Pimax Crystal vs Triple Screens: A Flight Simmer's Take

[@robertoates7452]

Mixed reality using passthrough video is the future. Gives you the depth perception of VR with the ability to see your controls.

[@harlont]

This!!

[@manic1173]

Agree espesh if ur only going to fly 1 aircraft with that cockpit outside the headset.. do it right…

[@MikeSwanberg]

There really is no magic bullet. Setting up passthru is a nightmare (plus you have to have the RIGHT headset for it) and then if you don't have ALL the controls you need (a COMPLETE cockpit model), you end up having to turn it off now and then to use the virtual cockpit. I find this to be the case... I have a bunch of control panels, but the number of buttons and switches is still a lot fewer than in a full cockpit. No-VR allows you to have the tactile feel of your controls -- but then you have to buy all those controls and configure them (a nightmare unto itself)... and then you're kind of locked into the plane you've modeled. In VR, you can fly any aircraft and have it be immersive -- but then you lose the tactile sensations and peripheral vision (and FPS and several other things). As for me, I take probably the dumbest approach... I use VR, but keep a gap by my nose so I can look through it to push buttons and turn knobs. I guess until the Star Trek holodeck is real, we either have to compromise or go fly real airplanes.

[@JmaK17]

I saw a recent video I think it was a test of the upcoming VR1 where they had a full F18 cockpit that looked awesome in MR

[@EbonySeraphim]

This is probably true, but we’re still a ways away and VR tech investments are slowing down.

[@daryldavis9744]

Very fair review. My limited experience with VR gave me the closest experience to actually flying, but not sure I would want to wear it for hours on end.

[@g-locmedia]

I think the day will come for that but just not quite yet. The rate at which tech is moving though, it won't be long.

[@Wilem35]

Many retired folks wear them all day long while riding there DOF motion rigs. Not an issue at all.

[@EbonySeraphim]

Great video. I wanted to add as someone who had a Pimax Crystal for a few weeks, attempting to see if it made sense to transition away from my single 43" 4K monitor +TrackIR (though with a monitor arm that puts that screen up close). I'm also primarily a DCS flyer: 1) Pimax Crystal itself was a huge problem for me to setup. I have a $450 Gigabyte mobo, Gigabyte 4090, and 5950x, and the Crystal could only work if I unplugged (not just turn off!) my main 43" monitor in favor of the 1440p one; and I had to lower the resolution of that monitor to 1600*1024. This was the conclusion after a substantial session with Pimax support, and I tested a bit afterwards. Even worse is the fact that some attempts to power on when you're "close but not quite" there, result in crashing the system hard. This is a non-starter for me as my flight sim PC is my main PC. Needing to set this up was a pain, and while simming having basically no resolution to use my PC as normal at the same time was a no go. This single-handedly is the reason I returned the headset. 2) Combat flight simulators (at least modern era) aren't all dog fighting making VR the clear winner. Reading and operating in cockpit instruments is a considerable part of DCS in air to ground attack, and BVR engagements, and even the Pimax Crystal is a clear downgrade from a 4K screen. It's more than acceptable in general, but it's far from trivial, especially in the F-16 for me. There are still small details that take effort and focus to see in the Crystal and that is immersion breaking relatively to using a 4K monitor. Further, using cockpit instruments is something "to be managed" with VR with DCS. Simply put, nothing really allows you interact with all of the different types of instruments outside of a mouse/trackball in a full fidelity DCS module's cockpit. All hand tracking solutions that are in mass production (PointCTRL is basically stopped) have a lot to be desired. At the end of the day, I am more than happy to have a similar setup to yours but with combat peripherals right in front of me that I can read clearly. I can still dogfight just great and immersively in DCS as I always have my headtracking on with that single screen. 3) Another thing I dislike about VR in general is just how disconnected you are from the outside world. I live alone, but still don't appreciate entirely being cut off from the outside world. The reality of most sim experiences is you have to do some things that bridge the gap: for DCS that's using SRS for radios; maybe it's game chat on a server; maybe you're OBS recording; for any game you have controls for accessing menus, pausing, etc; maybe you have a drink on your desk or want to be able to see texts messages when they come in. Maybe I have ADHD...lol. Point is that even if in VR you have all of the visual tools for the main object being simulated, you restrict your ability to use input devices your hands aren't constantly on, and can't observe anything outside of VR trivially. 4) A minor gripe about the Pimax Crystal even if the hardware worked flawlessly is that it warmed up in there. After an hour or so, the air in the googles got very warm and started the fog up the goggles making clarity suffer a lot. I doubt there's an enclosure that perfectly balances comfort, light shut out, and keeps it cool in there. Varjo Aero has an active cooling fan solution that probably needs to standard if there isn't great heat management for that volume in front of your eyes. Not to be all negative about VR: VR is actually cheaper and simpler to set up if you're considering what kind of panels/screens you'd get on top of basic HOTAS and pedals. You don't even need a gaming monitor. Rather than build major components of a pit, the pit is brought to you and you have flexibility for multiple aircraft/modules right there.

