Reviews Pistol Shooting With Perv Glasses: We See if Oakley Meta Vanguard Glasses Make You a Better Shooter Jack Hennessy November 10, 2026 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. The concept of reviewing footage as a coach or athlete as means to improve is nothing new, and likely as old as the technology of film reel itself. During competition it comes impossible to mentally log every split-second action to determine the good and the bad; but afterward, if the event was filmed, an individual can sit down, intensely examine video, and dissect the wins versus areas in which one could improve. This process helps a competitor pinpoint the potential errors during a subconscious routine. And, going forward, apply greater attention to rectifying those particular pain points. Competition shooters have been running cameras on hats and hearing protection for a long time, but cameras on eyewear make recording first-person video even easier. Meta launched its first generation of smart glasses in collaboration with Ray-Ban, which featured built-in cameras, speakers, and microphones for taking photos and listening to audio, but lacked any AI. In 2023, via the second generation of Ray-Bans, Meta introduced the “Hey, Meta” component, allowing wearers to interact with an AI assistant via voice commands. In 2025 through 2026, Meta has released both newer and more-advanced models of both Ray-Ban and Oakley models. At the time of writing, the Oakley Vanguard AI glasses are the only model that situates the camera in the model of the glasses (versus the left or the right of the frames), above the nose pads on the bridge of the frame. The glasses are capable of taking both still photos and recording video, which can be instantly transferred to one’s phone. In the case of competitive shooting, specifically handgun disciplines, it allows a shooter to immediately review his or her performance following a stage and, both on the spot and over time, adjust to lower time and the number of hits outside the alpha. But are they worth the $500 price tag? Let’s explore the good, the bad, and the potentially privacy-compromising ugly. OAKLEY / META VANGUARD AI GLASSES Weight: 66 grams Camera: 12 MP, video up to 3K Memory: 32 GB (over 100 30-second 3K videos) Photo: 3024×4032 pixels from 12MP camera Battery life: Up to 9 hours (much shorter if consistently exporting, closer to 2 to 3 hours) Charging case: 36 extra hours of battery via one full charge SHOOTING We first started seeing this particular model of Meta AI glasses when world champion handgun shooter JJ Racaza started sharing video filmed with them. Racaza expressed overall appreciation for the glasses and their capabilities, and cited the ability to review stages while at competitions to better recognize areas for improvement and to prepare himself for the next stage. The battery life does indeed live up to 8 to 9 hours as stated by the manufacturer, and that battery life will go well beyond 9 hours if the glasses are placed in the charging case when not in use. Andrew Yoder, who is a USPSA Grandmaster, Steel Challenge Grandmaster, and GSSF Matchmeister, believes in a dual-approach to recording one’s shooting as a way to improve: both via the third-person angle courtesy of a bystander filming with a phone, and then the first-person view seen through Meta glasses. Yoder points to how hard it is to process mistakes in real-time. “I’m usually focused on one thing and not what did I do wrong,” he said. Because that is the reality: We humans can really only focus on one thing. Yes, we are capable of building a subconscious competency (and thus performing several intricate actions without thinking), but when it comes to our brain being able to place crosshairs, there can be only one target. Footage courtesy of Meta AI glasses allows a shooter to focus on that “one thing” in real time and then go back and see if somewhere along the way, one’s technique, built from subconscious competency, requires placing that technique back in conscious focus so to further build a higher level of competency. Unless you know what to look for, you won’t know that these are AI glasses. In our own testing, it showed a tendency to slightly adjust our grip between shots, which meant we needed to focus more on “trusting the one grip and going with it.” In other moments, like a GSSF state match in the Amateur Civilian (stock) division, during the “Five to Glock” stage, we were able to witness via video how our transition from the second target (at 15 yards) to the third target (at 20 yards) was too quick, with not enough time to allow sights to settle before pulling the trigger. Combined with the video and a few Delta penalties, we knew we had to slow things down when it was time to break our Glock-MOS division pistol. The Oakley Vanguard Meta AI glasses, despite having the camera in the center, rarely pick up the dot or sights — and the dot and sights never aligns exactly with the target or point of aim. But because we may want to know if we are breaking the shot the moment we see the dot, we can call out “dot” and review footage to see if there is hesitation or immediate action once the sight picture is acquired. A quarter to half of a second per stage makes a major difference in terms of the leaderboard in many shooting disciplines. WHAT WE LIKE The ease of use. Put on glasses, get set, and either use voice commands like, “Hey, Meta, take video,” or hold a button on the underside of the right temple arm, near the hinge. From there the export process — from the glasses to the app to even a social-media platform — is quite seamless. The battery life does indeed live up to 8 to 9 hours as stated by the manufacturer, and that battery life will go well beyond 9 hours if the glasses are placed in the charging case when not in use. We do appreciate the centered location of the camera on the Oakley Vanguard Meta AI glasses, which provides a tighter, close first-person point of view. They serve their purpose, especially for handgun shooters hoping for a dedicated video angle of one’s grip, from presentation to breaking a shot to transitions and so forth. The AI features are a