hope people are handy with a screw driver haha... DMAS is awesome! The chromatic aberration is not even a factor coming from the Varjo Aero where it was horrendous. I am fortunate my Crystal has been working flawlessly. The weight hasn't been a factor for me but this is likely a function of ones specific neck muscles. Every time I put the Crystal on, I smile and I cannot even put this headset in the same bucket as the G2. If you care about visual fidelity, the Crystal is 2nd to none for the money. I do feel your pain but I think it's important for folks to hear success stories as well and I hope that batch was the end of these particular quality control issues.

[@plazma1945]

I'm. Glad it worked for you. I was frustrated about mine failing so fast and lack of support. If you get a good one, you're set. But sigh. Yeah. I was hoping for a.new toy for.christmas so I ordered in September 🙄. Maybe next year.

[@m0rph3u5.]

This review aligns with multiple users and confirms the poor quality control and of course Pimax being an unreliable manufacturer and designer for all that matters Thanks for the review. Why wouldn't you go for the Aero?

[@plazma1945]

I wanted to keep inside out tracking, as I have limited Space and it seemed like jump to crystal was more improvement vs aero. It's just so heavy, maybe I would have gotten used to it, but after four hours my face would get red. Lol... Plus it broke before I could convince myself and get rid of my g2 lol

[@m0rph3u5.]

​@@plazma1945 lol at least you have a Reverb G2, I am still holding on to my Index, missed the train for the G2. The Crystal looks great on paper Specs-wise, but what put me off (other than the horrible reputation of Pimax and their dreaded quality control) is the silly useless battry for sims and to me as well inside out tracking (since I have valve echo system). I would've gone with the Aero if it wasn't for the horrible vertical resolution. The beyond on the other hand, has more negatives than positives. I am counting on Valve Deckard or Pico 5 if there is one.Somnium V1 is too good to be true and will likely be a scam

[@plazma1945]

@@m0rph3u5. deckard may be IT fingers crossed g2 works and I'm happy with it. Figured out I can use open xr toolkit to boost Colors and contrast sooo much prettier now

[@British_Dragon-4K-Simulations]

@@m0rph3u5. Yeah the Somnium V1 looks a bit dodgy to me as well.

[@m0rph3u5.]

@@British_Dragon-4K-Simulations I had high hopes initially but the fact that they opened preorders or "reservations" when they haven't even shown any prototypes other than the box with glory holes or "stationary prototype" which doesn't count at all,.. every video update has the HMD blurred/pixelated like they are genitals,. ..oh and the announcement date that keeps getting pushed back, last time, Artur said they would announce something in October, and we're nearly in Dec and nothing yet.

[@dioude6745]

I have a Crystal, G2, Quest2 and Quest 3 Used the G2 only for sims (tracking is horrendous) Quest 2 everything else Got the Crystal since July and never used G2 since.... Crystal is blowing everything else in terms of visual and sound Will soon return the Quest 3 (massive screen door effect and poor battery life) i'm still using Quest 2 for shooters and fast pace stuff

[@plazma1945]

ok thats really good news i have a fellow in the squad who got the Crystal and loves it.. i have another one in squad who sent crystal back and got Varjo

[@nicholascote]

Hello Mister. I call my Pimax too week ago, and I dont ave the 250$ on the door and is come from Amazon center in Ontario. Is coming in one week

[@plazma1945]

Hey that's Awsome I could only order it from pimax. So mine came from China. What is the warranty from Amazon, can you return to them if you are not happy or it fails? If that is the case that's Awsome!! I hope it works good and you enjoy the Awsome quality of image! It looks like great.

[@nicholascote]

@@plazma1945 I didn't buy it on Amazon but in China, but I received it from the Amazon center in Ontario, so I don't know about the warranty and I didn't have time to play the game, it's just I've had it for two days and I work outside so I dont use now.

[@WhatsupAbroad]

​@@plazma1945We no longer ship them from China. We started shipping them from local warehouses quite some time ago.

[@kangjames2492]

Its is built way better than the G2. The G2 feels like a toy compared to rje crystal!! Im not sure how you can make the claim you did

[@plazma1945]

i think its heavier, yes, is it built better. not quite, controllers cables, update and charge cable positions are not ideal, straps and weight is not even --- ITS NOT a bad headset.

[@kocobeanie]

You piad that UPS guy how much moneY? Sure it wasn't some dude that was like Yo dis package urs but you must pay the tax!

[@plazma1945]

Lolol No it was legit it was a duty charge. It's a Canada thing. Hehehehe