My Pimax light came today.

[Fielder]

The inbuilt (stock) Crystal Light speakers are not as good as the G2. But I don't care because I don't use them. I didn't use the speakers on the G2 either. A pair of earbuds ($30-$100) sound way better than even the G2 or the Valve. There's no way off ear speakers can challenge in ear speakers.

I'm using Soundcore Liberty 4 NC on sale for $70, they cost $100 anywhere normally. Amazon has them on sale now for $70. They run that sale every few months. They are tiny and come with 5 sizes of rubber ends.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=soundcore+liberty+4+nc

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BZV7M23Q/

I wouldn't use them if I had to fumble taking the headset on and off. But I don't have to with these. This type of bluetooth pods are what runners and people working out in the gym use with their phones.  Secure and you don't even know you have them there.

 

[zorro747]

10 hours ago, Fielder said:

The inbuilt (stock) Crystal Light speakers are not as good as the G2.

 

Does CL have a built in microphone? 

[Fielder]

Yes, Crystal Light has built in microphone. So do the Soundcare Liberty 4 NC earpods that I use for audio with the CL. Ear pods were designed to take phone calls on iPhones and to play iTunes, and so they all tend to have very good mics and audio. In general better than what's built into VR headsets.

[Fielder]

I think the 2 reasonable choices for purchase right now are Crystal Light and Quest 3. CL is going to perform a little better and give a better image and doesn't need to upgrade the strap and there's no batteries to recharge.

But the Quest 3 is cheaper, has much better pass through, and a library of other games and there's no cumbersome wire and keeps getting better with the constant new driver updates. So old reviews of it don't quite do it justice.

EDIT and the Q3 goes all the way down to 55 in ID to fit kid's eyes, 58 is minimum on CL. Average adult male is 65.

Edited August 12 by Fielder

[dogmanbird]

Hi Fielder - how are the optics with regard to edge to edge clarity and sweet spot? 

[remcosol]

I dont know if the usb issues have been resolved for most but for me it helps when you switch off the usb selective suspend in the power options.

[Donka]

I received my Crystal Light at the weekend but it's been a real disappointment.

Three real issues:

 

• Chromatic Aberration
• Unable to focus properly
• IPD adjustment intermittent/lagging

 

Set up and updating the firmware etc. was very straight forward and got everything working first time. Sadly, the image was very underwhelming. First of all, the chromatic aberration was very excessive and this is right in the middle of the screen. Using the OpenXR Toolkit on screen display looked like the old 3D anaglyph images with overlapping characters - especially pronounced in a high contrast scene such against the bright sky. The other is focusing, I'm using my distance glasses in the headset which work fine in the Pico 4 and Quest 3 but I cannot get a good focus in the CL. I switched to my old glasses to compare and things were a little improved so it seems the focal distance of the CL is not inline with the other headsets I have tried.

 

[AJZip]

32 minutes ago, Donka said:

I received my Crystal Light at the weekend but it's been a real disappointment.

Three real issues:

 

• Chromatic Aberration
• Unable to focus properly
• IPD adjustment intermittent/lagging

 

Set up and updating the firmware etc. was very straight forward and got everything working first time. Sadly, the image was very underwhelming. First of all, the chromatic aberration was very excessive and this is right in the middle of the screen. Using the OpenXR Toolkit on screen display looked like the old 3D anaglyph images with overlapping characters - especially pronounced in a high contrast scene such against the bright sky. The other is focusing, I'm using my distance glasses in the headset which work fine in the Pico 4 and Quest 3 but I cannot get a good focus in the CL. I switched to my old glasses to compare and things were a little improved so it seems the focal distance of the CL is not inline with the other headsets I have tried.

 

Well I'm glad you have posted this @Donka !   

I don't recall seeing anything in the various Youtube reviews (not even the much respected and glasses-wearer Simhanger ones as far as I can see, although I stand to be corrected) that cover the focal length issue - which before your post I was completely unaware of.  Also, no mention in the Pimax user manuals!

But, having just done a fairly deep internet search, yes - you are right.  The Crystal Light (and I think Crystal) is set at a 1m focal length.  Almost all other headsets are set at 2m.  So the glasses/inserts needed are closer to the mid-distance/computer screen prescription and NOT distance.  Word not allowed me - that's pretty important information to not to tell anyone!!!!

The VR Optician website actually offers two choices of prescription for the Crystal Light - mid or distance but don't explain why they are giving you that choice!!!

Anyway, it appears that the glasses or inserts prescription you need to be using is 1m / computer screen one and not the more usual distance one...   

[Donka]

Yup, I feel like I am going cross eyed at times with the focusing. I would need a new eye test to get the correct prescription.

