Pimax Adjusts Payment Model to Lower Flagship Prices with Limited Refund Options

With recent updates to its PC VR headsets, Pimax is introducing a financing initiative aimed at making the Crystal Super and Crystal Light models more budget-friendly. However, the changes in payment terms and return policies might leave potential buyers raising their eyebrows.

The Crystal Super, unveiled last April, is poised to be Pimax’s flagship model. It features a 57 PPD version equipped with high-resolution QLED panels, offering a jaw-dropping 3,840 x 3,840 pixels per eye, a 120-degree field-of-view, and top-notch glass aspheric lenses with 99% light transmission. It comes with eye-tracking, dynamic foveated rendering, and inside-out tracking. Plus, it sports swappable optical engines and a more ergonomic design, making it a dream device for VR enthusiasts with high-end GPUs. The 57 PPD version is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2025.

Furthermore, there are additional optical engines on the horizon, including a micro-OLED engine priced at $699, and a 50 PPD QLED engine with a 135-degree FOV available for $399. Pre-orders for these will commence early next year.

Accompanying the Crystal Super’s rollout is a revised pricing plan for it and the previously launched Crystal Light. Both models see price reductions, with Crystal Super dropping from $1,800 to $1,695 and Crystal Light from $899 to $858, both including controllers. But as with Pimax, nothing is ever straightforward.

Enter the “Pimax Prime,” a new mandatory financing and membership scheme. With this, buyers can get Crystal Super for $999 upfront and Crystal Light for $599. Similar to the previous Trial Payment approach Pimax used for the Crystal Light, they offer a chance to try the headsets before committing. After the trial, you need to pick a payment plan to keep your headset operational or return it for a full refund.

For the Crystal Super, there’s the option of either a one-time payment of $696 or a $33 monthly plan over two years ($792 total) for accessing the required Pimax Play software. For Crystal Light, it’s $259 upfront or $12 per month over two years ($288 total). Miss a payment, and you lose access to the software.

Once you complete the Prime payments, Pimax Play access for your headset becomes free. This setup sounds like a win if everything breaks your way—enjoy your new gadget or get a full refund during the trial if it’s not for you.

Pimax Prime aims to charm customers with perks like early access to software updates, invites to exclusive events, and priority tech support. However, it also redefines the return policy, offering less flexibility overall despite lower headset costs.

Previously, buyers had a 15-day free return policy and a 30-day window for damage during shipping under the Trial Payment plan. Now, that window shrinks to 10 days, regardless of the reason, meaning you’re committed to a payment plan thereafter.

Consumer protection laws vary globally; for instance, the EU and UK guarantee 14-day returns and a two-year period against faulty goods—not user-caused issues like accidents or wear-and-tear. These don’t apply in the US, which lacks such protections.

The issue here, flagged by Reddit user ‘TotalWarspammer,’ is that after the 10-day return period, Pimax Prime becomes non-refundable. If you choose the one-time payment on day 10, change your mind on day 11, you may only get back the headset price—depending on your local laws—not the mandatory software subscription.

It’s uncertain if this gamble will overshadow Pimax’s promising hardware, though the company’s ability to provide niche PC VR headsets at affordable prices remains attractive. It might also allow potential buyers to test the waters and return it if needed. Yet, having to pay for software access that feels it should be complimentary might not sit well with everyone.

The Pimax Prime isn’t limited to just Crystal Light and Crystal Super; it’s set to extend to future Pimax VR headsets. Time will tell how the market reacts, and if this pricing strategy sticks around.