I am going to keep my HP Reverb G2 V2 for many more years. It looks great and I am sure that developers will fix the windows problem in the future. If I had to buy another headset today it would be the Bigscreen Beyond. I am definitely excited to wait for the next Valve headsets!! :)
I had such a love/hate relationship with my G2. I loved the visuals, and audio, but hated the never ending frustration with the WMR software and controllers (even after adding Index controllers). My Crystal Regular is an upgrade in every way but weight, and I imagine The Light reduces that issue.
Once the G2 cable starts to go bad, the headsets tracking quality is reduced significantly. The only solution I found was to replace the cable. I use a 4th tracker attached to my G2 to constantly calibrate my play spaces, but my 2nd v2 cable is starting to go bad and I messed up and broke the head strap, so I am going to consider the Crystal Light with the Lighthouse Face place as it's replacement when I have the funds.
@@TheXev Same boat I'm in. I have a V2 cable as well but it seems to be going out as most do. Weird tracking issues were resolved mostly by reinstalling WMR, but I get all sorts of blue screen crashes still. PSVR2 may be worth considering as well which I will be comparing with once I get these pesky bluetooth controller issues sorted. I have an order in for the Crystal Light local dimming without the lighthouse tracking but it's seems like it's gonna be even more behind schedule if it ever even arrives. Their quality control concerns me as I'm seeing many posts about defective lenses and such. Overall, it's been a massive PITA to have a plug and play uncompressed VR setup for sim racing for me without the need for batteries or compression and latency issues.
Very glad pimax removed the battery, but can't get over this casing still. I think if they replace the casing with the new super casing it would be an insta buy. It just shouldn't be this huge, this is the 12k casing.
UK price for the local dimming crystal light variant shipped to the UK (inc. tax) is about £908. Pre-ordered in May and like many, still not received the headset despite Pimax also beginning to ship from the end of May. There are videos on Pimax's TH-cam channel explaining the multiple excuses/reasons for the multiple delays if you would like to know more. Their discord is full of disgruntled customers too. Please verify this all for yourself before trusting a random nut on the internet like me though. However, from honest reviews, the headset is great as long as you get a good unit and not an early batch which suffered from higher levels of quality control issues.
Yeah I should've got a shipping address confirmation according to their last update based on my region and order date but it keeps on getting even more delayed. In the meantime, I got the PSVR2 on sale as my G2 cable is going out and is preventing me from having an enjoyable plug and play experience for sim racing. If the PSVR2 ends up impressing me once I get the bluetooth controller issues resolved with the recommended bluetooth adapter or installing the antenna that came with my motherboard, I may just cancel the Pimax order as I've already paid a significant amount of money for not even a shipping confirmation.
I am very happy with my Pimax Crystal Light. But be aware that a i7 10700 can be a problem in MSFS as the CPU is very busy and the tracking is the first thing impacted by CPU load. Visuals are awesome in this headset and as you mentionned the vertical FOV is excellent for Flight sims. In DCS, it is quite good. So this is THE headset I have been waiting for since I begin with the G2 4 years ago.
@@slammerf16 it is good in DCS but it will depend on your configuration and if you can activate DLSS. On my side, DLSS is not available but I dont know why.
I use my syatem for Dcs only at the mo. I currently have a hp reverb g2 and a geforce 4090 and a Ryzen 7 7800X3d. Will this be ok for the crystal or crystal light?
@@gilchecksix im fairly new to gaming so i went for what i thought was a good system. So will mine run a pymax crystal lite easy at high resolution? Would it be worth the jump to the pymax
Thanks for the video!! I have Reverb g2 and Pimax Light is an option because I will never buy Quest, before I abandon the VR. What happens is that this week I will get the PS VR2 adapter, which I also have, so we'll see if PS VR2 will work for me as a substitute for the Reverb (it has less resolution), or I'll opt for the Pimax Light.
Did you happen to get everything to work? I'm waiting on the recommended bluetooth adapter for the PSVR2 controllers as my current built in ones won't let me finish the setup process. I also refuse to buy Meta having had a Quest 2 prior to my G2 which was an overall headache with its compression and needing many accessories and needing to charge it when I solely used it for PCVR for racing sims.
Great comparison! I have booth headsets and all its one point. One thing i can add its dont feel obligated to upgrade , Reverb G2 its still good if its working (my have overheating issues). Upgrade only if you really can afford it comfortably and have 4090 to run it properly. Its more like a luxury upgrade bcs youtubers get those for free but 1000 Euro (incl Taxes) are still alot of money .
also i saw the end of you video im ripcord the one that use to show up to all of your broadcasts and you helped with the g2 so much and that is why i love it so much thank you so much this is why your one of my favorite vr youtubers and that is why i stay with the g2 even to this day im going to miss it its my favorite head set if it wasent for you i problebly wouldn't have went back to a wmr head set and i finaly got my dream set up now im using my g2 with index controllers now and im so happy with it
Good review. I’ve just ordered the pimax c l, I’m currently have since release hp g2 amazing head set and has lasted well bar the controllers are starting to have some moderate issues, and the fact it’s not supported may become an issue down the line, but I’ve had zero issues that I’ve noticed so far. But it’s time for an upgrade, and I wasn’t happy to buy a headset 2k+£ and obviously there wear only a few options. Hopefully the new headset will last well. But I’ve heard good things so far and very much so looking forward to it.
So after the untimely demise of my Reverb G2 I just got my Crystal Light yesterday and to be honest, I'm a bit underwhelmed and wondering if I'm doing anything wrong here. I got my G2 tuned in with openxr to a very high sharpness. Readability in cockpits (MSFS) is my main focus here. With my PCL after some tuning I managed to get the readability on par with the G2, but some things were still blurry and sometimes even less sharp (??) than my G2. I got render quality set to high / max in Pimax Play, and openxr setting also boosted with additional sharpening. Sure I clearly noticed the huge sweetspot and overall increase in clarity when looking around, but I expected the readability to be a lot better out of the box, since the PCL has an almost 30% higher base resolution and nearly twice the PPD of the G2. Comfort was also average but that can be resolved with studioform stuff. I'm really on the fence here about returning it, I only use VR for MSFS and € 1000,- is a pretty high price for what I would call a mediocre upgrade...
