NEW · ANNOUNCED 6 OCTOBER 2026Approved Pimax Sim Racing Ambassador
Pimax Crystal Pro: $1 pre-order, price, specs and release
Updated 7 October 2026 · Based on Pimax's official announcement of 6 October 2026
Pimax has unveiled the Crystal Pro, a Mini-LED headset with built-in eye tracking and native foveated streaming. You can reserve one for $1 right now. I haven't had one on the rig yet, so this page covers what Pimax has announced and what I'll be testing, and I'll update it as soon as I have real hands-on time.
Pre-order now open
Reserve the Crystal Pro for $1
The $1 reservation is non-refundable. It takes $20 off the headset or $50 off the bundle at launch and puts you on the Pimax waitlist for updates and additional benefits.
$1
Reserve your place
- $20 off the $1,399 headset at launch
- Or $50 off the $1,899 bundle with 60G AirLink
- Waitlist for updates and additional benefits
- Non-refundable reservation
$1,399
Launch pricing
- Crystal Pro headset: $1,399
- Bundle with third-generation 60G AirLink: $1,899
- 60G AirLink on its own: $599
- Shipping starts 2027, hands-on demos Q4 2026
What is the Pimax Crystal Pro?
The Crystal Pro is Pimax's new flagship PC VR headset, announced at the Pimax Frontier event on 6 October 2026. It pairs a 2880x2880 per eye QLED panel and Mini-LED local dimming with integrated eye tracking, and it is built around native foveated streaming. Pimax's pitch is that the GPU's native image gets sent wirelessly to the headset without being squeezed through a heavy compression step first.
It arrives alongside a new Ringless VR controller and a Spation mini-PC, covered further down. The official announcement is on the Pimax blog.
Pimax Crystal Pro specs
Everything below is taken from Pimax's announcement and store page. If a figure isn't listed, Pimax hasn't published it yet, and I haven't filled the gaps in.
| FEATURE | PIMAX CRYSTAL PRO |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 2880 x 2880 per eye (about 17 million pixels in total) |
| Display | QLED with Mini-LED local dimming, 576 zones per eye, 200 nits |
| Lenses | Aspheric glass |
| Field of view | 110 degrees horizontal, 35 pixels per degree |
| Refresh rate | 72, 90 and 120Hz |
| Eye tracking | Integrated Omnivision eye tracking, ten IR emitters per eye sampling at 120Hz, used for dynamic foveated rendering and foveated streaming |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi streaming included. Optional third-generation 60G AirLink (60GHz 2x2 MIMO, up to 6Gbps, under 2ms added latency, 2880x2880 per eye up to 90Hz) |
| Wired | DisplayPort 1.4a |
| Tracking | SLAM 2.0 inside-out (four cameras, motion sensor, IR illumination). Optional Lighthouse tracking through a swappable faceplate |
| Mixed reality | Optional MR faceplate with full-colour passthrough and LiDAR depth |
| Power | 16,000mAh external battery pack worn in a pocket |
| Comfort and audio | Rigid backstrap, magnetic facemask and foam, adjustable eye relief, three remappable buttons, three microphones, off-ear speakers |
| Modular parts | Swappable faceplate, backstrap, audio and lens inserts |
| In the box | Headset, two ringed SLAM controllers, 16,000mAh battery pack and a Wi-Fi adapter |
| Weight | Not stated by Pimax at announcement |
Native foveated streaming, explained
Foveated rendering means spending your GPU's effort where your eyes are actually looking and saving it everywhere else. The Crystal Pro's eye tracking makes that possible, and Pimax goes a step further with foveated streaming. For wireless play, the area you are looking at is sent at the highest quality while the periphery gets less, so the link carries detail where it matters.
For sim racing that could mean sharper dashboards, mirrors and braking markers without needing a monster GPU, if it works as described. That is the part I most want to test, because sim racing punishes any added latency or shimmer in the centre of your view.
Wi-Fi, 60G AirLink or wired?
You have three ways to connect the Crystal Pro to your PC.
- Wi-Fi streaming is included with the headset and gives you a cable-free setup without extra hardware.
- Third-generation 60G AirLink is the optional dedicated wireless link. Pimax quotes a 60GHz 2x2 MIMO connection of up to 6Gbps, under 2ms of added latency and 2880x2880 per eye at up to 90Hz. It needs a clear line of sight because 60GHz doesn't pass through walls.
- DisplayPort 1.4a is the wired option, which Pimax's store lists at up to 120Hz.
If you drive from a fixed rig, a wired connection is usually the simplest choice, and the headset's wired support means you aren't forced into wireless. A 60G AirLink makes more sense if you want the cable gone and your PC sits in the same room with a clear line to the headset.
How the $1 reservation works
- Click the reserve button on this page. It opens the Crystal Pro page on the Pimax store with the ambassador link applied.
- Pay the $1 reservation. This is non-refundable, so only reserve if you are serious about buying.
- Wait for launch. Your reservation takes $20 off the headset or $50 off the bundle, and you are on the waitlist for updates and additional benefits.
- Join the free Discord at discord.gg/gw6xXkWtKa to talk setup, and keep your order number safe in case you need help later.
Reserve the Pimax Crystal Pro
$1 non-refundable reservation. $20 off the headset or $50 off the bundle at launch. Goes through my ambassador link.
Reserve the Crystal Pro for $1What I'll be testing for sim racing
I haven't used the Crystal Pro yet, so these are the questions I'll be answering when one arrives, not conclusions.
- Clarity at the centre of the view. Can I read dash screens and see braking markers cleanly in iRacing, Le Mans Ultimate and Assetto Corsa?
