RayBan Meta Glasses and Display 2025

[TheForce]

Some interesting new stuff from Meta in the wearables. I'm considering getting the new Display model.

Here is the recent Meta Connect Presentation-

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3kIsLZwvnc&t=4191s

 

[NYDutch]

Some interesting new stuff from Meta in the wearables. I'm considering getting the new Display model.

Here is the recent Meta Connect Presentation-

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3kIsLZwvnc&t=4191s

I think waiting until they actually work would be a better idea. That demo was laughable...

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I wonder if it can cause eye damage, with trying to stare at something that is in your right eye only.

 

[TheForce]

Broadening the scope of the thread to other options- The Rokid uses a two eye display. But as I use my Rayban Meta glasses mostly for video recording the Rokid turn off was it has poor image stabilization. I question the ability to focus at close range and distant at the same time.

Before RayBan Meta, I had some video recording glasses that would record in 4K and no image stabilization and it was a labor intensive job to fix the video. I had to buy these through Temu out of China but they only cost $70. The Meta Display are $860 with the tax so I certainly will test in the store before buying. I understand Best Buy and others will have them for sale too.

Rokid testing. This guy, Steven seems to be shilling for Rokid because they gave him a pair to play with. It's also a Kick Starter pre-purchase which is a huge negative for me because I got scammed years ago by a company who pushed a great 3D camera but after taking the money closed up shop and disappeared. The shills back then pushed the product and also disappeared when the company disappeared.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PETGnQsJ4GA

 

[TheForce]

I think waiting until they actually work would be a better idea. That demo was laughable...

True! But keep in mind this is a new technology in development. I admit I'm a sucker for new technology but I try to do my homework before purchasing except when the price is really low, I take the risk.

The Mark Zuckerberg Live demo was risky and gutsy but these are never a good idea. Apple learned the hard way as did Tesla with the Cybertruck window smashing.

I always appreciated Mark's willingness to take on new ideas. I became a fan, not because of Facebook but that he put his money behind Oculus. I owned the Oculus Rift, the Quest 1, and 2. And the Meta Quest 3 which is the best on the market, does far more than the Apple Vision Pro, and has the same quality now with the latest upgrade. I sat through the Apple demo for 45 minutes and said no way! My Meta Quest 3 runs rings around the AVP. Maybe one day they will do it right but for now, Meta is the top spot so the glasses looks to be the best technology has to offer now.

 

[Foxbat]

Marques Brownlee reviews these new smart glasses in which he is impressed at the speed at which they have improved over the original prototype.

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[TheForce]

Marques Brownlee reviews these new smart glasses in which he is impressed at the speed at which they have improved over the original prototype.

Saw his review. He is usually pretty honest.

The full color camera monitoring is nice, for sure. From my experience having the camera off to the side is a problem with framing the shot. I have gotten used to it. But better to be able to see it in your lens. The bracelet to navigate is interesting but I'm not sure I would use it that much.

Sure wish Meta would compete with at least a 10 minute record time as opposed to 3 minutes. That is a software update as they already upgraded my gen 2 glasses from 1 minute to 3 minutes. However, what I noticed and no one is reporting is if I record outside in the summer heat, 4 -3 minute clips in a row the glasses overheat and shut down with a verbal notice. It takes about 20 minutes to recover and turn on again. So the 3 minute timer is probably a way to check the temperature problem.

The competition (Rokid) has a 10 minute time limit but no reviewers have reported overheating problems. Reminder Rokid has only "paid" reviewers with free glasses as they are still just a Kick Starter. Currently the price with coupon code is $479. Rokid also claims to have quite a few better features over the Meta Displays but already they have been exposed to lying about the apps. They sold the first KS investors on "free" but now they admit it will be subscription. Like if you already subscribe to ChatGPT, to use your subscription on the glasses you will be charged again for it. Also, it was leaked by one reviewer that Rokid phone app is Android only but they said it will be iOS soon.

I understand that Rokid claims they meet their goals in Kick Starter the price will be the same as others or $599+

View: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rokid/new-rokid-glassesworlds-lighest-full-function-ai-glasses/pledge/new?clicked_reward=false

 

[meStevo]

I'm interested, would be more interested if it was ChatGPT-powered, as that's where I've invested my time and training on my habits / health / etc.

 

[TheForce]

I just ordered the upgrade to the Gen 2 which has 3K video and longer battery life.

I also have an appointment to get a demo of the Meta Display glasses next week. If I am impressed with the performance I will make the purchase. Call me an early adopter sucker if you want but I am fascinated with the wrist band and full color display of what I am photographing.

