Vuzix M300 vs CastAR
When comparing Vuzix M300 vs CastAR, the Slant community recommends Vuzix M300 for most people. In the question“What are the best smart glasses?” Vuzix M300 is ranked 4th while CastAR is ranked 7th. The most important reason people chose Vuzix M300 is:
If the battery is running low, you can replace it with a fully charged battery without needing to turn off the glasses. Larger extended batteries are also available, which can increase the battery life to up to 12 hours of continuous use. These larger batteries can be mounted on a belt instead of in the frames to be more ergonomic.
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Pros
Pro Hot swappable batteries
If the battery is running low, you can replace it with a fully charged battery without needing to turn off the glasses. Larger extended batteries are also available, which can increase the battery life to up to 12 hours of continuous use. These larger batteries can be mounted on a belt instead of in the frames to be more ergonomic.
Pro Built-in features
While apps are available, some built in features are very welcome. Out of the box it has the ability to record video and take pictures (and scan barcodes), manage your calendar, track events, and connect with your phone for notifications.
There is also built in GPS as well as head tracking. GPS will allow for precise location information, and the head tracking in combination will pinpoint exactly where you are and where you're looking. This allows for augmented reality (AR), which can remind electricians which wires are live, or display other relevant information when looking at an object in the real world.
Pro Multi-platform compatibility
While the Vuzix itself runs Android, it is compatible with both Android and iOS operating systems. This broadens its consumer base, and will allow (businesses especially) more flexibility when using it.
Pro Rugged
These glasses are not only water and dust resistant, but also able to withstand drops of up to 8ft (about 2.5m).
Pro Touchpad controls
On the side of the M300 is a touchpad which is the primary input device, but is accompanied by physical buttons.
Pro Configurable mounting options
The M300 can be mounted to the frames of regular glasses, as well as safety glasses, headbands, hard hats and headsets. This makes it very versatile.
Pro Projection reality
In addition to augmented reality (overlaying digital elements over the real world) and virtual reality (fully digital experience), CastAR is introducing projection reality in a new way. Projection reality projects light onto reflective surfaces and back to a sensor. The projection actually appears to be in the real-world as that is where the light is coming from. It appears like a hologram, except its only visible to you.
Pro Reduced nausea in VR mode
The quick response time (8.3ms) and 120Hz refresh rate combined with accurate tracking (to 0.07mm) make for a much less nauseating experience than some other VR solutions. Nausea is at least in part caused by a delay between physical movement and interpreted movement (your body has calibrated itself to a very specific delay from when you move your head to when your view is different. VR has some delay, which extends this delay and confuses the brain).
Cons
Con Poor battery life
The default compact battery will only provide a battery life around 2 hours of continuous use.
Con Designed for enterprise
While not inherently bad, these smart glasses aren't designed for consumers. They won't have the same support for apps and other useful features for general consumers, and will likely be more specialized for enterprise.
Con Not available yet
This is currently expected to launch sometime in 2017.