Pimax Crystal Light

[c19580]

On 9/1/2024 at 9:21 AM, Chilli_40 said:

I have a question: Pimax's, tech support determined my lens are defective and are supposed to be replacing them as I had said in an earlier post, well other than the fact that it's coming up on 2 months with still no replacement lens. My question is, my headset has the local dimming feature, is this feature produced by the lens or is it an internal component that does it? If it's created by the lens how will I even know that the replacement lens are the correct ones? Currently if I try and fly at night it's like looking through a really fogged up windshield. Not saying that I don't trust Pimax, but I don't trust Pimax.

did you ever get your replacement lenses?

 

Did it fix the image issues you were experiencing?

 

I’m now waiting on replacement lenses for my 2nd PCL which also has some visual problems, although somewhat better than my 1st headset that was unusable.

On 9/21/2024 at 1:23 PM, DBCOOPER011 said:

 

I'm running 4312x4628 at 72hz daily on this thing in IL2 w/no ffr/dfr and maintain between 10-11ms with the 4090. I think 11ms is the limit for 90hz..

can you please share your settings in the IL2 game itself and in the nvidia control panel?

 

I also have a 4090 And you seem to have found a formula that works so very appreciative to learn from your experience

[DBCOOPER011]

These are my IL2 settings. The only NVCP settings I change are Vsnc off and low latency to ultra..

 

[[CPT]Crunch]

Two things I've done that make major differences in performance, with a 4090 boost the VRAM clock up 1350 Mhz using MSI afterburner, and properly set up the AMD 7800X3D to recognize gaming and kick in the 3D part of CPU.  I didn't know that part of the CPU was not being fully utilized due to incorrect windows settings.  Once you set it if you were using process lasso or any other core parking app, ditch it. 

 

 

Both combined make a huge difference, I'm getting close to 4000x4000 res playable at 90 Hz mode and the scaling mode now works dang good, still testing to see how far I can push it.  It's playable at 4300x4300 in 120 hz smoothing on with half frames locked, looks fantastic, except for micro judders over heavy scenes low over cities.  The fog really cleans up and horizons clear.  But dang is it a load, scared of the heat build up in prolonged use.

[c19580]

Thanks! 
 

I undervolted my 4090 and boosted the vram up to the stability limit following this guide. Do you all undervolt your 4090s?

 

 

I have a 13900k intel i9. Is there a similar way to optimize as with the AMD?

[Chilli_40]

7 hours ago, c19580 said:

did you ever get your replacement lenses?

 

Did it fix the image issues you were experiencing?

 

I’m now waiting on replacement lenses for my 2nd PCL which also has some visual problems, although somewhat better than my 1st headset that was unusable.

can you please share your settings in the IL2 game itself and in the nvidia control panel?

 

I also have a 4090 And you seem to have found a formula that works so very appreciative to learn from your experience

No, the new lenses were worse than the originals. They've now decided to replace the headset, shipped it back last week, it will be interesting to see how long it will take to get a replacement.  

[[CPT]Crunch]

Nope, undervolting doesn't gain anything far as performance on my 4090, it's a graphical performance hit on the three curves I tried from recommendations.  It can reduce the wattage consumption good but the temp doesn't change that dramatically on the GPU hot spot.  Long as the GPU's not cooking and in normal range I'm good without it.  The memory boost makes a dramatic change on visuals, deeper colors and better textures, everything looks like fog is lifted.  Good for better spotting of air and ground contacts.  Can see a flight of four stuka's at 13 miles now instead of 6.

 

I use vertical offsets +1.8 to square up the resolution on the screens, pre openXR Pimax Play was running around 3450x3450 res but with these two fixes and the new play can run 4200x4200 at straight 90Hz with no scaling.  Pretty much another upgrade.

[Varibraun]

On 9/29/2024 at 9:52 AM, DBCOOPER011 said:

These are my IL2 settings. The only NVCP settings I change are Vsnc off and low latency to ultra..

 

 

Hi @DBCOOPER011 - I really appreciate that you have taken the time to post ALL of your settings here over the past couple of months and was curious if you have changed anything since the Pimax Play update to incorporate native OpenXR? 