bonus, like the ability to translate a myriad of languages when speaking with someone face-to-face (as Meta AI’s audio delivers the translation in real-time while the Meta AI transcribes) is pretty cool and can be helpful. A user can also interact with Meta AI and ask questions on any number of subjects (though the quality of answers from AI can be questionable). For example, we put on the glasses and asked Meta AI for the specs of the glasses while we were able to type this story. Select Garmin smartwatches (like the Forerunner and Fenix series) pair with the Oakley Vanguard Meta AI glasses to stream real-time workout metrics and track one’s workout performance over extended time. The glasses can also stream music or other audio from one’s phone to earpieces built into the frame. WHAT WE DON’T The photo and video quality is abysmal. The technology of a 12-megapixel camera dates back to the release of the iPhone 6s in September 2015, and those offered support for 4K video (the Oakley Vanguard glasses only go up to 3K). A GoPro HERO11 (released September 2022) offers 5.3K50 Ultra HD video and a 27MP camera for photos at nearly half the cost. The Insta360 X3 is a similar scenario: Also released in September 2022 and featuring a much higher 72MP camera, at nearly half the cost. The video and photo quality is dismal, sort of like an iPhone from 2015. You’ll get much better results from a standalone system attached to your hat like you see below All of which makes us wonder: Did Meta simply purchase a decade-old stockpile of refurbished trade-in phone cameras and drill them into these semi-sleek sunglasses? It does appear video and photo quality is better when exporting directly to social platforms (made easy through their app), but when exporting to a computer then running through editing software such as Adobe’s Lightroom or Premiere, there seems to be a conflict with file coding. Videos and photos look bad. Then, when we edit to fix this shift, the new export does not seem to stick. And the exported files are always out of order on the phone. It appears smaller files are the first to upload to one’s phone, followed by files in order of size. Sadly, it doesn’t appear an iPhone re-arranges these files in chronological order. The quality of audio for streaming music is also fairly poor, as older models of Apple’s AirPods provide significantly better audio quality. The glasses, while comfortable, are also fairly heavy compared to most sunglasses. After approximately 45 minutes of constantly wearing, a person will feel the weight and that may become the “one thing” a shooter focuses on. They also are not ballistic-rated (but truthfully most “shooting glasses” aren’t either) or even stamped with ANSI-certification (indicating safety glasses designation). At best, they are officially sweatproof, but they might stop a piece of fragmentation from 7 yards or further from entering one’s eyeball. WHAT CONCERNS US While allegedly no verified reports exist of Meta AI glasses photographing or filming without a user intentionally activating the record function, we do know people have filmed others in secret with these glasses. Essentially, they can function as mobile Flock cameras. Yes, a white LED light does blink when recording is in progress, but recognizing such requires subjects to know what to look for and where (e.g., what location on the glasses), and this can be circumvented. At the time of writing, the Oakley Vanguard AI glasses are the only model that situates the camera in the model of the glasses (versus the left or the right of the frames), above the nose pads on the bridge of the frame. Several stories are circulating regarding creepy men filming young women. The Norwegian government proposed a temporary national ban on smart glasses in crowded public areas, which explicitly includes beaches, parks, schools, and gyms, to protect people from being recorded without consent. There are also apps that help people identify when glasses are being worn around them. Then, there is the issue of the content uploaded to Meta AI and/or their social media platforms. We are already aware of hacks and leaks of personal data over the past couple decades, so we cannot in good conscious begin to believe any piece of media captured via these glasses will remain secure; which then leads to another logical question: Could or would Meta collaborate with agencies, like Flock does, to increase the overall net of surveillance? Do they already? We already know they sell our personal data to marketing companies and that our phones listen to our conversations when Meta apps remain open on our phones, so it’s not exactly a stretch. WILL THEY MAKE YOU MORE POPULAR? IRL (in real life)? That depends on your proximity to the Jersey Shore. On social media though, we have seen a significant boost in the reach of videos filmed via Meta AI glasses and shared to Instagram and Facebook. One reloading-gear manufacturer, for example, with 89K followers on Facebook, saw one short Meta-AI-glassed-filmed video surpass 1.1 million views. Meta social-media platforms instantly recognize if their glasses were used to capture the content, and so they put their thumbs on the scale. There are many other examples. No, Meta AI glasses are not the instant-win button for social media fame, but they do appear to significantly tips the scales in one’s favor — at least on Meta-owned apps. CONCLUSIONS We really like how easy these glasses are to use. The first competition shooters to record first-person video had cables running down their backs to recorders strapped into dump pouches, and here you just have to say a word or press a button. But the recording quality itself is terrible, and if you’re manipulating them outside the Meta app environment? Good luck. The big conclusion is that video gives you the ability to analyze your performance, diagnose issues, and address your shooting. If you’re serious about upping your game, you’re going to want to invest in some sort of system — just maybe not one made by the people selling your data. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. 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