Last year December, we finalized the Crystal Super Lighthouse faceplate, running it through extensive testing to make sure all the photodiode patches cover a huge range of angles. The cover protrudes slightly compared to the SLAM frontcover, as we want to make sure the headset remains tracked in a huge range of positions, meaning you enjoy high-precision external tracking, even if you use just one base station.
As we finalized the R&D, we subsequently ordered all the components and started making injection molds. Those are being readied now. We’ve produced a few samples, which again are being tested — with mass production starting next week. Due to a small break (the Lunar Year), we estimate the first shipments will go out in the middle of February, if not earlier.
Further Details:
To ensure that users who need the Lighthouse Faceplate can still use it seamlessly, we have prepared comprehensive solutions to fully address your requirements:
Basic Connection: The Lighthouse Faceplate’s Type-C connection interface is part of the original design, offering identical performance to the 70-pin connector for a stable connection. Once you receive the faceplate, you can use all its functions normally simply by connecting the headset and the faceplate with a standard Type-C cable, with no extra setup needed.
Optional Upgrade: The Lighthouse Faceplate for the Crystal Light uses the same connector and is facing the same issue. Recently, we successfully tested an alternative connection method—PogoPin—on the Crystal Light. For users who might have their “Type-C port occupied by other accessories,” we are implementing the PogoPin connection solution that succeeded on the Crystal Light for the Crystal Super. This solution has undergone strict compatibility and stability testing and provides the same level of connection performance as the original 70-pin connector.
Please note: Not all users need this upgrade; it is only required if your Type-C port is unavailable (conflicting with other devices).
If this describes your situation, you can upgrade in the following two ways:
Official Installation Service: Contact our official customer service. Our local service centers (e.g., in China, Europe, and the United States) will provide an upgrade service for your headset, with professional engineers completing the installation and calibration of the PogoPin connector.
Self-Installation: If you are comfortable with technical work and prefer to install it yourself, we will provide a detailed video guide and dedicated technical support. We also firmly commit that if any damage occurs to the headset during the self-installation process, we will take full responsibility under the official warranty policy, giving you complete peace of mind.
(Below is the design diagram for the Crystal Super Lighthouse Faceplate:)
A positive user experience is always our main focus, and Pimax is committed to resolving this issue completely. This unexpected incident has highlighted the critical importance of building better supply chain redundancy. We will work to further optimize our supply chain system to prevent similar situations from happening again.
Do you plan on selling or making your own lighthouses? These have become very difficult to source. I’d be interested in the lighthouse faceplate, but with lighthouses almost unavailable. This option isn’t open to me.
But haven´t Valve said on the Video for the Steam Frame, that they are ready to talk with others about the License for the Lighthouse System, while they no longer want it.
The question before is what do they want to license manufracturing them! HTC and Valve have had a little bit relationship since the days of the OG vivebwndvVive Pro1?
i am not allowed to show how it´s done, but support told me a bit about it and its 2 screws and an little Board to Board Connetor that you have to plug in ,a video should be avaible soon, the connector will sit where the old 70pin have sit
Really hard to say when LHes would stop. With Newcomers like BsB, MeganeX and iirc Sonium, Varjo(?) and Xtal(?) all using Lighthouse Tracking. There is incentive to keep making them. Though price wise no reason to make it more affordable for regular consumers.
Prior to the Valve Index. LG was next in line to be the next True Valve endorsed SteamVR partner headset - called LG Ultra Gear with them even going to be licensed to make Lighthouses. But shortly before launching production of what at the time looked promising. It just went Dark and we ended up with Vice Pro and some kind of disagreements between Valve & HTC.
Valve then tried a failed SteamVR HDK for Oems to make SteamVR headsets akin to MS WMR idea. But it fell flat and Valve then moved to making & releasing the Index.
Lighthouse though will eventually reach an end of life; even previous ambitions like up to 16 lighthouse setups idea seems to have faded, but we do have 16 channels iirc to choose from. LH setup is not good for grab & go and setup is more complicated to initially complete. Even Valve seems to be moving on from it.
While the Index Controllers have had praise, there design caused many replacements during and after warranty as they are not really robust. And Valve is moving in from that with the Steam Frame.
yeah but Steam also allready ended Production of the Controllers, only left and right and basestations can be bought about them, so yeah we have to see what they will do
I am also checking out some alternatives for me, while the Insideout Tracking of the Super got more stable.
That is the question. I am still waiting as a pre order guy but nothing new about pimax since they will never be change their missleading system to get peoples money as fast as they want. Its just a fact and never be changed as long people like me buy this beta-ware. It is good as long as it works like it should be to work. But thats NEVER the case.
According to some rumors, LH production has been discontinued and there are no plans to resume. The problem is in the renewal of patents and in production lines that have long been transferred to other equipment. Valve no longer produces HMD with external tracking, and HTC went into oblivion after the deal with Google.
Saddly I can, wouldn’t even wonder, new HTC Hardware where other then the Lighthouse Hardware super trashy and buggy, as far as I heard and only reason for them to still produce it where the Deal with valve, but since valve canceled Lighthouse too and moved to Inside Out, also with saying they do not plan to make it any way Lighthouse compatible and Index is discontinued it makes more then sence, that we soon will face a market where Lighthouses are not avaible as also FBT trackers for it unless a Company takes over the licenses from valve.
And don’t forget steam just changed the Buying Option for Lighthouses to 1 per Customer instead as when i ordered 2 and it worked.
So we should be tuned after all and make our selfs ready to switch to another Option