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks for such an insightful comments. Stuff like this is great to see from anothers point of view.

[@Ginuwine-kx2iv]

I love your videos, thank you for sharing. I got rid of my Crystal 5 months ago and went triple 55's because of your setup and never looked back until today. I got nausea as well and couldn't get past it, so no regrets here. I only do DCS and still working on getting my setup as clean as yours.

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks for sharing. Do you use head tracking like track ir or Tobii?

[@Ginuwine-kx2iv]

@@g-locmedia I use Tobi now had them both, about to try Beam tracker to see how it works. Having HOTAS multiple panels, and like you said the open space to drink and snacks is a the price I’m willingness to pay the a sacrifice of immersion and depth perception of VR. Did you build or by the table all your gear sits on?

[@bullit199]

I don’t understand why can’t you use your button box while in the VR headset. You can do it half by feel and half by peaking through the light leak hole near your nose. Seems like you could have sat in your triples setup with a VR headset. I agree with your points. Long term comfort, eye fatigue, clarity/picture quality, VR has pros/cons and triples has pros/cons. Good video overall.

[@g-locmedia]

Honestly there's no way I l'd want to use bottom boxes and G1000 by fumbling around and trying to peak through the VR headset. At that point I'd just rather use the mouse. Both setups for me have their advantages and disadvantages. I'm very fortunate to be able to fly with both.

[@Uglymug96]

It's really just something that requires acclimation and practice. I play F-14 RIO in VR in DCS, never peeking, and have gotten pretty good rattling off coordinates with a one-handed keyboard completely blind. Button boxes are very usable in VR. I also have a writing tablet to take notes in Open Kneeboard. Also you say you can check emails on your triple screens, but as I'm getting chauffeured around as RIO I like just looking out the window and appreciating the spectacle of VR when I have some downtime. Just looking at some gorgeous clouds - really relaxing.

[@g-locmedia]

@@Uglymug96 That's awesome that you managwe to still be able to use button boxes in VR. I can do it when in the combat sim but for GA flying in MSFS its way better witrh Triple screens and direct access to the G1000's

[@lvx4408]

Appreciate the wonder and emotion shared. many times flight sim channels can be very stoic...we can forget how wonderful this technilogy really is

[@pakkinen]

I use Vr mainly for car driving and it´s awesome, but I agree with all you said. When in vr, that´s it, you can´t drink a coffee while you use them, or as mentioned, use buttons etc and I can´t use the vr for too long, it gets hot, the glasses are heavy and I end up getting tired, while with the screen I can spend hours without effort. That is for me the main setback of vr as it is now. In a few years, sets will get lighter, have better resolution and be cheaper. Vr is still in its infancy.

[@g-locmedia]

💯 agree with you on that

[@iRageGGB]

I rarely comment on videos but for me, I play DCS. I've tried 2 different VR headsets (Reverb G2 and Pico 4), and then decided to go with GrassMonkey's "TrackIR" setup. I think VR has it's advantages in depth perception. But using TrackIR has the comfort advantage for sure. I picked up a Tobii EyeTracker 5 this week and it's so much better than TrackIR IMO, just not having the extra weight (it's not much) on my headphones is nice. VR is absolutely awesome for flying the Apache for the depth perception, but I'm willing to sacrifice some depth perception for comfort for sure. I don't have a crazy PC, 5800x3D, 3070TI w/32GB of RAM so VR performance was...rough for sure. But having to spend 3-5 minutes getting setup to just even start playing and then struggling to hit 60FPS with decent quality was a real buzz kill, made me not even want to play and even when I did play I could only play for about an hour or so before my forehead started to hurt and the headset got hot. I use triple screens, 27"x34"x27" and it's WAY easier to get into. I just start DCS and turn on the Tobii and I'm good to go, takes longer to load into a DCS Server than to get setup to fly for me, and that is what is better. If I went to triple 55" monitors and sat closer, with a Tobii tracker it'd be crazy and I'd play for even longer..which may or may not be a good thing. But you having this crazy PC setup, and basically the "top of the line" VR headset, and still struggling to get good frames just proves how much of a performance hog VR is; without much benefit IMO.

[@g-locmedia]

Yea the comfort issue is definitely something to think about. I do use the Tobii on the big GA Sim. For me the 55 inch is the sweet spot but jeez it takes up quite a bit of room.

[@yokoh691]

hear me out, quest 3, pass through , virtual desktop and you cave your cockpit inside VR ! i have a couple examples on my shorts, Russ barlow has some xplane vids on it. Id love to see your set up in MR

[@ricardoa1661]

i just caught Russ's videos on this 😮 this will be my path in the future

[@g-locmedia]

I have a look at this mate. Is the pass through resolution any good?

