Flight games feel truly next level in VR. In fact, VR works best for racing and flight games because you are seated and you feel like you are actually in that world. When it comes to racing games, these should be your main considerations in a VR headset:
- Light enough for long sessions. But the mobility of a wireless headset is not needed as you are seated.
- High resolution and high Field of View to see everything better.
- High enough refresh rate because otherwise you start feeling queasy.
Based on these criteria, I have selected the following VR headsets as my top picks.
1. Best Overall
Pimax Crystal Light
- 2880x2880 resolution per eye
- High FoV, Best Comfort, Premium feel
- Eye tracking, Foveated Rendering
*Using the above link will automatically apply our special discount code (GBN) on the Pimax store!
I have had Pimax on my radar for a while now because they were making headsets with massive resolutions back when other headsets still looked like they were from the 90s. However, Piamx seemed to have small teething issues which prevented their headsets from being great. As they gain more and more experience, Pimax seems to be getting better and better at this.
With the Crystal, we finally have a headset that can beat the competition. It’s still not perfect but I don’t think any headset ever will be. But what it is, is the best of the bunch and it offers amazing visuals for the picky flight simmer.
Crystal Light is an appropriate name for this beast of a headset because it offers unparalleled clarity. Its not a casual headset by any means and only recommended for enthusiasts, but if you are willing to spend, this is it. This is as good as it gets.
The headset offers a massive 130 degree FoV which is amazing for situational awareness. The refresh rate can be set based on your PC specs – 72Hz for low end PC and all the way to 120 Hz for people rocking Nvidia 4090/ 5090. This is a true enthusiast product.
I was initially concerned about the comfort because this looks like a bulky headset but it is by far the most comfortable headset I have ever worn. The headset is comfortable because it is balanced and fits on your head really well. It most certainly has the most premium system which makes it very easy to put on and keep on for long gaming sessions.
Another unique thing about the Crystal is the support for Quad Views Foveated Rendering. Not all games have this feature but DCS does! That drastically improves the frame-rate even with a mid-tier GPUs on this top-tier headset.
2. Best Premium
Pimax Crystal Super
- Resolution of 3840x3840 per eye
- Dynamic Foveated Rendering allows for better performance
- Highest FoV
*Using the above link will automatically apply our special discount code (GBN) on the Pimax store!
If you are willing to splurge, then there are few headsets out there that offer what the Pimax Crystal Super does. It has a resolution that will probably melt your graphics card, but you can turn down the super sampling and still get a better picture than any other VR headset out there.
Another impressive feature of the Pimax is the field of view. It has the widest FoV of any headset out there, bar none. I cant put into words how useful this is in both flight and racing sims. The ability to see your gauges or objects in your peripheral vision without having to twist your neck is a godsend. It’s a big bump in immersion. The main difference between the Pimax Crystal Light and Pimax Crystal Super is that the latter has Dynamic Foveated Rendering and slightly higher resolution.
Pimax Crystal going strong even after 100+ hours of testing!
All of this comes at a hefty price tag however but thats the cost of being at the bleeding edge of innovation. For hardcore fans of DCS VR, this is it.
3. Best Entry Level
- NEARLY 30% LEAP IN RESOLUTION — Experience every thrill in breathtaking detail with sharp graphics...
- NO WIRES, MORE FUN — Break free from cords. Play, exercise and explore immersive worlds—...
I am honestly a bit surprised by the Quest 3. That they managed to pack a quality headset with a decently high resolution at such an amazing price point is nothing short of astonishing. Maybe they have enough sales volume that they can reduce their production cost this much? Either way, its a great opportunity for consumers to get started with VR at a respectable price point. And what you get for the price is pretty good.
The resolution is the most important stat for DCS so lets start there. It is significantly better than previous Oculus headsets including the Rift S. Screen Door Effect is pretty much gone and text, menu dials are crisp and readable. FoV and sweet spot are decent. Tracking, controllers, audio etc. are all acceptable. The headset is definitely more comfortable than previous offerings and the adjustable IPD is a big plus for some people.
Overall, I think this is the best you can get at this price range.
About the Author
