What should I ask a smart-glasses optics supplier?
Request measurements tied to an exact sample and light engine: field of view, eyebox at a stated eye relief, brightness and uniformity across positions, and the conditions behind efficiency claims. Also request integration drawings and the supported lens arrangement.
Make the samples comparable
Use the same request sheet for each supplier. A central photograph or peak figure cannot describe the whole usable image. OptoFidelity's measurement discussion illustrates why viewing angle and eye position belong in the evaluation. Record the source settings, test pattern and measurement aperture with the result.
Add a short reading task to the component data: the same unfamiliar names, numbers and instruction on each assembled sample. Mark missing values as unknown. Keep this proposed evaluation separate from actual results, and keep optical measurements separate from complete-glasses comfort and battery observations.
A request sheet you can send to a supplier
Ask for the assembled configuration behind each number. These are proposed comparison fields; blank cells should remain unknown until the supplier provides a result and its conditions.
| Ask for | Include with the answer |
|---|---|
| Field of view | Horizontal and vertical angles in degrees; identify diagonal values separately. |
| Eyebox and eye relief | Dimensions in millimeters and the viewing distance used to define them. |
| Resolution and image quality | Source pixel dimensions plus center and edge measurements. |
| Brightness and uniformity | Measurement position, aperture, source settings and test pattern. |
| Optical efficiency | What input and output are being compared and which components are included. |
| Text sample | The same unfamiliar names and numbers at comparable apparent size. |
Sources
- OptoFidelity: measuring AR waveguide image quality ↗
- eLight: waveguide-based AR displays, principles and tradeoffs ↗
Sources checked September 13, 2026. How we research these answers ↗