[@yokoh691]

@@g-locmedia with the correct lighting it is and records well within headset

[@g-locmedia]

@@yokoh691 thanks. I'm going to look in to this

[@yokoh691]

@@g-locmedia I can’t go back to playing none MR! Quest 3 and reality mixer! Can’t wait to potentially see you do that!

[@benvanboom8907]

This is a good and honest review and as a former RL pilot and now flightsimmer I can follow your conclusions….thye are just fine. Maybe you allow me to put something against it that can help pilots in doubt to make the right choice. I use the Varjo Aero fVR headset for sight and a Bose headset for sound and never fly with a screen anymore, I have had a cockpit and beamer, things as MCP, FMC, overhead panel etc. But VR brings me closer to real flight because you are in the cockpit and because of the depth perception as you mentioned. I fly over 10 aircraft types actively, from modern airliners to old stuff and I am always in the right cockpit. You with your great setup and G1000’s are stuck in a few types. But sometimes I envy your setup and am in doubt and wonder if I should build me your kind of setup next to it, but I will never be as real as it gets in the right aircraft type anymore. I have a Streamdeck+ wich I use for autopilot knobs and my muscle memory is great…I am never searching for my mouse or the streamdeck. For getting the Varjo aero to work it is just plug and play…I only use a separate software program next to it to increase the virtual cockpit in size with about 30% (because the VR cockpits are too small. I fly sessions of max 1 to 1,5 hours and like short flights. But at fridaynight I fly in a group on Vatsim for sometimes 4 hours….the Varjo does not bother me at all during those long sessions.

[@g-locmedia]

This is an awesome comment. Thanks for sharing your insight

[@737sst]

What software to increase 30% would that be?

[@VRFlightSimGuy]

Thanks for the shout out at the end man. Much appreciated. I'll share this video on my Discord if that's ok? Take care.

[@g-locmedia]

Sure. All good to share. Thanks for watching through.

[@20turbo]

Amazing video. I have a Meta Quest 2 and a 49" ultrawide monitor with an electrically adjustable desk & monitor height arm. I've found that I get the most joy and excitement out of mixed simming. I do my take-offs, initial climb, descent and landings in VR due to depth perception and better immersion. It's all about what it is I want to do - aviate or navigate. VR is great for aviation as you can easily master muscle memory for a couple of buttons for flaps, gear and whatnot. For the navigation part of the flight I'll take off my VR headset and use a monitor. Having a sim G1000 really adds to the immersion and is something I'm looking to add to my setup. I have faith in mixed reality too, but it's so much more difficult to pull off.

[@g-locmedia]

I think mixed reality will be the future for sure

[@PerfectEuphoria2]

I love VR but with that insane triple monitor set up like yours I would prefer the triples too. Jaw droppingly cool sim rig.

[@g-locmedia]

thanks mate

[@seattime4075]

I've been testing a Q3 with InFuse VR and a 'touch' instrument panel(plywood sheet) with encoders/switches mounted to it in the position seen in the VR image. I'm really enjoying it.

[@DESHolden]

I'm intrigued about your plywood sheet with mounted encoders/switches combined with your Q3 & Fuse VR. Your channel doesn't show this, is it a pure DIY or is there a resource/link out there?

[@g-locmedia]

Does is feel quite accurate in the sim? This is really interesting.

[@seattime4075]

@@DESHolden It's super new, only got 'InFuse' working as I like this morning. Just the 'Hotas Warthog' and a few encoders setup at the moment for testing, but as testing went well, will now be expanding on it. More info on InFuse : kzbin.info/www/bejne/maeqqqFviaetb80

[@DESHolden]

@@seattime4075 Thank you

[@sniperp999]

Im just getting into flight siming and watching your videos is very helpful. One thing I'm wondering is what do you al have setup on your stream decks and would you be able to share that as well? I have the stream deck XL and the stream deck + and have been slowly adding things to help out but if you could share your profiles it would greatly help.

[@g-locmedia]

My system has changed quite a bit since this video and my profiles are always changing. I use stream deck for anything I can't dial in to the other electronics plus external and internal views.

[@albertod9092]

Was going to invest in a bigger monitor, but you just sold me on the Primax VR. Great video.

[@g-locmedia]

What size of monitor were you considering

[@albertod9092]

@@g-locmedia I’ve got a 32” Dell now, and was considering an upsize to 40+. They’re not cheap though est $1500ish, and at that price the VR option is looking more and more like a no-brainer.

[@TheCarDoc1]

Great video once again, makes me tempted to try the Pimax!

[@g-locmedia]

It is quite amazing but it does come with a lot of setup at the same time. I can see why some people might get frustrated but for Combat flight sims it's all worth it!

[@dan6131]

Another great video, thanks G-loc

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks dan

[@dank.1874]

Great comparison. Quick thoughts on Triple Screens: three 55" screens seems big to me. Two sided question: would going smaller size-say three 31.5" 2K 180Hz curved monitors be enough AND perhaps being 2K Would they perform better or just as good?

