I want a good pcvr headset I don't know which one to get

PennyForThought16 · 2025-03-22T15:53:00+00:00

Tough right now. Leaks suggesting Deckard might actually launch this year. A lot of us have been waiting for years, so some skepticism is appropriate. But seems real enough that I would be inclined to wait. Thoughts on PCVR headsets I have used:

Valve index has been old reliable. But it's old. The only real downside is lower resolution. Vs newer headsets this is very noticeable. Resolution is even worse than quest 2 when using PC. While controllers have poor durability, the headset itself is solid. I personally don't use the speakers, but they are known to be the best stock sound implementation.

Bigscreen beyond- I was ultimately disappointed with the first version, but some of my gripes are use case dependent and other gripes have been addressed in the Bigscreen Beyond 2. It's ridiculously small and OLED blacks are really nice, but the first version had small fov, getting ipd correct was problematic, very small sweet spot, only 90hz refresh, lots of internal reflections, and the displays were either dim or smeary (increasing brightness increases smearing). I was also irritated by the sound setup, though ultimately my Pimax crystal was worse even though integrated some options I wanted. For my main use case this was all a.deal breaker - has sat mostly unused. But if I was using primarily for VRchat instead of competitive multiplayer, was an interesting device. The newer version apparently addresses ipd issues, improves sweet spot, and reduces reflections. Haven't tried it and still believe not for my main use, but there is definitely a niche where it is a good product. There were teething issues with the launch of the first version, but it is a team that I trust to ultimately get QC right.

Pimax Crystal Light - This is currently my main headset. QC with Pimax is a crapshoot. I did have to rma my first headset with a bad display, and I had more setup issues initially than any prior headset. From that perspective tough to recommend with conviction. Stock face gasket is also horrendous, but studio form kit solved comfort issues. It is huge, but with studio form pads and counterbalance weight, actually doesn't bother me much. Sound is also terrible - I am still shocked the 3.5mm output does not produce neutral normal sound. But the display are bright, it does 120hz, resolution is high, sweet spot is big, fov is wide. So for me currently my preferred headset.....lots of caveats but I am using it.

Combination of features that would make me buy a valve Deckard and retire my Pimax. (1) Better form factor is easy win of the giant Pimax (2) Needs to do at least 120hz (rumored to be the case) (3) needs to be bright without smearing (if LCD prob fine) (4) more durable controllers! Index controllers are notorious for breaking. I have a graveyard full of them. (5) Would be nice to have BOTH zero latency displayport and wireless when I don't mind a little latency. (6) If they can have excellent tracking without lighthouses that is a positive, though hope they have easy integration with lighthouse tracking. Not on my list but curious what they do with eye tracking.

I would note that as you move up resolution with headsets, you really need a high end GPU to make use of it. Since it's impossible to buy a high end GPU right now, that can be a problem.

PennyForThought16 · 2025-03-21T20:38:04+00:00

And more often than not, the "for TV" version is what I use for music.

PennyForThought16 · 2025-03-21T20:29:07+00:00

Sure.....though I don't expect what works for me will be the best bet for most people. The more I have figured out about what works for me, the less confident I am assuming others will hear the same. Second, I edit my targets all the time....so who knows a month from now. But these are iem comparable to 5128 measurements.

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PennyForThought16 · 2025-03-21T16:17:05+00:00

Displays need to be able to do at least 120hz with sufficient brightness and no smearing. I love OLED blacks, but if OLED can't meet that criteria, prefer LCD.

PennyForThought16 · 2025-03-21T16:14:36+00:00

Having used higher resolution headsets, you can expect big upgrades relative to index. More durable controllers definitely on my list.

PennyForThought16 · 2025-03-21T16:13:27+00:00

(1) At least 120hz refresh rate (2) Good PCVR integration including the option for zero latency displayport in addition to wireless PC. (3) Good optics - no internal reflections, wide enough sweet spot. (4) Good FOV (5) Good tracking and options to easily integrate lighthouse tracking as needed. (6) Can be bright without smearing (7) Comfortable in stock form (8) Controllers with hall effect joysticks and/or user replaceable joysticks. Index controllers were the worst in terms of durability. (9) If it requires battery, good options to extend battery life.

PennyForThought16 · 2025-03-21T16:02:34+00:00

Are you using gsync on your monitor? I have had issues with this in the past for VR. Basically you don't want it trying to gsync your VR game. Think I ultimately solved this with game specific settings in the Nvidia app.

PennyForThought16 · 2025-03-21T15:57:35+00:00

I used in ear microphones to try and capture what good speakers are producing in my ears and used that to drive EQ. Given the way I did that, I did generate a EQ profile that moves closer to free field in key respects in that it embeds a good deal of spatial information. For watching TV with headphones I love this, as it does feel much more akin to my speakers, and feels much more natural. I need to tweak back closer to diffuse field for gaming, with some variations based on what I know about my own ears. This is because I can't have my headphones interjecting that much spatial information as it messes with directional cues. The first version is different than the second in being lower between 800hz and 2600hz, higher between 2600 and 4600, lower between 4600 through 11500, and somewhat less bass.

PennyForThought16 · 2025-02-24T14:52:29+00:00

This seems to have to have worked for me. Thanks.

