RealWear Navigator 500 vs. Navigator 520: Which AR Headset Suits Your Business Needs?

The AR Glasses brand RealWear continues to revolutionise wearable computing with its voice-controlled glasses designed for frontline workers. In just two years, RealWear has released not one but two exceptional AR headsets, setting new standards in the enterprise AR industry.

The Navigator 520 is the newest addition to RealWear's acclaimed Navigator series, following the success of the Navigator 500, which debuted in late 2021. Both headsets cater to a variety of industries, from technical support and manufacturing to field services and digital transformation initiatives. But with these two excellent options available, how do you determine which one is best for your business?

In this article, we delve into frequently asked questions about RealWear’s newest wearable technology and explore what innovative features the Navigator 520 brings to the table. 

The Navigator 520 builds on the proven foundation of the Navigator 500, offering several upgrades tailored for the demands of frontline workers. Here's what you need to know:

• Improved Display Technology: The Navigator 520 features an enhanced vision system with better resolution and brightness, ensuring clear visuals in various lighting conditions. This is crucial for tasks requiring precision and efficiency.

• Longer Battery Life: Battery life is essential for uninterrupted workflows. The 520 offers an extended power capability, enabling workers to stay productive during long shifts without frequent recharging.

• Enhanced AR Functionality: The Navigator 520 includes advancements in augmented reality technology, providing more seamless interaction with AR software and enterprise tools.

• Ergonomic Design: RealWear has improved the headset's fit and comfort, making it easier to wear for extended periods, a priority for frontline workers in challenging environments.

What Distinguishes the RealWear Navigator 520 from the Navigator 500?

The RealWear Navigator 520 builds upon the foundation of the Navigator 500, introducing several enhancements designed to meet the evolving needs of frontline workers and enterprises embracing augmented reality technology. Here’s how the 520 sets itself apart in the enterprise AR industry:

• Upgraded Display Technology: With an improved field of vision, higher resolution, and enhanced brightness, the Navigator 520 ensures superior visuals even in challenging lighting environments. This upgrade is vital for precision tasks where augmented reality realwear solutions can streamline workflows and boost productivity.

• Extended Battery Life: A critical feature for industries requiring uninterrupted operations, the 520 provides longer-lasting battery performance, allowing workers to complete extended shifts without frequent recharging. This makes the 520 a standout in the wearable AR devices market.

• Advanced AR Capabilities: Featuring refined AR technology, the Navigator 520 delivers easier interactions with enterprise tools, software companies, and platforms like Microsoft. This ensures a seamless connection within the broader RealWear ecosystem, elevating productivity across industries.

• Improved Ergonomics: The updated design enhances comfort for prolonged wear, addressing a common need for frontline workers who depend on reality solutions in physically demanding roles. The improved fit minimises virtual reality fatigue, a key advantage for industries relying on wearable AR devices.

Why Choose RealWear in the Competitive AR Market?

RealWear's focus on practical innovation sets it apart in the enterprise AR industry, offering solutions that integrate easily with other apps like Microsoft Teams. RealWear’s success is driven by its visionary leadership under the CEO of RealWear, who continues to align the company’s strategy with real-world demands, ensuring its products remain at the forefront of the AR technology revolution.

How does the appearance of the 520 differ from the 500?

In short, not that much. RealWear has embraced the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy and brought us a headset that retains the very best qualities of its previous device. 

The Navigator 520 is a comfortable and lightweight piece of equipment, weighing only 272 grams (roughly the same as the 500). Its ergonomic and adjustable design means the device can be used throughout a full day's work without feeling cumbersome.

The headset can be worn independently or attached to PPE such as helmets and safety glasses.

What do the controls of the 520 look like?

The usability of the Navigator 520 is one of the main selling points for frontline staff.

Like the 500, the 520 boasts a completely hands-free design. The voice-operated controls mean increased safety and productivity for staff, as it allows them to access all of the unit's features while keeping both hands free to focus on the job. This is especially useful for high-risk and demanding operations.

You don't have to worry about accessibility, either, as the Navigator 520 understands many different languages. Currently, both models can follow commands in 20 tongues, including English, French, Polish, Dutch and Mandarin. 

Noisy environment? Not a problem. The Navigator 520 features unrivalled noise cancellation technology, allowing for voice commands to register even with background noise of up to 100 dBA.

What specs can you expect from the 520?

The Navigator 520 has matched the 500 with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor, 64 gigabytes of storage, four gigabytes of memory and 48-megapixel camera. This camera can record 1080p video at 60 frames per second and can achieve a 6x zoom range in HD, so it's perfect for remotely transferring detailed information.

Long shift? The 520 has a 2,600-mAh battery with a runtime of around six to eight hours. The battery is hot-swappable, meaning it can be replaced on the go for minimal downtime. 

Both Navigator devices have a modular design. This eliminates the need for multiple devices as the headsets can be customised to fit the need of many different use cases. Components can be swapped out with something more suited to the job, such as RealWear's thermal camera module.

The flagship feature: HyperDisplay

This is where we see the biggest difference between the 520 and its predecessor.

The 520 is equipped with RealWear's state-of-the-art HyperDisplay technology. This means greater user comfort and a more detailed image.

With the upgraded display, RealWear promises bigger, sharper and bolder images. The device features a 20% larger screen than the 500 and displays information without borders.

At 14 by 14 millimetres, the 520's eye box is significantly larger and can be adjusted to be positioned farther from the eye, meaning less eye strain and a clearer view of both the screen and the surrounding environment.

Unlike some competing headsets, the 520 is ideal for use outdoors too. A higher resolution of 1280 by 720 pixels makes for a sharper image and means that the 520 has an almost 25% higher resolution density than the 500 at 53.3 pixels per degree. The HyperDisplay also offers better contrast and a denser saturation of colours, leading to a more accurate real-world colour representation. 

How is the 520 adapted for industry use?

The Navigator 520 is a ruggedised device that's designed – from the ground up – for tough industrial environments.

The headset is IP66 rated, meaning that it is completely dust-proof and waterproof. What's more, it's been drop-tested from two metres onto concrete and can be used in extreme temperatures (anywhere from -20°C to 50°C).

Where can you buy the Navigator 520?

At Expand Reality, we specialise in bringing the latest and best XR technology to industries like yours and helping you access the potential these devices can bring. We stock both the RealWear Navigator 520 and its predecessor, the Navigator 500 .

Both devices offer a vast capacity for problem-solving and cost efficiency. If you'd like to know more about either product, you can contact us and our experts will guide you in choosing the right device for your business.

We stock a wide range of other assisted reality glasses and augmented reality headsets. Browse our online store to see our full catalogue – or explore industry use cases to discover how extended reality technologies are transforming productivity in a wide range of sectors.

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