- Foveated streaming in motion. Does the quality change as I move my eyes at racing speeds, and is there any visible shimmer or lag?
- Mini-LED contrast. How do night races and tunnels look with local dimming, and is there any blooming around bright objects like headlights and dash lights?
- Wired against wireless. What difference does the connection type actually make on a fixed rig?
- Comfort on long stints. Headset weight hasn't been published, so I'll weigh it myself and report how the battery pack and backstrap feel over a long race.
For how I test headsets and settings today, see the Pimax setup and fix guide and the Quest 3 vs Dream Air comparison.
Crystal Pro vs Dream Air
The Dream Air is the headset I've used for months of sim racing, so it's the natural comparison. The Crystal Pro column is Pimax's announcement; the Dream Air column is the specification and my own use.
| FEATURE | CRYSTAL PRO | DREAM AIR |
|---|---|---|
| Display | QLED + Mini-LED, 2880x2880 per eye | Sony micro-OLED, 3840x3552 per eye |
| Eye tracking | Integrated Omnivision | Tobii |
| Connection | Wi-Fi included, optional 60G AirLink, or DisplayPort 1.4a | Lossless DisplayPort |
| Weight | Not stated yet | Roughly 170g |
| Price | $1,399 (bundle with 60G AirLink $1,899) | See the Dream Air page |
| Hands-on time on this channel | None yet | Months of real sim racing |
On paper the Dream Air has the higher-resolution micro-OLED panels and a known, lightweight build, while the Crystal Pro adds Mini-LED, integrated eye tracking, wireless options and a modular design. Until I've tested both side by side, I won't call a winner. If you want a headset to use now rather than wait for 2027, the Dream Air discount page has the current ambassador offer.
Also announced: Ringless VR Controllers and the Spation mini-PC
Ringless VR Controllers
Pimax's new controllers drop the tracking ring. They use hand tracking together with an IR-LED and a motion sensor for 6DOF tracking, and when you clip the pair together they work as a wireless gamepad. They have a TMR joystick, grip, trigger and menu buttons, linear haptics and a 710mAh battery rated for up to 40 hours.
Spation mini-PC
The Spation is a small form factor PC aimed at VR. The announced spec is a Ryzen 7 9800X3D with either a Radeon RX 9070 XT or a GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, 32GB of DDR5-6000, a 1TB NVMe drive and a 1000W SFX power supply. It has Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, 2.5G Ethernet, two DisplayPort 2.1 outputs, HDMI 2.1, a USB-C with DP 1.4a, one USB4 and six USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports. It runs Windows or SteamOS, and Pimax Play is coming to Linux.
Pimax also introduced a new brand colour, Stratosphere Blue, which you'll see across the new hardware.
Why reserve through my ambassador link
- Any problem with your order and I take it up directly with my Pimax representative on your behalf, as set out in my Ambassador Support Pledge
- Free support in the Discord, where most setup problems have already been solved by someone
- It helps fund the testing that goes into the channel, at no extra cost to you
- I'll publish my own honest results once I've used the headset, whether they're good or bad
Pimax Crystal Pro FAQ
How much is the Pimax Crystal Pro?
The headset is $1,399. A bundle with the third-generation 60G AirLink is $1,899, and the 60G AirLink on its own is $599. These are Pimax's announced US dollar prices; check the store for your local price at checkout.
How do I pre-order the Pimax Crystal Pro?
Use the reserve button on this page. It takes you to the Pimax store with the ambassador link applied, where you can reserve your place for $1. The reservation also puts you on the Pimax waitlist for updates and additional benefits.
Is the $1 Crystal Pro reservation refundable?
No. Pimax states the $1 reservation is non-refundable. In return it takes $20 off the headset or $50 off the bundle at launch.
What do I get for the $1 reservation?
$20 off the headset ($1,399) or $50 off the bundle ($1,899) when it launches, plus a place on the waitlist for updates and additional benefits. It reserves a discount rather than a shipping slot.
When will the Crystal Pro ship?
Pimax lists shipping as starting in 2027 on the store page, with hands-on demos planned for Q4 2026. In the announcement post, exact shipping dates are still to be announced. This page will be updated when Pimax confirms dates.
What are the Crystal Pro specs?
2880x2880 per eye (about 17 million pixels in total) on a QLED panel with Mini-LED local dimming, 110 degree horizontal field of view, 35 pixels per degree, 72, 90 and 120Hz refresh rates, integrated eye tracking, and Wi-Fi streaming or wired DisplayPort 1.4a. The full table is on this page.
Do I need a gaming PC for the Crystal Pro?
Yes. Pimax describes streaming the GPU's native image to the headset, so the games run on your PC. Pimax also announced a Spation mini-PC, but that is a separate product.
Do I need the 60G AirLink?
No. Wi-Fi streaming is included and a wired DisplayPort connection is supported. The optional 60G AirLink uses a dedicated 60GHz link for the highest quality wireless connection, but it needs line of sight and does not pass through walls.
Does code NLSimgaming work on the Crystal Pro?
The button on this page goes through my ambassador link. I have not confirmed whether code NLSimgaming stacks with the $1 reservation perks, so check the total at checkout. I will update this answer when it has been checked.
Is the Crystal Pro good for sim racing?
It looks promising on paper, with high resolution, eye tracking, foveated streaming and a wired option, but I have not tested one yet. I will publish my own results in the Discord and on the channel once I have hands-on time, and update this page.
Other Pimax pages
Affiliate disclosure: I'm an approved Pimax Sim Racing Ambassador and earn a commission on purchases made through the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It funds the testing and doesn't change what gets said about the hardware. Product details here come from Pimax's official announcement and store page. I have not yet had hands-on time with the Crystal Pro.