Verdict
Shallow strait , a buggy app , and wonky , simple operation mean the Ampere Dusk glasses are some of the more disappointing smart specs on the marketplace . They ’re far too expensive for what they tender , but could find oneself a ecological niche at a steep rebate .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Though not the only offering from this company in the smart sunglass quad , the Ampere Dusk sunglass are the cheapest audio - enabled overbold sunglasses in its batting order . But that does n’t does n’t intend they ’re affordable , nor does it mean they ’re particularly feature - rich .
Things are certainly heating up in the wise wearables blank space . Smartwatchesseem to be plateauing in a similar way smartphone innovation has in recent years . In their place , we ’re reckon more and more big brands take on the smart glass startup . Ampere is one of the latter . So what is it that they ’re bringing to the table now that Huawei , Amazon , Meta , and more are beginning to nip at their heels ?
Design and fit
The Ampere Dusk smart dark glasses come in two simple colourways – Black and Teal . No matter which coloring you opt , the style of the bod continue the same . They ’re simple , traditional square sunglasses which , while sure as shooting able to obscure their impudent features well with relatively slight frame of reference , wo n’t do much to stomach out in the region of high - end designer spectacles .
It ’s easy to understand the general appeal of the simple approach , but for over £ 200 , it would be nice to have them not look almost identical to off - sword audio glass from Amazon . They ’re okay , but they hardly look the part .
In terms of fit , the Ampere Dusk sunglass are close to being a one - size - fits - all deal . The only genuine adjustment you’re able to make is a permanent addition of thick nose pads if you prefer a more minute bridge deck and tighter fit . There ’s slight padding on the span by default .
Once you add more , there ’s no going back , unlike with the hot - swappable time - in cushion of the Xreal Air 2 Pro . However , their purpose is very dissimilar .
In general use , I found the Ampere Dusks about as prosperous as any other sunglass I ’ve have . I have n’t drop more than £ 30 on a pair and ca n’t comment much on how this liken to decorator brands , but it ’s just good to have dodged any feeling of the temple squeezing my skull or place too much press on my ears and olfactory organ .
The manual of arms advises not to stretch the synagogue due to the electronics inside , however . So , if you often find that store - bought spec do n’t fit out quite powerful , you may want to be particularly cautious with these . There ’s no real accommodation .
The underside of each tabernacle has a tiny clit properly by the electron lens : the right is dedicated to power , play / pause , call dominance , and voguish assistant muster , with the leftover clitoris devoted to cycling through polarisation levels of the electrochromic lenses .
There are no touch control here for exchange tracks and no dedicated bulk rocker . Unless you may memorise all the different ways to trip a single button , you ’ll still often attain for your headphone . Ampere ’s more decorator - focused Dusk Rx specs at least incorporate touch controls , but they do get at even more of a premium .
The lightly coloured and coarse-textured composition board box the software system ships in is of respectable quality . At the very least , the snappy attracter clasp blot out inside does give this expensive merchandise a slight tactual sensation of luxury . It ’s mostly reusable , too , which is always appreciated .
Smart features
When it comes to smart features , the Ampere Dusk is a comparatively elementary set of specs . Beyond the built - in audio recording via Bluetooth and the electrochromic lenses , there ’s lilliputian else . There ’s no tv camera like theRay - Ban Metaspecs , no built - in screens like the Xreal Air 2 Pro , nor even a detector to automatically pause content when you take them off . That ’s a modest feature omission that ’s frankly inexcusable for a premium audio - focused product .
The whole merchandising item of the Ampere Dusk specs is the electrochromic lenses – lense you may dim to your philia ’s desire . At the very least , the Ampere Dusk chic shades can get in touch to a fellow traveller app to set usance incremental stage for the electrochromic dimming you could then toggle via the left temple button .
There ’s also an EQ to dial in your preferred sound configurations , but your gimmick likely has one build in already , so it ’s hard to give it extra mark there .
Neither of these preferences will be spare to the spectacles themselves , meaning your personalization efforts wo n’t persist between connected equipment or when you ’re completely off the control grid . You do n’t have to plug in to your smart gimmick to utilize them as sunglass , but you wo n’t get your preferred options without doing so .
This is dissatisfactory throw there are for certain times you want to have personal control over the polarisation issue without playing back euphony – in social situation , for example .
There were also plentitude of times when the Ampere app report incorrect selective information . This is mostly relate to the current dimming status not aligning with what was active . And while it was n’t problematical , it was blur in the first couple of hours of use . Until you ’re familiar with just how opaque or transparent they can get , you ’re bound to misjudge their potential difference when the app fertilise you false information .
The with child issue was the button on the left wing of the specs , dedicated to adjust polarization , which did n’t work out of the corner . Its simple surgery intend I was trusted it was just break out , which usually would have been a case for an immediate return and a sour taste in my sass .
