When Pimax first unveiled its upcoming Dream Air headset, it sparked a wave of curiosity and inquiry within the virtual reality (VR) community. To address this, Pimax reached out to answer those burning questions, providing a sneak peek at early prototypes, a comprehensive list of specs, and updates on products still in the pipeline.
By now, Pimax is a recognized name in the VR headset market. However, they’ve consistently faced critiques regarding product quality, strategic clarity, unmet release timelines, and frequently announcing new products while older commitments linger unfinished.
Their announcement of the sleek Dream Air headset ignited fresh discussions, prompting questions on how Pimax plans to overcome past hurdles. We took these queries directly to the company, and here’s what they shared, complete with prototype photos, detailed specs, and updates on previously announced but unreleased products.
Q: How sure is Pimax that the Dream Air will be ready and available in significant numbers by May 2025?
A: For over a year, we’ve been internally developing both the Crystal Super micro-OLED and Dream Air headsets (which are essentially the same under the hood). With a fully operational optical engine, we believe the remaining development timeline leading up to May is adequate, mirroring the Crystal Super’s creation timeframe over the last year.
Both headsets share the same optical engine technology, repurposed into a new design for the Dream Air. While the final hurdle may involve securing enough micro-OLED panels and possibly developing new ringless controllers, we’re prepared to initially ship with current ringed controllers and offer replacements later.
We’re targeting the release of 200-300 headsets in May, which influenced the timing of this announcement for reasons elaborated on below.
Q: Why was the Dream Air announced shortly after the Super, and why are pre-orders open already?
A: There are several reasons. Announcing the Dream Air before the Super starts shipping prevents customers from wishing they’d opted for this instead. Current Discord feedback supports this as many users can still switch their orders from the Super to the Dream Air.
Another critical factor is the limited supply of micro-OLED panels. The demand far exceeds the supply in this market, making lead times quite extensive. Opening pre-orders helps us estimate interest levels and secure the necessary panels to ensure a May release, requiring order placement no later than early January due to holiday schedules like Chinese New Year.
This panel shortage isn’t unique to Pimax; similar obstacles affect our competitors, many of whom do not offer refundable pre-orders. However, our pre-orders are refundable before shipment, with the option to trade in post-arrival, and we introduced a modest $1 reservation option.
Q: What would you say to those who feel Pimax should streamline its product focus?
A: Our goal is to excel as a multi-SKU company as the VR headset landscape rapidly diversifies. We strive to deliver the best experience across different applications, with offerings like the Crystal and Dream lines.
All our models are grounded in shared core technology, both in hardware and software, focusing on PCVR. We’ve learned from past experiences, such as the non-PCVR Portal.
Boasting nine years in VR headset development, we have two R&D facilities and are opening our second assembly line to support this multi-SKU vision.
Leveraging shared technology allows us to distribute resources more effectively for advancing technologies that benefit all models, avoiding single annual sales peaks and facilitating a more manageable production schedule thanks to our in-house factory and workforce.
Q: Are any more headsets from Pimax on the horizon?
A: We’ll be updating some older models, but you won’t see anything exceeding the specs of the Dream Air and Crystal Super, aside from the anticipated 12K.
Q: How developed is the Dream Air’s design? Were the announcement images mere concepts or fully finished designs? Is a working prototype available?
A: The internal components are fully designed, featuring a functioning optical engine, and share software with the Crystal Super, including SLAM tracking for both headset and controllers, as well as eye and hand tracking plus all Pimax Play settings.
Externally, we’re evaluating designs within the Crystal Super housing but are working on the unique Dream Air casing. Here are glimpses of two development prototypes:
- Newer Prototype Image (credit: Pimax)
- Older Prototype Image (credit: Pimax)
Update (December 31, 2024): An earlier version of this article mistakenly labeled the prototype images; this has been corrected.
Q: Will the Cobb module, a standalone add-on for Dream Air, ship in 2025?
A: There’s no exact ETA for Cobb yet. It’s an add-on for Dream Air, and we’re still adding features not included in prior announcements.
Q: What safety measures exist to prevent the auto-tightening headstrap from being dangerous if it fails?
A: The key is striking a balance—it has enough strength to hold the lightweight headset but not enough to cause harm. The inner straps made of elastic rubber are similar to those in self-lacing shoes, like Nike’s Auto Adapt.
Q: Can the headstraps be replaced, and if so, how?
A: Yes, the straps can be removed at the stems.
Q: Could this device run on HorizonOS or AndroidXR in the future?
A: There are no plans for this. Internally, it is identical to the micro-OLED optical engine of the Crystal Super, operating as a PC VR headset with Pimax Play, alongside OpenXR/OpenVR runtime and SteamVR.
Pimax has also disclosed the Dream Air’s technical specifications:
Pimax Dream Air Specs
Visuals
- Display: 2 × micro-OLED, 100% DCI-P3 colors
- Resolution per-eye: 13MP (3,840 × 3,552)
- Maximum Refresh Rate: 90Hz
- Optics: Pancake
- Field-of-view: 102°H
- Pass-through view: Black & white
- Optical Adjustments: Continuous IPD (automatic), Prescription lenses (optional)
- IPD adjustment range: 58–72mm
Input & Output
- Connectors: DP 1.4 (PC) to USB-C (headset), 1 × USB-C accessory port
- Input: Dream Air controllers (rechargeable battery), Hand-tracking
- Audio: In-headstrap speakers
- Microphone: Dual-microphone
- Weight: 200g
Sensing
- Headset-tracking: Inside-out (no external beacons), SteamVR Tracking (external beacons) [optional]
- Controller-tracking: Headset-tracked (headset line-of-sight needed)
- Eye-tracking: Yes
- Expression-tracking: No
- On-board cameras: 4 × tracking, 2 × passthrough
- Depth-sensor: No
Price
- MSRP: $1,900
Pimax Product Shipping Update
Q: Can you share the latest shipping estimates for unreleased Pimax products?
A: The Crystal Super is primed for a CES 2025 debut. The QLED 57 PPD optical engine is slated to ship by late January, with other optical engines following in March and April.
The Crystal Light, sans local dimming, will likely see a June 2025 release at a competitive price. The 60G Airlink for the original Crystal is close to its external beta phase, launching April 2025.
For the 12K model, an ETA remains elusive. Some technical solutions didn’t meet our quality standards, like the dual DP 1.4 and another undisclosed panel solution.
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