 

I know the Pimax update instruction video reflects deleting XR Toolkit as well as PimaxXR - so, do you see any benefit to that since XR Tookit seems to still have a lot more options settings than currently included in Pimax Play?  Also, since XR Toolkit is not being updated, do you see potential conflicts going forward?   Thank you!  

[DBCOOPER011]

2 hours ago, Varibraun said:

 

Hi @DBCOOPER011 - I really appreciate that you have taken the time to post ALL of your settings here over the past couple of months and was curious if you have changed anything since the Pimax Play update to incorporate native OpenXR? 

 

I know the Pimax update instruction video reflects deleting XR Toolkit as well as PimaxXR - so, do you see any benefit to that since XR Tookit seems to still have a lot more options settings than currently included in Pimax Play?  Also, since XR Toolkit is not being updated, do you see potential conflicts going forward?   Thank you!  

 

The only thing I've done so far is delete the PimaxXR app. The newest Pimax Play incorporates quad views natively and works pretty good, but not as good as Mbucchia's. I uninstalled Mbucchia's quad views (QVFR) and tested it in DCS, but it only has 3 built in settings to control the foveated rendering.

 

I reinstalled the old QVFR and currently using it with the quadviews companion. The old QVFR has more tuning options and I like to super sample the foveated region as much as possible.

 

I currently use the XR toolkit in both DCS and IL2. If I recall correctly, I think there was a compatibility issue with using the toolkit with only the standalone Pimax Play quadviews. I have no issues using it with Mbucchia's installed though...

[[CPT]Crunch]

Just to make it clear to those who don't know, quadviews and IL-2 are incompatible and will crash your game in short order.  If your having issues this might be the reason.  If your game freezes up and you have a black region around a rectangular picture you probably have quad views on.  It's easy to set up a profile for IL-2 with it off and than forget and start IL-2 up directly which than uses the common settings which has it on by default.  Than wonder why your game keeps crashing.

Edited October 12, 2024 by [CPT]Crunch

[1./KG4_klaw123]

Gentlemen, can I ask you for sage wisdom with IL2 and the PCL.  I am a new user with the PCL and find that If I use Steam VR for IL2...the game will crash at various intervals.

If I use Pimax XR with Open Composite the game also crashes in a similar way.  I am not using Quad Views.  I am losing my mind trying to get a stable game.  My previous headset was the original Reverb.

 

Any thoughts would be most welcome.  Thanks

[c19580]

The latest version of Pimax Play eliminates the need for Pimax XR. Just make sure you have Open XR enabled in Pimax Play.

 

I assume you also know about Open Composite and replacing the DLL file in the game directory with the latest one, which can be found earlier in this thread.

 

I’d avoid Steam VR in general for performance reasons.

 

What I’d probably do if you can’t get a stable game is to do an uninstall and a fresh install. Just make sure to backup the input folder so you keep all your key mappings.

[chiliwili69]

6 hours ago, c19580 said:

I’d avoid Steam VR in general for performance reasons.

 

Just for putting some data about this, the difference in performance tested by one member is 2-3 fps over 90Hz.

 

https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/66924-syn_vander-benchmark-v6-to-measure-il-2-performance-in-monitor-vr/?do=findComment&comment=1330157

 

[1./KG4_klaw123]

c19580

I did not know about the Dll file, thank you for your swift response.  I will track it down and see how it goes.

 

Thanks so much.

[1./KG4_klaw123]

c19580

 

Sorry, but being a newb,  where can I find the DLL I need, can you help?

'I assume you also know about Open Composite and replacing the DLL file in the game directory with the latest one, which can be found earlier in this thread'

 

Many thanks

 

[TCW_Brzi_Joe]

1 hour ago, 1./KG4_klaw123 said:

c19580

 

Sorry, but being a newb,  where can I find the DLL I need, can you help?

'I assume you also know about Open Composite and replacing the DLL file in the game directory with the latest one, which can be found earlier in this thread'

 

Many thanks

 

Open composite is on Gitlab site: https://gitlab.com/znixian/OpenOVR

Scroll down to text "Per-game installation", under it are 2 downloads, click on 64-bit - that will download your dll.