Chromatic aberration is the other big thing for me though. This is right in the middle of the image through the left lens - the right isn't quite as bad...

 

[Fielder]

I don't have any of these issues. I have not noticed chromatic aberration. Everything is clear and sharp. However, there may be some there, and probably is, but not enough for me to even notice.

In the CL, the interocular (interpupillary distance) adjustment is not a move and try thing. It's adjusted with an app in Pimax play. Yes you move wheel which moves the lenses, but a digital readout of the IPD is displayed as you move the I.P.D. wheel. The wheel movement is continuous, there are not notches. So it can be set exactly spot on.

I don't wear glasses. The Reverb G2 which I sold used, never was exactly set to my IPD. The Pimax gets it closer and images are sharp, moving the wheel until the digital numbers match what I know my IPD is, and everything just sort of snaps into perfect alignment. I have never reset it, never touched the wheel again. It remains perfect. Thus the stereo image is more pleasing and less tiring compared to the G2, I don't have to move my eyes closer together or further apart (straining the eyes. Anybody can learn to change their eyes IPD, i.e. move the pupils closer or further apart. That's how people in the old 1800's could view stereo images without a viewer. They trained themselves to move their pupils further apart by standing in front of a mirror. And a lot of people at 3D stereo conventions still use this method today, enjoying old 3D cards without a viewer.

Colors and edge to edge clarity are an order of magnitude better than my old Reverb G2. Also, the CL always works when I flip the toggle on my Warthog throttle which I assigned to turn VR on and off in MSFS. I never have to stop or restart MSFS to get it to work again. I did have to do that sometimes with my G2.

In this new video, he is using a Quest 3. If I set my settings in MSFS to match his. And if I use the middle of 3 choices for resolution in Pimax Play options, I am getting identical fps to what he is getting, flying through the skyscrapers of NYC. In the low to middle 40's fps. Therefore I conclude that the Quest 3 (it's much cheaper) at least will give the same fps of the CL. But the colors aren't as good, nor overall clarity as good as on my CL (especially in the far distance straight ahead). However, the Q3 is very good in all these respects in his video, just not quite as good as in my CL. It is now a fine headset at a cheap price because Meta drivers keep getting better and better.

 

Also, the Q3 has a type of "re projection", think of it as FG for VR. They gave it another name, but it is reprojection. And flightsimguy on YT says it's the best "reprojection" available on any headset (1:33 into the video below).

 

 

[Fielder]

What I was trying to say above about IPD is that everyone's eyes will automatically try and adjust themselves apart so that there is one aligned stereo image in the brain instead of two similar but not identical images. So they compensate. But this strains the eyes and is fatiguing. When the lenses are perfectly apart to match your normal relaxed eye distance, the strain is greatly reduced and less fatiguing. Also the perceived 3D depth effect changes as your eyes move closer or further apart. So when the lenses are perfectly set then the image depth looks more natural and not reduced or exaggerated. So, less fatigue and more natural depth.

[zorro747]

I am currently using Quest3. Along with VD it runs and looks great. In the cabin everything clear and sharp. Just in a distance the LOD is cut, I think.

I  ordered CL. Should arrive in mid Septebrer. Then I will share my emotions. I have heard that some people who got CL had issues with lenses. That may cause some distortions and other word not allowed. But CL support agreed to provide a new set of lenses.

Quest3 is the best affordable option so far in conjunction with VD. Of course, my very first experience with Quest 3 was dissapointing. As some of the users may experience also. But after I got VD and set everything up, then I got a very nice picture and performance. I have standard 5G mobile router on my desk and it runs also pretty much well. But sometimes when the signal is not stable, I may get a lower quality picture. That is why I want PC VR such as CL. 

For those who are financially limited my recommendation is Quest3.

[strider1]

On 8/29/2024 at 2:12 AM, Donka said:

Chromatic aberration is the other big thing for me though. This is right in the middle of the image through the left lens - the right isn't quite as bad...

I don't see any color fringing except with the OpenXR toolkit menu.

[Donka]

8 hours ago, strider1 said:

I don't see any color fringing except with the OpenXR toolkit menu.

Is that on your own headset? I can see it in a lot of places such as the garmins, cockpit edges, mountain peaks on the horizon, atc towers etc. and other items such as the Pimax IPD adjuster dialog.

[strider1]

3 hours ago, Donka said:

Is that on your own headset? I can see it in a lot of places such as the garmins, cockpit edges, mountain peaks on the horizon, atc towers etc. and other items such as the Pimax IPD adjuster dialog.

1. Yes. 2. I think I see a little in the periphery of the lens if focus my eyes there. Nothing really noticeable that stands out in the cockpit. Are you talking about the slight red edges on numbers and borders of menus?