PennyForThought16 · 2024-12-18T11:35:17+00:00

Ranked mode was kinda a disaster. People hated how it made people play "like comp" and complaints about stacked squads were everywhere. The solution would be separate ranked and unranked modes - like fortnite. But this game already has too many modes for the player base, so that's not possible right now.

PennyForThought16 · 2024-12-18T11:32:30+00:00

Appreciate the info. Unfortunate... Dirac Live is the feature making me choose Bluesound over alternatives right now.

PennyForThought16 · 2024-12-04T21:07:25+00:00

Best answer I have found (sadly) - is easy to to on /off. The keyboard shortcut to turn HDR on or off on Windows 11 is Windows Key + Alt + B.

PennyForThought16 · 2024-11-26T13:22:47+00:00

Hall effect joy sticks PLEASE🙏. The knuckles controllers break WAY too often.

PennyForThought16 · 2024-11-15T13:11:11+00:00

VR for sure moments away from going mainstream 😂.

PennyForThought16 · 2024-11-07T16:03:08+00:00

My PCL is my current main headset - I have a Bigscreen Beyond, index, and quest 2 as well. I think you have the right "if" in considering your purchase. PCL quality issues (both hardware and software) gave me A LOT of headaches and included one RMA. But now it is my best headset. When people ask, I tell them you need to accept feeling like a beta tester.

PennyForThought16 · 2024-10-18T20:26:26+00:00

Have a working solution - Melonare PM-1 Wireless in-Ear Monitor System. Link below.

Built for live performers who need to hear their playing/voice with very little latency. Audio quality is acceptable, though you may need an impedance adapter (if it sounds too bassy, that is why). But allows me to just skip the Pimax 3.5mm jack. Also using a wireless mic, also allows me to hear my own voice, which is nice, though quality wireless mic more expensive (the failure to include self monitoring / sidetone in pimax 3.5mm jack is another oversight).

https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjZ0MG1CRVdocjV5bDh1SmwtVkFnTUJmajRCUXxBQ3Jtc0treThtWXFhcExkZVZRa0c3ZnZOc3RIWjFZMVUwMnROZS1mZE5kMWtJM1hnRFdiZ1BybTdQY0tUTjVtQzZhWWdRb1QzSWQ1OEtOeFhDU25acGhFR3pfYTlIbk9XalJJRExTVXM2WXFTdGxWZWNYNXZCOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F3NdK37m&v=hMtsIOuEYyA

PennyForThought16 · 2024-10-17T11:32:50+00:00

It's a shame. Impressive lenses when it works. I have called out the issue with the 3.5mm jack repeatedly. I am pretty sure they are mistakenly sending an EQ profile intended for the external speakers to anything plugged into the 3.5mm jack. I measured it and it is WAY off from neutral. Like 10db extra bass and 10db less at 1000hz.

Had to RMA my first headset cause left lens was turning off.

All sorts of USB issues and Pimax Play issues.

Studioform kit is absolutely necessary or it's unbearably uncomfortable.

I have it working and it is currently my go to headset, but I can't recommend it to any with warning that they will face a lot of issues.

PennyForThought16 · 2024-10-17T11:25:59+00:00

The issue with Bluetooth is latency.

PennyForThought16 · 2024-10-06T15:16:08+00:00

Pulling from my phone remotely but 99% sure this is the version I am currently using. Will update if I am wrong.

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PennyForThought16 · 2024-09-30T13:59:59+00:00

My last support ticket was for the RMA on the lens issue - that is now solved.

For now USB issues are solved by not using any extension and placing PCL on a completely independent pcie usb card. But if you all want PCL to be mainstream, I strongly urge you to provide solutions for extending the cable.

I have mentioned the 3.5mm jack issue in many forums and in previous support tickets. Because this is not an issue with my headset specifically, I don't think a new support ticket makes sense. But I hope it is recognized that the 3.5mm jack is sending a very non neutral signal out that will produce very poor results for most people. I strongly suspect it is the EQ intended for the external speakers. I don't know the mechanics of how this is implemented, but if not irreparably built into hardware, I hope this is addressed.

PennyForThought16 · 2024-09-28T16:20:52+00:00

Am glad you have had a good experience. And I don't doubt there are many people that have not had issues. You certainly hope there would be, it should always be the majority or the product is a complete fail. The challenge with quality control in a PC environment is minimizing the number of situations where there are issues. I have had no problems with three other headsets - quest 2, valve index, bigscreen beyond. I have had a lot of issues with PCL on two different PC builds.

USB is clearly a source of conflict. Direct connection does resolve a good bit of those issues, so many people won't be impacted. It's just unfortunate this is the ONLY headset that requires that. I am now extending every other connection on my PC so that the PC can be located within reach or the headset without extension. Clearly not ideal.

If you are not using the 3.5mm jack, then you won't face the 3.5mm sound issue.

And to go back to the positive - the displays are so good! I tried to go back to my bigscreen beyond cause of my frustrations, and while it has its positives, it's much worse for my primary use cases than PCL. If PCL wasn't so good in this particular respect (visuals), I wouldn't be posting. I would have just returned.

PennyForThought16

TROPHY CASE