Pimax 8KX DEEP Review: Is This VR Headset Right for You?

[@robintaylor1490]

Just remember about the pimax 8kx deal that you can trade your 8kx system for the 12kx when it comes out minus the price of what you paid the 8kx .

[@theVRpilot]

Such a great point Robin, I should have mentioned that! For those interested in the 12k x this is pretty neat!

[@04dram04]

Thats if Pimax isnt lying about the 12x.

[@robintaylor1490]

@04dram04 kinda foolish not to take them up on it. It's a win win considering the price you can get them with the deals they've been given out lately 🤔 😉

[@911windfox6]

Hi, happy owner of the 8kx for 9 months (with a 3080). Couldn’t agree more on your thoughts and conclusions. The sharpness and clarity are indeed very good and on a very large sweetspot on top of this. The experience with Assetto corsa and DCS is outstanding, especially with the help of FSR. MSFS amazing as well, I can live with the culling (tiles which are disappearing on peripheral vision), even if it can be frustrating. With smart smoothing on, fsr running with openxr toolkit, -4 on brightness +2 on contrast, I have good framerate and clarity. I have to mention that it took me several days of fiddling with settings to obtain the super image and comfort I have now. (Had to put the thin face foam on and play with vertical offset settings)

[@theVRpilot]

Thanks for your feedback! It did require some tinkering for sure!

[@Killswitch1411]

Pimax 8kX works well for some people for me.. My IPD isn't in the sweet spot.. I'm a 60 ipd or a 59.5 and I cant get the HMD to be sharp if I move my head to left or right I get that sharpness but where my eyes sit its not the best.

[@rx06798]

Hi did you ever have issues of the headset not tracking right like staying on the floor view

[@CrowMancerMan]

This was a great review, as another pimax owner this video taught me I was wearing my headset wrong! The whole experience is way comfier now. Thanks!

[@VRFlightSimGuy]

Hell yes! Cannot wait for this 🤘👀

[@FWrulesful]

how is the pimax compared to the Varjo Aero?

[@VRFlightSimGuy]

@@FWrulesful I have a video on my channel comparing them both

[@OperatorPuski]

So after a year and some software updates how are you liking the 8Kx still? I am going to get one this week and take advantage of that full trade in credit towards the 12K probably late this year or next year.

[@rdwilander]

great vid and full explanation/review of 8k. Look forward to your review of the 12k

[@dathyr1]

Very good review. You covered all the great points and issues of the Pimax. Whether I get one of these to try, remains to be seen right now. i do have the Rift S and HP Reverb G2 V2 for doing SIM racing. I have MSFS but have never taken off in any of the aircraft yet. Being in the Air Force on C-130 Turboprop aircraft as a crew chief when I was younger, I have a little knowledge but very little on cockpit panels and how to fly.

[@karner1541]

Great video, just bought a used one. Lets go

[@theVRpilot]

Nice! Top 10 VR Questions Answered for MSFS 2024! - Is Virtual Reality Supported YES! kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6qWcoqagMiXiZY

[@ragingsamster]

Although it may be outside of some folks budgets, it bodes very well for future headsets

[@michaelwill5626]

Hi. Great review. You mention a convention in Orlando. What convention is it?

[@theVRpilot]

Hey Mike it’s called ITSEC. Mainly for the US Military to meet and see what companies have as far as hardware and software and other training solutions. Amazing experience. I explain and show a bit of it here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGrXaneVfatsrKs

[@kevinslatten9573]

I own a 8k+ and the picture is clear when its really close, and not so good further away. When i compare distance with other headset's, the pimax is only clear close. Is 8kx the same? I have compared with g2, quest2 and pro2.

[@JoTokutora]

My Laptop with the RTX 5000 150watts, can power the 8kx. But yes, in sim racing, anything from an RTX 2080ti and up will do. You don't need the 3090, sorry for the reviewer but disagree with his statement, however, having extra horsepower will allow for less dips on demanding scenes. But this is an excellent video, and great work!

[@theVRpilot]

Great feedback! Thanks for sharing, I think others will find this helpful. I agree the 3090 is not 100% needed, but does allow for extra room for FPS or a bump up in graphics especially in the two top flight simulators (my main focus, MSFS + DCS) which do enjoy the extra Horse power lol. It is good to know you are able to run this especially mobile. I have a laptop with 2060 and I am considering upgrading something to enjoy MSFS mobile, but not sure what way to go.

[@JoTokutora]

@@theVRpilot Not many mobile of the 20 series can properly run the 8kX, it still requires 150 watts- 200watts 2080's equivalent. Mine is more of a 2080 Super Workstation. However, the high wattage laptops with 3070s and 3080's should be quite good for most games, but not demanding games like Microsoft Flight sim. The GE76 3080 performance is quite similar to the 2080ti. But there is a difference when moving to the 3090/3080ti because you have more buffer to super sample. When supersampling there is no comparison to the lesser GPUs

[@theVRpilot]

@@JoTokutora I would be happy to run my reverb g2 lol

[@FWrulesful]

How is it compared to the Varjo Aero?