The HP Reverb G2 has served me well, and in all honesty I would keep it if the software stack wasn't being completely removed from Windows 11 in the next version release. It's a bit worn out, but a new wire and head strap would have it working line new again. Still, the Pimax Crystal Light has the least number of compromises at what I consider a decent price point. The added ability to purchase it with a lighthouse face plate and no controllers is putting it over the top for me since I use my G2 with a tracker attached, Vive full body, lighthouses, and Index Knuckles already. Hopefully my budget will allow me to purchase the upgraded earphones, as I don't want to compromise on audio. My only real wish is that the Pimax Crystal Light had a better built in microphone for playing VRChat like the HP Reverb G2 and Valve Index do.
I've got the money from my Crystal Light (without local dimming) pre-order send back to me by the retailer because they don't get informed by Pimax when it will become available, if ever. I am now waiting for a better solution (HMD) to replace my G2. Thanks though Sebastian :)
Coming from the quest 2 for pcvr I don't really like the upgrade options at the moment. However I really do appreciate these comparisons so I can make the decision to wait.
What's not to like? There's options with less latency, no compression, better lenses, better panels. Even Pico Neo3 Link would be a solid upgrade for PCVR. Then there's PSVR2, Big Beyond... Personally I'm looking how the PCL situation develops, I don't particularly like 3 months waiting times.
@@Cuthalu Too heavy for long sessions. My neck gets kinda wrenched on the quest 2 with a bobo vr, when I'm not moving around ( I sculpt on steam). It is possible the crystal light is better balanced and has a whole new set of pressure points. The weight of the psvr2 is somewhat ok but it has bad pressure points on the forehead doesn't fit my head shape very well even with the globular cluster.
This! TH-camr prices are so misleading. Always emphasise the plus tax and plus delivery! And I hate it when they get sent premium versions, like with the DMAS which us mortals have to pay extra for.
Yes true the pricing its misleading , and also no one talk about 1 year warranty! This is crazy for such a expensive product. I will advice you to buy from reseller like Alternate , bcs i get 2 years warranty from them . (Which is a obligatory in EU)
Damn that's disappointing, the prices excluding VAT aren't that cheap to begin with. I thought the €-prices already included tax. Suddenly PSVR2 is starting to look like a real alternative if the price cuts ever arrive in the EU.
Hi Sabastian. a small correction please, the only real SteamVR HMDs are the Index, OG Vive (don't know about newer Vives) and Beyond, all others need intermediate software running in the background. The Crystal light needs Pimax Play, the G2 or any other WMR HMDs need WMR Portal, any Oculus or meta HMDs need the Oculus (or whatever meta calls it now days) PC software running in the background to access SteamVR, Quest can also use Virtual Desktop, SteamVR streamer or ALVR to access SteamVR. Just a thought for a future video..... some say the DMAS is not quite as good as the Index and G2 audio, I think I might have a idea why...... I've looked at many reviews of the Crystal light with DMAS (when they show a frontal view of the wearer), the Index and the G2 has "off ear speakers" but they are close to your ears when wearing the headset, the DMAS on the other hand look like they are quite a ways away from your ears in comparison, thus loosing some of the audio fidelity and volume due to that distance. As far as I know, all 3 HMDs (DMAS) use the exact same speaker. Just something to consider maybe? I'm STILL waiting on my Crystal Light, 9 weeks into the wait and still no word. *Sigh* :(
As a g2 owner with lighthouses and knuckles from the index, tracking has never been a problem for me, and the whole setup cost what a crystal light would alone. BUT. the frenel lenses on the g2 are mediocre, and the software is soon to be dead. Unless you want to help out with the effort to provide an open source driver through monado, i really don't recommend one unless you get it very cheap. I dearly hope a community of modders and developers keep the g2 alive like it has for the vive and vive pro, but i don't see the g2 being a good headset moving into the future. The pimax, however, is in a different price bracket from the g2 ever was. I'm hoping there will be a real headset to fill in the space the g2 left soon.
Pimax sounds really good now. Just wish there was support for Linux, but searches suggest there's no way to get either working there, and only the Valve Index fully supports. So wonder when they will release a new headset!
@@TheXev Thank you!!! That's one I hadn't checked, but after some research appears to be the only other one currently working in Linux, as long one has an AMD GPU, which I fortunately already do. So may have finally found a good option!
@mixedrealityTV i watch your vids with interest as i too am a HP Reverb G2 (no issue saying it all, lol) and am on the fence re pimax. I love the G2, but I have noticed that lately, i am getting micro stutters . I have an RTX3080ti, not sure why it is happening. Any clues please?
so i got my g2 to work with my index controllers and it is so worth it i got my dream set up now and i love it so so much i know the g2 is going a way soon but im going going to try and keep it a live
Yeah, I purchased BaseStations, Vive full body, a 4th Vive puck I attached directly to the G2 for constant calibration, and Index Knuckles. It has been a good solution for me for 3 years, but I am fed up with not having Lighthouse tracking on the headset. The Crystal Light looks like the solution I have been waiting for.
I have this setup too and it is Amazing. Really love my G2 and index controllers rock, but would like to get even better visuals if that is even possible with my 4080 super. Quest 3 might be nice, but only good lenses. I hated quest 2 compression so I think PCL may be the only real improvement.
