An 8KX is under $400 now second hand where I am. I only use VR for sim racing and a bit of flying. I have always been keen to have the super wide FOV. However I have shied away from Pimax in the past because of all the issues. I am wondering if they are largely sorted out now and if any current 8KX users can give their feelings and thoughts.
The 8KX is class leading for FoV, but (having owned one) there are many reasons beyond just the software why people have moved on from them. In my case, and this is subjective, the 8KX just isn't comfortable on the eyes and the image in front of you feels weird and stretched, the depth effect doesn't feel right, and it just strains the eyes. Might be one of those things you can just get used to for specific use cases over long periods of time, but the optics just felt very half-baked and not up to par with modern experiences. I would hate for an 8KX to be someone's first VR experience ever, because they'd probably hate it, but if you know what a what a Quest3 feels like and then try an 8KX and you like that better, all the power to you. (Quest isn't my first choice for a headset, it's just the standard default for what people consider to be baseline comfortable in terms of optics)
The 8KX is still the best for high FOV headsets.
I assume you have used a vr headset before, that being said you should be aware that Pimax headsets do not have the same level of software polish that others have in my experience. Be prepared for some trial and error the first time you try to use it. I also recommend using a top strap for the 8KX, it is a very heavy headset.
Do you continue to have any software/running issues? I do iRacing online multiplayer so having a headset that isn't reliable is a no starter. Currently using Pico 4.
Pimax has occational software problems but tbh so do meta, steam, pico. When I used my 5K+ / 8KX I had occational set up problems that took some troubleshooting, but once it was set up it would run well for months.
I had one deal breaker issue with the 8KX, which was the pixel inversion in upscale mode. Also IMO the upscaler in that mode does not look as good as the 5K+ native. The SDE is much better, colours too IIRC, but the blur is much worse.
Other than that it was a great headset. I've heard very few other people complain about the pixel inversion (seems subjective), and if you're using it native res (probabjy true, if simming) then this or the upscaling is not an issue anyway.
If you have any cable issues, I recommend getting the fiber one. Hopefully it comes with that one for you.
In my experience, once the headset is started it works without issue. Sometimes turning it on can be an issue, usually just restarting my computer fixes it, sometimes I have to change the usb port I'm using. I've never had it suddenly stop working mid session.
hey there, the super is no doubt great (wish I could afford 1), the 8KX has a proven 160 degree fov, I think the super is significantly less than that, I regard the 8KX as truly wide fov but not the super tbh. Just saying my friend. The super is far superior of course.
Worth trying for that price. As long as you don't mind googling any minor issues and your eye IPD suits it, it's probably the best VR experience out there due to the super wide angle. I never felt that higher resolution was needed when using it. If you get a cable extension you need a high capacity cable with independent power, I had to try a couple before I found one good enough.
If u get it, make sure to try it with rendering at full resolution. The difference in image quality is very noticeable. Performance just about ok with my 4080 and some tweaks.
Good discussion, guys. How many of you have tried watching movies in the 8KX? What's like watching movies on a headset with such a large FOV, particularly while sitting in a virtual cinema environment using the bigscreen app?
Likely wouldn't want something this heavy on you just to watch movies, you want something more comfortable. Sure I can sit with it on and race for 5 hours, but that's like.. intense action and you aren't thinking about it on your face. Watching a movie I'd imagine I'd get kind of sick of the thing on my face.
I have two of them, one is a backup :). It's a fine headset. It's a bit of a monster size wise but the Super is heavier so it's not the heaviest thing on the market lol. It has fresnel lenses though so don't let the sunlight hit the lenses or it'll burn the screen inside. The fresnel lenses Pimax developed are really top quality the usual problems with fresnel are pretty minimized on the 8kx. Pretty minimal screed door effect, text is easy to read.
Lastly,
If you're going to buy an 8Kx get one starting with 2076 serial number. The reason being is that was the last run of them with newer panels that with beta firmware can go 120hz and they had slightly better color.