 

Copy that file (openvr_api.dll) to your ...\IL-2 Sturmovik Battle of Stalingrad\bin\game

It would be wise first to backup original dll file from there.

 

I start PimaxClient, then Steam (without steamvr), and then IL-2 from steam.

 

On 10/21/2024 at 7:50 PM, 1./KG4_klaw123 said:

.the game will crash at various intervals.

Disable foveated rendering in pimax client.

[c19580]

There’s a fair amount of chatter on Discord, primarily amongst MSFS and DCS users, about the latest Pimax Play with integrated Open XR resulting in worse performance compared to the old Pimax Play and separate Pimax XR.

 

I’m using the new Pimax Play with integrated OpenXR and haven’t noticed any degradation in performance. I haven’t uninstalled PimaXR and not sure if that makes any difference since I’m not running it when I play.

 

Has  anyone noticed any difference in performance?

[spreckair]

Great News!  Pimax has my Crystal Light ready for shipment...to Europe?!!!  I don't live in Europe (although sometimes I wish I did).  Anyone else experience this...that doesn't live in Europe?

 

Update:  They have corrected their message and are sending the headset to the US.  Fingers crossed.

Edited November 7, 2024 by spreckair

[thermoregulator]

Guys, can you play career mode with PCL? Whenever I try to launch career mission, or start a new career with Pimax, game immediately freezes. In 2d, or with Pico 4 ultra is everything ok and career works.

[firdimigdi]

18 hours ago, thermoregulator said:

Guys, can you play career mode with PCL? Whenever I try to launch career mission, or start a new career with Pimax, game immediately freezes. In 2d, or with Pico 4 ultra is everything ok and career works.

 

Disable FFR.

[thermoregulator]

2 hours ago, firdimigdi said:

 

Disable FFR.

FFR is off, I believe, and the problem is still there. It is just the career. I can play quick missions or multiplayer just fine. Only when I try to start career mission, or try to start new career, game freezes. If I swap the Pimax for Pico 4, it works OK. I struggle to understand this issue. It seems Pimax software somehow interferes with career mode, but I don't know how. 

[DBCOOPER011]

5 hours ago, thermoregulator said:

FFR is off, I believe, and the problem is still there. It is just the career. I can play quick missions or multiplayer just fine. Only when I try to start career mission, or try to start new career, game freezes. If I swap the Pimax for Pico 4, it works OK. I struggle to understand this issue. It seems Pimax software somehow interferes with career mode, but I don't know how. 

 

Just played in career mode some with the OG crystal and had no problems.

[thermoregulator]

16 hours ago, DBCOOPER011 said:

 

Just played in career mode some with the OG crystal and had no problems.

Thank you.

 

It's strange, I am out of ideas what to try...

[Charlo-VRde]

On 11/19/2024 at 2:41 PM, thermoregulator said:

Guys, can you play career mode with PCL? Whenever I try to launch career mission, or start a new career with Pimax, game immediately freezes. In 2d, or with Pico 4 ultra is everything ok and career works.

I haven’t played a career in years, but just now I had a successful mission in a new WW I career using my Pimax Crystal Light. I am running Pimax Play 1.26.02.01.

[thermoregulator]

On 11/23/2024 at 7:05 AM, Charlo-VR said:

I haven’t played a career in years, but just now I had a successful mission in a new WW I career using my Pimax Crystal Light. I am running Pimax Play 1.26.02.01.

 

I have tried everything including windows reinstall, nothing helps. I guess I will return to Pico 4 ultra, which has better lenses, at least 🙂

[c19580]

For those using OpenXR toolkit, do you use CAS sharpening in the OpenXR Toolkit AND select SHARPEN in the IL2 settings? Or is it not advisable to select both? 
 

What landscape filter is recommended, Sharp or Blurred?

 

I’m confused by all the sharpening options and what they do…

[DBCOOPER011]

7 hours ago, c19580 said:

For those using OpenXR toolkit, do you use CAS sharpening in the OpenXR Toolkit AND select SHARPEN in the IL2 settings? Or is it not advisable to select both? 
 