@@alegse i agree but im more worried about the tracking with just only 2 base stations i hered some bad things about it but the visuals are good on it and i also get it the glare im scared of as well as for the ipd you just have to get one good scan of your face and try to send many of them that look good to them it helps at least that is what iv heard
@@homernoy There is a SKU that is just the headset and Lighthouse face plate for $899 US. I kind of wish they had a version with the upgraded headphones too.
I dont get why its not Pimax vs Quest 3 on the upgrade question? The G2 is how old at this point? I get the impression the pimax light isnt miles ahead of the quest 3.
Nothing beats Q3 let's be honest, I have both, Quest 3 wins against any headset you throw at it by a mile, unless you do completely PCVR only then yeah Crystal wins
I still don't remember Pimax telling how many LD zones there are, and haven't seen anyone really test or count the zones. In the one through the lens min-balanced-max-test I've seen it doesn't seem to work well. Someone should really go in-depth with the local dimming and really test it out. As the TV world has shown, local dimming can be anywhere from worse than no LD to almost close to OLED (in some situations).
@@mixedrealityTV Hey Sebastian, can you please elaborate more (video) on G2 and end od WMR? Like is it for sure Microsoft will remove WMR? I cant beleive it, they cant just brick quite new headset! There are also people on reddit who say WMR still work for them altough they are already on Win11 24H2. Also there are rumors there is group of people developing replacement for WMR for windows.
I use my system for Dcs only at the mo. I currently have a hp reverb g2 and a geforce 4090 and a Ryzen 7 7800X3d. Will this be ok for the crystal or crystal light?
I just upgraded from G2 to Crystal Light. There is no comparison, the Crystal Light is better in EVERY way. The Clarity is incredible, the DMAS speakers are WAY better. The hand controllers are rechargeable rather than battery operated. It's FANTASTIC
First point is all thats needed if Reverb G2 is not going to be supported by newer windows platforms. Pimax however would be my last choice for an upgrade with that bulky thing. Can't believe people are actually buying it. It gets over the line just for flight and racing sims but only just and there are way better options out there.
The only thing that sucks with the Reverb G2 is how Microsoft has revoked their support for WMR in Windows 11. Personally I dual-boot Linux and Windows 10 so I'm good, and hopefully support in Linux will reach a point when I can ditch Windows completely. (currently the headset works with Monado XR, 6dof, however, the controllers do not work)
I cant beleive it, they cant just brick quite new headset! There are also people on reddit who say WMR still work for them altough they are already on Win11 24H2. Also there are rumors there is group of people developing replacement for WMR for windows.
@@josefkadlec7874 That's what I said as well. But it's true. I put all my hope in the community now. The thing is, I have zero trust for MS right now. They engage in so much dubious and anti-consumer business practice that I really don't want anything to do with them. (ads within the OS, data collection- & selling, online account requirement etc. It's just too much!) The final straw for me was when they announced that they would stop supporting WMR (basically bricking perfectly good devices, unless you stick to their older unsupported OS versions). I love the Reverb G2 and I bought it as a long-term VR investment. To this day I still think it's a wonderfully convenient headset with great displays, audio (speakers & microphone), comfort, ease of use. I would honestly have trouble buying a new headset today and feel like it was a worth-while upgrade without forking out massive amounts of cash for something like the big-screen beyond + base station + index controllers.
@madigorfkgoogle9349 Every new Insider Build of Windows 11 has not contained the ability to use WMR, even if you upgrade from a build that did support WMR. This is why people are angry. As things appear now, it seems WMR will disappear if you upgrade.
Nah, just because it's Pimax. If I knew I was getting a solid headset, without a 40% chance of getting a dud and having to send it back to Timbuktu, plus something I could wear for hours without a Studioform expensive addon (which they now recommend you get), plus additional expense for decent speakers, plus half arsed software still in the R&D stage. The list goes on. I'd just be lining myself up for disappointment. I appreciate some people think it's great though, I just don't have enough confidence in Pimax.
I think the software is fully arsed now. 😂 I run my 5kXR I never used to have to run the pimax play software until recently. But it's really not that intrusive and you don't need to mess with it much at all.
I'm of the understanding that the G2 will lose WMR support this summer but it will still function using SteamVR / OpenVR or OpenXR runtimes for 2-3 more years.
CUrrently G2 cant be used without WMR. I heard there is group of people working on replacement for WMR but not sure if it will be possible. I still cant beleive Microsoft will brick quite new headset.
That was a very nice review of the Pimax Crystal Light, but it makes me feel that I made the right decision in buying the Meta Quest 3. I love the pancake lenses, mixed-reality, color pass-through, resolution, FOV, and the money I saved. Thanks, Sebastian, for sharing this information, but I like my Meta Quest 3.
I own both the regular Crystal and the Quest 3 which I rarely use. The Crystal is.my go too. It all depends on what your using the headset for. If you want a do it all decently then yes the quest but if you do sit down PCVR the Crystal blows it out of the water
@montrose699 I guess I don't do PCVR, so that's a major reason I like using the Quest 3 for being able to use it anywhere in my house that I want, and it's quite a bit cheaper, but I can understand your point if you use PCVR a lot of the time.
That form factor though... no thanks! I'll wait and see what else appears. Been waiting to see what Valve has to offer. If I absolutely must then I'll get a Quest 3, but hopefully I won't be that desperate. (Not that the Q3 is a bad headset of course - but that company, ick!)
jesus my friend. how many times are you going to keep repeating the full name of HP Reverb g2. For video SEO that much repetition isnt needed nor does it help. TH-cams algo caught on to that 10 years ago. Appreciate the comparison though
I had a Reverb g2 and unfortunately it is not good enough. In fact, it's so bad that for me it's a waste of money. The tracking of the controllers is really bad, so bad in fact that it makes it unplayable in my opinion. Clarity and convenience are good, but obsolete by 2024. I haven't tried Crystal Lite yet, but it looks promising. Especially when it comes to simulator games.
