Pimax introduced a delay and value improve for Dream Air, alongside a less expensive Dream Air SE with decrease decision and inferior lenses.
Pimax claims Dream Air and Dream Air SE might be sub-200 gram tethered PC VR headsets with micro-OLED panels, eye monitoring, built-in audio, and both inside-out SLAM or SteamVR base station monitoring.
The Dream Air lineup can also be set to introduce a unique characteristic we have not but seen on one other headset: a motorized self-tightening headstrap, much like Nike’s self-lacing sneakers. Mixed with computerized IPD adjustment, Pimax claims this can let patrons rapidly and simply placed on the headsets without having to manually alter something in any respect.
Pimax is a China-based VR headset firm finest recognized for its 2017 Kickstarter for an ultra-wide subject of view PC-based headset, however lately it has principally shifted focus from subject of view to decision.
Pimax at the moment sells two headsets: Crystal Gentle and Crystal Tremendous, each being tethered PC-only headsets with an optionally available wi-fi adapter.
Crystal Gentle is priced at $700 and affords 2880×2880 QD-LCD shows, whereas Crystal Tremendous is priced at $1800 and has 3840×3840 QD-LCD shows with native dimming and built-in eye monitoring, in addition to wider subject of view lenses.
Pimax remains to be utilizing its “Pimax Prime” financing system for each units, whereby you make an preliminary cost of roughly two-thirds of the worth to attempt the headset for 14 days, after which, must you select to maintain it, you may must pay the rest outright or as a subscription over two years.
Pimax Dream Air Introduced With 4K Per Eye & Eye Monitoring
Pimax introduced and opened preorders for Dream Air, a tethered PC VR headset it says has 4K micro-OLED panels, eye monitoring, inside-out monitoring, and a weight of lower than 200g.
Observe that Pimax nonetheless hasn’t proven a completely practical prototype of Dream Air, and all the pictures on this article are renders offered by the corporate.
Pimax Dream Air Delay & Modifications
The premium Pimax Dream Air was introduced round 5 months in the past. On the time, Pimax mentioned it will use BOE’s panels, be priced at round $1900 whole, and ship in Might.
With Might right here, Pimax now says Dream Air will ship in “August or early September”, and can use Sony’s new micro-OLED panels as an alternative of BOE’s, providing the identical decision with a wider coloration gamut.
Pimax Dream Air | Shiftall MeganeX superlight | |
Pixels Per Eye | 3552×3840 | 3552×3840 |
Subject of View | 105° | 90° |
Visor Weight | ~200 grams | 185 grams |
IPD | Computerized | Manually Adjustable |
Diopter Adjustment | ❌ | ✅ |
Eye Monitoring | ✅ | ❌ |
Strap | Self-Tightening Delicate Strap | Brow Pad + Delicate Strap |
Audio system | ✅ | ❌ |
Value | $1900 (Lighthouse) $2100 | $1900 (Lighthouse) |
Launch | “August/September” | April |
Pimax has additionally elevated the whole value of Dream Air to $2100 for the inside-out SLAM monitoring model with controllers. It is also now providing a $1900 model with out controllers or SLAM, that includes photodiodes for SteamVR Monitoring by way of base stations as an alternative.
Pimax Dream Air SE
Pimax says Dream Air SE options the identical design and options as Dream Air, together with eye monitoring, the self-tightening strap, built-in audio, and both inside-out SLAM or SteamVR base station monitoring.
The distinction is within the shows and lenses. Dream Air SE is about to make use of 2.5K micro-OLED panels and fewer superior pancake lenses with a smaller subject of view however better stereo overlap.
Pimax Dream Air SE | Bigscreen Past 2 | |
Pixels Per Eye | 2560×2560 | 2560×2560 |
Subject of View | 90° | 108° |
Visor Weight | ~150 grams | 107 grams (with out straps) |
IPD | Computerized | Manually Adjustable |
Eye Monitoring | ✅ | +$200 (Past 2e) |
Strap | Self-Tightening Delicate Strap | Delicate Strap |
Audio system | ✅ | $130 addon |
Value | $900 (Lighthouse) $1200 | $1020 (Lighthouse) |
Launch | Q3 | June |
Pimax Dream Air SE is priced at $1200 with inside-out SLAM monitoring and controllers, or $900 for the model with out controllers or SLAM, that includes photodiodes for SteamVR Monitoring by way of base stations as an alternative.
Pimax says it “expects” to ship Dream Air SE in Q3 2025.
As at all times, we should stress that Pimax has an extended historical past of repeatedly failing to fulfill its deadlines, asserting new merchandise earlier than delivering what it already introduced, and of transport merchandise with out promised options. For instance, Crystal’s eye monitoring did not work till 4 months after launch and the corporate nonetheless hasn’t shipped the “Actuality 12K QLED” headset it introduced in 2021 with impossible-sounding specs like 6K per eye decision and 200° subject of view. We strongly advocate exercising warning by ready for opinions of the ultimate {hardware} earlier than inserting a preorder for any mannequin of Pimax Dream Air.