I wore Meta’s $499 prescription Ray-Bans for 6 weeks: Stylish but not for me

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Back in March, EssilorLuxotica, the parent company of Ray-Ban, launched a new version of its Meta smart glasses called Meta Ray-Ban Blayzer Optics. The company’s first prescription-focused eyewear, designed for all-day wear by people who wear glasses comfortably in front.

These include new interchangeable nosepieces and other hardware improvements over the previous generation, but essentially the same technology internally as other Gen 2 hardware, such as Meta Ray-Ban Wayfarers.

The naming of Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses is confusing, but there are two designs for prescription Optics models: i Blazer Optics(which I tested) with a square lens, and the Optics of the authorwith a spherical lens.

Also: Ray-Ban Meta vs. Optics: Why glasses wearers should consider a new model

I just got my hands on the second generation Meta Ray-Ban Blayzer Optics, and have been wearing them for about six weeks. Although I have my own glasses, I’m not a full-time wearer, as I use them regularly. For my review unit, I used Essilor prescription for my reading glasses.

To be clear, these Meta glasses are not the ones announced in June, although those glasses are made in collaboration with EssilorLuxotica, without the Ray-Ban brand. The optics I’ve tested are Ray-Bans around, but I think the Meta can give a clear mark.

What’s new in Meta Ray-Ban Optics?

These glasses feature shorter lenses than previous models, but still have the same chunky frame. Overall, as a big guy with high cheekbones, I prefer this look to other styles, but the frame is still a tad chunky for my taste.

Also: I also wore Google’s Android XR glasses – and my limited testing should scare Meta and Apple.

The interchangeable nose pieces are not what I expected. Meta Ray-Ban Optics glasses come with three sets of nose pieces — a ‘Universal’ front-mounted set, and upper and lower bridge sets. The glasses also come with a guitar-shaped spudger to help you get the noses out (but I used my fingernail).

As mentioned, my high cheekbones make it difficult to wear glasses. I would hope for more nose offset than something molded into the frame. I tried all three sets, and I noticed a slight difference, but the reading glasses I usually wear have nose straps that keep the glasses from resting on my face, and I prefer that style.

Also: Meta AI vs. Meta Ray-Ban: I compared the latest models to decide if it’s time to switch

From a technical point of view, the main difference between these glasses and the previous ones is the second button on the main shooting button. It looks like a small blue dot, and the button is raised for easy access. A raised button adds a third, customizable function to the glasses. A single press captures a photo, a long press captures a video, and you can customize the raised button to perform a different function, such as translation, hyperlapse, or mute/unmute calls. It’s nice to have a third option, sure.

The glasses have the same 12-megapixel camera, which is capable of taking photos and recording 3K Ultra HD video. Battery life is measured at around eight hours of audio playback. That ability diminishes significantly when you start taking photos and video, by the way. The glasses charge in the same way as other Meta Ray-Ban glasses, but in a smaller case.

Testing Meta AI

To test the glasses’ built-in AI capabilities, I headed to a local library and asked Meta AI to translate some book covers. I also asked the AI ​​to add events to my calendar. In one particularly impressive display, I looked at a board with eight posters and told the mirrors to add the event in the middle of the lower right poster to my calendar (see below), which the AI ​​did successfully.

That said, the technology added an event to my Meta AI calendar, which I don’t really use. When I received a notice about my glasses a month later, I had forgotten about the event. So, that wasn’t so fun.

Also: New Meta AI tool lets others use your Instagram posts to create photos – how to opt out

Overall, these glasses offer a new option for Meta glasses for prescription users who want a functional pair of smart glasses that they can wear all day. Nice to have, and with the new Ray-Ban-less styles introduced by Meta, the glasses come in a variety of price points. These glasses are on the higher side, however, starting with $499.

ZDNET shopping advice

Unfortunately, I don’t think the development of Meta Ray-Ban Optics forgive the high price tag, but I have yet to find glasses that do everything I want. I will say, however, that among the Meta Ray-Ban sunglasses I’ve tested, these have the best style.

If you’re looking for a pair of smart glasses that you can wear all day with a prescription, they fit that use case. But the glasses charge a high price for it. If you are looking for alternatives, I would recommend that Meta Ray-Ban Wayfarerswhich have similar second-generation hardware and are about $100 cheaper.