@@Davids6994 when it works, it's great. Problem is my V2 cable seems to be going out so I will be trying the PSVR2 until my Crystal Light shows up IF EVER or just cancel that order if I'm happy with the PSVR2.
@@mixedrealityTV I'm nearly 2 weeks waiting for a reply from Pimax support. I have a lens issue with my PCL and can't use it until I hopefully get it sorted. So, maybe not so good on the after-sales still unfortunately. Great videos tho!
@@mixedrealityTV Your attention to detail fascinates me 😁 Actually, sometimes I miss my Pimax 5k plus after selling it, but with Quest 3 and keeping my Index I don’t look back. Pimax needs a better vision, they had to simplify their product line, and work really hard on building trust. I have lost my trust, otherwise I don’t hate them as an original Kickstarter. Hoping they strike back.. We will see! Otherwise I support your channel, and your work Sebastian, just be ready for any criticism, such a fascinating thing that from all over the world you are being watched, praised and also criticized 😉Pass auf dich auf!
Throughout my years of owning G2. It simply never worked properly with steamvr. too many crashes. Native openxr games on the other hand run perfectly on it
@@mixedrealityTV ok, i would like better visuals, but real quick question, I notice that people with Quest3 & Pimax products still have to move their head closer to the dials to see the detail just like the HP Reverb G2, is that true or can you see the dials from a distance in the Pimax Crystal Light? Dials meaning glass cockpit or steam gauges slightly fuzzy until moving head in closer. Thanks for your input as always!
I bought the Crystal Light... an absolutely terrible viewing experience.. massive distortion and shakiness.. I have to dial the IPD as low as possible to avoid massive cross-eyes coming out of the set... shaky, distorted visuals... I have had 4 quest 2 and currently have 2 quest 3 and have not had these issues... Pimax informed me in a very vague and unprofessional way that the lenses I received are likely faulty.. here is their support email: "I apologize for the inconvenience. My colleague will provide you with a new pair of lenses later. Good day!" Feels like a very cheap headset all around. Not impressed
Thanks, great review but once again have to laugh. It isnt even available yet to buy. How many times youtube reviews no existant products is dispairing.
the edge to edge clarity and sweet spot are trash on it. And tracking bad. Big shame because the design is so good and screens, if only it had better lenses it would have been good
It's not trash, it's probably the most comfortable headset I have worn and when it was released the image was one of the best out there. Nowadays, yes it has aged but 'it has always been trash'? Not a chance.
Order Pimax Crystal Light Here: pimax.com/pages/crystal-light?ref=mrtv (Affiliate)
What is going to replace your Reverb G2?
I am going to keep my HP Reverb G2 V2 for many more years. It looks great and I am sure that developers will fix the windows problem in the future. If I had to buy another headset today it would be the Bigscreen Beyond. I am definitely excited to wait for the next Valve headsets!! :)
@@sokola311 I believe you didnt hear but WMR is discontinued and won't get new updates.
I had such a love/hate relationship with my G2. I loved the visuals, and audio, but hated the never ending frustration with the WMR software and controllers (even after adding Index controllers). My Crystal Regular is an upgrade in every way but weight, and I imagine The Light reduces that issue.
Once the G2 cable starts to go bad, the headsets tracking quality is reduced significantly. The only solution I found was to replace the cable. I use a 4th tracker attached to my G2 to constantly calibrate my play spaces, but my 2nd v2 cable is starting to go bad and I messed up and broke the head strap, so I am going to consider the Crystal Light with the Lighthouse Face place as it's replacement when I have the funds.
@@TheXev Same boat I'm in. I have a V2 cable as well but it seems to be going out as most do. Weird tracking issues were resolved mostly by reinstalling WMR, but I get all sorts of blue screen crashes still. PSVR2 may be worth considering as well which I will be comparing with once I get these pesky bluetooth controller issues sorted. I have an order in for the Crystal Light local dimming without the lighthouse tracking but it's seems like it's gonna be even more behind schedule if it ever even arrives. Their quality control concerns me as I'm seeing many posts about defective lenses and such.
Overall, it's been a massive PITA to have a plug and play uncompressed VR setup for sim racing for me without the need for batteries or compression and latency issues.
Very glad pimax removed the battery, but can't get over this casing still. I think if they replace the casing with the new super casing it would be an insta buy. It just shouldn't be this huge, this is the 12k casing.
what is casing equivalent to in other languages, is that the "shell" or outer plastics?
UK price for the local dimming crystal light variant shipped to the UK (inc. tax) is about £908.
Pre-ordered in May and like many, still not received the headset despite Pimax also beginning to ship from the end of May. There are videos on Pimax's TH-cam channel explaining the multiple excuses/reasons for the multiple delays if you would like to know more. Their discord is full of disgruntled customers too. Please verify this all for yourself before trusting a random nut on the internet like me though.
However, from honest reviews, the headset is great as long as you get a good unit and not an early batch which suffered from higher levels of quality control issues.
It's a great headset indeed.
Yeah I should've got a shipping address confirmation according to their last update based on my region and order date but it keeps on getting even more delayed. In the meantime, I got the PSVR2 on sale as my G2 cable is going out and is preventing me from having an enjoyable plug and play experience for sim racing.
If the PSVR2 ends up impressing me once I get the bluetooth controller issues resolved with the recommended bluetooth adapter or installing the antenna that came with my motherboard, I may just cancel the Pimax order as I've already paid a significant amount of money for not even a shipping confirmation.
I own g2 thanks to you Sebastian. As for upgrade I want to make a bigger step so I'm waiting for super version
I find myself pondering the exact same position.
Yeah...the Super could be THE headset to wait for!
@@mixedrealityTVLooks like it if they can pull it off and keep the weight down
Yes next big thing is always coming , why we should buy now :))
@@martintop2605 Because the G2 is good enough. For now.
