After we began protecting augmented actuality (AR) good glasses, the Rokid Max stood out for 2 causes: They’ve a wider area of view than the competitors and distinctive focus dials that permit nearsighted customers (like me) get pleasure from a pointy image with out spending additional on prescription lens inserts. Rokid is changing them with the $449 Max 2 glasses, which retain each of these advantages and nonetheless undertaking a pointy 1080p image in entrance of your eyes. In actual fact, the second-gen specs are practically equivalent to the unique in options and efficiency, simply with a much less conspicuous design. General, they’re a wonderful choice for personal, on-the-go work and play, however the Viture Professional glasses ($459.99) have a brighter show and dimmable lenses, so they continue to be our Editors’ Alternative. Design: An Aesthetic UpgradeThough nonetheless not notably refined with their huge, Spider-Man-like lenses, the Rokid Max 2 glasses are not less than a bit much less conspicuous than their predecessors. The frames are virtually equivalent in form, with a big, flat, barely bug-eyed entrance, however now they’re a darkish grey that stands out a lot lower than the metallic blue shade of the Rokid Max.
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(Credit score: Will Greenwald)
The entire parts are in the identical place as on the Rokid Max, from the pinhole microphone on the highest of the bridge to the audio system above the inward-facing lenses to the USB-C port on the top of the left temple. Most significantly, the diopter adjustment wheels on the higher left and proper corners are nonetheless current. Should you put on prescription glasses, you should use the wheels to focus the lenses for a pointy image with out separate lens inserts just like the RayNeo Air 2S and XReal Air 2 require. It’s a welcome function you additionally get with the Viture Professional.The glasses include the chunkiest carrying case I’ve seen within the class. It’s a flip-top faux-leather-covered field measuring 3 by 6.8 by 3.4 inches (HWD), too huge to suit right into a jacket pocket. On the plus facet, it will probably definitely defend the glasses.
(Credit score: Will Greenwald)
Specs: The Identical as BeforeWhile sleeker and fewer bug-eyed, the Max 2 has the very same micro-OLED show system because the Max. The glasses present a 1080p image with a 50-degree area of view and a refresh charge of as much as 120Hz. They put out a satisfyingly brilliant 600 nits of sunshine. The decision, refresh charge, and light-weight output specs are pretty widespread throughout good glasses, however the area of view makes each the Max and the Max 2 stand out. For good glasses, area of view pertains to how a lot of your private view is taken up by the projected image, and 50 levels is without doubt one of the widest obtainable within the class, displaying the identical dimension picture as a 215-inch display screen considered from about 20 toes (six meters) away. For comparability, the XReal Air 2 and the Viture XR Professional each have a 46-degree area of view, although the Viture glasses have an edge on brightness with a most of 1,000 nits.Like most good video glasses, the Max 2 options clear outward-facing lenses that present a sun shades impact, darkening your environment so you’ll be able to higher see the image. It really works nicely in reasonable lighting, however in the event you’re outdoors through the day or the room could be very brilliant, sufficient gentle can come via to get in the way in which. A plastic blackout protect that clips over the entrance of the glasses to dam out any outdoors gentle is included, which solves that challenge. Nonetheless, since you’ll want to juggle that additional piece of plastic, it isn’t practically as handy because the built-in dimming operate on the Viture Professional and XReal’s Air 2 Professional, each of which let you darken the outward-facing lenses with the push of a button.
(Credit score: Will Greenwald)
The Max 2 glasses use a normal USB-C-to-DisplayPort wired connection for many gadgets, which implies they’ll work with nearly all of USB-C-equipped computer systems, most Android telephones, and all newer iPads and iPhones with USB-C ports. If you wish to use them with an unsupported gadget, just like the Nintendo Swap and its nonstandard USB-C video output, you’ll have to get an adapter. Rokid presents a $39 HDMI-to-USB-C adapter for any gadgets that output over HDMI, and the dear $99 Rokid Hub, which permits pass-through charging and works straight with the Swap’s USB-C output.You may also get Rokid’s standalone media hub, the remote-control-sized Rokid Station, both by itself for $199 or as a bundle with the Max 2 for $548. It’s an Android TV-powered gadget that serves as a video supply for the Max 2, with a built-in interface, Bluetooth connectivity, and entry to Android TV-compatible Google Play apps. Rokid has additionally introduced the $299 Rokid Station 2 as one other companion for the Max 2. It foregoes the Android TV interface and bodily buttons in favor of a extra easy Android-like expertise managed through a touchpad or by shifting your entire gadget like an air mouse. It’s at the moment solely being launched to crowdfunding backers, however will possible be added to Rokid’s on-line retailer subsequent 12 months.Efficiency: A Colourful, Sharp PictureThe Max 2’s image is sharp and vibrant, with robust coloration efficiency because of its micro-OLED projectors. I once more laud the Max 2 for protecting the sooner mannequin’s diopter changes, which be certain that the picture is crisp to my eyes with out requiring prescription lens inserts. The vast angle of view can also be welcome and doesn’t soften or blur close to the sides and corners.
(Credit score: Will Greenwald)
The 600-nit peak brightness is snug to view in most lighting environments and is according to most different good glasses like the unique Rokid Max and the XReal Air 2. The Viture Professional XR’s 1,000-nit peak brightness is noticeable when evaluating the 2, and that additional gentle output can actually assist lower via any distractions that is perhaps round you. As talked about, you’ll be able to slide the included plastic blackout cowl over the Max 2 and utterly block out your environment.Audio sounds clear on the Max 2, and I loved watching movies on the glasses in a fairly quiet room. Like all good glasses, there’s no noise isolation, so that you’ll have a tough time listening to something via them in a loud atmosphere. When there isn’t a lot noise, individuals close to you’ll be able to probably hear what you’re watching.Verdict: Among the many Greatest AR GlassesThe Rokid Max 2 glasses are merely the unique Max with a recent coat of paint. The second-gen mannequin presents the identical sharp, focusable image with a large area of view, simply with a subtler, much less bug-eyed look. They’re a wonderful pair of good AR glasses, even when they do not supply something we’ve not seen earlier than. That mentioned, for $50 extra, the Viture Professional glasses supply a brighter image and dimmable lenses, so they continue to be our Editors’ Alternative winner.
The Backside Line
The Rokid Max 2 augmented actuality glasses operate like a wearable monitor and are each bit as helpful because the earlier era—as a result of virtually nothing has modified.
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About Will Greenwald
Lead Analyst, Client Electronics
I’ve been PCMag’s residence leisure skilled for over 10 years, protecting each TVs and all the things you would possibly wish to connect with them. I’ve reviewed greater than a thousand completely different client electronics merchandise together with headphones, audio system, TVs, and each main recreation system and VR headset of the final decade. I’m an ISF-certified TV calibrator and a THX-certified residence theater skilled, and I’m right here that can assist you perceive 4K, HDR, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, Dolby Atmos, and even 8K (and to reassure you that you just don’t want to fret about 8K in any respect for not less than a number of extra years).
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