Pimax Alters Payment System to Lower Flagship Prices, Reducing Refund Options

Pimax is shaking things up again, rolling out new updates for its PC VR headsets and introducing a financing plan that could make models like the Crystal Super and Crystal Light more enticing. However, these changes in pricing and return policy could leave some customers scratching their heads about what’s really on offer.

Let’s dive into the highlights. Announced back in April, the Crystal Super is gearing up to become Pimax’s latest flagship in the PC VR scene. This powerhouse is set to sport a base 57 PPD version with QLED panels. We’re talking about a jaw-dropping resolution of 3,840 x 3,840 pixels per eye, a wide 120-degree field of view, and fancy glass aspheric lenses boasting 99% light transmission.

But wait, there’s more! The Crystal Super isn’t just about high resolution. It’s decked out with eye-tracking capabilities, dynamic foveated rendering, and inside-out tracking. Plus, it opens up a world of customization with swappable optical engines and has been sculpted into a more ergonomic design. VR enthusiasts with top-tier GPUs are likely to be all over this when it drops in early 2025.

The appeal doesn’t end there. Soon after, additional optical engines will be available: a micro-OLED option for $699 and a 50 PPD QLED engine with a 135-degree field of view for $399, with pre-orders for these add-ons starting next year.

In parallel with these exciting hardware announcements, Pimax is tweaking its pricing strategy for both the Crystal Super and the more budget-friendly Crystal Light. They’re lowering the overall sticker price, but there’s a twist that might catch some folks off guard.

Without getting bogged down in the typical marketing jargon, we’ve taken a closer look at what these changes mean for consumers.

What’s the deal? Well, the official baseline price for the Crystal Super is dropping from $1,800 to $1,695, and the Crystal Light is going from $899 to $858. Controllers are included, but Pimax has thrown a curve ball with a new financing plan called ‘Pimax Prime.’ This membership-focused plan means you can snag the Crystal Super for a $999 upfront payment or the Crystal Light for $599. Sounds tempting, right?

Reflecting their previous Trial Payment plan, Pimax’s Prime system gives potential buyers a trial period. Once that’s over, you’ll face a decision: commit to a payment plan or return the headset for a refund.

For the Crystal Super, the choices are a one-time payment of $696 or a $33-a-month plan over two years. Meanwhile, the Crystal Light’s options are a $259 one-time payment or $12 monthly over the same period. Beware: missing payments could suspend your software access.

Once you’ve completed the Prime payments, you’ll enjoy free lifetime access to the Pimax Play software specific to your headset. If you’ve settled in comfortably with your purchase by the trial period’s end, or if you decide it’s not your cup of tea and return it within the trial window, it’s a win-win.

Pimax is sweetening the Prime deal with perks like early software feature access, exclusive event invitations, and priority tech support. On the flipside, the change could be seen as limiting—especially compared to the prior level of refund flexibility.

Previously, the Crystal Light’s Trial Payment scheme granted a 15-day return period, assuming no user-induced damage, or 30 days if damaged during shipping. Now, that window is a narrow 10 days across the board, after which you’ll be locked into the payment plan unless Pimax sees fit to process a refund.

In the U.S., where consumer protection laws are less stringent, this setup might seem particularly jarring. In contrast, in places like the EU and UK, consumers have the right to returns within 14 days and two-year protection against defects, leaving exceptions for user mishaps and regular wear.

The core issue, expertly noted by Reddit user ‘TotalWarspammer,’ is that post-10-day purchase of Prime locks you out of automatic refunds unless Pimax, out of goodwill, decides otherwise. Choose the one-time payment on the 10th day and reconsider soon after, the refund is in Pimax’s hands entirely.

And, just so it’s clear, Pimax’s 12-month limited warranty shuns software coverage, third-party or otherwise, linked with their products.

Whether this strategic pivot by Pimax is a smart play or a blunder is still anyone’s guess. It does bring to the table a method to test drive their tech, albeit while paying for essentials that arguably should be standard. Beyond the flagship models, Pimax intends to extend Prime to future headsets, so the community’s reaction will be telling.

Update: Initially, the Pimax Prime FAQs suggested a non-refundable status, but that’s not the full story. According to Jaap Grolleman, their Director of Overseas Marketing Operations, full refunds including Prime membership are possible within 10 days, or occasionally at Pimax’s discretion beyond that point. We’ve updated these details along with an additional note about the warranty.