OK some very preliminary notes, then:
Setup was silky smooth, I can’t imagine how it could have been any easier. Unplugged my Index, plugged this in, Ran latest Pitools, paired controllers, done.
Screen brightness is low at default, but I have yet to explore how I can get the settings better so this might very well be a non-issue ultimately.
There is some light leakage by the temples, and I see reflections of those leaks in the lenses. This is despite a fairly big head—I’m 185 cm / 6’1" for reference—and won’t be trivial to address. Obviously in a darker environment it’s a lesser issue.
Comfort is definitely something to evaluate long term but I am so far not finding a setting for the halo strap and headband that gets it close to the Index in comfort (which is my #1 reference for this parameter). But again, time will tell here.
Not going to comment on lenses etc until I’ve done way more testing. But if anyone else tested Panasonic’s 200 degree FOV prototype back in the day, you can rest assured it’s way better than that =)
My first test was some Google Earth and it was quite magical; this resolution and clarity really does something profound for the sense of presence in a virtual space.
On some other titles there is predictably some peripheral flickering due to frustum culling being hard coded to a narrower FOV, and while this isn’t Pimax’ fault it does limit the enjoyability of those specific titles.
The built in audio so far seems inferior to that of the Quest or Rift S, more on par with the Go. But obviously a headset like this should be paired with something far better anyway, these little emitters here are just placeholders really.