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Model: Smart Light String 600 LED RGB Generation II
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The 600 light string has the plug in the middle, and each side has 300 lights spaced at 3.5" apart. From the plug, you have two strings of around 79'
They are snow/rain resistant, but the instructions say not to use them below 14°F. If you live in an area that gets colder than this, think hard about whether you want to risk it.
These cannot be physically connected to other sets. You can "map" them so they work in conjunction with other sets but.... mapping has issues (see below)
These cannot be mapped together with RGB-W sets. I haven't personally used those, but reviews online say to avoid mixing them, period.
MAPPING:
The mapping feature is solid if you're using these in a small area (like a tree/bush) but atrocious if you have these hanging on your roof/gutter.
The built-in patterns do not run from end to end. Some of them start at random places along the string. Say you wanted to "wipe" from one end to the other... good luck!
Two options for mapping: use your phone camera to take one short video and map only what you can see or (2) take multiple videos from multiple angles to make a full 3D map
The mapping will time out if you wait about 45 seconds between mapping "runs" and you will have to start over completely
If you move the camera during any single capture it will give you an error and you have to start over completely
Your phone must remain on the same WiFi network as your lights while you map them (if these are outside... hope you have good signal!)
It makes a 3D map. Picture yourself standing in front of your house. Can you see the lights on the sides of the house? If you "wiped" from left to right, those side lights would all turn on at the same time since they're in the same plane on the 3D map. (Hard to explain, sorry...)
It took us at least 2 hours (and probably 10 attempts) to get a map completed, and when it was done the layout was so bad we erased it. What a waste of time!
Bottom line: If you're using these on your roof/gutter, don't bother with mapping.
Having said all of this, we used some unexpected store credit to buy the 600-string set. We've gotten a TON of complements from neighbors, family members, etc, and we still recommend these. The mapping is frustrating, but if you want to have different patterns or colors, it's a very straightforward way to do it. I'm sure their trees, grid lights, etc are a much better implementation of their software
These are Twinkly app controlled. The app connects to the lights and then performs a map of the light location using your phone camera. Then you can use the app to add pre-defined patterns/colors/movement of the lights or can create custom patterns. The sets can also be combined in the app to make larger displays (I believe RGB can only combined with other RGB and RGB+W can only be combined with other RGB+W). They are WIFI + bluetooth from what I understand.
The first set I purchased was placed on one evergreen tree in a moving candy cane pattern. Once my wife saw them she asked that we get more.
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I've been tracking these particular types of lights but I'm curious why they are so expensive. Is it because it's 600 individually addressable LEDs? Is it the quality of the LED? Is it because they're smart? I have similar lights I paid a fraction for (not individually addressable thought) and I'm just wondering why so expensive? Also, what kind of smart? Wifi? Zwave/zigbee?
I didn't think they made the 600 count version in RGB-W; not listed on Amazon.
Was able to purchase these 600 RGB-W a couple of months ago on Amazon. Also purchased these https://www.esbenshades.com/twink...hite-leds/ which are also 600 RGB-W and arrived the other day. The ones from esbenshades are a great deal and still seem to be available.
I recommend getting the RGB-W ones if you like the standard warm white christmas light look. The standard RGB white looks blueish to me.
I've been tracking these particular types of lights but I'm curious why they are so expensive. Is it because it's 600 individually addressable LEDs? Is it the quality of the LED? Is it because they're smart? I have similar lights I paid a fraction for (not individually addressable thought) and I'm just wondering why so expensive? Also, what kind of smart? Wifi? Zwave/zigbee?
These are Twinkly app controlled. The app connects to the lights and then performs a map of the light location using your phone camera. Then you can use the app to add pre-defined patterns/colors/movement of the lights or can create custom patterns. The sets can also be combined in the app to make larger displays (I believe RGB can only combined with other RGB and RGB+W can only be combined with other RGB+W). They are WIFI + bluetooth from what I understand.
The first set I purchased was placed on one evergreen tree in a moving candy cane pattern. Once my wife saw them she asked that we get more.
I've been tracking these particular types of lights but I'm curious why they are so expensive. Is it because it's 600 individually addressable LEDs? Is it the quality of the LED? Is it because they're smart? I have similar lights I paid a fraction for (not individually addressable thought) and I'm just wondering why so expensive? Also, what kind of smart? Wifi? Zwave/zigbee?