[@g-locmedia]

@@dank.1874 I used to have triple 32's and yes they perform much better. But they don't give the life size feel for me. To get that feel I reckon between 43-55 is needed. But that's a very personal opinion.

[@dank.1874]

Great. Thank you for replying!

[@garysmith8455]

Watched with interest but TOTALLY laughed my arse off when the bottle of beer appeared while flying. 😆

[@g-locmedia]

Makes the landing a little more exciting ha ha.

[@garysmith8455]

@@g-locmedia Yee-HAA! 😄

[@kcnd303]

The immersion factor of vr is what keeps me coming back to it vs screens. However, I still have an old 35" screen magnifier fresnel lens that I use sometimes to give a 3d feel to my flat screen monitor so it's kind of a best of both worlds situation. I wish someone had pursued affordable large collumated displays.

[@g-locmedia]

Now that would be something!! 😁

[@uneCENT]

Im aspiring to build a rig like the one you have built. Is your stanf still the flight sim pro with the custom built shelf? Which brand of g1000's did you go with?

[@g-locmedia]

Flightsimbuilder G1000's

[@karner1541]

It doesnt matter how big your cockpit and screens are, its still only 2d. Vr even the cheaper ones give you full depth perception. So for VR is the clear winner for me

[@g-locmedia]

There are many that sit with this opinion. I can fully understand.

[@bigbangerz5856]

I think you did a good and balanced comparison, good job. The Killer VR feature for me is depth and presence but as you say there are compromises it’s not easy access and you do need cutting edge PC hardware to pull it off. The other point (which you raised yourself) is DCS…. Is there anyone into flight sims that doesn’t have DCS installed? 😅

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks so much. This headset has changed my mind about VR. The depth perception gives you so many advantages

[@VRFlightSimGuy]

Very interesting comparison here. I loved your reaction too. Cheers!

[@g-locmedia]

Yea the video was a bit messy as I was trying to record all this for the first time as was getting a bit flustered with it. I'll never forget that feeling as I left the runway though. Insane.

[@VRFlightSimGuy]

@@g-locmedia Video came across great!

[@chrisjung5952]

Great video. Recommend a trackball mouse so you have it always in the same spot. I Velcroed mine right to my armrest.

[@g-locmedia]

That's a genius idea

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks for sharing that

[@Wilem35]

Didn't watch but after using VR in FS2020 for several years now when i downloaded the recent tech alpha of 2024 I did browse the interfaces and new features that worked but I was totally disinterested in flying without VR on my 4k display. It's just not comparable in any manner. I also have no problem using all of my peripherals including the X-Touch Mini for most of my MFD/PFD controls. My Opinion is that if you're currently having bad experiences in VR it's likely you didn't throw enough money at it! (-: The Pimax will likely replace my soon to be retired HP G2.

[@g-locmedia]

I somewhat agree with throwing enough money at it. I think its holding VR back from being mainstream but the costs of the tech are coming down. Imagine where it will be in 5-10 years

[@CessSim]

I am with you buddy. Prefer the physical cockpit over VR. Once mixed reality gets better though I reckon that's where it will change............

[@g-locmedia]

There's something about physical buttons and knobs that just feels better

[@mcorrive12]

I agree with this completely. Immersion in space is different than immersion in muscle memory. I wanted a flight simulator that I could train in the same way I fly in real life. That means real buttons I can touch, real knobs I can twist, a phone or a tablet as my moving map, no (minimal) mouse and keyboard, good peripheral vision, and the ability to move my head to look around by moving my head. I honestly feel like I get all of that in my triple monitor build (5 monitor if you include the touch screen instrument panel monitors). I've never actually flown in VR, but I'm very confident that if I tried it, I would miss having the ability to navigate the instrument panel with my actual hands. Not to mention, with Beam Eye Tracker I never have to wear anything on my head other than my headset. All this said, agree with the people saying that mixed reality is the future. That said, having never used one but from the outside looking in, I feel like they still need to reduce the bulk on the headsets.

[@g-locmedia]

I'm on board with everything you're saying there. How's the beam eye tracker?

[@mcorrive12]

@@g-locmedia I just installed it 2 days ago and only have a couple hours on it. The configuration was a 5 minute job. It's night and day from the hours I put into configuring HeadTrackNoIR a couple years ago. So far I like it a lot. It's cheap money, and you don't have to wear anything on your head. I will say, I like head tracking more than I like eye tracking. So I just tuned down the eye tracking.

[@mcorrive12]

@@g-locmedia That said, maybe eye tracking is better for a single monitor sim. But with triple monitor simming, I actually WANT to turn my head to look out the side window. So maybe that's affecting my experience.

[@g-locmedia]

@@mcorrive12 yea with the triples I have the er tracker only track head position and not rotation. Just a personal preference.

