Welcome to the Oasis! Today, we’re diving into the world of Pimax. We’ll discuss the current shipping situation for backers and explore the impressive lineup of products and accessories they recently showcased at CES in Las Vegas. So, let’s jump right in!
Contents
An Apology to Backers
Pimax recently posted an apology on their official forums, addressing the delays in shipping headsets to their Kickstarter backers. As of January 5th, 2019, Pimax has produced 4,605 headsets and shipped 2,027 of them to backers. The company acknowledged the importance of Quality Assurance, logistics, and customer support. This open and transparent communication is a welcome change and shows that Pimax is actively addressing the concerns of their backers.
The 5K Business Edition
One of the highlights at CES was the Pimax 5K Business Edition. This headset boasts a 2560 by 1440 pixels per eye display with a 200-degree field of view. Unlike the CLPL displays found in the 5K Plus, the Business Edition uses OLED displays at 85Hz. While the difference between OLED and M OLED is minimal, OLED offers better black levels and more vibrant colors. Early reports suggest that the screen door effect is more apparent on this edition compared to the original 5K and 8K models. Priced at $999, it targets professional and commercial use in public spaces.
The Knuckle Style Controllers
Pimax also revealed their new knuckle-style controllers at CES. These controllers, currently in development in collaboration with Valve, feature capacitive sensors that detect your grip and offer a more intuitive interaction experience. The controllers have capacitive sensors in the buttons, touchpad, and thumbsticks, similar to Oculus Touch. Designed with comfort and functionality in mind, they feature a unique strap mechanism that allows you to let go of the grip while keeping the controllers attached to your hands. Pimax plans to release a limited number of these controllers in April, with a wider release throughout 2019.
Eye Tracking and Hand Tracking
Pimax showcased their eye tracking module, developed in partnership with eye-tracking company 7invensim. This module clips onto the lenses of Pimax headsets and connects via USB C, enhancing the overall experience by offering gaze-based interactions and improved rendering techniques such as foveated rendering.
Additionally, Pimax demonstrated the Leap Motion hand tracking module, which provides a more immersive and natural interaction experience by allowing users to freely move their hands in VR. By attaching the module to the bottom of the headset via USB C, users can enjoy a wide range of hand movements and gestures in virtual environments.
FAQs
Q: When will Pimax start shipping the headsets to backers?
Pimax has already shipped a significant number of headsets to backers, and they aim to fulfill most backer orders before shipping their website pre-orders, which are scheduled for February 21st.
Q: Will the new controllers work with the original Vive base stations?
No, the new controllers will require SteamVR 2.0 base stations or the base stations provided by Pimax.
Q: Are OLED displays better than CLPL displays?
OLED displays offer better black levels and more vibrant colors compared to CLPL displays. However, early reports suggest that the screen door effect may be more noticeable on the 5K Business Edition.
Conclusion
Pimax has acknowledged the delays and shortcomings, and they are working hard to improve the overall experience for their backers. The introduction of the 5K Business Edition, knuckle-style controllers, eye tracking, and hand tracking modules showcases Pimax’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of VR technology.
As a backer myself, I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my Pimax headset and I look forward to sharing my thoughts and experiences with you. Remember to stay tuned for more exciting content, and don’t forget to check out the Techal website for all your technology needs.
Cheers!
