For consumers after a virtual reality (VR) headset with a really wide field of view (FoV) choice is very limited, in fact, there’s only really one on the market, and that’s Pimax. Having previously released the 5K Plus, 5K OLED, and 8K head-mounted displays (HMD) with a 200-degree FoV, the company is now preparing to launch its next-generation, two devices called Vision 8K X and Vision 8K PLUS.
The Pimax Vision 8K X is the new flagship headset featuring dual native 4K displays with a 3840×2160 per-eye resolution. Pimax is using customized CLPL panels with an advanced RGB pixel matrix which the company claims offers a: ‘ 50% increase of sub-pixels.’ With a ‘Dual Engine Mode’ feature, users can switch the input resolution between 2560×1440*2 pixel and 3840×2160*2 pixel mode to get the output rendered in either dual upscaled 4K or dual native 4K.
As for the Pimax Vision 8K PLUS, the main difference is purely in the display. This headset features two 3840×2160 CLPL panels with the resolution upscaled from 2560×1440 per eye. Both headsets still feature 200-degree FoV (diagonal) as well as a new ergonomic design and come with a comfort kit including a face cowling, a nose guard to prevent light leakage, soft face foam and a modular audio strap.
Pre-orders have now gone live with the headsets available in two versions. The Pimax Vision 8K X standard headphone version retails for $1,299.00 USD, while the deluxe headphone version retails for $1,399.00. The standard headphone version for Pimax Vision 8K PLUS is $999.00 with the deluxe headphone version selling for £1,099.00.
For those who already own one of the older Pimax models, the company will be running an upgrade programme where owners can get a Vision 8K PLUS or a Vision 8K X starting from $449 or $649 respectively.
Pimax fans may also remember the Sword Series controllers revealed earlier this year. Pre-orders had gone live with shipments expected to take place by the end of the year. That pre-order page has now been taken down, with Pimax now stating: “controllers have been delayed to March of 2020 as there are still technical obstacles to overcome for the development.”
Vision 8K X and Vision 8K PLUS will be demoed at several upcoming events in the US and Europe, the next being VR Days Europe in Amsterdam later this month. For further updates from Pimax, keep reading VRFocus.
Vision 8K X Technical Specifications
- Size: 280.10*108.2*135.90mm
- IO Connector: Headphone/USB *1/ DP*1/Audio Jack/Type C *2/Microphone
- Display: Customized low persistence liquid (CLPL)
- Resolution: 3840*2160 per eye
- MTP latency: 15ms (typical)
- Refresh Rate: 75Hz (native) / 90Hz (upscale)
- Lens: Custom Fresnel*2
- FOV: 200° Diagonal
- IPD: 55mm~75mm
- Button: Power Key/ VOL+ Key/ VOL- Key
- Eye Tracking: Eye tracking module (optional)
- Hand Tracking: Gesture (optional)
- Controller: Room scale Controller (optional)
- Technology: Outside-in Lighthouse Basestations 1.0 OR 2.0
- Sensor: SteamVR sensor
- A+G+M: 9-Axis
Vision 8K PLUS Technical Specifications
- Size: 280.10*108.2*135.90mm
- IO Connector: USB *1/ DP*1/ Audio Jack/ Type C *2/ Microphone
- Display: Customized low persistence liquid (CLPL)
- Resolution: 3840*2160 per eye (scaled from 2560×1440 per eye)
- MTP latency: 15ms (typical)
- Refresh Rate: 90Hz (max)
- Lens: Custom Fresnel*2
- FOV: 200° Diagonal
- IPD: 55mm~75mm
- Button: Power Key/ VOL+ Key/ VOL- Key
- Eye Tracking: Eye tracking module (optional)
- Hand Tracking: Gesture (optional)
- Controller: Room scale Controller (optional)
- Technology: Outside-in Lighthouse Basestations 1.0 OR 2.0
- Sensor: SteamVR sensor
- A+G+M: 9-Axis