[@mcorrive12]

Seems like my response about Beam didn't go through. I've only installed it yesterday, but in configuration was an easy 5 minute task. That's a big difference from the hours it took me to get HeadTrackNoIR configured. So I give it an A+ for making a complicated enough piece of software very user friendly. I liked HeadTrackNoIR but I couldn't get it running on my new Zen5 Windows 11 build, so I switched to FreeTrack and was weighing different input options but I'm very happy with Beam. I wanted head tracking for cheap money without having to wear something special on my head. I knew I may have to compromise a bit in quality, but I was ok with that. I feel like I've gotten a lot of value from this setup for very little compromise.

[@UndeadParrot]

Yeah, the amount of "Why don't you get VR?" comments I get... :D For me, it's not just about the flight sim experience but also about building stuff and enjoying the stuff you've built.

[@g-locmedia]

I'm with you on that level. You still rocking the curved wall projectors?

[@UndeadParrot]

@@g-locmedia Yeah. Even if the image quality isn't as good as with screens, I like the immersion.

[@g-locmedia]

@@UndeadParrot I actually thinking of doing something similar. You're running two 4k projectors?

[@UndeadParrot]

@@g-locmedia Yes. I think a three projector setup would be optimal, but this one is good too. I'm using Optoma UHD35STxs, though only because they were the cheapest ultra short throw 4k projectors I was able to find. Biggest annoyance probably is that when living in an old wooden home, you'll need to recalibrate the warping occasionally. I'll need to some day figure out a way make a stand for projectors instead of mounting them on the ceiling.

[@Wilem35]

Yup, some folks also like to show off what they built and their flying, tough to do in VR.

[@stewartsstewart1089]

I love your review. I have 3 projectors and what you stated is true. It seems you loose muscle memory when using VR. I love your motion platform how, where, did you get it. I would enjoy getting my rig like that. It is true that pass through is necessary!!

[@g-locmedia]

This is the next level racing motion plus platform mounted on the rear with the rocker at the front. There's a 5% discount on my website g-locmedia.com but using that will give me a small affiliated kickback so keep that in mind. There are probably some other codes you can use if you do a google search

[@Deadsprayer]

you might wanna purchase the pimax crystal super at the end of this year mate, i agree that still using mouse and keyboard at times is still a very big problem for VR

[@g-locmedia]

Yea I watched the live launch the other day. Looks insane but what kind of power will we need to run it? Exciting times for VR though.

[@GhostLyricist]

I just have a basic triple monitor set up with 32 inch monitors and I still prefer triple monitor over VR. Wearing VR more than a hour just gets taxing wearing a heavy headset with no airflow. Not being able to easily interact with things in the real world is also an immersion killer.

[@brandonchappell1535]

Havent tried the pimax but VRs definitely an experience, i found tanking in dcs was much easier too, even in the tomcat with the crazy canopy bow. I find the quest 2, to be frustrating though, which has soured my vr experience, as it seems around 720-1080 clarity, a noticable step down from my 4k oled. One day maybe.. one day

[@g-locmedia]

If you have a crazy enough computer to run the pimax it's pretty amazing

[@brandonchappell1535]

@@g-locmedia would u say its close to 4k clarity? Currently have a 13700k/3090 but might look at 5090 later this year if not stupidly priced

[@g-locmedia]

@@brandonchappell1535 It can get pretty close. However, to do thst you need to run the headset at a high resoltion and downsample it. Doing this is extremely hard on the graphics card. I think if you can hold off for a 5090 then that would be the right choice

[@rmm9676]

You did not specifically mention the use case where the Sim is in support of Real World Flight Training. There the "open" sim environment of Triple 55" screens supports the recording of the cross country flight log details and building the muscle memories for the many tasks of real world flight. There is where the X-Plane Flight Model excels because the scenery is not the goal. I would propose a summation like this: Real World Training = 55" Screens + XPlane. For Pure Entertainment, Combat and Airliner flight, and where scenery is a key factor = VR + MSFS. Don't forget the high end Varjo XR-4 which has excellent pass through capability. Maybe Varjo will send you a loaned unit. Your careful, balanced and engaging reviews are the best.

[@g-locmedia]

Yea I agree with where your coming from with that. I think because I've never really used the sim for real world training, I never really thought of it. Thanks for bring that up. Great for other to see and thank you for you kind comments on my channel.

[@chrisbarryCA]

Respectfully disagree with this take, at least in the sense that XP > MSFS for real world training. To me, the argument that XP has a better flight model has always been silly considering that we are talking about a home PC flight simulator program. Even if you have really nice peripherals, absolutely nothing can really replicate the real feel of flying a real airplane, down to the feeling in the seat, the vibration in your fingertips, etc. On the otherhand, part of real world flight training (at least with GA) is the visual aspect of flying and using terrain, landmarks, buildings, etc. as a visual reference. In this aspect, MSFS destroys XP ten times out of ten. Yes, you can get expensive scenery packages for XP, but MSFS handles this out of the box. I have used MSFS to practice for real world VFR flights, and the visual accuracy is an incredible important concept. At my local Class C airport, the tower regularly gives approach and landing instructions that utilize visual references: "Report over the 91/15 interchange." "Turn base before the wash." With XP, these visual cues are not present or look way different than in real life. In MSFS, they look 1:1 real.

