Vancouver (BC), Canada – Following its roll-out in Zeal’s Transcend GPS goggle this winter, technology maker Recon announced today that the company will partner with goggle brands Uvex, Alpina and Briko for their next generation of GPS-based heads-up displays.nUnlike the implementation with Zeal, the new platform will fit into the partners’ Recon-Ready goggles’ frames as an add-on feature. Transcend gives real-time feedback to the user via a micro LCD display including speed, latitude/longitude, altitude, vertical distance travelled, total distance travelled, chrono/stopwatch mode, a run-counter, temperature and time. It is also the only pair of goggles that boast GPS capabilities, USB charging and data transfer to the post-processing software, Recon HQ.

Recon Instruments’ next generation of technology will include new features. It will be sold separately from the goggles and “snap fit” into partner Recon-Ready brands including Uvex, Alpina and Briko. Users will be able to navigate through the state-of-the-art interactive widescreen LCD in real-time with the use of a wireless remote which can be strapped, clipped, or fastened to the body in any number of positions.

Next generation Recon technology utilizes the Android operating system which will allow Recon Instruments, or other application developers, to create a suite of downloadable apps to personalize their goggles. An open API will be offered and Recon will host apps for free or at a low cost at Recon HQ Online later in 2011.

Recon Instruments will offer the first pair of goggles with a real-time navigational system. The user will be able to locate friends and family on the hill and also navigate their way through unfamiliar resorts across the globe with direct-to-eye trail maps with the help of partners such as Mountain Dynamics, producers of digital trail map software.

The next generation technology will also incorporate Bluetooth capabilities allowing the goggles to connect to the user’s smartphone, the first of its kind. Music playlists, caller ID and text messages will be viewable hands-free, direct-to-eye on the hill. The Bluetooth feature will also connect with wireless video cameras so the user can utilize the micro LCD display within the goggles as a viewfinder for the camera, another first.

“It is fantastic to add Uvex, Alpina and Briko to our family of world-class partners. Zeal Optics has been the perfect partner for Transcend and we are looking forward to continuing that relationship,” confirmed Dan Eisenhardt, CEO of Recon Instruments. “And with three more brands set to incorporate Recon Instruments’ technology, direct-to-eye communications will be accessible to more people, in different styles and price points.

“Skiers and riders are crying out for navigational maps, buddy-tracking, smartphone capabilities, and wireless video camera capacity for hands-free, safe, and fun use in alpine environments. Our answer is to revolutionize the way we use goggles and head-mounted displays, and we are delighted to bring all these features, and more, to the hill.”

“Uvex has always been an innovative brand in goggle and lens design, and is proud to provide brand new Recon-Ready goggles,” acknowledged Markus Winning, Director BU Wintersports at Uvex Sports. “The groundbreaking features of Recon Instruments direct-to-eye communication and Uvex superior lens technology is a perfect match, that we want to make available for our customers.”