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Official Review Virtual Reality Updated

Review cover Pimax Dream Air SE GBAtemp review
Virtual Reality

Product Information:

Game Features:

Single player
Local Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Co-operative
Pimax wants the virtual reality dream to live on with a new line of PCVR headsets. Among this line is the Pimax Dream Air SE. Is it compelling enough?

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Meta, the biggest player in the virtual reality (VR) space, a company that changed its name on the promise of the technology, has been winding down its endeavours in this market after pouring billions into it. But this is not to say that VR gaming is dead. New games are still on the horizon, Valve has a brand-new headset that is expected to launch imminently, and Pimax has new devices ready to ship. The company has provided access to its Pimax Dream Air SE, which is among its latest VR headsets, and we’ll take a look at it in this review.

Contents and specs

The Pimax Dream Air SE is priced at £695/€802/$899 for the lighthouse/headset only package, while the SLAM headset with controllers is priced at £926/€1,070/$1,199. The SLAM variant is under review and comes with the following items:

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Specs of the SLAM Dream Air SE are as follows:

  • Micro-OLED screen
  • HFOV 105 with Pimax's ConcaveView optics
  • 2560 x 2560 pixels per eye
  • Weight <140 grams (headset)
  • Features:
    • - DFR-ready eye-tracking
    • - 72Hz native refresh rate (native 75Hz upcoming in a future update; 90Hz upscaling option)
    • - Hand tracking (SLAM only)
    • - SLAM tracking or Lighthouse tracking
    • - 6DOF controllers (SLAM only)
    • - Integrated spatial audio
    • - Dual fan for proper cooling
    • - Powered by Pimax Play
    • - Split DisplayPort Cable
    • - Tobii eye tracking

(Almost) Dreamy VR comfort

VR headsets have long suffered from comfort issues. Due to the internal electronics and displays, weight accumulates on the device and presses on the face. This does not result in a pleasant experience and, compounded by the likelihood of motion sickness, one might not stay engaged for too long. Pimax addresses the comfort issue with a remarkably light Dream Air SE. 

The headset alone is less than 140g; compare this to the popular Meta Quest 3’s 515g, we are in the featherweight category here. The Dream Air SE’s weight is made even more impressive when considering that it integrates eye tracking, dual cooling fans and speakers for spatial audio in this compact package.

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Comfort is enhanced by the soft materials used for the face mask and headstrap. They not only feel nice to the touch but also make soft contact with the head. However, there is much room for improvement here. The face mask is rather thin, and the cushioning effect is not optimal. Pimax is aware of this issue and has released an upgraded mask that adds more cushioning and will ship with new headset units.

Aside from the face mask, the headstrap could also be improved. It is perfectly functional, but the material used feels a bit cheap. I wish they used the same fabric as the front part of the headset, which would better align with the overall design and would look better. 

The arms of the headset are fixed, which can limit motion when fitting the device over your head. It’s a minor issue, but having the arms more flexible or slightly rotate to better accommodate the wearer’s head would have been welcome.

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Review image Review image

Pimax has clearly drawn some inspiration from Apple’s Vision Pro headset in designing the Dream Air SE. The result isn’t something that feels like an outright rip-off but more like a cross between the Vision Pro and Quest 3. With its rounded edges and light colour palette, the Dream Air SE looks less aggressive than the company's former VR headsets and their angular design.

If you opt for the SLAM variant, the headset will be coupled with a pair of controllers. These aren’t much different from the Pimax Crystal’s; in fact, I’m pretty sure they are the same ones. They are comfortable enough, although some colour matching and added grips would have been welcome.

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One main concern with VR headsets that I have is whether they accommodate glasses. Without them, I cannot see very well and I might as well not play a game. Unfortunately, the tight-fitting Dream Air SE does not allow for glasses to be worn while in use. On the plus side, Pimax includes lens inserts that you can customize with your prescription. This is a decent enough compromise, although I would rather have my glasses fit in the headset instead of having to get new lenses made.

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Next-gen VR experience

Comfort is half the battle with VR headsets, and the Dream Air SE has mostly won that. The other half rests on the performance. The responsibility for the latter falls on your computer specs and the headset itself. Pimax officially lists the RTX 2080 as being the minimum spec, while RTX 3070 and higher is what the company recommends.

With a 72 Hz refresh rate, 105° horizontal field of view and 2560 x 2560 pixels per eye (5K total), this headset offers top-tier visuals. Virtual worlds are rendered crisp and detailed. This results in very immersive VR experiences, especially with the headset’s lightweight design, which makes you forget that you are wearing it in the first place. 

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Indeed, while the cabling system of the Pimax Dream Air SE can seem extensive (a USB 3.0 cable, a DP cable and a power cable), and the cables alone probably weigh as much as, if not more than, the headset itself, it doesn’t get in the way. The cables are situated at the back of the headset, and you can rest them on your desk or floor, and you won’t notice them or their weight while exploring virtual environments. However, I do wish that the cables were easily removable for easier storage of the headset and also for easier replacement, should it be needed.

While there have been some complaints around the controller tracking of the Dream Air/SE, I haven't encountered such issues during my testing. Controls have been accurate and responsive, which might be indicative of Pimax addressing the concerns in new updates. While users experiencing issues isn't ideal, it is encouraging that the company is taking customer feedback into account and acting on that.

