I tell you, this is possible the most informative video I've ever seen, I love the wide shots near the end showing just how bright the lights illuminate the room compared to the different brightnesses and even your fitted lights.
Your review helped me figure out why my power light was not working with a full charge. Although I read the instructions I realize from your review I had it in lock mode. I am so impressed with this off grid system I bought two. I also really, really like the camp stove and have recommended the Biolite products to so many people. We bought our 4 grown children many Biolite products. I own every thing they make. Just call me "impressed" with the Biolite company. Thanks for the great review!! Perry
Thanks for the in depth review. I've been eyeing the nano grid for awhile but wasn't sure about the price. This video decides it for me...I will buy it. It will go great with my biolite Carbon stove! Thanks for taking the time to do this.
Love your channel, I didn't recognize that I was watching another one of your videos until you signed off with your signature ''Take your kids camping'' farewell. Thanks for sharing and for all of the high quality instructional videos and reviews.
I camped with my Nanogrid once, love the lantern, super COOL!! I got 90 hrs continuous, on the dimmest setting with both sides lit. I recharged it, went to use it one month later and now its in the locked mode. It will still charge a phone but I can't unlock it to get any other functions to work. BTW I picked mine up at REI with the two side lights for $80 on sale.
I'm curious if the biolite nanogrid and sitelights can be used at the same time that the main unit is charging from an external battery so it csn be used for an extended amount of time. My goal is to use the system to light up a booth for art shows. A lot of art markets charge extra for electricity so the unit would overall save me money. I'd like to use the nanogrid with 6 sitelights and run it off the main unit that's also hooked up to a 12,000 miliamp battery for the extended run time.
James Hermes I will have to check if I can run the sitelights while charging the battery, but I don't know why you couldn't. However I do know that you can only run 4 sitelights off of one power unit, but based on my experience, 4 lights should easily light a booth, heck, 2 lighted up my entire kitchen.
W O W ! Thank you SO MUCH for this excellent video of an AMAZING product. I've been searching - VERY DISCOURAGED - for a product like this. And here it is! Not only was the beginning of your video great (which like all reviews has to be dry) - but when you LIT UP YOUR KITCHEN - WOW - practical world application. Showing the usefulness of those site lights and the combo of their effectiveness with the nanogrid was unforgetible. And by doing them all together and then demonstrating the flashlight gave a real, comparison rather than "see - it works". The degree of light differene was clearly demonstrated. I can't thank you enough. This is the first video of yours that I've seen and I'm a subscriber.
Excellent review, really shows the capabilities of the product and the explanation of the operating system was spot on. I shall be ordering one as a result of this video! Well done :)
Thanks for this thorough review, pretty cool product. Thanks in particular for doing the weights and showing how it lights up a normal room for reference. That weight really isn't horrible - given all the things this can do. One question I had - just how waterproof/water resistant is this? Could you leave the whole thing out in the rain without issue, or would that be a bad idea? I can see this set up in a base camp and left in place outside for a few days, but does it have to be stored in a dry bag or tent every night to keep it dry?
I returned my first Nano to the store because I wasn 't able to unlock it (never got it to enter flashing mode either when it wasn't locked), neither were a few other employees able to unlock it and so I took home a second Nano. This one does not have the double flash indicator when its locked and it took forever(over a half hour) to finally unlock it. The battery rattles in the second one, which is quite annoying, but it does have a steady flashing mode for the lantern and for the torch, although no SOS. So there must be at least two versions of firmware existing. I found that getting it into the flashing mode you had to first turn on the lantern then press the switch rapidly four times.
I have the nanogrid. However it will not charge the Galaxy S5 completely which battery size is is 2800 mAh. I had the unit replace and I have the same issue. Do you have any insight on this issue?
Wildernessways what % was your phone when you started charging it? I just want to compare it to make sure my battery bank in the nanogrid is fine. Thank you for the reply.
Great ! I actually just bought one today :) - Thanks again for your response and great review ! I also know about the rubber cap that doesnt close anymore after use ... biolite just sended me a pack with replacement rubbers. Great service !
This seems to be a very good quality product, all I wonder is whether the biolite products last the test of time? I love the idea of crank/solar torch/radio/usb charging radios but I bought one of the more expensive ones scorpion or something only to find it just doesn't create enough stored power via cranking as after a very short period of listening to the radio would dim and require cranking again and what made it even more annoying is it would lose its digital memory of the station you were listening to so you had to tune it in each time it needed cranking.
Up to about the 14 minute mark this was a good review but the addition of you showing the lights lighting up the room, FANTASTIC review 🐸 looks like a great system. All I need now is a USB powered fm (digital even better) radio. Anyone know of one for Australia?
Great well informed video! My powerlight is in the post, will probably get some site lites in the near future. One question, has anybody charged this thing from the campstove? Would be most interested to know charge times etc if using the stove to charge it when out in the woods!
So it's been over a year how well is everything holding up? I am considering buying this system, but I need to know if it can handle wear and tear. Have any of the switches or connections failed? Is the battery sill holding a charge for a reasonable length of time?
The only thing that stopped working was the little nubs that keep the site lights together broke off, so now I keep them together with a rubber band when traveling.
Thanks for the very thorough review. You covered everything I needed to know and did it as efficiently as possible. You also clarified some questions I had from their minimalist documentation. I was happy that you'd already unboxed your Nanogrid, as it told me you were really enthused to check it out. Personally, the unboxing videos seem like a waste of time to me. I don't care that much how it came packed; it's not going to give me the thrill as if I'm opening it myself, so what's the point? Anyway, great job.
