Meta’s range of smart glasses is growing apace. After the first-generations Ray-Ban Meta came the Oakley Meta HSTN. Now, there’s the Oakley Meta Vanguard. Here’s all you need to know.
Oakley Meta Vanguard have a wraparound design, which has meant the onboard camera has moved from the edge of the frame to just above the nose bridge.
It’s an 12-megapixel camera with 122-degree wide angle lens that can shoot video at 3K resolution. It can shoot video in slow motion — a new addition to the range — and has adjustable image stabilization.
As with the earlier models, open speakers sit just in front of your ears and Meta says these speakers are the most powerful it’s used on smart glasses so far. Since the Vanguards are designed for sports, it means you should be able to hear what you’re listening to even if you’re running or biking in the wind, say. Meta says that the Vanguards are 6 decibels louder than Oakley Meta HSTN.
Five microphones are installed to optimize sound on voice calls, quelling wind or other noises so your voice can be heard clearly.
Your voice needs to be heard so you can say, “Hey, Meta, take a photo,” or “What’s the wind speed right now,” or “What am I looking at,” for instance.
Battery life is up to nine hours plus another 27 in the charging case, which is enough to last you through the most extended of sporting activities. This is more than the original Ray-Ban Meta specs could manage. If you are running low, a 20-minute sojourn in the case is enough to replenish the charge to 50%.
There are three nose pads with different fits to ensure the glasses feel comfortable and an IP67 dust- and water-resistance rating means they are properly outdoorsy.
The new design means the action button to snap a photo or take a video has been moved to the underside of the temple (arm) of the frame. That’s so that if you’re wearing a cycling helmet or hat, it’s still accessible.
The Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses are now on sale, alongside the second-generation Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta HSTN, plus the Meta Ray-Ban Display.
Oakley Meta Vanguard costs $499, £499 in the U.K. and come with black or white frames and a choice of reflective lenses.
