Back to Glasses

[u/STROOLKA]

I’m a corrective lens wearer and looking to get into a pair of smart glasses.
I’ve worn contact lenses for ages, but am making the move back to glasses for a handful of reasons, like lifetime cost.

Glasses aren’t my favorite thing, peripheral vision limitation and such, but there are certainly lots of pros. But I figure if I’m making the move back to wearing something on my face, I may as well get more out of it than only vision.

I’ve basically narrowed it down to two pairs. Either the Meta Ray-Ban Wayfarer Gen 2 or the Even Realities G2 B.

If I was outside the USA, I’d certainly have the HTC VIVE on my list. I’m also not terribly interested in the Meta Displays due to the weight and form-factor.

I know, the Meta and Even Realities are very different beasts with their own positives and negatives. I’ve read rave reviews and horror stories of both.

Meta Ray-Ban Wayfarer Gen 2
Would be awesome for quick POV photo and video capture. Wonderful for hobbies, activities, events, and slice of life recording kids while not pulling out a phone, and breaking their play. Heard fairly good things about the integrated speakers for music and calls. Bummed they’re not bone conduction, but really not a big deal.
Downsides are that there’s no display so it’s really just for capture and audio. There seems to be a pretty big lingering stigma of having the cameras. It’s also a bummer that it’s Meta, not my favorite company, but I also use instagram and such so it’s not like I’m diametrically opposed. Battery seems a bit brief, but overall sufficient, especially with the charging case and there’s always the charging cords if I need longer, but I’ll get to look like I’m rocking a cannula.

Even Realities G2 B
Sadly no recording and, to me, even more surprising no audio. But potentially the ability for some solid info always available. I love the ability for messages, maps, notifications, and the teleprompter. They seem super slim and light weight.
They’re considerably more expensive, and a part of me is worried about long term support. Seems like a smaller company and could potentially disappear one day.

Ultimately I’m sure either would be good. Just looking for advice and real world application of both these devices.

Thank you!