Clear vision with discreet guidance that respects your time and privacy

If you already wear prescription glasses in New York, you know the tradeoffs. You need crystal clarity for screens and street signs, but you can’t afford extra friction—another device to manage, another app to learn, another reason to look down when you should be looking up. You worry about wasted money, hidden commitments, invasive sensors, and gear that overpromises. You also know NYC moves fast: a crowded F train, a last‑minute client change, a crosstown detour when it starts to drizzle. You need tools that help you stay focused and present, not tech that takes over. Even Realities G1 was built for people like you. It’s prescription eyewear first, with a discreet heads‑up display that surfaces short notes, turn‑by‑turn cues, and timely alerts in your line of sight—visible only to you. No theatrics. No camera. No big learning curve. Below is a clear walkthrough of what it is, how it works, the safeguards in place, and the boundaries that apply—so you can decide without guesswork or pressure.

Even G1 is prescription‑ready smart glasses designed for everyday wear. It combines high‑quality Rx lenses with a slim, private display for quick, glanceable information—think prompts, navigation, notifications, translation, and a simple AI helper. If you’re a New Yorker who values clarity and focus on the move, and you want hands‑free bits of information without pulling out your phone, this is a fit. If you’re seeking a head‑up camera for photos, video, or always‑on mixed reality visuals, G1 won’t be the right match. It’s not built for filming or immersive gaming. The focus is clean optics, tasteful frames, and a minimal, useful HUD that keeps you present in the real world.

Getting from first click to first value is straightforward, with guardrails at each step. You start by choosing your frame style and lens option. G1 supports single‑vision prescriptions across a wide range, with progressive options available through authorized retail partners. This matters if your lenses change over time: you can update lenses later without replacing the frame, reducing long‑term risk. If you’re buying non‑prescription, you have a standard return window after delivery; for prescription orders, there’s a short cancellation period after purchase because each pair is custom‑crafted. Both policies are published and designed to make your first decision reversible within clear time bounds.

Once your glasses arrive, pairing happens through a companion app on iOS or Android. The onboarding guides you through basics—connecting, adjusting brightness, choosing which notifications you want, and testing the display. You control how much shows up and when. The display auto‑adjusts for visibility in bright or dim conditions and projects text at a comfortable virtual distance so you’re not squinting. If you don’t want interruptions in a meeting or on a date night in the West Village, you can reduce or pause alerts. You’re never locked into an always‑on feed.

Privacy is built into the hardware choice: there’s no camera. Input relies on the integrated microphone and your phone, so you’re not pointing a lens at coworkers, clients, or fellow riders. The screen is only visible to you; passersby won’t see your notes. The device is water‑resistant for everyday splashes and light rain—good for a misty walk up Broadway—but it’s not meant for heavy downpours. Battery is designed to cover a typical New York day, and the included charging case carries extra top‑ups so you don’t go dark mid‑commute. If anything doesn’t feel right, support is available, and authorized opticians can fine‑tune fit and lens parameters so your vision stays sharp and comfortable.

Real‑world use tends to make or break new categories. During longer reviews, users praised the low‑profile look and comfort—more like everyday eyewear than a gadget—and called out the usefulness of glanceable navigation and note prompts on the go. Quick transcription and teleprompt features helped with speaking points and meetings, especially when discretion mattered. Some reviewers noted that translation and AI responses can lag at times or require add‑ons, and that you still reach for your phone for deep tasks. That’s a reasonable boundary for a first‑generation, clarity‑first design: fast micro‑updates in your periphery, not full computing. On battery, several reports aligned around “all‑day” with the case covering additional charges, which matches the intended use pattern for commute‑plus‑work‑plus‑evening. As with any new workflow, most people reported they felt natural with the HUD after a few days of short sessions rather than hours at a time.

Common doubts are fair. Price: quality prescription eyewear with tech is an investment. Risk is reduced with a published warranty, an everyday‑use charging case included, and eligibility for FSA/HSA reimbursement in the United States, subject to your plan rules. Complexity: the app‑guided setup limits guesswork; you choose what to see and when. There’s no need to learn a new operating system beyond a few short gestures and preferences. Lock‑in: prescription lenses can be replaced later without buying a new frame, and you can adjust notification sources if your workflow changes. Privacy: there’s no camera, and the display remains private to your field of view; you decide if and when to turn on the mic, and you can pare back alerts or use Do Not Disturb during focus work. Translation and some advanced features may involve optional subscriptions; those are clearly labeled so you can opt in only if the value justifies it.

Here’s what you actually get with G1 and what you don’t. Included: the glasses with your chosen lens type, a wireless charging case that holds multiple top‑ups, a USB‑C cable, a premium cleaning cloth, and the companion app. Clip‑on sun shields are available if you want a seamless switch to sunglasses on the High Line or during a Midtown lunch. The display handles brief text—directions, prompts, short notes, glanceable alerts. Features commonly surfaced include Teleprompt for smooth speaking, Navigate for turn‑by‑turn cues, Translate for quick comprehension, QuickNote for capture, and an AI assistant for concise answers. What’s not included: a camera for photos or video, and high‑volume audio playback through the frames. G1 is built for discretion, not social recording or entertainment. Environmental protection is for splashes and light rain, not storms. Return and cancellation policies differ for prescription vs. non‑prescription due to custom lens fabrication; warranties vary by region, with a standard term in the United States. Progressive lenses are supported through retail partners rather than online ordering. If you expect heavy translation, be aware that enhanced tiers may require a small monthly fee—optional and cancellable.

For NYC professionals, the day‑to‑day looks like this. On the morning walk from Park Slope to the R train, glance at a cross‑street prompt without pulling out your phone. In a client update near Bryant Park, keep key talking points in your periphery with Teleprompt so you maintain eye contact. On a Citi Bike along the Hudson, a subtle arrow nudges you to exit earlier when traffic builds. At 6 p.m., you silence notifications for a workout in Chelsea, then pop the glasses into the case for a quick top‑up before dinner. You stay present. People around you don’t feel recorded. Your notes, cues, and alerts serve you without overtaking the moment.

One note on boundaries. Heads‑up text is for short glances, not extended reading while moving. Use judgment at intersections and on crowded platforms. As with any eyewear, adjust brightness and notifications to your comfort, and follow workplace and local policies. Water‑resistant doesn’t mean waterproof; avoid heavy rain. If your prescription changes, plan for a lens update rather than replacing the frame. If translation is mission‑critical, test it early to confirm speed and accuracy meet your needs before you commit to relying on it for meetings.

If you’ve hesitated because you don’t want to babysit another device, G1 reduces that effort. There’s no camera to manage. The app setup is short. Notifications are opt‑in and adjustable. The case handles charging without extra cables at your desk. The fit and lenses are tuned like proper eyewear, so you can wear them all day without the “tech halo” feeling. And the risk is bounded by clear policies: a defined window to cancel custom orders, a standard return period for non‑Rx, a published warranty, and U.S. FSA/HSA eligibility if your plan allows it.

The next step is simple and low‑pressure. Start your order to see frame styles and lens options, then upload your prescription when you’re ready. You can stop at any point before checkout. If you select prescription lenses and something changes, there is a short cancellation window after purchase because the lenses are custom; non‑prescription orders have a standard return period after delivery. Your purchase includes the charging case and essentials, with U.S. warranty coverage and human support if you need help. Expect an onboarding that takes minutes, not hours, and your first real value—navigation, a prompt, or a note capture—on the same day you unbox. If it’s not a fit, you’ll know quickly, and you can act within the stated windows. If it is, you’ll have clear vision, quiet guidance, and fewer reasons to reach for your phone in a city that never slows down.