Walking into someone’s home and seeing a VR headset is becoming more and more likely thanks to the introduction of more affordable and easy-to-use options like the Oculus Quest 2 (opens in new tab)† For a long time, VR was just a hobby for enthusiasts, with idiots like me spending thousands playing with dev kits to get a taste of what was to come for Virtual Reality.
Fortunately, enthusiasts looking to spend a little extra on their VR experiences today are getting a much better deal. Instead of fiddling with clunky experimental tech, they can invest in a great VR kit that’s miles ahead. Pimax is a brand that specializes in VR headsets and for those looking for a more complete experience, the brand’s impressive 8k headsets just got even better.
Pimax has increased the refresh rate of its Pimax 8KX headsets from 90 Hz to 120 Hz. When Pimax refers to a headset as 8k, it means that the two screens for each eye make up the total. This means that this headset actually has a resolution of around 4k per eye, which is still pretty insane. These Pimax headsets also support the full 200-degree field of view what made the difference when we tried (opens in new tab)†
All these standard Pimax features, plus the new refresh rate upgrade, should make for some absolutely buttery smooth VR experiences, assuming your kit can handle it (opens in new tab)† And remember, you may need some tracking accessories.
According to the press release, Pimax has been working with Nvidia on this. The gain is found by speeding up data transfer and improving the signal quality between the PC’s GPU and the Pimax headset. That’s why we bet it works better on Nvidia powered devices. You’d also want a pretty hefty machine to power one of these headsets to begin with, but again, we’re talking enthusiasts.
The other advantage of a Pimax headset is the trade-in system the company offers. This allows people to trade in their old headsets to upgrade to newer ones and the deals are usually pretty reasonable. It’s especially a good deal if you’re looking for upgrade to the 12K headset when Pimax releases it (opens in new tab)† If you’re someone who likes to stay on the cutting edge of VR, it seems like a great system.
This refresh rate upgrade was said to be rolling out to recently produced Pimax 8KX headsets and the website doesn’t list that change yet. Some headsets are also on sale, which may indicate that they are removing old stock that may not support the new 120Hz refresh rate. It’s probably a good idea to check with Pimax before making your purchase, just in case.