What landscape filter is recommended, Sharp or Blurred?

 

I’m confused by all the sharpening options and what they do…

 

I like a lot of sharpening and use around 70% sharpening in the toolkit, with sharpening checked in the game. I also have the landscape checked as sharp. Anymore then that and it starts to look too grainy for me..

[DBCOOPER011]

7 hours ago, thermoregulator said:

 

I have tried everything including windows reinstall, nothing helps. I guess I will return to Pico 4 ultra, which has better lenses, at least 🙂

 

This is kind of bizarre, you can play quick missions and multiplayer fine but not career mode. Since you did a full windows reinstall, I can only think its maybe a CPU issue, since career mode probably loads up the CPU more then quick missions/multiplayer, and maybe your cpu block aint installed correctly. Or maybe you ram settings are not stable. What hardware do you have? I have the Pico also, and the crystal is much better in visuals..

[thermoregulator]

7 hours ago, DBCOOPER011 said:

 

This is kind of bizarre, you can play quick missions and multiplayer fine but not career mode. Since you did a full windows reinstall, I can only think its maybe a CPU issue, since career mode probably loads up the CPU more then quick missions/multiplayer, and maybe your cpu block aint installed correctly. Or maybe you ram settings are not stable. What hardware do you have? I have the Pico also, and the crystal is much better in visuals..

Yes, Crystal is much better than Pico in visuals, if you were lucky enough to get 2 good lenses. A wasn't that lucky tough, and my right lense is blurry, so I am waiting for replacement lenses to be sent. Clarity of the Crystal (crystal light) is amazing though, and even performance seems to be better than Pico (at similar pixel count, I run pico on cca 4200x4200). Problem is I really struggle to configure Crystal right. I mean, IPD offset and so on. I can't really say to what degree is bad lense to blame, or if it is bad config or something. 

 

My current hardware is 9800x3d, 64Gb, 6000 Mhz 30 CL RAM, RTX 4090.

 

It is really bizzare. But according to this thread, I am not the only one eith this issue:

 

 

[DBCOOPER011]

3 hours ago, thermoregulator said:

Yes, Crystal is much better than Pico in visuals, if you were lucky enough to get 2 good lenses. A wasn't that lucky tough, and my right lense is blurry, so I am waiting for replacement lenses to be sent. Clarity of the Crystal (crystal light) is amazing though, and even performance seems to be better than Pico (at similar pixel count, I run pico on cca 4200x4200). Problem is I really struggle to configure Crystal right. I mean, IPD offset and so on. I can't really say to what degree is bad lense to blame, or if it is bad config or something. 

 

My current hardware is 9800x3d, 64Gb, 6000 Mhz 30 CL RAM, RTX 4090.

 

It is really bizzare. But according to this thread, I am not the only one eith this issue:

 

 

 

Very strange, but after reading what you linked it definitely appears its Pimax Play thats the problem. Are you on the latest version? I remember that Pimax Play was causing high cpu usage a few versions ago with windows defender. I dont think thats the case now but the remedy was to put an exclusion on a certain file.

 

 

[thermoregulator]

2 hours ago, DBCOOPER011 said:

 

Very strange, but after reading what you linked it definitely appears its Pimax Play thats the problem. Are you on the latest version? I remember that Pimax Play was causing high cpu usage a few versions ago with windows defender. I dont think thats the case now but the remedy was to put an exclusion on a certain file.

 

 

I believe it is the latest version V1.34.02.01. 

 

It is really strange. When I tried to delete that file where careers are saved, and launched a new one, It crashes right before you even start the career, so I can't even start it.

 

Another thing, and I don't know if it is somehow connected, is that I can't change refresh rate from 72 Hz. When I try to do that, for example change it to 90 Hz, in flight it is still locked to 72, and it just causes stutter.

[Panzerlang]

1 hour ago, thermoregulator said:

I believe it is the latest version V1.34.02.01. 

 

It is really strange. When I tried to delete that file where careers are saved, and launched a new one, It crashes right before you even start the career, so I can't even start it.

