When comparing Microsoft HoloLens vs Iristick Z1, the Slant community recommends Microsoft HoloLens for most people. In the question“What are the best smart glasses?” Microsoft HoloLens is ranked 3rd while Iristick Z1 is ranked 8th. The most important reason people chose Microsoft HoloLens is:
The HoloLens is a completely stand-alone device. You can use it without a PC or phone, and there are no external wires meaning you have completely unrestricted movement.
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Pros
Pro Stand-alone device
The HoloLens is a completely stand-alone device. You can use it without a PC or phone, and there are no external wires meaning you have completely unrestricted movement.
Pro Active development
This is a current product, and is in active development. Developer devices are shipping now (as of June 2016 they are shipping wave 4). This isn't a past project - it's here and now.
Pro Recognizes speech, gestures and eye movement
Pro Comfortable to wear
Instead of putting all the weight around one ear, the HoloLens balances the weight out around your entire head with its full band. The tightness can be adjusted to make sure the best fit is attained, and the front visor tilts up and down so it can be used in even more ways.
Pro Voice commands, touch pad and split screen
Handling the Iristick Z.1. is a real pleasure. You can select options via voice commands (even in very noisy environments), swipe through lists via the touchpad or take out the phone if you run an app that is only on smartphone available.
Pro very comfortable to wear
The fit like a glove, well actually like glasses should fit. They look like glasses, they feel like glasses. (and what is nice, they are intrinsically certified as safety glasses. Very lightweight.
Pro Very long battery and no heating
The use of an external smartphone is clever design. It avoids heating and radiation near the temple, a real problem with other smartglasses. The pocketunit contains an additional battery and gives you more than 6 hrs streaming potential.
Pro Works with both iOS and Android
Most smartglasses only work for Android or have their own Android environment built-in. The Iristick works with both iOS and Android phones by simply connecting an iPhone or Android device to it.
Pro Superb Zoom lens
This is the only smartglasses on the market that has a 5 times optical zoom. Really unique and allows you to zoom in on details that matter.
Pro Central camera = natural viewpoint
Most smartglasses have the camera on the side. Iristick Z.1. has a camera in between the eyes and this corresponds to the natural viewpoint of the wearer. The image you get from this camera corresponds to what the wearer is seeing.
Cons
Con Limited use-case scenarios
While not specifically marketed for industry, it looks like HoloLens will be most useful to businesses as opposed to consumers. This is a full fledged headset, not a small screen in the corner of your vision.
Con Weighs more than many other headsets
Although comfortable on the head, the HoloLens weighs 1.5 lbs as compared to Google Glass, Vuzix, Epson Moverio, etc. which weigh in between 1.5 and 3 oz. Even if the HoloLens battery lasted longer than 2-3 hours, it would be difficult to imagine wearing the HoloLens for an entire day of work.
Con Developers only right now
To order the HoloLens, you need to be a developer in USA or Canada, and also a Windows Insider. Regular people can't order this yet - even if they had the $3000 required.
Con Cable connection
The clever design of the glasses and pocket unit do require a cable connection between them. It takes some getting used to in the beginning, but after a few minutes you forget about it.
Con 2 hr charging time
You can use the Iristick Z1 for more than 6 hrs, but then it takes about 2 hrs to recharge the pocket unit. Iristick Z1 has the largest autonomy on the market and that makes the 2 hr charging time acceptable.
