Pimax Adjusts Pricing Strategy for Flagships: Increased Affordability with Limited Refund Options

With their recent unveiling, Pimax is not only updating its PC VR headsets but also shaking things up with a new financing plan for the Crystal Super and Crystal Light headsets. The focus is to make these devices more wallet-friendly, yet the shift in payment and return policies might leave some scratching their heads.

First introduced in April, the Crystal Super is touted as Pimax’s next big thing for PC VR enthusiasts. This flagship model boasts impressive specs: a resolution hitting 3,840 x 3,840 pixels per eye, 120-degree field-of-view, and QLED panels. Plus, the glass aspheric lenses claim a remarkable 99% light transmission rate.

What’s more, the Crystal Super includes coveted features like eye-tracking and dynamic foveated rendering, along with inside-out tracking. The headset also comes with swappable optical engines and a sleeker, redesigned frame for better comfort. It’s geared towards VR fans using high-end GPUs and is set to be a must-have when the 57 PPD version drops in Q1 2025.

Adding to the excitement, new optical engines are on the horizon. Users can expect a micro-OLED engine down the line for $699, or a 50 PPD QLED alternative with a wider 135-degree FOV for $399. Pre-orders for these are slated for early next year.

Pimax isn’t stopping at hardware updates—they’re also revising the price models for Crystal Super and Crystal Light. In a bid to make them more affordable, the company is lowering prices while implementing some significant policy changes.

You could watch Pimax’s latest marketing video for a breakdown, but we’ve dug deeper to understand what these changes mean for users.

At first glance, Crystal Super’s price drops from $1,800 to $1,695, and Crystal Light goes from $899 down to $858. Both prices now include controllers, but there’s a catch.

Enter ‘Pimax Prime’, a new compulsory financing and membership program. This allows buyers to secure a Crystal Super for $999 upfront, or a Crystal Light for $599. It’s reminiscent of the Trial Payment scheme they rolled out for the Crystal Light earlier, where users can test it out before deciding on a permanent purchase plan or opting for a full refund.

Specifically for Crystal Super, you’ll either pay a one-off $696 or go for a $33 monthly plan over two years (totaling $792) for the Pimax Play software. As for Crystal Light, choose between a $259 one-time fee or $12 monthly across two years ($288 total). But miss a payment, and your software access is cut off.

Once fully paid, Pimax Play access becomes free for your headset—a sweet deal if everything goes smoothly and you love the gear. However, some find this new route less flexible, especially within the shortened 10-day return window.

Previously, Pimax’s trial policy was more forgiving with a 15-day return period, no questions asked, and 30 days if the item arrived damaged. Now, both conditions only allow a 10-day window. This reveal has stirred reactions, especially as different countries approach such consumer rights in varied ways.

In the EU and UK, for example, consumers are granted a 14-day period to return goods without needing to explain why. However, this latest adaptation offers less wiggle room, particularly when paired with the new payment strategies.

Community feedback, particularly from Reddit user ‘TotalWarspammer’, points to the critical fact that Pimax Prime turns non-refundable post the 10-day period, leaving customers at the mercy of Pimax’s discretion for refunds beyond this time. If you decide to keep the headset and pay the lump sum post-trial, any refund discussions are wholly dependent on company policy.

Additionally, Pimax’s warranty clarifies they’re not covering any software issues, whether from Pimax or a third-party, which adds another layer of complexity.

The gamble Pimax is taking is evident—it could pay off by continuing to offer robust, niche VR hardware at competitive prices. However, it could also risk alienating potential buyers who feel locked down by the finance structure and return policy. As Pimax Prime will soon include future headsets, only time will reveal how well this gamble pays off.

Update (November 26th, 2024): There’s been a clarification since an early FAQ indicated Pimax Prime was entirely non-refundable beyond 10 days, but this isn’t strictly true. As confirmed by Jaap Grolleman, Director of Overseas Marketing Operations, full refunds are available if the headset is returned within the trial period, and possibly beyond, at Pimax’s discretion. We’ve updated our coverage accordingly to reflect these details, including insights on the limited warranty.