[@rmm9676]

​@@chrisbarryCA No one is saying that a sim is a replacement for real world training, what to say the tactile/sensory aspect. Training in checklists and procedures in all phases of flight, learning flight control inputs, scanning of outside and inside, and muscle memory does not bother about eye candy. Requires quality sim gear for sure but not necessarily the level of GLOC Media's Brunner equipped rig. Real world training with sim support definitely needs input from a qualified CFI to avoid negative transfer of learning. Regarding flight model, it is difficult to sort opinions from qualified sources. Where a valid test using a full suite of stalls is done with GA aircraft and done properly, XP prevails.

[@dave-j-k]

Great video, thanks. I'm struggling with this choice right now - I have triple 32" screens but the smaller size means I can't mount my touch-panels on the motion rig, my room is not big enough for 55" triples, my PC is at the limit for a crystal and would rely on DFR but I was disappointed to recently learn FS2020 does not use quadviews and therefore cannot run DFR. I have a 3080Ti so it will mean undersampling and lower graphics settings for me if I went VR. I too love the physical button aspect of FS but also love the depth perception and immersion of VR when I tried a Reverb G2 some years back.

[@g-locmedia]

It can be a difficult decision. Have you thought about a meta quest 3. Might be a bit easier to run than the pimax

[@dave-j-k]

@@g-locmedia Oddly enough, i'm just looking at the MQ3 right now...

[@dishdoggiegaming7254]

VR is a learning to train your brain to. Your Brain wants to freak out with it at first. Honestly the more time you spend it just trains your brain to stop relax and enjoy it. 2 or 4 hours is no issue after you use it for the brain training. However with all that gear like you say. It would be hard to say I'm okay with never using it because of VR. I only fly the DCS Uh-1h Huey and the Helicopter is so much easier and will Kill all 2D desire to fly it in anything then VR. Still like you say I never had my brain tricked so crazy with the hairs sticking up then with VR. We all know the Depth perception IS well known in Combat Flight Sim world. It was Fun watching your reaction because my Brain freaked out like you did. We all do and it is FUN. I never mind the Goggle or Diving mask feeling just because it's like the WWII goggles pilots used in my mind anyways. No one will ever Know what it is like when you set inside the cockpit of any plane or even car for the first time in VR. FUN VIDEO. FREAK OUT play resident evil in VR

[@g-locmedia]

Yea it is quite incredible. Resident evil might be a step too far for me ha ha. I'm loving the wwII fighters with it. Amazing!!!

[@Likes2fish-rk1kf]

Great video. I've had pimax crystal for two weeks and love it. If I use steam to record I lose ten fps. If I use pimaxXR I gain the ten frames but my screen to record is in portrait mode. How do you record in msfs

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks. To be honest I fumbled my way through the recording phase of this video. I really need to look at it deeper. You can see from the quality of my recordings as they are pretty poor.

[@davidmuir6849]

Don’t move your head so quick from side to side and you won’t feel queezy. Also I use a mini keyboard strapped to my right leg but I only use the pad for a tap or swipe . You can control every button switch and knob etc just with the pad

[@g-locmedia]

Interesting with the mini pad. I like that idea. Thanks for sharing

[@davidmuir6849]

@@g-locmedia yeah when it’s strapped to your leg you place your finger on the small pad move the curser without taking your headset off then swipe or Tap for a button switch or knob . I presented my vr setup at the SECC in Glasgow last year for Tayside aviation and it worked really well using the mini keyboard pad

[@Statementdogorginal]

If am purely after the absolutely highest realistic graphics in MSFS! What would give me the best result. Triple monitors or VR??

[@g-locmedia]

I say monitors

[@TGabrielTPOI]

get a tobii eyetracker for the triple setup and you won't miss VR's freedom of movement anymore

[@g-locmedia]

I have a Robbie eye tracker for the triple it's pretty good

[@MoleUK1]

If you really want your mind blown, try the WW1 planes in IL-2 in VR. Takes it all to another level.

[@g-locmedia]

IL2 was a real surprise for me in VR. I love it.

[@MoleUK1]

@@g-locmedia IL-2 has always been a blast in VR (except for the head movement restrictions imo), but the WW1 birds from the flying circus DLC are by far the best VR experience I've ever had.

[@g-locmedia]

@@MoleUK1 I'll check them out. Thanks for the recommendation. I haven't played IL2 in so long and VR has got me hooked

[@MoleUK1]

@@g-locmedia Don't sleep on VTOL VR as well. While it's not as visually stunning as all these others, it's a very impressive sim in and of itself. Though it uses hand controllers which takes a LOT of getting used to, once you do it does make sense why they went that route. But yeah, enjoy the flying kites in VR. They're a LOT of fun. You may want to try the helos in DCS in VR as that sense of depth plays an even bigger part in helos than in jets/props. Quite a few people who had little/no interest in helos got converted after switching to VR.