I am very happy with my Pimax Crystal Light. But be aware that a i7 10700 can be a problem in MSFS as the CPU is very busy and the tracking is the first thing impacted by CPU load.
Visuals are awesome in this headset and as you mentionned the vertical FOV is excellent for Flight sims.
In DCS, it is quite good.
So this is THE headset I have been waiting for since I begin with the G2 4 years ago.
I'm primarily a DCS player - is the Crystal Light not so good in DCS?
@@slammerf16 it is good in DCS but it will depend on your configuration and if you can activate DLSS.
On my side, DLSS is not available but I dont know why.
I use my syatem for Dcs only at the mo. I currently have a hp reverb g2 and a geforce 4090 and a Ryzen 7 7800X3d. Will this be ok for the crystal or crystal light?
@@THEGHOSTMAKER1 You have the perfect config ;-)
@@gilchecksix im fairly new to gaming so i went for what i thought was a good system. So will mine run a pymax crystal lite easy at high resolution? Would it be worth the jump to the pymax
Thanks for the video!! I have Reverb g2 and Pimax Light is an option because I will never buy Quest, before I abandon the VR. What happens is that this week I will get the PS VR2 adapter, which I also have, so we'll see if PS VR2 will work for me as a substitute for the Reverb (it has less resolution), or I'll opt for the Pimax Light.
Did you happen to get everything to work? I'm waiting on the recommended bluetooth adapter for the PSVR2 controllers as my current built in ones won't let me finish the setup process. I also refuse to buy Meta having had a Quest 2 prior to my G2 which was an overall headache with its compression and needing many accessories and needing to charge it when I solely used it for PCVR for racing sims.
Great comparison! I have booth headsets and all its one point. One thing i can add its dont feel obligated to upgrade , Reverb G2 its still good if its working (my have overheating issues). Upgrade only if you really can afford it comfortably and have 4090 to run it properly. Its more like a luxury upgrade bcs youtubers get those for free but 1000 Euro (incl Taxes) are still alot of money .
also i saw the end of you video im ripcord the one that use to show up to all of your broadcasts and you helped with the g2 so much and that is why i love it so much thank you so much this is why your one of my favorite vr youtubers and that is why i stay with the g2 even to this day im going to miss it its my favorite head set if it wasent for you i problebly wouldn't have went back to a wmr head set and i finaly got my dream set up now im using my g2 with index controllers now and im so happy with it
@@Pirafier very glad to know!
Good review. I’ve just ordered the pimax c l, I’m currently have since release hp g2 amazing head set and has lasted well bar the controllers are starting to have some moderate issues, and the fact it’s not supported may become an issue down the line, but I’ve had zero issues that I’ve noticed so far. But it’s time for an upgrade, and I wasn’t happy to buy a headset 2k+£ and obviously there wear only a few options. Hopefully the new headset will last well. But I’ve heard good things so far and very much so looking forward to it.
I do plan on upgrading to the Crystal Light. I will probably continue to use the Reverb G2 for extended play sessions though to save my neck.
So after the untimely demise of my Reverb G2 I just got my Crystal Light yesterday and to be honest, I'm a bit underwhelmed and wondering if I'm doing anything wrong here.
I got my G2 tuned in with openxr to a very high sharpness. Readability in cockpits (MSFS) is my main focus here. With my PCL after some tuning I managed to get the readability on par with the G2, but some things were still blurry and sometimes even less sharp (??) than my G2. I got render quality set to high / max in Pimax Play, and openxr setting also boosted with additional sharpening. Sure I clearly noticed the huge sweetspot and overall increase in clarity when looking around, but I expected the readability to be a lot better out of the box, since the PCL has an almost 30% higher base resolution and nearly twice the PPD of the G2. Comfort was also average but that can be resolved with studioform stuff.
I'm really on the fence here about returning it, I only use VR for MSFS and € 1000,- is a pretty high price for what I would call a mediocre upgrade...
The HP Reverb G2 has served me well, and in all honesty I would keep it if the software stack wasn't being completely removed from Windows 11 in the next version release. It's a bit worn out, but a new wire and head strap would have it working line new again.
Still, the Pimax Crystal Light has the least number of compromises at what I consider a decent price point. The added ability to purchase it with a lighthouse face plate and no controllers is putting it over the top for me since I use my G2 with a tracker attached, Vive full body, lighthouses, and Index Knuckles already. Hopefully my budget will allow me to purchase the upgraded earphones, as I don't want to compromise on audio. My only real wish is that the Pimax Crystal Light had a better built in microphone for playing VRChat like the HP Reverb G2 and Valve Index do.
I've got the money from my Crystal Light (without local dimming) pre-order send back to me by the retailer because they don't get informed by Pimax when it will become available, if ever. I am now waiting for a better solution (HMD) to replace my G2. Thanks though Sebastian :)
You are welcome! :)
Coming from the quest 2 for pcvr I don't really like the upgrade options at the moment. However I really do appreciate these comparisons so I can make the decision to wait.
Glad I could bring you some value!
What's not to like? There's options with less latency, no compression, better lenses, better panels. Even Pico Neo3 Link would be a solid upgrade for PCVR. Then there's PSVR2, Big Beyond... Personally I'm looking how the PCL situation develops, I don't particularly like 3 months waiting times.
@@Cuthalu Too heavy for long sessions. My neck gets kinda wrenched on the quest 2 with a bobo vr, when I'm not moving around ( I sculpt on steam). It is possible the crystal light is better balanced and has a whole new set of pressure points. The weight of the psvr2 is somewhat ok but it has bad pressure points on the forehead doesn't fit my head shape very well even with the globular cluster.
In Europe you need to add VAT. My preorder total of Crystal Light (without controllers) with taxes (EU, Finland) is 996,96 EUR.
