Pimax Unveils Dream Air: A Slim VR Headset with a Truly Unique Feature

The Pimax Dream Air headset signifies a fresh direction for the company, known for producing bulky devices to offer a remarkable wide field-of-view. With the Dream Air, Pimax is venturing into crafting a sleek, compact headset that doesn’t skimp on features. Among its intriguing offerings is a first-of-its-kind industry feature—a headstrap that automatically tightens for a snug fit.

Set at $1,900 and slated for a May 2025 release, the Dream Air is Pimax’s answer to the rising demand for high-end, compact PC VR headsets, positioning itself among competitors like the Bigscreen Beyond and the Shiftall MaganeX Superlight.

But true to Pimax’s ambitious nature, the Dream Air comes with more promises that could potentially divert the company’s efforts away from timely delivery. Among these is the optional ‘Cobb’ compute puck, which can transform the device into a standalone VR headset. This puck features a Snapdragon XR2 chip and includes a battery, and there’s even talk of an optional SteamVR Tracking faceplate.

The announcement of Dream Air highlights an ongoing trend with Pimax—unveiling new products while previous ones remain undelivered. A case in point is the Crystal Super headset, which was revealed in April 2024 with an initial release date set for late 2024, but now it seems we won’t see it until the first quarter of 2025.

As for the Dream Air itself, this headset promises to pack a punch with its compact form and an impressive list of features:

– A lightweight design at 200g
– Each eye boasts a 13MP resolution (3,840 × 3,552) micro-OLED display running at 90Hz with HDR capabilities
– A comprehensive 102° field-of-view
– Inside-out tracking augmented by motion controllers and hand-tracking
– Integrated audio with optional prescription lenses
– Eye-tracking technology
– Automatic Interpupillary Distance (IPD) adjustment and an innovative automatic strap tightening

The automatic strap tightening feature is particularly noteworthy, being unprecedented in major headsets. Given the common struggle to achieve a fit that’s both comfortable and stable, this feature could offer a game-changing convenience for users who like their headsets securely fitted without compromising comfort.

The design for this auto-tightening strap appears thoughtful and innovative. From the renders available, the mechanism seems cleverly concealed beneath fabric, giving the illusion of the strap shrinking to fit.

If Pimax gets it right, this could be a significant win for users by offering an optimum balance of comfort and stability. The automatic IPD adjustment further enhances the tailored experience, adjusting the lens distance according to the user’s eye width, a task most people find difficult to do manually.

Though it remains uncertain whether Pimax will deliver on this streamlined headset vision, the Dream Air suggests a shift in their design philosophy, moving away from the utilitarian, boxy designs of their past.

Despite embracing this new direction, Pimax isn’t entirely abandoning its bold and broad field-of-view headsets. The Dream Air is just the start of their exploration into more compact devices.

Pimax is already accepting pre-orders for the Dream Air, keeping the price tag at $1,900, with aspirations for a May 2025 launch.