The Pimax Dream Air headset marks a fresh direction for the company, traditionally known for its hefty, expansive field-of-view headsets. With the Dream Air, Pimax is setting its sights on creating a sleek yet feature-packed headset. One standout feature includes a headstrap that automatically adjusts to fit snugly—a potential first in the VR industry.
Set at a price of $1,900 and anticipated to ship in May 2025, the Dream Air is positioned to compete in the emerging market of compact high-end PC VR headsets, challenging contenders like the Bigscreen Beyond and the Shiftall MaganeX Superlight.
But true to Pimax’s penchant for ambitious goals, the Dream Air comes with additional promises that could divert the company’s focus from delivering on time. It includes an optional compute puck, called ‘Cobb,’ with a Snapdragon XR2 chip and battery, allowing the headset to function as a standalone VR device. Let’s not forget the optional SteamVR Tracking faceplate, adding more to its allure.
This announcement highlights Pimax’s pattern of unveiling new products before fulfilling previous commitments. Their Crystal Super headset, revealed in April 2024 and initially slated for Q4 2024, now sees a release pushed to sometime in Q1 2025.
As for the Dream Air, it promises a compact design brimming with impressive specifications and features:
– Weighing in at just 200 grams
– 13MP (3,840 × 3,552) micro-OLED per eye @ 90Hz with “HDR”
– 102° field-of-view
– Inside-out tracking
– Motion controllers & hand-tracking
– Built-in audio
– Optional prescription lenses
– Eye-tracking
– Automatic IPD and strap adjustments
The auto-tightening strap is particularly groundbreaking. Many users face the dilemma of tightening headsets enough for stability without sacrificing comfort. The technology aims to strike the perfect balance, ensuring an ideal fit.
Rendered images suggest the design of the strap is discreet, with its mechanism hidden beneath the fabric, creating an illusion of the strap adjusting seamlessly.
If Pimax can fine-tune this feature effectively, it might just win over users struggling with headset fit. Plus, the automatic IPD adjustment is a welcome addition, optimizing lens distance based on user eye width—often tricky to manage manually.
Though time will tell if Pimax can fully deliver the promised sleekness, for now, it seems they’re showcasing a refined industrial design, moving past the functional, boxy aesthetics of their past models.
Interestingly, while Pimax is venturing into this new domain of compact headsets, they reassure that their dedication to large, wide field-of-view headsets remains untouched.
Pre-orders for the Dream Air are already open, with Pimax setting the price at $1,900 and targeting a delivery in May 2025.
