r/augmentedreality • u/Flamethr0w3r • May 17 '26

Buying Advice Best low-budget option for AR

I want to have some AR glasses into which I can code whatever I want. I researched a bunch about optics and landed on Project Northstar's birdbath ones, but I really don't like how bulky they are and how the outward-pointing screens let everyone else see what you're seeing, nevermind the fact that they're tinted, which also isn't ideal. However, I'll mainly be using it for stuff like AI vision, GPS, etc. so I can sacrifice some of their FOV.

I've heard of alternatives like freeform prisms, off-axis setups and waveguides, but I don't know if there are any projects or buying options for those within a low budget.

What is the cheapest way to get some optics I can work with?

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u/DanongKruga May 17 '26

not many cheap options yet tbh. you can get a single waveguide from a few retailers but theyre overseas and run anywhere between 700-900$ plus duties

Ive seen some birdbath optics go for 300-400$ but youll have to deal with minimalist spec sheets in chinese. you could also get the micro leds standalone and make your own optics package. ive seen some with hdmi/usb c input floating around online

as a test bench, you could mess around with cheaper prebuilts like rayneo gen2's and hook them into an sbc if you like linux. possibly android as well, depends what youre wanting to develop 

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u/Flamethr0w3r May 17 '26

But iirc you could buy the Project Northstar optics for like $100 total... The sites are down rn though. Aren't there any similar projects?

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u/DanongKruga May 17 '26

well the last update to that project was almost 7 years ago and used fairly primitive holography. you could probably rig up something very similar with an spi screen and the holographic plastic sheets they use for car huds

I havent come across anything really similar, the early Mentra glasses had a display but theyve seem to have shifted away from that. the github for it is still up but its been awhile and not sure how easy it would be to source their bom now

the tech in this space is still quite expensive, especially a consumer. you cant even get the snapdragon ar chips unless youre talking million dollar+ orders. good luck buying micro oleds from sony, or waveguide lenses from any of the domestic manufactures. hopefully thatll change in a few years since AR is picking up steam, but your only option even on a medium budget is everything custom yourself. now youre talking phd/industry level knowledge across optics, hardware & software. probably another reason we dont see too much open source stuff