[@DS-ze7yc]

WONDEFERFUL REVIEW. I also own and spend a lot of time in the Pimax 8KX with a high end system equivalent to the above. I agree with nearly every subjective comment. The weight was a big issue for me until I decided to attach two pulleys to the front for seated apps (making it nearly weightless). There also counterweights that are available to add back-balance. I dont think it was mentioned that credit they offer for the 12K when it comes out (if ever). (Imagine if LG offered to credit your 4k toward an 8K tv). DCS does deserve its own video. MSFS committed to wide FOV support but frustratingly slated it for 2023 despite it being on of the top-voted wishes. DLSS is in the works for MSFS too (pray it works in VR). Also good games for Pimax = Dirt Rally 2, Elite Dangerous, Assetto Corsa Competizone, Subnautica (especially SubZero), Half-life Alyx. VORPx and Luke Ross Mods don't work properly yet but Pimax just confirmed they are working with Luke Ross!

[@DS-ze7yc]

Oh also consider the difficult part was getting index controllers and lighthouses and much of the cost was wrapped in those. So if you have those already it makes the barrier to purchase MUCH more affordable.

[@midnightrocker7]

Is this the kdmas or dmas version?, which one has better sound quality?, will most steam vr games work with the 8kx?

[@bogdanrotaru6101]

going large FOV dowgrades resolutions. How do I fix that? Whatever I do, whatever settings i tweak, ful 170 fov drops resolution comparted to 150 fov

[@rx06798]

Hi do you have any issues with the tracking like the headset showing up on the floor rooted to the floor ,this is why I haven't ordered another one

[@davechu5386]

Nice review! After using the 8KX, I felt that I cannot go back to my Vive, maybe I have to consider to get a Knuckles instead of Vive's touchpad.

[@DS-ze7yc]

Whats The background with the dripping rain?

[@theVRpilot]

This is a program from steam called Wallpaper Engine. It’s payware, but amazing. They have live scenes, like this. Other ones from Starwars, Anime, Cars, retro themes. It’s crazy. Also the Matrix background is another favorite. Only $3.99 and the community makes hundreds of not thousands of background to pick from, some are interactive with your audio, mouse movements, etc. Worth it!!!

[@DS-ze7yc]

@@theVRpilot thanks I now have a parallax depth desktop. LOVE IT

[@DS-ze7yc]

If you own one please push for Microsoft flight simulator support for wide FOV to be given higher priority. Currently planned (yea!) for 2023 (boo!) which is a disappointingly long prognosis.

[@adwbkk]

The most advanced, and yet, still unfinished, HMD available. Read the Edit below This company is unbelieveable! Have had my new PiMax 8KX for about a month now and during that time it has worked for about a week. The list of problems just gets longer and longer. Can not work with steam - Steam just crashes as soon as it sees the Pimax. Tech support says reload steam, reload Pitool, Reload SteamVR. Try this setting and try that setting. But it still does not work. It is even difficult to turn on! Sometime it conects straight away and other times not at all. Sometimes you get a green light (all good), sometime a purple light (reprojection is on) and sometime an orange light (no idea). There is no way to control this behaviour. The Pimax was not designed to be used with steam. In fact I would say that the product is not complete and still being tested. And you can be a beta tester for only $2000. A serious waste of time and money and I would be happy to get rid of mine for 75% of what it cost me. Sad to say that it is just not ready for the average VR ready computer competent consumer. I have just spent an hour and a half with Pimax support remoting in to my PC to successfully solve the problem. I am impressed that any hardwear manufacturer would spend that much time with a single unit buyer to solve a problem. Kudos to Pimax!

[@StarBellySneetch]

Why do you show the 2d feed as the VR view?

[@andonigameplays9751]

I need base station to play dcs sit in my chair?i reas its not needed any stations to play dcs.

[@theVRpilot]

Yes, pimax 8kX will always need base stations.

[@brianschwarm8267]

I’m so torn whether or not to get this. I’m about to have a 4090 and a 12900k. And I want skyrim in wide FOV

[@theVRpilot]

Dude, I uprgaded to a 4090 and using my 12900k. I want to get my hands on it again to test it. GO look at VR FLight Sim Guys channel and see what he has to say about it. I think he is eventually going to get a 4090 soon. Also the new pimax 12k looks good too!!

[@brianschwarm8267]

@@theVRpilot I ended up getting the 8k X and it legit just didn’t work with my 3080 so I’m in the process of returning it. I need to try it with my 4090 to be fair.

[@lvx4408]

Woyld you say the 8kx has better picture quality than quest 2?

[@TechShizzleRacing]

I have both, and definitely “Yes”.

[@theVRpilot]

Thanks Tech! Yes, I agree it does have a better picture quality.

