Vuzix Blade Upgraded Smart Glasses for Enterprise Applications

To start I want to clarify that I don't think these are perfect and I normally might have rated these 4 stars. There is however an overwhelming number of one star reviews from misinformed customers. Because of this, I myself tried buying different smart glasses (Mad Gaze) that were absolutely unusable before returning them and buying these. I use these to watch TV shows and movies while at work (my boss is aware, I'm not responsible if you get in trouble for sneaking it) and while cleaning around the house and doing chores. (Resolution is 480x480, serviceable for a glance while working (16:9 and 4:3 only though, full movie resolution is too much) The app store for the glasses has a lot but is sometimes lacking. These glasses run an old version of Android (5.1) though. I waited to write this review until I was able to develop and release an app on their official store for file management and easily installing apps without a computer. Just download the apk in a browser and run it in the file manager. With this I added the official YouTube app, Plex, an app called airreceiver for chromecasting to it and a few other things. I can't guarantee every app will work well (youtube for example you need to enable an on screen mouse to use properly) but you aren't limited to their released apps. I also built in an easy to use video player if you want to store videos on the SD card. It's of course worth noting if you can develop apps and code, you can add any feature you need. Still, I want to address some of the issues I've seen people mention. Battery. It will be an issue for anyone who buys these. It doesn't last very long. They know this and include a free battery bank in the carrying case that can charge the glasses to full 6 times. If you plan to actively use these much longer than 2 hours with the screen or camera on then you will need to keep them plugged in. They sell an official neck strap for holding larger batteries but I opted to velcro a smaller one to the side that adds about 3 full charges. Even without, keeping the small battery bank in a pocket with a cord to the top is no stranger than having wired headphones if you ask me. Makes your fancy future tech seem a bit dated, but it works. Augmented Reality is not the feature being sold here. There are some basic games using gyro like phone VR would use but nothing game changing. There is no hand tracking or gesture control. Instead you get a quick to learn touch pad on the side to easily navigate. You also get a mode to switch to using it like a mouse track pad with an on screen cursor. The companion app on your smartphone also has a track pad and a way to type using your phone. Camera is 1080p. It is fixed without gimbal or auto focus. It's basic. Comfort compared to other glasses with a screen is unmatched. It does not weigh down on you and they include 2 sizes of nose pieces for different sized noses. It feels like wearing quality safety goggles. It isn't perfect but it's the best out there as of this review in 2021 with a screen. Hopefully that helps some more people make a decision to buy these. I'm sure in the next couple years we will see this tech improve but for now this is as good as it gets. Expect there to be some early adopter problems. Otherwise, I reccomend waiting a few more years.

I purchased the vuzix blade upgrade 1.5 on 11/03 and after work with this smart glasses I return it because the Bluetooth wasnot working with the iPhone. So l contact vuzix blade company and the excuse they gave me:,it’s is a software problem.I talk to one of his engineers from vuzix blade company and he mentioned that in the middle of December they was going to relieve a software that was going to fix the problem specially with iPhones. By the way,the first time I purshased the Smart glasses was all most 1000$ , I repurchased the smart glasses Vuzix blade a 2nd time for 698$ after my return on 12/09 .Why? #1.Because the engineer(Z Smith) contact me via email and mentioned that in the middle of December the new software was going to fix the problem with the vuzix blade so the smart glasses would be able to pick up calls via Bluetooth #2.It is in special in Amazon for the holidays,However they mentioned that this is on upgrade version 1.5 but this upgrade version Is the duplicate of the old version the old version used to have all the functions except the Bluetooth. Other reasons to consider is that the battery run down real quick etc. Over all the smart glasses is great don’t get me wrong it has a lot of positive things but, wath most bothered is the engineers from this company,they don’t answer emails or they answer whenever they want to, a very expensive device with a great potential, but unfortunately they are not interested in provide good customer service. Today is 12/30/20 and the Bluetooth in my vuzix blade it’s not working with my iPhone Maybe never will,so is this a scam? If you planning to buy this product think carefully and read the reviews it will make you do a better decision at the time you planning to purchase. New review my vuizix Blede has improved so much that for me is number one. I have test it and try for over a year and the problems with the software has been fixed. I recommend it 100%

Sharp edge on the nose brim. Doesn't stay connected to phone. No head gestures to activate. Need to swipe through to open camera. Shutter is far too long. Need to touch for each photo. Battery life is ok while in use. Maybe an hour ish. Poor battery in standby. Menu takes Soo many swipes to access apps. Navigation within most apps is either difficult or impossible without using your phone. Lenses scratch very easy, first day. Thought I was super careful. Display is cool but discolored.