They're WiFi. The real "smart" is that you have them on a tree, bush, house, whatever, and then map them with the app so it knows exactly where every LED is. Then you use the app to select different patterns, scrolling text, gifs, or create your own.
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They're WiFi. The real "smart" is that you have them on a tree, bush, house, whatever, and then map them with the app so it knows exactly where every LED is. Then you use the app to select different patterns, scrolling text, gifs, or create your own.
I will add that if you want to display text or gifs you will need to have a lot of lights close together. Just like your monitor, the more pixels the better. I have a couple of strings in our ligustrum and while the light patterns are cool (wife likes the candy cane the best), text was hard to read and gifs were all but impossible to see what they were. I would think the lights would need to be no more than a couple of inches apart for the best effect.
Note: These are great for Halloween as well!
The Esbenshades deal was for Rgb+W at this price. Which was the real deal since the +W never go on sale and are more expensive
Sorry, totally noob here. What's the difference between this at BB and the one on Esbenshades? Also, are both gen 2, whatever that means. I want to make informed decision before I jump into without knowing the real difference. TIA.
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Does anyone use these outside? I have a full twinkly tree but was curious how these hold up to 2 or so months in upstate NY
I'm in Minnesota, so I'd imagine fairly similar climate. Mine have held up great. I do put the power adapter and controller in weatherproof boxes to ensure their safety. I've only had one set go dark, but that was because a squirrel or rabbit chewed through the wires. I should be able to repair them though.
For reference, I have 4,200 Twinkly lights outside. 1,200 each on two maple trees and a large bush, and 600 along my roof line.
Last edited by kblommel January 3, 2023 at 08:25 AM.
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SIZE/LENGTH:
The 600 light string has the plug in the middle, and each side has 300 lights spaced at 3.5" apart. From the plug, you have two strings of around 79'
They are snow/rain resistant, but the instructions say not to use them below 14°F. If you live in an area that gets colder than this, think hard about whether you want to risk it.
These cannot be physically connected to other sets. You can "map" them so they work in conjunction with other sets but.... mapping has issues (see below)
These cannot be mapped together with RGB-W sets. I haven't personally used those, but reviews online say to avoid mixing them, period.
MAPPING:
The mapping feature is solid if you're using these in a small area (like a tree/bush) but atrocious if you have these hanging on your roof/gutter.
The built-in patterns do not run from end to end. Some of them start at random places along the string. Say you wanted to "wipe" from one end to the other... good luck!
Two options for mapping: use your phone camera to take one short video and map only what you can see or (2) take multiple videos from multiple angles to make a full 3D map
The mapping will time out if you wait about 45 seconds between mapping "runs" and you will have to start over completely
If you move the camera during any single capture it will give you an error and you have to start over completely
Your phone must remain on the same WiFi network as your lights while you map them (if these are outside... hope you have good signal!)
It makes a 3D map. Picture yourself standing in front of your house. Can you see the lights on the sides of the house? If you "wiped" from left to right, those side lights would all turn on at the same time since they're in the same plane on the 3D map. (Hard to explain, sorry...)
It took us at least 2 hours (and probably 10 attempts) to get a map completed, and when it was done the layout was so bad we erased it. What a waste of time!
Bottom line: If you're using these on your roof/gutter, don't bother with mapping.
Having said all of this, we used some unexpected store credit to buy the 600-string set. We've gotten a TON of complements from neighbors, family members, etc, and we still recommend these. The mapping is frustrating, but if you want to have different patterns or colors, it's a very straightforward way to do it. I'm sure their trees, grid lights, etc are a much better implementation of their software
The first set I purchased was placed on one evergreen tree in a moving candy cane pattern. Once my wife saw them she asked that we get more.
75 Comments
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https://www.esbenshades
https://www.esbenshades.com/twink...hite-leds/ [esbenshades.com]
https://www.esbenshades.com/twink...hite-leds/ [esbenshades.com]
https://twinkly.com/en-us/product...06609
I recommend getting the RGB-W ones if you like the standard warm white christmas light look. The standard RGB white looks blueish to me.
The first set I purchased was placed on one evergreen tree in a moving candy cane pattern. Once my wife saw them she asked that we get more.
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Note: These are great for Halloween as well!
Sorry, totally noob here. What's the difference between this at BB and the one on Esbenshades? Also, are both gen 2, whatever that means. I want to make informed decision before I jump into without knowing the real difference. TIA.
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For reference, I have 4,200 Twinkly lights outside. 1,200 each on two maple trees and a large bush, and 600 along my roof line.
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