Pimax Crystal is Brilliant with iL2.

[DBCOOPER011]

New Pimax firmware out for the Crystal. The 72Hz mode is working very good for me and I'm able to utilize a lot more eye candy in VR. Able to also use this headset in MSFS w/o re-projection..

[slikslik]

Thanks for this info guys.  I think I'll order the Crystal from Amazon and try it out.  The good thing about Amazon, is that I can return it with no questions asked if I'm not happy. Of course, I'll be going through the same when the 12K is released.   Thanks again...take care   Eddie.

[TAIPAN_]

12 hours ago, DBCOOPER011 said:

New Pimax firmware out for the Crystal. The 72Hz mode is working very good for me and I'm able to utilize a lot more eye candy in VR. Able to also use this headset in MSFS w/o re-projection..

 

I've tried 72hz in OpenXR (DCS) and could notice quite a bit of flicker I think, whatever it was it didn't feel right compared to 90hz. 

 

I'll have to try again with OpenVR, though the main sims I'd need it for would be openXR (MSFS and DCS). IL2 seems to run OK at 90fps.

[DBCOOPER011]

10 hours ago, TAIPAN_ said:

 

I've tried 72hz in OpenXR (DCS) and could notice quite a bit of flicker I think, whatever it was it didn't feel right compared to 90hz. 

 

I'll have to try again with OpenVR, though the main sims I'd need it for would be openXR (MSFS and DCS). IL2 seems to run OK at 90fps.

 

 I read that some other people had flickering in 72hz on their discord. I just tried IL2 in opencomposite and steamvr and no flicker at all. Also tried DCS in QVFR, MSFS, and then the lab in SteamVR, also no flicker. Something strange goin on...

[Varibraun]

I just updated and tried the 72hz mode in IL2 - no flickering for me in SteamVR.  I was able to dial up the resolution in SteamVR and will see how much further I can take it in 72Hz.*

 

However - The firmware update confirmed through the headset new LED colors what I have suspected for the past few weeks, it appears that my Pimax USB hub is no longer charging the battery in the headset.  Just put in a support ticket requesting a new one.

 

*Question - I am currently playing in "High" game graphics.  Do you think it has more visual impact to go to "Extreme" in game or to push up the headset resolution?

[TAIPAN_]

8 hours ago, Varibraun said:

However - The firmware update confirmed through the headset new LED colors what I have suspected for the past few weeks, it appears that my Pimax USB hub is no longer charging the battery in the headset.  Just put in a support ticket requesting a new one.

 

*Question - I am currently playing in "High" game graphics.  Do you think it has more visual impact to go to "Extreme" in game or to push up the headset resolution?

 

I replaced the hub with a powered Sabrent Hub as described in this post. USB3 (blue) direct to computer, USB2 (black) into the powered hub. I never measured charging speeds but it definitely improved the stability - no more 10500 errors happening occasionally and not needing to reboot the computer to get the headset connected. 

 

 

 

If I want to have an infinite time gaming session I also plug in a Lenovo USBC laptop charger into the USBC port and the battery never declines. 

 

In terms of IL2 "HIGH" setting, I believe that is for draw distance of rendering eg trees, clouds, buildings etc. There is a config file with some of them somewhere.

To improve quality I do two things:

* Turn on MSAA, Anisotropic, Shadows and all that stuff

* Make sure in PimaxPlay I have it set to Custom 1.0, not balanced. The balanced setting is like 12.3m pixels 3232x3824, whereas the 1.0 setting is 22m pixels 4312x5100. Then you can move steam SS up and down from there.

[DBCOOPER011]

8 hours ago, Varibraun said:

I just updated and tried the 72hz mode in IL2 - no flickering for me in SteamVR.  I was able to dial up the resolution in SteamVR and will see how much further I can take it in 72Hz.*

 

However - The firmware update confirmed through the headset new LED colors what I have suspected for the past few weeks, it appears that my Pimax USB hub is no longer charging the battery in the headset.  Just put in a support ticket requesting a new one.

 

*Question - I am currently playing in "High" game graphics.  Do you think it has more visual impact to go to "Extreme" in game or to push up the headset resolution?

 

Yes, I had problems with the USB hub for a little while. I fixed mine by plugging the main USB cable from the hub directly into a USB 2.0 port on the back of my motherboard. Using a 3.0 or 3.2 port gave me numerous problems for some reason. I then plugged the main USB cable from the HMD into a USB 3.0 connection on my motherboard and the auxiliary cable from the HMD cord into the hub. It's charging perfectly now, the HMD will show yellow when charging and white when done. It does not charge during game play, only when you "disconnect" from Pimax play. You get about 6 hours on the battery though.

 

For Il2, I use a render quality of 1.0 in the HMD/Pimax play, and have my settings in IL2 maxed out except for MSAAx2. I use OpenXR tool to set my resolution at around 3550x4201 is my sweet spot with a 7800X3D/4090...

[Varibraun]

On 11/11/2023 at 11:15 PM, TAIPAN_ said:

I replaced the hub with a powered Sabrent Hub as described in this post. USB3 (blue) direct to computer, USB2 (black) into the powered hub. I never measured charging speeds but it definitely improved the stability - no more 10500 errors happening occasionally and not needing to reboot the computer to get the headset connected. 

 

Taipan - Just want to say thank you, I had a powered USB3 Hub (atolla) so I tried it out and this solution worked great.  (Pimax is also shipping me a replacement, but it appears that I won't need it).  Really appreciate the advice!