This! TH-camr prices are so misleading. Always emphasise the plus tax and plus delivery! And I hate it when they get sent premium versions, like with the DMAS which us mortals have to pay extra for.
Yep, that should be more transparent, I agree.
Yes true the pricing its misleading , and also no one talk about 1 year warranty! This is crazy for such a expensive product. I will advice you to buy from reseller like Alternate , bcs i get 2 years warranty from them . (Which is a obligatory in EU)
Damn that's disappointing, the prices excluding VAT aren't that cheap to begin with. I thought the €-prices already included tax. Suddenly PSVR2 is starting to look like a real alternative if the price cuts ever arrive in the EU.
What about performance results? With foveated rendering, do the two perform equally?
Hi Sabastian.
a small correction please, the only real SteamVR HMDs are the Index, OG Vive (don't know about newer Vives) and Beyond, all others need intermediate software running in the background. The Crystal light needs Pimax Play, the G2 or any other WMR HMDs need WMR Portal, any Oculus or meta HMDs need the Oculus (or whatever meta calls it now days) PC software running in the background to access SteamVR, Quest can also use Virtual Desktop, SteamVR streamer or ALVR to access SteamVR.
Just a thought for a future video..... some say the DMAS is not quite as good as the Index and G2 audio, I think I might have a idea why......
I've looked at many reviews of the Crystal light with DMAS (when they show a frontal view of the wearer), the Index and the G2 has "off ear speakers" but they are close to your ears when wearing the headset, the DMAS on the other hand look like they are quite a ways away from your ears in comparison, thus loosing some of the audio fidelity and volume due to that distance. As far as I know, all 3 HMDs (DMAS) use the exact same speaker. Just something to consider maybe?
I'm STILL waiting on my Crystal Light, 9 weeks into the wait and still no word. *Sigh* :(
This needs to be mentioned more on Pimax discords and other threads, I didn’t realize I would have to run Pimax Play as well as the SteamVR
I wonder how large the performance hit is
@@Juicepar I have no idea since I'm still waiting for my Crystal Light, I'm a senior citizen, so hopefully I get the damned thing before I die! LOL :P
@@jackr.749 😂 I pray that your PCL purchase is successful
As a g2 owner with lighthouses and knuckles from the index, tracking has never been a problem for me, and the whole setup cost what a crystal light would alone. BUT. the frenel lenses on the g2 are mediocre, and the software is soon to be dead. Unless you want to help out with the effort to provide an open source driver through monado, i really don't recommend one unless you get it very cheap. I dearly hope a community of modders and developers keep the g2 alive like it has for the vive and vive pro, but i don't see the g2 being a good headset moving into the future. The pimax, however, is in a different price bracket from the g2 ever was. I'm hoping there will be a real headset to fill in the space the g2 left soon.
Thanks for the info, i have a pomax 8k and most of the games don't work through pitool , first time i hear of pimaxplay, thanks for the info
Pimax sounds really good now. Just wish there was support for Linux, but searches suggest there's no way to get either working there, and only the Valve Index fully supports. So wonder when they will release a new headset!
@Taikaru I know the Big Screen Beyond has native SteamVR support in Windows, does it not have that in Linux as well?
@@TheXev Thank you!!! That's one I hadn't checked, but after some research appears to be the only other one currently working in Linux, as long one has an AMD GPU, which I fortunately already do. So may have finally found a good option!
@mixedrealityTV i watch your vids with interest as i too am a HP Reverb G2 (no issue saying it all, lol) and am on the fence re pimax. I love the G2, but I have noticed that lately, i am getting micro stutters . I have an RTX3080ti, not sure why it is happening. Any clues please?
So when do they ship?
so i got my g2 to work with my index controllers and it is so worth it i got my dream set up now and i love it so so much i know the g2 is going a way soon but im going going to try and keep it a live
Yeah, I purchased BaseStations, Vive full body, a 4th Vive puck I attached directly to the G2 for constant calibration, and Index Knuckles. It has been a good solution for me for 3 years, but I am fed up with not having Lighthouse tracking on the headset. The Crystal Light looks like the solution I have been waiting for.
I have this setup too and it is Amazing. Really love my G2 and index controllers rock, but would like to get even better visuals if that is even possible with my 4080 super. Quest 3 might be nice, but only good lenses. I hated quest 2 compression so I think PCL may be the only real improvement.
@@alegse i recommend the big screen beyond its a good option i might be doing that because i cant use my g2 anymore
@@Pirafier Been thinking about that too. A little scared of glare and poor ipd reviews. Too many options these days
@@alegse i agree but im more worried about the tracking with just only 2 base stations i hered some bad things about it but the visuals are good on it and i also get it the glare im scared of as well as for the ipd you just have to get one good scan of your face and try to send many of them that look good to them it helps at least that is what iv heard
If it supported base stations and my Index controllers, I'd absolutely buy one. But I don't want to downgrade my controller and my tracking.
It does support basestations! You just need to buy the Lighthouse faceplate!
@@mixedrealityTV Awesome!
@@homernoy There is a SKU that is just the headset and Lighthouse face plate for $899 US. I kind of wish they had a version with the upgraded headphones too.
I dont get why its not Pimax vs Quest 3 on the upgrade question? The G2 is how old at this point?
I get the impression the pimax light isnt miles ahead of the quest 3.
Nothing beats Q3 let's be honest, I have both, Quest 3 wins against any headset you throw at it by a mile, unless you do completely PCVR only then yeah Crystal wins
The Q3 still has compression artifacts.
@@Khumon_Matitz true. And no DP connector.
@@TRX25EX Flight simulator on pimax, VR porn on quest 3 😁
@@TRX25EX clown
I still don't remember Pimax telling how many LD zones there are, and haven't seen anyone really test or count the zones. In the one through the lens min-balanced-max-test I've seen it doesn't seem to work well. Someone should really go in-depth with the local dimming and really test it out. As the TV world has shown, local dimming can be anywhere from worse than no LD to almost close to OLED (in some situations).