[@g-locmedia]

@@MoleUK1 thanks for the info I definately have a look at VTOL.

[@cuttheloop]

After 3 years with the Reverb G2, I hardly consider the Pimax CL the "best". Sent mine back after 2 days. HP really missed a great opportunity by jumping out of the VR space.

[@TheOtakuphill]

I take off and land in VR and cruise in monitor. I also use a button box and mcp in vr. You learn muscle memory for the physical buttons. VR is the best unless you have a level D sim

[@g-locmedia]

You switch into VR in-game? Are you on a single screen?

[@TheOtakuphill]

@@g-locmedia yes. I run a single 35” ultrawide, mostly used cruising long flights and playbacks. Takeoff and landing in VR is the best. I have a GA mcp, saitek radio, and button box I use while in VR.

[@TheOtakuphill]

@@g-locmedia I am considering building a fully enclosed home cockpit based on the phenom 100. Total immersion is the key.

[@g-locmedia]

@@TheOtakuphill very nice. Yes the VR for taking off and landing feels so good it's almost cheating lol. Nice setup.

[@g-locmedia]

@@TheOtakuphill now that will be a very cool sim setup

[@manic1173]

Am a Glasgow boy living stateside… I always fly in Scotland… maybe see u in the skies :)

[@g-locmedia]

Lol. I'm actually in Australia but yea I like flying back home every now and then

[@manic1173]

@@g-locmedia I thought u were down under.. Do u do vids on a driving rig? Good vids.. Maybe catch yah on for a flight.. I always fly in the highlands etc straight outa Oban I always use VR.. just me.. am gonna get a 6 DOF rig.. soon from GForce.. factory.. they look insane.. & not too expensive

[@tomc1380]

Pity you didn't test the Pimax Crystal with a rtx4090 gpu. AMD gpu's are not great for PCVR imho. Also, a 48-49in curved widescreen monitor with ir Head/eyeTracking could be a good alternative. Thanks for your interesting and informative video mate. Cheers.

[@g-locmedia]

Would have loved to test it out with a 4090. Although the big triple screens are running on a 4080 so it's somewhat comparable. Thanks for your kind comments on the video.

[@frozenmoment63]

And in vr you can be in really in the cockpit of the plane. In your'e case you are always in the same cockpit so second war planes will be a bit weird.

[@g-locmedia]

That's so true. Its easy to switch up planes in VR where as in the Triple 55" cockpit I'm kind of stuck to flying planes with a G1000

[@ianwilliams7740]

I wish you had tried the dCS helos like the Huey’s when you had the VR set…

[@g-locmedia]

I still have it for a little while yet.

[@Uglymug96]

I fly DCS Hueys in VR. I pretty much never play flat-screen so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I'd say it makes it pretty easy to determine how far you are from the ground and what your descent rate it. A lot less reliance on instruments. I also love the ability to swivel my chair around and talk shit to my door gunners.

[@BloodPlusPwn]

The amount of physical and mental fatigue from VR in a combat sim just isn't worth it imo. Add to it that physical things are harder to interact with like you said. I don't even have an eye tracker and I don't even use my VR most of the time because of that, it just ain't worth it. It's definitely immersive though, no doubt about that. That's my take though, if you're deep into the sim rabbit hole and haven't tried VR then just get a quest 2 and try it out man, because even if it's not my thing it's definitely SOMEONE's thing!

[@H.Despres]

Do this again on your motion platform!!!!!

[@g-locmedia]

I might do that. At the moment it's set up as a separate Sim but I think I might just do that.

[@tedwaetford]

you'll have to muck about setting up motion compensation when you use the motion rig with VR, otherwise your head will fly outside the cockpit😊

[@g-locmedia]

@@tedwaetford Is it pretty seemless with motion compensation. seems like it could be tricky

[@tedwaetford]

​@@g-locmediait is pretty tricky to set up and its not perfect, but without it its pretty immersion breaking as your head moves all around the place heavy pitch and roll. not so bad in MSFS as the objective there is to fly smooth with no more than std rate turns. DCS really needs it. I use virtual tracker

[@g-locmedia]

@@tedwaetford Thanks for the info. I have the NLR Motion Plus on the big Sim I know that the software does have a checkbox for motion compensation. I'll need to try t out that's for sure. Motion on VR would be the icing on the cake.

[@H.Despres]

This is what I do on a DOF H6….. very immersive

[@g-locmedia]

Wow. Adding motion to the mix would be insane. Do you have motion compensation with that?

[@H.Despres]

@@g-locmedia Yes I do with a Crystal and a 4090. I do X-plane and DCS. I’m finding that muscle memory works well for me and plan on a Flight Sim Gear G1000 setup as well in VR.

[@sk1llRaoh]

do you use DP to HDMI Adapters or how are the TVs connected ?

[@g-locmedia]

Yea you're right on. They work fairly well.

