32°N's Innovative Sunglasses Shift to Reading Glasses with a Simple Swipe

Glasses may symbolise the quintessential nerd in emoji form 🤓, but add a tint, and suddenly, you're the epitome of cool 😎. Glasses equipped with technology have their critics, and reading glasses often carry an age-related stigma, especially for those of us over 40. But what if there was a way to seamlessly integrate reading glasses with sunglasses, embedding technology so subtly that it goes unnoticed?

Enter Deep Optics and their 32°N-branded Muir sunglasses, which I've had the pleasure of testing recently. With a simple swipe on the frame, an electric signal adjusts the liquid crystal lenses, altering millions of tiny pixels to sharpen the view of nearby objects. These 32 Degrees North sunglasses aim to remove the hassle of juggling both reading glasses and sunglasses, asking for an investment of $849 in return. Having been fascinated with liquid lens technology since its demonstration at CES in 2017, my interest only grew as I began to experience presbyopia, the natural decline in near vision that comes with age.

32°N's Muir sunglasses present an innovative solution, enabling focus adjustments with a simple swipe to aid in viewing nearby objects clearly. It's important to note that these sunglasses don't function as traditional transition lenses that adjust their tint based on sunlight exposure, nor are they designed to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness. Instead, Deep Optics has engineered the lenses to seamlessly switch to reading mode without altering their transparency, and currently, prescription options are not available. My evaluations were conducted while wearing contact lenses for visual correction.

The design of the Muir frames closely mirrors that of their predecessor, the Wharton frames, launched through a Kickstarter campaign in 2021/2022. Both styles are available in bold black or clear plastic, with the Muir offering a broader, more curved fit. While their appearance received positive feedback from my circle, the frames lacked a premium feel, reminiscent of the disposable 3D glasses from movie theaters. Yet, for those prioritising the functionality of switching between normal and reading glasses — such as reading a menu at an outdoor café — fashion takes a backseat.

Activating the frames involves a triple tap on the right temple, initiating Bluetooth for easy pairing with the 32°N app, which provides a straightforward setup guide and the option for personal onboarding sessions. The setup process reveals the limitations of the liquid crystal technology. Unlike traditional reading glasses that magnify the entire lens, the Muir frames feature a specific section within each lens that activates to become like bifocals on demand. This designated area provides magnification within a narrow range, allowing for the reading of approximately five lines on a smartphone without moving the head to navigate text.

A swipe gesture transforms the lenses back to their standard sunglass state, with the change being subtle and only noticeable under certain conditions. The adjustment to using the liquid crystal lens takes time, as finding the magnification "sweet spot" requires precise head and eye positioning. Despite this learning curve, the gesture controls quickly become intuitive.

Switching between magnification settings is smooth, allowing for adjustments between viewing distances such as close (smartphone) and not so close (laptop). A special gesture keeps the lenses in a preferred reading mode for a brief period, facilitating quick glances at notifications or screens.

Priced at $849, the Muir sunglasses represent a significant investment compared to traditional multifocal sunglasses. However, the convenience and innovative technology of liquid crystal lenses offer a compelling proposition for those willing to embrace the blend of technology and eyewear, especially appealing to a generation that grew up with personal computers.

Given the uniqueness of the Muir adaptive sunglasses and their price point, I recommend trying them out with the 30-day return policy that 32°N offers, allowing for a hands-on experience before making a full commitment.