Hi Heliosurge, thanks for quoting me.
After almost 5 years since I suggested it, Pimax has finally decided to put in several interchangeable aspherical lenses to achieve different degrees of FOV and sharpness.
I quote some gems from the past (2018):
“1. Supply two types of interchangeable lenses, one with a large horizontal FOV of 170 (the current lenses) and the other with a horizontal FOV of 140 (the lenses I have explained above, with a sharp visible area of 75-80% of each screen and a peripheral FOV of 20-25%). These lenses would have adapters/holders of various heights, because the 170 lenses need to be closer to the screen and the 140 lenses need to be further away, due to their different magnifications and focal lengths (the 140 FOV lenses need 50% less magnification).”
“5. In addition, Pimax is committed to developing better lenses during the first and second year with different interchangeable horizontal FOVs (170, 160, 150, 140, 130, 120) and selling them at prices between $25 and $50 with shipping included for the users themselves to change them. Each lens can be specialized. For example, 120 FOV lenses would be specialized and ideal for watching movies (for example, they would be aespherical instead of fresnel to avoid God’s rays). The system for attaching to the headset and changing the lenses/holders must be easy, fast and resistant, without tools. The transparent film prevents dust from entering the screen area.”
“Actually, all the merits are Heliosurge’s because he was the one who proposed to create new improved lenses and that we backers pay a little money for them, in private tester forum. At first I resisted the idea, because it would cost 6,000 backers, but then I understood that it was the best option.”
But now I think they should have used pancake lenses instead of aspherical lenses now. The Quest Pro pancake lenses are exceptional (the Pico 4 lenses are good but not as good).
The advantages of pancake lenses over aspherical lenses are many but the main ones are that pancake lenses have a much larger sweet spot and that pacake lenses allow for much more compact headsets because lenses can be much closer to the screens.
Unfortunately Pimax are late again.
Cheers,
Neo