[@johnmann7o2]

Awesome video. But you haven't unlocked all of VR's tricks yet, try a motion sim like the yaw2/bass shakers and then do a video. I'm willing to bet you will never, ever, go back to flat.

[@g-locmedia]

I do have a Buttkicker pro sitting there. I think ill put it on. And thanks for the comment on the video.

[@johnmann7o2]

Actually you made your triple setup specifically for a KZbin business so I guess my point won’t stand, but if you didn’t, then I’m sure you’d prefer VR+motion sim with a wide range of motion.

[@g-locmedia]

@@johnmann7o2 I've had a triple setup way before I started KZbin. I think going back to the video I still prefer GA flying on the triples because I like all the tactile controls at hand and Combat flight Sim is definitely better on VR as I can have almost everything mapped to a hotas.

[@stubot-gameviewtech]

Pimax Crystal has the best visuals I've ever seen in a headset powered by my 4090, and at the same time , It's the worst headset I've ever worn and used.

[@g-locmedia]

Are you talking comfort wise

[@stubot-gameviewtech]

@@g-locmedia And build quality yes.

[@nickeh320]

what cpu cooler is it and what temps? and i thought you ha d a 4080?

[@g-locmedia]

7800X3D. it's running an aftershock cooler, I'd need to. Heck the model. Also @aftershockpcau supplied the PC for testing with the @pimax

[@nickeh320]

@@g-locmedia i have a 7800x3d and im i want a better cooler so thats why i asked also you had a 4080

[@sean.d7171]

I have moved from tripple screens to vr and vr is way better its not even close.

[@g-locmedia]

I think they both have their advantages and disadvantages. Can't beat the feeling of being in the air with VR tough.

[@sean.d7171]

@g-locmedia vr can be uncomfortable it can make people sick even. its very time consuming to setup its very expensive. But the rewards can be higher. I agree with your video how the comfort and setup of tripple screens is far better I hope they bridge the gap with pass-through cameras

[@rickl6697]

Hard to watch when you are constantly moving your head side to side and up and down. Much better when you were landing the Cessna and kept your head more steady.

[@g-locmedia]

@@rickl6697 thanks for the feedback mate. Appreciated.

[@blacknapalm2131]

*Unfortunately you need a 4090 to run that monster. That 7900 is not cutting it*

[@VanFS3K]

But its not "The best VR headset on the market"

[@g-locmedia]

What's your pick for the Best VR headset for flight sim?

[@ImDanger420]

good video but i disagree with your take. Pimax looks amazing and is much cheaper than your setup.

[@g-locmedia]

@@ImDanger420 for me the pimax is amazing in certain was especially in combat Sim but in GA flying I'll take screens any day. Although I can see that changing as things progress in VR. What Sims do you fly?

[@ImDanger420]

@@g-locmedia DCS so i have to move my head to keep eyes on target. I now see that there's not really a point to argue over personal preference. Nice set up and vid.

[@DOC187able]

Add a nice butt kicker and a stereo headset and your golden

[@g-locmedia]

I have the motion platform but agree, buttkicker is a great addition

[@vyacheslav_potapenko]

would be nice if you don't lie about "best" headset. There tons on a market for flight simulation, like Varjo, XTAL, etc..

[@g-locmedia]

What do you think the best consumer headset is?

[@vyacheslav_potapenko]

@@g-locmedia "best" doesn't exists, simply because people prefer one over another (based on characteristics). big screen beyond easily preferred over pimax for many people for colors and weight, have similar resolution as Pimax. So just don't say words like "best", just use construction - "one of the leader"

[@TJ-bx5px]

NO Varjo VR-3 is the best, it got 70-PPD.............. Pimax is only 35

[@g-locmedia]

I agree with that somewhat although I think it's more of a commercial headset. Could be argued that it would have been more of a comparison going on how much I've spent on the big setup. Thanks for sharing.

[@TJ-bx5px]

That's OK, but it's not the best, as ur statement in the video.. Problem whit VR are its not the same graphics clarity as monitors. Vr vil not be as good as monitors befor we have around 100+PPD VR displays.

[@ricardoa1661]

just sad you need a $4000 computer to run a $2000 VR headset 😒 i will stick with trackIR

[@g-locmedia]

It is unfortunately. This particular headset needs some real grunt behind it but at the same time the experience is a bit surreal.

[@j.r.linden9679]

You only need about a $2200 computer, and Pimax is releasing a crystal light for as low as $700 soon. The light will be the same screens, just leaving out features you most likely don't care about like all in one capability and a battery.

[@tickledhorse]

The only problem I have with flying VR in MSFS is the statics. They appear like paper cutouts and therefore ruins the experience. Until the game can adopt a far more, if not complete photogrammetric landscape, VR just doesn't lend itself good enough. Immersion doesn't work half baked. I would agree that it is quite an experience altogether while wearing the headset in combat sims. The statics aren't nearly as important as the flight model and the mission itself.