This is a good question and it can be confusing at times. Hopefully this will help you decide which version of the Z3 is right for you. This graphic compiles the information available from Recon but it still leaves some big questions unanswered.
The most highly anticipated feature addition since the launch of the Transcend in 2010 is the ability to view resort maps inside your goggle – with MOD LIVE this dream becomes a reality. Resort maps for most mountains come preloaded in the Z3 with MOD LIVE and the maps are full of resort info and points of interest.
The next big addition is the ability for MOD LIVE to communicate with your Android based smartphone. This is an important distinction – it is Android only for this season. This Bluetooth connection allows your Z3 goggle to receive text messages and caller ID information from your phone as well as remotely respond or answer a call. Having this information in front of your eyes means the days of rifling through your pocket looking for your phone and dropping it in the snow are past. If you use your phone to play music on the mountain, the Bluetooth connection will allow you to view and move through songs and playlists.
The Buddy Tracking Feature is set to become a revolution on the mountain. For anyone who gets lost or is always responsible for the people who do, this feature is going to be a big hit. The Buddy Tracker feature works through cell tower triangulation on your phone (again, Android only for the moment) and will show current locations for your buddies. The coolest part of this is that your friends don’t necessarily need to have a goggle with GPS to use this feature, only to download the Android based HQ Mobile app and allow you to track them.
MOD LIVE is undoubtedly the latest and greatest technology package for your goggles, however, if you are married to your iPhone MOD LIVE isn’t quite ready for you. No to fret though – iOS support is in the works and will hopefully make it’s debut for the 2012/2013 season.
Have any other questions we didn’t answer? Feel free to shoot them over to info@zealoptics.com.