I was gonna say 512 zones but I remembered that was the Quest Pro, not crystal
The Light is a great headset. I also like that Pimax continues to maintain the software well and seeks a connection with the community.
Exactly!
I heard there's going to be a workaround for the G2 and windows 11? I hope so. I love my G2.
Not upgrading your Windows!
@@mixedrealityTV Hey Sebastian, can you please elaborate more (video) on G2 and end od WMR? Like is it for sure Microsoft will remove WMR? I cant beleive it, they cant just brick quite new headset! There are also people on reddit who say WMR still work for them altough they are already on Win11 24H2. Also there are rumors there is group of people developing replacement for WMR for windows.
@@josefkadlec7874 Every new Insider Build of Windows 11 has not contained the ability to use WMR, even if you upgrade from a build that had it.
I use my system for Dcs only at the mo. I currently have a hp reverb g2 and a geforce 4090 and a Ryzen 7 7800X3d. Will this be ok for the crystal or crystal light?
CAN A ask does the crystal light support charging while playing am giving my quest 3 back for that issues
You do not need to charge anything with the Crystal Light. You connect it to your computer and you can play as long as you want!
I just upgraded from G2 to Crystal Light.
There is no comparison, the Crystal Light is better in EVERY way. The Clarity is incredible, the DMAS speakers are WAY better. The hand controllers are rechargeable rather than battery operated. It's FANTASTIC
Are you sure, I was sold on the G2 until reading this post of yours. Hmmmm. What about the QUEST 3?
I got the Crystal Light and honestly I'm not finding the same thing about lenses. I have a lot of warping and finding the sweet spot is a real pain.
Same here mate :-(
If a next-generation Apple Vision Pro with Thunderbolt 5 connectivity is released, it will be a better choice.
First point is all thats needed if Reverb G2 is not going to be supported by newer windows platforms. Pimax however would be my last choice for an upgrade with that bulky thing. Can't believe people are actually buying it. It gets over the line just for flight and racing sims but only just and there are way better options out there.
Does it work with Microsoft game pass games, namely the Microsoft store version of MSFS?
Yes.
The only thing that sucks with the Reverb G2 is how Microsoft has revoked their support for WMR in Windows 11. Personally I dual-boot Linux and Windows 10 so I'm good, and hopefully support in Linux will reach a point when I can ditch Windows completely. (currently the headset works with Monado XR, 6dof, however, the controllers do not work)
I cant beleive it, they cant just brick quite new headset! There are also people on reddit who say WMR still work for them altough they are already on Win11 24H2. Also there are rumors there is group of people developing replacement for WMR for windows.
@@josefkadlec7874 That's what I said as well. But it's true. I put all my hope in the community now. The thing is, I have zero trust for MS right now. They engage in so much dubious and anti-consumer business practice that I really don't want anything to do with them. (ads within the OS, data collection- & selling, online account requirement etc. It's just too much!) The final straw for me was when they announced that they would stop supporting WMR (basically bricking perfectly good devices, unless you stick to their older unsupported OS versions).
I love the Reverb G2 and I bought it as a long-term VR investment. To this day I still think it's a wonderfully convenient headset with great displays, audio (speakers & microphone), comfort, ease of use. I would honestly have trouble buying a new headset today and feel like it was a worth-while upgrade without forking out massive amounts of cash for something like the big-screen beyond + base station + index controllers.
I have been waiting 20+ years for Linux to be on the same level as Windows for many things... I have long since given up waiting.
can you use with UEVR with mods games or the performance isn't grate with that?
Yes you can! But lots of pixels to drive...
@@mixedrealityTV what is the native resolution for the Pimax Crystal light? RTX 4090 will handle this UEVR modded games?
Amazing Review.
I just wish ms would give us a standalone update for wmd
Forget Microsoft. But it is really sad that HP seems to be out of the game.
Can you wear glasses? Does it have lens inssrts?
The biggest problem with Pimax is that it doesn't allow for glasses, even with the thicker foam.
You can buy lens inserts from Hons. Use code MRTV for 5 percent discount.
why should Reverb G2 stop working in future? Will the OpenXR games not work, why?
@madigorfkgoogle9349 Every new Insider Build of Windows 11 has not contained the ability to use WMR, even if you upgrade from a build that did support WMR. This is why people are angry. As things appear now, it seems WMR will disappear if you upgrade.
Nah, just because it's Pimax. If I knew I was getting a solid headset, without a 40% chance of getting a dud and having to send it back to Timbuktu, plus something I could wear for hours without a Studioform expensive addon (which they now recommend you get), plus additional expense for decent speakers, plus half arsed software still in the R&D stage. The list goes on. I'd just be lining myself up for disappointment. I appreciate some people think it's great though, I just don't have enough confidence in Pimax.
This comment brought to you by the year 2018
I think the software is fully arsed now. 😂
I run my 5kXR I never used to have to run the pimax play software until recently. But it's really not that intrusive and you don't need to mess with it much at all.
I'm of the understanding that the G2 will lose WMR support this summer but it will still function using SteamVR / OpenVR or OpenXR runtimes for 2-3 more years.
CUrrently G2 cant be used without WMR. I heard there is group of people working on replacement for WMR but not sure if it will be possible. I still cant beleive Microsoft will brick quite new headset.
I have the feeling you already made such video months ago?
Not against the Reverb G2 bit by bit.
That was a very nice review of the Pimax Crystal Light, but it makes me feel that I made the right decision in buying the Meta Quest 3. I love the pancake lenses, mixed-reality, color pass-through, resolution, FOV, and the money I saved. Thanks, Sebastian, for sharing this information, but I like my Meta Quest 3.