As it turns out , however , it can just sometimes make up one’s mind it needs a reset . This only means holding the push button down for three second , which the manual suggest , but it ’s still backbreaking to shrug off as a non - issue when it ’s the only thing the button is there to do . It ’s almost like it ’s a know microbe they ca n’t fix .
Audio
It ’s disappointing to report that the audio experience on the Ampere Dusk , one of its only two major features , just is n’t up to par . Next to the similarly pricedHuawei Eyewear 2 , legal calibre seems like an afterthought next to the dandy electrochromic lenses . If privacy and audio quality are something you demand on a sunlounger , you ’re still going to want some dedicated earbuds on script .
The audio is particularly rough and punk , with very little downhearted - frequency bass . heed to podcasts actively strained my sensible ears . Even low-pitched loudness , despite sounding unruffled against my head , would still heavily leak out for others to hear due to the open placement of the single speakers .
you may improve the billet with the in - app EQ , but do n’t anticipate miracles in the levelheaded quality department . There ’s only one tiny utterer on either side of the Ampere Dusk , pale in comparability to the four total drivers on the more audio - focused Huawei Eyewear 2 specs . Like most , they ’re also virtually unusable near busybodied roads .
When taking phone calls , things do n’t change . Voices are understandable , sure , but while the microphone quality was stag “ fine ” by those on the other end , a consistent commentary was that I sounded distant . You ’ll have to talk up to be hear no matter where you take your calls .
Accessories
Shipping with the Ampere Dusk is a unsubdivided neoprene arm that wo n’t do much to keep your glasses from an inadvertent squash rackets on the dillydallier or in your base .
A free fall or scrape will be fine , but that ’s about it . It open with a simple squeeze of the top , letting you slip them in well enough , but there ’s no gruelling case admit . They ’re thin enough to fit most generic hard cases , which is a blessing , but given Ampere is ready and uncoerced to sell you a chunky wireless charging typeface , it ’s hard not to find a little short - exchange here .
Battery
Though the assault and battery in the Ampere Dusk is only stag at 110mAh , which will always look tiny compared to your fair bright gadget , the specs can keep the electrochromic lense running for a full week .
That battery life is n’t with the loudspeaker in effect , however . When beaming calls or medicine from your earpiece , that respectable battery life-time dips to a paltry four hours . That ’s more than the recommended time you should probably be spending in the sun , but it ’s still hard to envisage snarf them up to magnate that often .
Charging is handle via a magnetic pogo PIN number connector akin to theAJ01 specs . It is n’t as snappy as the Huawei Eyewear 2 approach of attaching to the stems of each temple , but it get the job done . There ’s just the business concern of what happens should the cable television service get lost or bankrupt .
When charging , the Ampere Dusk glasses only need to be hooked up for 15 minute of arc to reach 80 % charge . A full cycle will take 45 mo accord to the Ampere site , which is already a tall ask every few minute , but the manual states a full charge take a whole minute .
Though it is n’t well document , you’re able to adjust the electrochromic dimming via the consecrated button even after the battery runs dry . You wo n’t be capable to link to the app to dress Modern adjustment increments or all right - tune thing , but at the very least , you may retain to use them as adjustable specs even if they wo n’t hold a connection for playing back music .
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Should you buy it?
Though the audio experience is far from exemplary , the Ampere Dusk ’s adjustable lenses process well in a variety of weather shape .
At this price point , the subpar audio solution built into the Ampere Dusk smart sunglasses ca n’t replace consecrate wireless headphones or most earbuds .
Final Thoughts
At a recommended price of £ 300 , the Ampere Dusk sunglasses are n’t deserving the money . Had the audio caliber been on equivalence with theHuawei Eyewear 2 , the proposition could have been a little easier to vindicate .
Instead , these specs rely too intemperately on the electrochromic lens to stick out out in an progressively competitive mart . And even then , the four - hour battery life struggles against even the smallest earbuds , which we have sex from experience only go to minor inconveniences .
Luckily , Ampere bid a brace without the unsatisfying audio gubbins for a slimly more appropriate £ 160 – the Dusk Lite . That way , you’re able to get the nifty customizable levels of solar protective covering without find like you ’ve drop almost doubled on a feature you do n’t enjoy using .
Like the full - productive Dusk eyeglasses , they ’re also ofttimes on sales agreement for around £ 30 off . If you may snap up them at £ 130 , being able-bodied to pick off the level of tint throughout the day could be deserving the Leontyne Price so long as you ’re centripetal to the bare design .
If you ’re after the complete package , customizing something like theRay - Ban Meta Glasseswith photochromic lense that match your prescription medicine could very well make a ripe - of - both - worlds situation .
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How we test
When test a duo of smart glasses , we thoroughly examine all the available feature , be that audio frequency , photographic camera technical school or even smart displays , evaluating various aspects like performance , barrage life and comfort .
FAQs
The Ampere Dusk glasses charge via a magnetic pogo stick connector and a USB - carbon power arranger .
No , there ’s no way of life to switch the lenses with prescription lens .