These days, industries are adopting extended reality (XR) technologies more actively than ever. XR is transforming a range of sectors by creating new opportunities for remote collaboration.

However, each sector is different. An XR device could be used in a hospital or on a car assembly line – and is naturally going to serve completely different purposes.

These industry-specific differences can have an impact on your choice of device. You need a headset that's going to meet your business's needs and goals.

With this in mind, it can be difficult to know exactly where to begin when looking to deploy XR in your enterprise. Like choosing a Broadband provider or a bar of soap in Lush, analysis paralysis can strike all too easily.

Well, help is at hand, because today we're going to take a closer look at two of the most popular XR headsets on the market right now: the Vuzix M4000 and the Vuzix Blade 2.

These devices are versatile and packed with stunning features – but they serve quite different purposes.

Our goal is to help you make a more confident and informed decision as to which one is the right investment for your business. 

Who is Vuzix?

Vuzix is a market leader in the world of wearable computers and augmented reality (AR) technology. It's been producing industry-specific devices for over 20 years.

Both the Blade 2 and the M4000 deliver top-quality XR services, with each device having its own strengths and selling points.

So let's break it down a little and take a look at their individual specs.

Device build 

Blade 2

The Blade 2 is a compact and entirely self-contained piece of headwear. It manages to squeeze a whole load of AR functions into a petite package.

Its design is sleek and simple, with a minimalist look that wouldn't seem out of place at any business's headquarters. Its ergonomic design features a built-in, rechargeable battery that helps keep the device's overall weight nice and low.

M4000

The M4000, on the other hand, was built with the frontline in mind. Its ruggedised design makes it perfect for withstanding the harsher conditions out in the field or on the factory floor.

It includes a hot swappable battery to keep you connected without disruption throughout the working day. And while these smart glasses are tough, they're still lightweight, meaning that they can be worn without discomfort for long periods of time. 

Optics

Blade 2 

The Blade 2 has a crystal-clear 480x480 resolution colour display with a 16.8° field of view (FOV). Its ultra-bright waveguide optics and 24-bit colour screen mean that the data can be read easily, even outdoors.

This pairs nicely with the fact that all of the Blade's lenses have a UV-protective treatment – so they're great for workers on the move.

M4000

The M4000's display boasts an impressive 854x480 resolution display with a slightly larger FOV at 28°. A massive 5,000 nits of brightness and 24-bit colour make for clear images and easy viewing.

Another plus point for the M4000 is that it supports either left- or right-eye dominance – so it's accessible for your whole workforce.

Camera 

Blade 2 

The Blade 2's eight-megapixel camera is everything you need it to be. Simple yet effective, it has an integrated barcode scanner, fuss-free autofocusing and the ability to stream high-quality video with ease. 

M4000

The camera on the M4000, however, has a couple more tricks up its sleeve. With 12.8-megapixel stills, improved auto-focus and image stabilisation it was designed to share precise and detailed visuals.

The M4000 also has a powerful LED flash and can take videos at up to 4k30 frames per second. Like the Blade, these glasses also have an integrated barcode scanner for improved efficiency.

Navigation and interface 

Both the Blade 2 and the M4000 have integrated speakers and noise-cancelling microphones – a boon whether you're in the office, surveying a site or being guided through a tricky repair in the depths of a noisy power plant.

Both devices can be operated hands-free using voice-controlled navigation, and both support multiple languages as standard.

Operating systems

Blade 2

The Blade 2 holds a powerful quad-core Qualcomm processor that runs on the Android 11 operating system.

This pairing means that the Blade is truly industry-ready – compatible with a whole host of software including Microsoft Teams. 

M4000

True to form, the M4000 has a similar yet slightly beefier system. The device also runs on the excellent Android 11 OS but has a more substantial eight-core Qualcomm processor. It also boasts an internal memory of 64GB compared to the Blade's 40GB.

Safety and certifications

Blade 2

When discussing the Blade 2's design, Vuzix proudly states that safety is at the "forefront of all product decisions".

For starters, they offer full UV-protective lenses. They're also ANSI Z87.1 certified. This means that they meet occupational standards for eye and face protection. 

M4000 

The M4000 is IEC60601-1-2 certified, meaning that it meets the basic safety and essential performance of medical electrical equipment.

What's more, it's fully compatible with industry safety gear. It's also IP67 rated, meaning it's resistant both to dust and water – and can even withstand metre-high drops.

Conclusion

While both devices from Vuzix offer exceptional XR services, they serve slightly different purposes.

The Blade 2 is a compact device that brings effortless connectivity to hybrid workers and head office alike – so it's ideal for office use. Office workers, site managers, inspectors and remote experts can all benefit from its deployment.

The M4000, however, is a more ruggedised device that's built to withstand the harsher conditions of the frontline. It can bring huge benefits to team members on oil rigs, construction sites, factories and more.

Expand Reality is a specialist, UK-based XR hardware supplier. Want to find out more? Browse our store and buy XR online or sign up for a free demonstration.