 

Another thing, and I don't know if it is somehow connected, is that I can't change refresh rate from 72 Hz. When I try to do that, for example change it to 90 Hz, in flight it is still locked to 72, and it just causes stutter.

Are you using quadviews by any chance? It's much reported that since Pimax integrated that into their own software there have been issues with poor VR performance.

[c19580]

8 hours ago, thermoregulator said:

Yes, Crystal is much better than Pico in visuals, if you were lucky enough to get 2 good lenses. A wasn't that lucky tough, and my right lense is blurry, so I am waiting for replacement lenses to be sent. Clarity of the Crystal (crystal light) is amazing though, and even performance seems to be better than Pico (at similar pixel count, I run pico on cca 4200x4200). Problem is I really struggle to configure Crystal right. I mean, IPD offset and so on. I can't really say to what degree is bad lense to blame, or if it is bad config or something. 

 

My current hardware is 9800x3d, 64Gb, 6000 Mhz 30 CL RAM, RTX 4090.

 

It is really bizzare. But according to this thread, I am not the only one eith this issue:

 

 

I’m also waiting on a right lens replacement for my Crystal Light for the second time… also have struggled with IPD offset and hard to know if it’s actually optimized.

 

Given how many problems there have been with visuals calibration, it would be great if Pimax were to release a calibration tool that one could use, kind of like an eye chart.

 

I also have similar specs as you. Would you mind pasting your settings (IL2 settings, OpenXR toolkit and startup.cfg) to try any diffences?

[[CPT]Crunch]

On 11/25/2024 at 4:35 PM, c19580 said:

For those using OpenXR toolkit, do you use CAS sharpening in the OpenXR Toolkit AND select SHARPEN in the IL2 settings? Or is it not advisable to select both? 
 

What landscape filter is recommended, Sharp or Blurred?

 

I’m confused by all the sharpening options and what they do…

The toolkit can be problematic, it's slowly becoming obsolete, hasn't been updated in over two years.  Also be aware even in the default settings it already has a level of sharpening set which needs to be zeroed out for other options to work properly.  Select one of the scaling options, set the sharpening slider to zero, turn the scaling option back off or your asking for problems.

There's the sharpening you should be using in the control panel.  Your only going to see the option with 'Ignore film grain' when the game is actually fired up.  You can adjust these settings live in game to see real time results.

 

As for your land filter, turn it off, than set manually in your startup.cfg file under graphics, land_anisotropy = 16   land_detail = 7.   Be aware every time you change a setting in your game graphics you'll have to reset these numbers manually.

 

Only a few settings on the appearance tab are still worth using in the toolkit, don't use contrast and brightness, do those in Pimax Play for better results.

[c19580]

9 hours ago, [CPT]Crunch said:

The toolkit can be problematic, it's slowly becoming obsolete, hasn't been updated in over two years.  Also be aware even in the default settings it already has a level of sharpening set which needs to be zeroed out for other options to work properly.  Select one of the scaling options, set the sharpening slider to zero, turn the scaling option back off or your asking for problems.

There's the sharpening you should be using in the control panel.  Your only going to see the option with 'Ignore film grain' when the game is actually fired up.  You can adjust these settings live in game to see real time results.

 

As for your land filter, turn it off, than set manually in your startup.cfg file under graphics, land_anisotropy = 16   land_detail = 7.   Be aware every time you change a setting in your game graphics you'll have to reset these numbers manually.

 

Only a few settings on the appearance tab are still worth using in the toolkit, don't use contrast and brightness, do those in Pimax Play for better results.

thanks! I’ll give this a try!

 

Are there any other important settings in the nvidia control panel or other places that you use?

[c19580]

@[CPT]Crunch

 

These settings helped a lot! Thank you!

 

The image is much sharper, kind of like a “HD” visual. I can identify markings on planes easier than before.

 

I selected Sharpen checked in the IL2 settings and set the startup.cfg values as you suggested.

 

I turned CAS filtering OFF in OpenXR toolkit. Is there anything else I need to do?