This headset also benefits from integrated audio systems, which complement the VR experience with up-close atmospheric and environmental soundtracks. There’s a dedicated volume button under the front part that allows you to qucikly adjust the volume. However, it lacks a headphone jack to which you could pair your favourite headsets for the best audio experience. That said, the integrated speakers are more than decent and faithfully relay the audio experience.

While the headset can heat up during VR gaming sessions due to the demanding nature of the process, I haven’t experienced any noticeable heating of the Dream Air SE. The face mask does a good job of insulating heat from the face, which helps for longer gaming stretches.

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Pimax has its own companion software, Pimax Play, that lets you update the Dream Air SE and also access some games. It’s a handy tool to have that doesn't overstay its welcome, and you can quickly turn to SteamVR when you’ve configured the headset. With Pimax Portal, you can also make use of the Pimax Dream Air SE SLAM’s passthrough mode and use your desktop in something akin to a “mixed reality mode”, albeit in black and white. This allows you to use your desktop on a huge virtual window (or more than one), even allowing you to play non-VR games on the headset. While I'm not a fan of working with such a setup, I do find it adequate for watching videos or episodes of a series as the device isn't uncomfortably heavy and the crisp visuals contribute to an immersive experience.

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Considering the visual fidelity, field of view and refresh rate that the Pimax Dream Air SE provides in an extremely lightweight package, it does provide a decent indication of the next generation of VR headsets. It’s what the industry has been striving for: lightweight, compact devices that don’t compromise on the visual experience.

Pimax Dream Air SE: setting the new bar for VR gaming?

It is bittersweet that one of the best VR headsets on the market arrives at a time of great uncertainty for the technology. The upfront cost and having a PC with corresponding specs also present significant barriers to entry. A side note: Pimax also has questionable shipping timelines, but they do eventually get their products in their customers’ hands.

However, if you do have a compatible system, the Pimax Dream Air SE is a great VR companion. While it has slightly lower specs than the top-of-the-line Pimax Dream Air and has some room for improvement, it is also much cheaper. Other devices on the market can still be cheaper than the Dream Air SE, but they lack the visual excellence packed in a remarkably lightweight package that it offers. From a strictly performance point of view, this highly portable headset does set the new bar for VR gaming. It indicates that VR headsets benefit from micro-OLED displays, despite a steeper cost.

Verdict

What We Liked ...
  • Crisp 5K visuals
  • Wide FOV in a small package
  • Remarkably lightweight PCVR headset
  • Supports lens inserts
What We Didn't Like ...
  • Pricey
  • Needs better face cushioning
  • Does not accommodate glasses
8.5
out of 10

Overall

While it comes at an uncertain time for PCVR gaming, the Pimax Dream Air SE revitalises the market with a surprisingly capable compact headset that sets the bar for what’s to come.
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C
These keep getting better and better. I would like to know more about the Tobii compatibility, that would seem to be key to a full immersive experience.

It's too bad there isn't some way to adjust the focus manually; the issue with eyeglasses is a real pain in the ass, and a show-stopper for me.

Otherwise, this seems to be the highest quality display at the lowest price.
 
The Real Jdbye
I don't think lacking accommodation for glasses is much of a con.
While technically you can use most headsets with glasses, prescription lens inserts are by far the more comfortable option.
Having used many headsets with glasses, it's never a good experience as the headset will invariably squeeze or pull on the glasses in various ways, leading to discomfort, greasy glasses and an immediate purchase of prescription lens inserts.
As long as prescription lenses are sold officially so you can get them together with the headset, this really isn't a con at all as nobody in their right mind would actually prefer glasses after having used inserts.
 
The Real Jdbye
I don't think lacking accommodation for glasses is much of a con. Glasses are fine for starting out with VR but inserts are such a huge upgrade.
While technically you can use most headsets with glasses, prescription lens inserts are by far the more comfortable option.
Having used many headsets with glasses, it's never a good experience as the headset will invariably squeeze or pull on the glasses in various ways, leading to discomfort and greasy glasses.
As long as prescription lenses are sold officially so you can get them together with the headset, this really isn't a con at all as nobody in their right mind would actually prefer glasses after having used both.
 
Scarlet
The Real Jdbye said:
I don't think lacking accommodation for glasses is much of a con. Glasses are fine for starting out with VR but inserts are such a huge upgrade.
While technically you can use most headsets with glasses, prescription lens inserts are by far the more comfortable option.
Having used many headsets with glasses, it's never a good experience as the headset will invariably squeeze or pull on the glasses in various ways, leading to discomfort and greasy glasses.
As long as prescription lenses are sold officially so you can get them together with the headset, this really isn't a con at all as nobody in their right mind would actually prefer glasses after having used both.
Click to expand...
Sure inserts will be more comfortable, but it just makes the headset completely inaccessible to people with prescriptions beyond what those inserts can offer. Having a look at their site, I'm one of those people. Their FAQ just says to contact a "professional third party" which isn't exactly useful.
 
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Review cover
Product Information:
Game Features:
Single player
Local Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Co-operative

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