[@lvx4408]

@@TechShizzleRacing thanks

[@flyvr3054]

nice - LOL - I am always dropping the engines Sully style - a32nx has not modeled the manual gear drop nor hydraulic overrides for dual engine failures -- soon come - HOT brakes smell worse than hotcakes

[@theVRpilot]

haha, its the ultimate, "damn I have to get off but I am no where near my destination. OK LETS FORCE IT!! "

[@shermanjames1026]

I brought the Aero and I don't like it at all. I've been trying for three days and can't get it to look right. if you have a big ipd like I do, at 69/70 it's not for you. The overlap is very small and creates a situation that makes it hard to focus or really zero in of something. Also the field of view is terrible. I have a playstion vr, quest one, 3 quest three's and a G2 and the Aero is the clear loser in that department. On top of that, my left eye or panel has a dead pixel. I am soooooo disappointed; I really thought that this would be that last headset that I would be buying for a while, but definitely not. I've already ordered the 8kx the same day after about 5 hours of trying to make it work. I will be receiving it later today so I have my fingers crossed. I will update my thoughts on it after I get it set up and take it for a spin.

[@stephenmckinnell7791]

I sent my Aero back after trying to set it up for a few weeks, frustrated with comms with Varjo, you send an email and hope for a response, so I’m looking at the 8KX too. I fly DCS mainly, MSFS less so, so that’s a plus for the Pimax. I’d be interested in your first impressions.

[@kangjames2492]

@Stephen McKinnell Hi, I'm on my other profile (Sherman James)...To update my varjo experience, there has been a major turnaround. I updated my nvidia drivers, reinstalled steamvr, and turned off auto foviated rendering, and it completely changed my experience. I also enabled experimental distortion profile. I'm not sure what did it, but my visuals cleared up, and I could focus on things crystal clear. The experience has been great, but I still have to get a replacement because it came with a dead pixel. The field of view isn't great but the visuals makes up for it. Also, they've been great at responding to my emails. As far as the 8kx, if you get the DMAS with firmware version 255.2001, don't even try to update the firm ware; it will lead to a nightmare. I tried updating manually because I couldn't for the life of me get the ipd dialed in. I have a 69/70 ipd, so maybe it is a bit more challenging because of this. I was informed by Pimax that all DMAS headsets come with 255.2001 firmware and that they are working on a fix for it to be updatable. I felt that the distortion profile for it needed updating because I could never get the eyes balanced so I could see properly and clear. I've sence sent it back after 4 frustrating days of it being bricked and not being able to calibrate the ipd. I did order a new one, KDMAS version, and am waiting for it to be in stock so they can ship it to me. I'll update you after I receive it.

[@stephenmckinnell7791]

Thanks a lot for that Sherman. I tried all the things you did, even getting the shop that built my computer trying for a few hours to get it working consistently. I had it working for a couple of hours a few times, that’s why I doubted it was the headset hardware that was faulty. I was desperate to get it working but in the end I couldn’t get Varjo to answer my emails, I probably peed them off! I sent it back as much for that as much as anything else, when you spend top dollar you expect top quality service, and it surely wasn’t that. I just wanted to talk with someone rather than wait days for an email reply. I’m about to pull the trigger on a KDMAS 8KX, but I’m waiting for word that my order for one from Pimax in China, which is subject to delays because of Covid, has been cancelled as I requested last Tuesday!!! Local Amazon can have one here tomorrow! 🙄 Is the universe trying to tell me something? 😊

[@kangjames2492]

@Stephen McKinnell Sorry you couldn't make it work. I'm glad I did because the experience so far has been awesome. I sayed up bowling for hours last night on Premium Bowling play some old school music, and it was like I was there 🙂. I plan to get the 12k, so no matter what I'm getting the 8kx, I wish I would've ordered straight from amazon though. The order is fulfilled by amazon even though I bought it through the pimax website. Good luck with the 8kx👍

[@angel_cheon-sa]

I don't know if it is just how the recording was made... but american truck simulator was so.... laggy / jumpy compared to even the racing game... while looking worse quality. If I had to wager a guess, it's a failure in optimization. The resolutions and poly counts are lower in truck simulator but still runs laggier than the better looking racing game.

[@theVRpilot]

Recording VR is truly a mission my 3090 12900k didn’t struggle at all anywhere and the experience was flawless. So just keep that in mind when you watch VR content, I use OBS and a custom VR plug-in but it’s freeware, so it’s good but not the best solution. Sort of hit or miss.

[@TheBairdNecessity]

Unfortunately as amazing it is. Its just an expensive paper weight apparently if you have and AMD radeon GPU even if it is and amazing GPU. If someone has a way to fix this that would be amazing. I mean the quality of this white static screen is top notch but not what Id pay 2000 dollars to stare at. I wish I could play and enjoy my pimax for all those who get to enjoy theirs I envoy you. If you are all about VR then make sure to have an Nvidia GPU and experience the greatness of Pimax unfortunately just having an amazing Gaming PC is not enough.

[@jacobgoodman2558]

Soul therapy! Do not waste another day - P-R-O-M-O-S-M.