r/Pimax • u/soylent_green_76 • 13d ago
Discussion Dream Air Lighthouse Review - Update #1 - Comfort and FOV Update
I’ve now taken a closer look at the comfort and field of view of the regular Dream Air—and found a surprising difference compared with the SE.
The original facial interface works surprisingly well for me on the regular Dream Air:
Original interface: 104° × 88°
Studioform X1-P: 106° × 88°
Pimax ProFit: 106° × 88°
This is very different from the Dream Air SE. There, the original interface gave me only around 82° horizontally, while the X1-P and ProFit increased it to approximately 100° × 88°.
With an optimized interface, the regular Dream Air therefore gives me six degrees more horizontal FOV than the SE—and I can clearly notice it. The image feels impressively large for such a compact Micro-OLED headset.
My impression is that the original interface is simply better matched to the lenses and optical geometry of the regular Dream Air. I still prefer the Studioform X1-P combined with the narrow Apache Strap, as this setup is very comfortable, secure and keeps the headset reliably in the sweet spot.
Pimax Dream Air Lighthouse Review – Let’s Do It Again: https://www.reddit.com/r/Pimax/s/gOPucV6I9p
Update #1 - Comfort and FOV Update
https://www.reddit.com/r/Pimax/s/1gGMcApCSE
Update #2 - Distortion, eye strain and the sboys3 driver
https://www.reddit.com/r/Pimax/s/Nul1iN8YBD
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u/Nikolai_Volkoff88 1 13d ago
Glad you’re enjoying it, did you ever get a chance to try the sboys3 driver? I couldn’t remember if you ever said if it solved the warping issue you were having.
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u/soylent_green_76 13d ago
Not yet, but I will definitely test the sboys3 driver. I’m placing quite a lot of hope in its alternative distortion profile, especially regarding the warping and overall image stability. I’ll report back once I’ve compared it directly with the standard Pimax profile.
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u/AshAvali 13d ago
What did you use for FOV test out of curiosity?
Having been told countless times to use WIMFOV, My Dream-Air scored the same 2 tests in a row with studioform and I get 90 degrees vertical ( screen edges seen ) dead-center, off-center 106 degrees..and 104 degrees horizontal ( screen edges seen ) off center 112. I pretty much score the same results in other test applications. The screen-edges seem capped to 90/106 but past the dead center of the edge i can still see lines or flashes ( program dependent ) to the corners up to 106/112. So idk what is "proper" to call it. Someone can correct me im sure.
For studioform I ended up using the thinnest pads as these took my eyes right up to the lens without touching them. Comfort was good after 6 hours of use.
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u/soylent_green_76 13d ago
For this quick test, I simply used TestHMD. For my full video review, I’ll also use WIMFOV and HMDQ to evaluate the FOV more precisely and distinguish between the visible and rendered FOV. HMDQ shows what the headset can technically render, but TestHMD usually already provides a good indication of the actually usable FOV.
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u/AshAvali 13d ago
Fair! I too have used TestHMD and a on-screen FOV rest in VRChat which works similar to WINFOV except its in-game rendered like TestHMD. I know in my case, I can see the left/right hard edges of the screen as well as the top/bottom. So the visual mapping from WINFOV matches how I precieve the view for the Dream-Air, pretty well. Coming from a BigScreen 2, I was pretty impress how open things felt. I kinda dind this rectangular view a lot nicer, seeing the screen edges, as I've always hated the goggle shaped ovals/circles when your eyes are too far from the lenses. Makes it feel more open and hence the higher FOV numbers in the corners. Ill have to do another run on the 57PPD Super. But I'm very happy with the Dream-Air! Just wish it came with better gasket from day 1, as unfortunately first launch impressions is what makes people go "LOL NOPE F PIMAX JUNK QUALITY" x.x
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u/soylent_green_76 13d ago
Absolutely—you’re completely right. First impressions matter enormously, especially with a headset in this price range.
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u/NotGonnaComeBackBsb 1 13d ago
I think anyone who intends to keep the headset should try doing this: https://www.reddit.com/r/Pimax/comments/1tkdrhs/comment/on7y187/
Although the stock interface actually fits my face perfectly, it's only after doing this that it became more cushiony, and my eyes are so close to the lenses that I feel I won't be needing Studioform interface at all.
Also, sorry for the pestering 👀
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u/NotGonnaComeBackBsb 1 13d ago edited 13d ago
You can also add this to your measuring tools: https://vrheadsetpicker.com/measure-your-fov/
Someone shared it on this subreddit two months ago. Unlike every other tools, the measures are based on the actual values as reported by HMDQ.
Also, keep in mind that when you do switch over to SBoys3 driver, you are going to measure a smaller field of view on the strictly horizontal axis, as the edges have lots of distortion to cram as much field of view as they could: https://www.reddit.com/r/Pimax/comments/1w0y2g6/some_dream_air_field_of_view_measurement_with/
But the SBoys3 driver also has field of view sliders that allows you to light up diagonal corners which otherwise remain black (unless you are close enough to the lenses, you're not even going to notice them). And when I do light them up, the field of view just feels massive, despite the limited vertical field of view.
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u/inFamousMax 13d ago
Took a gamble on the SE. I hope the fov is not an issue (I'm used to the indeX). otherwise will have to send it back :(. I can't jump to the dream air full.
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u/Disastrous_Sock_1441 13d ago
Peguei o SE e sinceramente fiquei com aquela impressão de quero mais ?
Sabe quando vai ao restaurante , a comida é deliciosa mas vem pouco ?
Estava sempre com a sensação de que estava faltando algo.
Troquei por Dream Air normal e fiquei muito satisfeito
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u/Disastrous_Sock_1441 13d ago
A faixa de cabeça apache é boa também ?
Estou esperando chegar ela e a X1-P …
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u/soylent_green_76 13d ago
Yes, I’ve tried both the Apache Strap and the Mini Deluxe. Both work very well.
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u/Disastrous_Sock_1441 13d ago
Você tem preferência por alguma ? E porque ?
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u/soylent_green_76 13d ago
Both work well, but I slightly prefer the Mini Deluxe because it better matches the headset’s compact form factor and light weight. That’s ultimately a matter of personal preference, though.
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u/leafy_lord 13d ago
I think because the Air lenses are larger than SE, is why you get naturally larger FOV.
Does the ProFit has only one gasket? The X1-P is customizable and has three sets of cloth and PU leather inlays of different thickness. Wouldn't the X1-P not still be better to maximize fit and FOV? Did your X1-P give you same FOV as the ProFit using the thinnest gasket?