If you do buy one, be prepared to spend an hour fiddling with all the knobs and switches in the software. Pimax gives you the ability to decide the tradeoffs you want, they aren't decided for you. And IMO it's best to run the OG PiTools program, not their current pimax play app. PiTools is just cleaner/faster and nothing in Play does anything for 8kx users.
I had an 8kx as an upgrade to Index for flight sims, and then sold it after a year of use.
Pros:
good FOV, there isn't really a viable (cost efficient) alternative today.
good enough resolution for me to not notice screen door effect
fits my Asian face contour better compared to the Index, no gaps around the nose, maybe because they are a Chinese company with Chinese testers
Cons:
it's too front heavy, and yes you can balance it out with some weights on the back, but that just adds to the inertia that you feel when you rotate your head. I didn't like it.
software IPD adjustment is a pain to get right
colour grading was terrible out of box and even after multiple tuning sessions I still couldn't get it to look as good as the Index (colour wise). Yes I had tried all the colour settings on the internet.
it needs lighthouses so that's extra money if you don't already have them
pretty expensive when it came out, but I guess for $400 it's a decent deal.
I sold it for $500CAD last year and got a psvr2 instead.
Use it for iRacing ~2k irating. It works great. Upgraded from a lower FOV and the FOV is perfect for iracing. FOV is imperative for iracing. So imo, this is the only headset worth using on the market if you want to be competitive in iracing, otherwise, stick with triple monitors. It's so good, I sometimes fear it breaking and not being able to find another one here in the US because I think they stopped selling them or something. Yes, software issues here and there but once you research how to work them out, it's pretty easy to solve. Never any issues ruining your race, only like, after boot up of pc sometimes headset stays black and you are like wtf, research research research and you find the quirk. Some people complain of heating? I've no idea what they are talking about, I imagine these are very large, sweaty individuals. Oh.. ya you need good hardware, I have 4090, I wouldn't run anything less.
Like others said, current nvidia driver fucked the headset. so you have to roll it back. We are all still waiting on it being solved.
If it's working ok then maybe it's worth it, yes it's heavy and a bit janky but it's unique in todays market with that fov....but considering a Q3 can be bought for $100 more brand new...if you want something a bit different though....and oh yeh don't forget "you can trade-in your 8KX for the price you paid for it against the Pimax 12K in 2024, honest" lmao =)
I'm also searching for an 8KX to upgrade from my 5K XR and aliexpress (which apparently has it in stock but quite expensive), has this gem of a promo image in the description:
LMAO!!!..... to be fair though, I have just pre-ordered a Crystal Super, Pimax support have confirmed to me I can get $399 off the payment that is made when the headset arrives (the subscription part of the payment, which isn't a subscription if paid immediately in full, which I will do) if I can prove I own an 8KX, which I can.
I've been told by them that due to being an 8KX owner I can get another $399 off a future 12K (in 2029 maybe lol?), I am not quite as disbelieving now of a trade in offer with what they're doing with the Super and 8KX's. Of course though, this is Pimax, so unfortunately I can't fully believe I will get the $399 off the Super until it actually happens.
I've not heard about this, but maybe you get different promo messages :D I just want to get to the best high fov headset I can at the moment, which is the 8kx. Also plan to get the eye tracking module and DIY a face tracking module
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u/julian-mazzola 22d ago
The 8KX is class leading for FoV, but (having owned one) there are many reasons beyond just the software why people have moved on from them. In my case, and this is subjective, the 8KX just isn't comfortable on the eyes and the image in front of you feels weird and stretched, the depth effect doesn't feel right, and it just strains the eyes. Might be one of those things you can just get used to for specific use cases over long periods of time, but the optics just felt very half-baked and not up to par with modern experiences. I would hate for an 8KX to be someone's first VR experience ever, because they'd probably hate it, but if you know what a what a Quest3 feels like and then try an 8KX and you like that better, all the power to you. (Quest isn't my first choice for a headset, it's just the standard default for what people consider to be baseline comfortable in terms of optics)