 

You mentioned setting brightness and contrast in Pimax Play. What values do you recommend? I currently adjust that in the OpenXR Toolkit.

 

Should bloom be on or off?

 

Super interested in all your settings since your recommendations definitely helped! There’s just many combinations and when I experiment on my own, I tend to make things worse…

 

 

[ZiggyZiggyStar]

I would also be interested in your full settings @[CPT]Crunch. As C19580 says, it’s a complicated business getting the best out of the PCL with so many places to adjust settings. Thanks in anticipation. 

[spreckair]

I just recently received my Pimax Crystal Light about a week ago, coming from the HP Reverb G2, and have about 15 hours of IL-2 time with it.  My experience has been similar to many who have already posted:  great visuals/poor fit.  I think it is a significant enough step up from the G2 to justify the purchase, and I am enjoying it very much.  It still is an "interim" headset for me since the clarity does not yet match a monitor; spotting is a bit better, but identification is not really that improved. As already reported, the sound is horrible and I have the DMAS on order.  I am running it with I-7 13700K and RTX 4080 Super.  This headset will keep me happy for the next two or three years, and hopefully there will be more and better options then.

 

When I first tried the headset, the left lens seemed a bit off and hazy, and because others have had lens issues, I was worried that I would have to experience the same issues of replacing the headset or the lens.  It turned out that my eyesight has changed, and a new contact lens prescription cleared up that left lens!  Whew.

 

To remedy the fit, I took a razor saw to a spare aftermarket Reverb G2 face gasket frame, removing the magnet posts and nose section, and was able to fit it inside the existing Pimax face interface.  I used the StudioForm facial upgrade kit to frame the G2 part, and it is working well so far.  Very ad hoc, but what can I say?  Maybe someday I will find a better aftermarket solution.

 

I am also interested in the Pimax Crystal Super and hope that it might be a "final" headset, but without knowing what the best PC specs would be to run it, I opted to wait for user feedback to hit the forums once it is released next month.  If its visuals are as clear as a monitor, I will be very interested.  I just wonder if I will need to build a new rig to run it.

[Panzerlang]

6 hours ago, spreckair said:

I am also interested in the Pimax Crystal Super and hope that it might be a "final" headset, but without knowing what the best PC specs would be to run it, I opted to wait for user feedback to hit the forums once it is released next month.  If its visuals are as clear as a monitor, I will be very interested.  I just wonder if I will need to build a new rig to run it.

 

Calvin from Pimax said a 5090 will be the recommended spec to get the best from the Super. Hopefully by then there'll be a commensurately powerful CPU to go with it, because even the 4090 is leaving the 13900k behind (in DCS).

Edited December 12, 2024 by Panzerlang

[spreckair]

13 hours ago, Panzerlang said:

Calvin from Pimax said a 5090 will be the recommended spec to get the best from the Super.

Well then, I think I will enjoy my Crystal Light for a few years before upgrading.  But then again, if users post really uplifting reviews of the Super, jealousy might just overtake me sooner.

[DBCOOPER011]

17 hours ago, Panzerlang said:

 

Calvin from Pimax said a 5090 will be the recommended spec to get the best from the Super. Hopefully by then there'll be a commensurately powerful CPU to go with it, because even the 4090 is leaving the 13900k behind (in DCS).

 

I should be somewhere near the front of the line for the super and will report back on how well it works in IL2.  I'm GPU bound now with my OG Crystal in IL2 with my 9800X3D/4090 and dont expect much more when the super arrives. It may be a different story if the upcoming IL2 Korea supports eye tracking, and preferably QVFR, since that would alleviate the GPU headroom substantialy. I'm prepping for IL2 Korea by flying the F86 in DCS at the moment and its pretty staggering how detailed and sharp the picture is with QVFR. I have all the settings pretty much at max at the moment and it's unbelievable how much GPU headroom you can save utilizing eye tracking. I would guess you can play pretty well in IL2 Korea with a 4090 or somewhat less GPU with the super if eye tracking is supported, although a 5090 would be premium. I really dont know though if it would be worth upgrading the headset to the super just for IL2 GB. I guess a lot depends upon how the software is implemented..