The company means well and the customer service surely is one of the best. But the Blade is not made to last. There's a lot of flaws in its design. (1.) It's a one-size-fits-all and the folds aren't ergonomic, so it just took time and the middle of the glass cracked from trying to put it on. I just glued it and months later it was still working. (2.) The "sharp" frames "cuts" on my ears, so I'd have a lanyard on it lie on my ear and the frames lie on the lanyard. (3.) I did not compromise and bought the specific shades attachment for it. But when recording with the camera, with the shades perfectly centered, the video would have a bright recording on the left side part that isn't covered by the shade during the day. (4.) I've had power issues with the first one that I exchanged, as well as this unit. When recording a video the Blade would just shut off. I would usually just connect it to the external power bank and it would be okay. Then later on, it just keeps shutting off. When charging it would alternate randomly between showing it's charging from an almost empty battery to an almost full battery icon. It eventually wouldn't charge and I would hear this constant clicking in the left frame...same issue as with the first unit. I was able to have the green light turn on and charge with a higher amp usb port. I quickly logged-in and was able to do a factory reset "erase everything," so I know it's not a software issue. Then shortly after, the Blade just stops charging for good. I got this unit for a discounted price but it still isn't worth it. (5.) The DJI app in it can only record video and take pic, no RTH/settings/zoom/etc. It was my everyday shades, and less than a year it's totally not working. I believe it's too low-capacity battery, and no internal failure protection. It's would've been fine if it's working for the limited things I used it for ((6.) other apps I've tried still needs lots of improvements) but I'm not getting another Vuzix Blade. I'm fairly looking into the "next generation" Vuzix smart glasses, though, since it looks like they'll actually have a built-in cam (I don't like a smartglass that doesn't have a cam).

Really exciting technology but unfortunately the pair that I received did not work the way they were supposed to. The screen was bright and clear but the camera was never able to focus making them unusable for what I had purchased them for. The battery life isn't very good at all but they do work while attached to a power bank so that isn't really a deal breaker, it's actually better that they keep the glasses light so they are comfortable to wear. I opened a ticket with support the day that I received them and they were able to walk me through some of the issues I had at first but when it came to the camera not being able to focus manually or with the autofocus all they said was they were going to have to check with their engineers. Two weeks later I was still just left in the dark with no updates or resolution. Every couple days I would reach out for an update and the only response I would get was that they needed some more time or they would look into it and I wouldn't hear back until I asked again. They asked for proof of purchase which I supplied and I would have considered exchanging them for a working pair but eventually I was just fed up with waiting to hear back and opted to return the order. The tech is very exciting and had they worked the way that they were supposed to I would have been a happy customer. They need to invest more in their customer service since it sounds like a trending theme based on the other reviews I have seen. I think I will let the company work out the bugs and would consider purchasing their next gen glasses when they come out if people are having better luck with them. It's too bad for now but I think given some time to work out the kinks Vuzix will is the future of AR glasses and hopefully if they can't get the customer service going better they will license their tech to other companies that will have better support.

Even though we had to return them due to a contract change this product seemed to perform well for remote training employee's as long as you have a phone with a fast processing speed and a additional battery is a must for extended training sessions. I would recommend for remote training needs. and the company had no issue with a speedy refund.

The battery life doesn't really last long at all maybe an hour tops by itself Joe the comforts OKI guess if you're wearing it without anything else on your head of course I wear them while I'm riding my motorcycle I use them for a good heads up display so I can see everything that goes on on my phone. The sound quality sucks it goes in-and-out. But I might want to think about adding some tint to the glasses maybe a bit more sleekish design I think would be nice.