In this solo episode of Blind Level Tech, host Evan Starnes dives deep into a head-to-head comparison of two leading smart glasses in the accessibility space: the Echo Vision glasses and the Meta Ray-Bans. Evan explores each product’s features, usability, price point, and overall practicality for the blind and low-vision community.

With insights from hands-on use and demo reviews, Evan breaks down key differences like:

Live AI and OCR capabilities

Discreet button-based control vs. voice control

Battery life and the power of USB-C

Face recognition, integration with Be My Eyes and Aira, and more

He also highlights what makes each pair unique—Echo Vision as a dedicated assistive tech device, and Meta Ray-Bans as a mainstream AI-powered tool with potential for accessibility.

Evan candidly shares why he's still on the fence about pre-ordering Echo Vision glasses, and invites listeners to share their experiences or request live demos.

Whether you're looking to upgrade your smart glasses or exploring your first pair, this episode will help you make an informed decision based on real-world needs and accessibility priorities.

Contact Info for Listener Feedback:

📧 [email protected]

📞 720-712-8856

🌐 aftersight.org/blindleveltech

Host: Evan Starnes

Producer: Jonathan Price

Presented by: Aftersight

Chapter Markers:

00:00 – Welcome and Housekeeping: Last Solo Episode

01:15 – Introduction to Echo Vision Glasses

02:29 – Use Cases: Smart Glass vs. Assistive Tool

03:30 – Price Comparison: Echo Vision vs. Meta Ray-Bans

05:00 – Subscription Models and LLM Costs

06:45 – Sunglass Attachments and Indoor/Outdoor Use

07:16 – Hands-Free Use vs. Button-Based Control

09:38 – Live AI Mode and Context Sensitivity

12:04 – Live Reader Mode Explained

14:29 – AI Assistants Compared: Meta vs. Echo

16:48 – Live Translation on Meta Glasses

18:55 – USB-C and Extended Battery Life

20:09 – Facial Recognition and Privacy

21:28 – Integration with Be My Eyes & Aira

22:33 – Final Thoughts and Call for Demos

24:42 – Gratitude and Shoutouts