At CES 2023 we examined a pattern of the Pimax View VR holder attachment for its Portal handheld gaming system.
The hybrid system ends its two-month fundraising push on Kickstarter this week with Pimax claiming January 2023 supply to “sure international locations” of its “View VR Headset” alongside the “Pimax Portal Handheld” and 1 pair “VR Controller Sleeve”. Pimax guarantees pledges beginning round $450 obtain the complete handheld and VR package.
For these unfamiliar, Pimax Portal is pitched as one thing much like Nintendo Change’s Labo VR toy or the Daydream View. Portal is a handheld sport system promised as having a pair of Pleasure-Con-like controllers that detach and slip into sleeves changing them into 6DoF tracked controllers. The hand-held itself slips right into a View VR head strap which, collectively, is meant to change into a full VR system. Under is a promotional picture from Pimax exhibiting simply the hand held portion of their crowdfunding promise for a pledge of round $300.
Under is a body from Pimax’ Kickstarter video exhibiting the complete VR system with the hand held controllers slipped into sleeves and the display screen slipped into its personal head-mounted accent.
At CES 2023 in Las Vegas we visited Pimax’ sales space and requested to check the Portal View VR mode. I wished to make use of the controllers proven above mounted within the sleeves so UploadVR may check the enter and monitoring. Whereas Pimax had controllers at its sales space resembling these within the video (seen at left within the photograph under), firm representatives advised UploadVR they weren’t prepared for testing in VR. Regardless of Pimax’ claims of delivery in January, the View VR mode for the Portal handheld was proven with the devoted Contact-like controllers seen at proper within the photograph under.
The headset didn’t appear overly front-heavy however it was arduous to evaluate different components of the expertise as a result of present state of monitoring. I attempted two items of VR content material with the Portal View head strap and devoted controllers — Open Brush and a scene the place I used to be overlooking a canyon. In each items of software program, monitoring failed spectacularly. In Open Brush, I used to be ready to make use of the devoted controllers to attract strains in area however as I moved my head the art work didn’t reposition appropriately a lot of the time. Within the canyon, regardless of intending to face in place, my view flew in a line over the canyon.
“The VR controller sleeve can also be prepared for mass manufacturing,” the “Dangers” part of Pimax’ Kickstarter web page claims. “The complete View VR Equipment will probably be prepared throughout the kickstarter marketing campaign.”
Pimax’ historical past is marked by lengthy delivery delays, inconsistent high quality, software program points, and customer support considerations such that UploadVR recommends excessive warning earlier than pledging cash to the corporate. Our demo at CES 2023 mismatching with Pimax’ Kickstarter claims quoted above reaffirms our advice. We emailed a Pimax consultant for remark and can replace this publish if we obtain clarification concerning the firm’s plans.