There is a problem with the technology they chose in the display and it is not the monocular but rather if you need prescription lenses you must get them from Rayban for the Display to work. Snap in after market Rx Lenses that are low cost do not work. The lenses are special and a part of the display system. The lens is not curved but flat and has special prisms embedded in the lower right side. I suppose you could have prescription clip on made for the front so as not to mess with the display. Haven't seen any offerings yet for clip ons. Otherwise, pay the premium price for Meta to make your Rx lenses installed. I'm fortunate in that I don't need Rx yet except for reading and even then its only for the very fine print. However, my wife would need Rx for distance. Wearing contact lenses may be the easy solution.

 

[TheForce]

I got the new RayBan Meta Gen 2 in yesterday. Got a discount on them with a coupon too and they arrived with green sunglass lenses. I never liked green sunglasses. So I popped them out and inserted my Xtra Active transition lenses. Easy enough to do. Haven't tested the battery life yet but did do a video quality check. Image stabilization is equal to the Gen 1 which has been very good. The detail seemed the same but color saturation slightly better.
I then switched them to 3K resolution but the downside was the record time lasted only 92 seconds. In 1080P the record time is 3 minutes. The settings still list 3 minutes as the recording time but in "High Resolution" it notes it affects "battery life, storage, recording duration and stabilization options."
That was not stated in the advertising specs. On three test recordings in 3K the recording time was around 90 seconds. My intended use will be recording walking around as a tourist so I may stick to 1080P 30fps and upconvert in editing. That worked in Gen 1 satisfactory. So this was a disappointment for the 3K high resolution recording. Comparing to Gen1 the detail does appear to be higher in the Gen 2 but I'll do some resolution chart tests later to measure any difference.
Image stabilization is the same and no difference in 3K mode.
The AI doesn't appear to be any better than Gen 1. Response time is about the same.

Conclusion- The Gen 1 Rayban Meta Wayfarer with clear lenses can be had now for as low as $199 with coupons and refurb, normally $279 - $299 on Amazon. The Gen 2 sells for $379 new. You decide if longer battery life and 3K recording is important to spend the extra $100 if you were planning to buy these.

The AI capability of these is amazingly good and like all AI apps the accuracy is dependent on how you ask the question. With these glasses all you do is ask, "Hey Meta", (wait for the beep) then say "what am I looking at?" Meta will answer in your ear. Next you can ask for more details. The camera isn't on all the time so waiting for the beep gives the glasses time to turn on the camera to see what you are looking at. The response is pretty quick.

I have tested a number of cheap camera glasses even with 4K video and what they call image stabilization and they all suck. The Meta glasses both Gen 1 and Gen 2 are far superior and produce image quality equal to my iphones including the 17Pro. All those cheap camera glasses were a waste of money. The RayBan Meta's are worth the higher price. I look forward to getting the Display glasses next.

 

[TheForce]

Did some real world battery run time for video recording. While it is not critical to have extended battery as there are options to plug these glasses into a power bank or your iphone while wearing them and that will last all day but if wanting not to be tethered with a charging wire to your glasses, knowing how much time you get is important.

Testing Battery for video recording time where the clips were restarted with little to no break between them:
Gen 1 1080P30 : 100% to 11% recording in nine 3 minute clips. Total 27 minutes
Gen 2 1080P30: 100% to 15% recording in twelve 3minute clips. Total 36 minutes
Gen 2 3K 30 : 100% to 72% recording in five 3 minute clips. Total 15 minutes
Note- The second Gen 2 at 3K shut down due to Camera overheating. I could not test the full battery record time without a 20 minute break to cool the glasses. So heat with the higher resolution seems to be a problem.

Some competitors make claims of higher resolution, longer battery life, and lighter weight, but there is no independent testing to verify these claims. I do question the validity of the competition claims.

Intermittent video recording can be a solution to the heat problem but my goal would be to record a performance for up to an hour with no interruptions. It may be possible with a tethered to power bank and 1080P30.

 

[Foxbat]

The Macy's store in the local mall had the Gen 1 glasses on display. I was really surprised how lightweight these were. They sounded okay, but any serious evaluation would need to wait until my ear unclogs. The controls were easy to figure out; the girl behind the counter was very familiar with their operation and gave clear instructions on how to operate the Ray Ban Meta Gen 1.

 

[TRG]

Off topic. I've used the now disconued Microsoft HoloLens in a professional environment. It allowed engineers like me to interface with system scientists back at HQ while working on customer equipment in real time. We had the ability to pull up schematics, procedures and other technical documents. It worked pretty well for the most part. I suspect the Meta product is better though.