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The Pimax 5K+ headset includes two USB Type-C ports for future accessories. There is one port on the bottom of the headset for the Leap Motion accessory and a smell simulation attachment (yes, the company is working on a scent module). You’ll also find a USB-C port at the top of the visor hidden behind the face cushion, designed to support future eye-tracking modules.

Multiple Tracking Systems

The Pimax 5K+ headset includes the usual gyro and accelerometer sensors, which allow you to use the headset without external tracking equipment. However, the headset also features an array of Triad Semiconductors’ TS4231 sensors, which make it fully compatible with SteamVR and the SteamVR 1.0 and 2.0 tracking technology.

The company will eventually offer Pimax-branded Lighthouse base stations. But for now, Kickstarter backers can use the device with HTC’s existing hardware. The Pimax headsets also include wireless radios that can pair with the HTC Vive wand controllers. We strongly recommend treating the Pimax headset as an upgrade for existing Vive owners, at least until we’ve had a chance to test Pimax’s upcoming base stations and controllers.

Pimax PiTool Software

The Pimax 5K+ headset requires Pimax’s PiTool software to operate. The PiTool installation includes the driver that allows Windows to communicate with the headset. Without the software, the headset won’t even turn on.


The Pimax PiTool software controls operation of the headset. The primary window is a status page that shows you which devices are detected, such as the controllers and tracking base stations. If the headset is off or disconnected, the software will let you know with an error message. When the headset is operational, you should see a Start SteamVR button and a Room Setup button. And if Lighthouse tracking is enabled, you should see an option to pair your controllers.


Press the Start SteamVR button to get started. Once steam is running, press the Pair Controller button and follow the on-screen prompts which will guide you through the process. The pairing process is the same as pairing controllers to a Vive headset. First power on the controller, then when the instructions prompt you to, press and hold the power and menu buttons until the power light flashes. If the pairing process times out, try again. I had to try twice to pair one Vive controller.


Once you have your controllers paired, you’ll want to calibrate your room setup. The Pimax 5K+ headset technically supports room-scale configurations, but the software calibration process doesn’t include a room scale calibration. The current iteration of the PiTool software enables you to configure a standing-only play area that doesn’t include chaperone boundaries. If you want to use the chaperone, you must later configure it with SteamVR Room setup.

Once you have SteamVR calibrated and your controllers paired, you can begin to use the headset. However, there are a handful of software options that you should be aware of first.


Under the PiTool Settings tab, you'll find a firmware update button. It’s a good idea to update your headset with the latest firmware, especially if you are an early Kickstarter backer. Pimax is still actively improving the software, and it releases updates frequently.

The General tab on the Settings page includes a handful of general options, such as setting PiTool to launch when Windows starts, where the software minimizes to and whether Pimax VR Home should launch when you turn on the headset. Pimax Home doesn’t appear to do anything right now except eat up GPU and CPU cycles, so we disabled the option.