Wearables

World first GPS goggles with head mounted display

World first GPS goggles with head mounted display
Zeal/Recon have unveiled the world's first goggles with GPS and head mounted display
Zeal/Recon have unveiled the world's first goggles with GPS and head mounted display
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Example of the kind of information information via the head mounted display inside the goggles
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Example of the kind of information information via the head mounted display inside the goggles
Zeal/Recon have unveiled the world's first goggles with GPS and head mounted display
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Zeal/Recon have unveiled the world's first goggles with GPS and head mounted display
The Transcend goggles are available in two lens formats - SPPX polarized and photochromic lens that auto adjusts to changing light conditions and SPX polarized lens that is said to reduce glare by 99 per cent, comes with built-in anti-fog technology and benefits from a wide vision frame
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The Transcend goggles are available in two lens formats - SPPX polarized and photochromic lens that auto adjusts to changing light conditions and SPX polarized lens that is said to reduce glare by 99 per cent, comes with built-in anti-fog technology and benefits from a wide vision frame
The image on the tiny LCD inside the goggles is made to appear as though it hangs about six feet in front of the user
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The image on the tiny LCD inside the goggles is made to appear as though it hangs about six feet in front of the user
View gallery - 4 images

A coming together of sports lens developer Zeal Optics and display innovator Recon Instruments has managed to successfully squeeze both GPS technology and head-mounted display into a set of ski goggles named Transcend. A tiny computer gathers information from a number of onboard sensors and provides location, speed, altitude and temperature information to the wearer via a micro-LCD display inside the goggles. The image from the display is then virtually projected so that it appears out in front of the user.

In addition to being touted by Recon and Zeal as the world's first GPS-enabled skiing goggles, the Transcend eyewear also provides the wearer with live performance information and details of the surrounding environment. A head mounted micro-LCD display inside the goggles shows real-time speed, altitude, vertical odometer, distance, location and temperature as well as keeping track of the time and having a stopwatch and chronometer mode.

Example of the kind of information information via the head mounted display inside the goggles
Example of the kind of information information via the head mounted display inside the goggles

The optical system designed by Recon Instruments has been likened to the dashboard of a sports car and made to appear as though it hangs about six feet in front of the user. Your first thought might be that the last thing you need mid-boost are performance stats blocking out your landing, but the designers say that the "optics are completely non-obtrusive for front and peripheral vision."

Transcend: The World's 1st GPS Goggles With A Head Mounted Display

To the side of the Transcend goggles are a threesome of nice, big, glove-friendly buttons to control the kind of information shown. There's also a USB port to enable users to download trip stats to a computer or laptop and to charge the Li-ion battery, which is said to give seven hours between charges. The goggles weigh 257 grams (9 ounces) and come shipped with a protective hard case, lens cleaning bag and a charger with European and North American adapters.

Showing off an epic journey to friends is given a more impressive twist with the ability to overlay Google Maps onto stats and highlights courtesy of Recon HQ software. Any particularly impressive snippets can be uploaded to Recon's new online portal and shared with the world – or at the very least, family and friends.

The image on the tiny LCD inside the goggles is made to appear as though it hangs about six feet in front of the user
The image on the tiny LCD inside the goggles is made to appear as though it hangs about six feet in front of the user

There will be two Recon/Zeal Optics Transcend lens options available at limited release launch on October 10. The option with an SPPX polarized and photochromic lens – which auto adjusts to changing light conditions – carries a retail price of US$499. Said to reduce glare by 99 per cent, coming with built-in anti-fog technology and benefiting from a wide vision frame, the goggles featuring an SPX polarized lens are priced at US$399.

Rumor has it that there's also an open API app development and download community in the pipeline, details will appear on the above link.

View gallery - 4 images
12 comments
12 comments
Steve Hill
WANT
Matt Rings
... and direction or travel? Might come in handy when traversing the backwoods and one gets turned around and lost on a cloudy day....
Will, the tink
I see these goggles as a perfect fit for the recreational ultra-lite flier, para sailor, motorcyclist, snowmobiler, in addition to the skier!
Nacho Lotitto
The next step should be a diving mask with all the information about the air reserve, direction and depth, linked with your diving computer via Bluetooth
Facebook User
You\'re right on it Will. And I would buy a diving mask like the one Ignacio described, if I were a diver, that is.
GPS goggle
This is exacltly what I need ,where can I get a pair?
Robert Jaykus
if only you could pair it with a Smartphone and have it show you your texts and other media as well...
technut
As I said some time ago (Facebook User may recall), all display technology is converging on the inevitable and obvious solution (which this is a significant step towards) of a head-up see-thru display, projecting Full HD in 3D so that ALL digital imagery and data can be viewed and controlled in real-time. At the same time, twin micro cameras also built in to the headset (which will look like neat shades) will continuously record and (optionally) transmit, in 3D, the wearer\'s view to remote storage and broadcast equipment. No special 3D system is required as the recording and reproduction is the same as normal stereoscopic vision. WE WILL ALL BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE EACH OTHERS\' 3D VIEW OF THE WORLD (AND BEYOND) IN THE PAST OR THE LIVE PRESENT. The other huge benefit of this will be the massively reduced power consumption of these devices, over power-hungry display screens. I am a bit surprised how little this obvious future is discussed, and wonder how many manufacturers realise the seismic shift in demand this will produce.
Chris Clarke
Hey Technut - you have just demonstrated to me the principle of morphic resonance! I have been boring my wife with this very same vision for the past year or two. I think you\'re 100% right. Can\'t you just see Google investing in that kind of hardware and offering it with adverts streamed based on your location & recent searches? (because of course it would also have your web/mail etc available). The ultimate wearable computing.
Forward Thinker
If it wasn\'t for the price I would definitely get some of these
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