The Quest 3 is a winner indeed! :)
I own both the regular Crystal and the Quest 3 which I rarely use. The Crystal is.my go too. It all depends on what your using the headset for. If you want a do it all decently then yes the quest but if you do sit down PCVR the Crystal blows it out of the water
Yes
@montrose699 I guess I don't do PCVR, so that's a major reason I like using the Quest 3 for being able to use it anywhere in my house that I want, and it's quite a bit cheaper, but I can understand your point if you use PCVR a lot of the time.
That form factor though... no thanks! I'll wait and see what else appears. Been waiting to see what Valve has to offer. If I absolutely must then I'll get a Quest 3, but hopefully I won't be that desperate. (Not that the Q3 is a bad headset of course - but that company, ick!)
Nearly all large corporations are ick, some just hide it better than others, IMO.
jesus my friend. how many times are you going to keep repeating the full name of HP Reverb g2. For video SEO that much repetition isnt needed nor does it help. TH-cams algo caught on to that 10 years ago. Appreciate the comparison though
Could be worse. At least he's not saying, 'Hewlett Packard Reverb Second Generation Virtual Reality Headset" every time.
@@catpainblackudder4661 lol but he's pretty close
I had a Reverb g2 and unfortunately it is not good enough. In fact, it's so bad that for me it's a waste of money. The tracking of the controllers is really bad, so bad in fact that it makes it unplayable in my opinion. Clarity and convenience are good, but obsolete by 2024. I haven't tried Crystal Lite yet, but it looks promising. Especially when it comes to simulator games.
Clarity is good but obsolete in 2024? Name a better clarity headset with displayport connection at that price range
@@Davids6994 when it works, it's great. Problem is my V2 cable seems to be going out so I will be trying the PSVR2 until my Crystal Light shows up IF EVER or just cancel that order if I'm happy with the PSVR2.
Yes that's why u need base stations and index controllers
thanks Bash 👍
Just saying the build quality of the PCL is not as good is lazy. Where exactly does it fall down?
In direct comparison, you will see it. The edges, the gaps in between the parts...all is just not as high quality.
@@mixedrealityTV yes, it's very cheaply built in China
I think that many enthusiasts are afraid of Pimax's after-sales service.
That could indeed be the case. But they did improve on this.
@@mixedrealityTV I'm nearly 2 weeks waiting for a reply from Pimax support. I have a lens issue with my PCL and can't use it until I hopefully get it sorted. So, maybe not so good on the after-sales still unfortunately. Great videos tho!
@@xxbooflexx ah so sad to hear!
where through the lens comparison? 🤦♂
I made many through the lens shots of the Crystal. Just look for it on TH-cam.
Just get a Quest 3! WMR with Windows 11 is not working with the recent updates, and already would never touch anything from Pımax!
Mr. Pimax Hater is back! :)
@@mixedrealityTV Your attention to detail fascinates me 😁 Actually, sometimes I miss my Pimax 5k plus after selling it, but with Quest 3 and keeping my Index I don’t look back. Pimax needs a better vision, they had to simplify their product line, and work really hard on building trust. I have lost my trust, otherwise I don’t hate them as an original Kickstarter. Hoping they strike back.. We will see! Otherwise I support your channel, and your work Sebastian, just be ready for any criticism, such a fascinating thing that from all over the world you are being watched, praised and also criticized 😉Pass auf dich auf!
Just stick with the HP G2, it's build quality is amazing.
Throughout my years of owning G2. It simply never worked properly with steamvr. too many crashes.
Native openxr games on the other hand run perfectly on it
never crashed once on me with constant use through the years that I've had it. It's amazing and built like a tank and I can wear glasses in it.
Sounds like HP Reverb 2 is the clear winner
Reverb G2 is a fantastic headset, but in terms of visuals, the Pimax Crystal Light clearly wins.
@@mixedrealityTV ok, i would like better visuals, but real quick question, I notice that people with Quest3 & Pimax products still have to move their head closer to the dials to see the detail just like the HP Reverb G2, is that true or can you see the dials from a distance in the Pimax Crystal Light? Dials meaning glass cockpit or steam gauges slightly fuzzy until moving head in closer. Thanks for your input as always!
@@harpoon_bakery162 You can see the details better in the Crystal thanks to higher resolution.
I don't want to deal with SteamVR - crap ecosystem
I bought the Crystal Light... an absolutely terrible viewing experience.. massive distortion and shakiness.. I have to dial the IPD as low as possible to avoid massive cross-eyes coming out of the set... shaky, distorted visuals... I have had 4 quest 2 and currently have 2 quest 3 and have not had these issues...
Pimax informed me in a very vague and unprofessional way that the lenses I received are likely faulty.. here is their support email:
"I apologize for the inconvenience.
My colleague will provide you with a new pair of lenses later.
Good day!"
Feels like a very cheap headset all around. Not impressed
"Later".. glad I have this $850 paperweight while I wait
Also, local dimming is maybe 5% improvement over the quest 3 if any
HP Riberty 2
Just buy a Quest 3 and a few aftermarket accessories. Thats all you really need. Everything else is wasting extra money.
By the time you buy all the needed upgrades to the Zuckerberg 3, you're out $1000 usd
Thanks, great review but once again have to laugh. It isnt even available yet to buy. How many times youtube reviews no existant products is dispairing.
G2? Bruh
G2 is trash always has been
If u think its good then u have very low standards
Bruh watch his video first haha
I don't get why everyone asks this. It's like asking how much better is modern car A compared to a 90's chevvy.
the edge to edge clarity and sweet spot are trash on it. And tracking bad. Big shame because the design is so good and screens, if only it had better lenses it would have been good
Bruh, thanks for watching and engaging with the video! :)
It's not trash, it's probably the most comfortable headset I have worn and when it was released the image was one of the best out there. Nowadays, yes it has aged but 'it has always been trash'? Not a chance.