Ditto. I'm generous with praise for good products and companies, as well as suggestions for improvement for those who need that! My NanoGrid arrived yesterday and I'm very impressed with how well-engineered it seems to be. It's also as bright as they say, which pleasantly surprised me. I was concerned it wouldn't throw enough light, but I'm impressed with the light it throws. Now if I add the task light that came with the BaseCamp stove, my campsite will be REALLY bright! :-)
Stew Stryker I am glad you are happy with it. I remember how amazed I was with the site lights when I did my video. I really didn't realize how much light they threw till I reviewed the footage. .
OK, the instructions are written in several languages. In Spanish, French, Dutch, Italian German, Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian (probably the Japanese and Korean too) say the lantern has flashing mode and a SOS mode, which I think could be very useful, but the English instructions don't mention SOS, they just mention a flashing mode, I was not able to get it in the flashing mode...were you aware of this? Also you didn't mention dimming features in your VID did you?
+jadesluv Check out the video at 9:44 for the dimming feature. There was no flashing mode that I found, it only flashed to confirm that you were at the top/bottom illumination mode.
+Wildernessways Your vid is helpful, I watched it entirely this time. All the other languages in the instruction manual, apart from English, state that there are FLASHING modes and SOS modes available from sequence button presses for the Lantern button and the Torch (flashlight) mode. For the FLASHING mode on the lantern it says press 3 times and press 4 times for SOS mode. For the torch its 2 times for the FLASHING mode and 3 times for the SOS mode.
+Wildnessways Burn time: with the lantern dimmed all the way down and only one side lit (a feature you ommitted from your vid), I am able to get more than 120 hours of continuous run!!!
I tell you, this is possible the most informative video I've ever seen, I love the wide shots near the end showing just how bright the lights illuminate the room compared to the different brightnesses and even your fitted lights.
+radiocaf Thanks for the kind words.
Your review helped me figure out why my power light was not working with a full charge. Although I read the instructions I realize from your review I had it in lock mode. I am so impressed with this off grid system I bought two. I also really, really like the camp stove and have recommended the Biolite products to so many people. We bought our 4 grown children many Biolite products. I own every thing they make. Just call me "impressed" with the Biolite company. Thanks for the great review!!
Perry
Thanks for the in depth review. I've been eyeing the nano grid for awhile but wasn't sure about the price. This video decides it for me...I will buy it. It will go great with my biolite Carbon stove! Thanks for taking the time to do this.
Without a doubt, the most comprehensive review of this product on UA-cam. Thank you very much ++++++++++++++++ from the UK.
Love your channel, I didn't recognize that I was watching another one of your videos until you signed off with your signature ''Take your kids camping'' farewell. Thanks for sharing and for all of the high quality instructional videos and reviews.
This is the only A+ grade I've ever given to a youtube review video. You graduate with honors!
Nice piece of gear. I've seen some good product reviews from this manufacturer. Thanks for sharing and being so detailed.
I camped with my Nanogrid once, love the lantern, super COOL!! I got 90 hrs continuous, on the dimmest setting with both sides lit. I recharged it, went to use it one month later and now its in the locked mode. It will still charge a phone but
I can't unlock it to get any other functions to work. BTW I picked mine up at REI with the two side lights for $80 on sale.
Will not charge my iPhone 6 entirely either, but in terms of available lighting. This was a good review and indication of my own testing. Thanks
I'm curious if the biolite nanogrid and sitelights can be used at the same time that the main unit is charging from an external battery so it csn be used for an extended amount of time.
My goal is to use the system to light up a booth for art shows. A lot of art markets charge extra for electricity so the unit would overall save me money. I'd like to use the nanogrid with 6 sitelights and run it off the main unit that's also hooked up to a 12,000 miliamp battery for the extended run time.
James Hermes I will have to check if I can run the sitelights while charging the battery, but I don't know why you couldn't. However I do know that you can only run 4 sitelights off of one power unit, but based on my experience, 4 lights should easily light a booth, heck, 2 lighted up my entire kitchen.
Thanks
W O W !
Thank you SO MUCH for this excellent video of an AMAZING product.
I've been searching - VERY DISCOURAGED - for a product like this. And here it is!
Not only was the beginning of your video great (which like all reviews has to be dry) - but when you LIT UP YOUR KITCHEN - WOW - practical world application.
Showing the usefulness of those site lights and the combo of their effectiveness with the nanogrid was unforgetible.
And by doing them all together and then demonstrating the flashlight gave a real, comparison rather than "see - it works". The degree of light differene was clearly demonstrated.
I can't thank you enough.
This is the first video of yours that I've seen and I'm a subscriber.
Great review. Definitely a standard for all reviews to be set to.
+Matt Day Thanks for the kind words.
Awesome review! The tests in the kitchen are especially helpful.
Thanks for such a clear and thorough educational video! I’ll consider purchasing this lighting system.
Wow, amazing job again Biolite ! I guess I found the perfect product to go with my Biolite stove. Can't wait to get my hands on it !
Great review! Thanks for your time and effort making it. You answered every single question I had, and then some.
Excellent review, really shows the capabilities of the product and the explanation of the operating system was spot on. I shall be ordering one as a result of this video! Well done :)
Thanks for this thorough review, pretty cool product. Thanks in particular for doing the weights and showing how it lights up a normal room for reference. That weight really isn't horrible - given all the things this can do.
One question I had - just how waterproof/water resistant is this? Could you leave the whole thing out in the rain without issue, or would that be a bad idea? I can see this set up in a base camp and left in place outside for a few days, but does it have to be stored in a dry bag or tent every night to keep it dry?
Sorry, I haven't tested it in that manner, you might want to contact Biolite directly, they are great with questions like that.
Excellent Video Wildernessways. Exactly the information I was looking for. Going out to get my NanoGrid tomorrow.
I got the stove and pot, just have to get the NanoGrid . Also the grill which I should have bundled on the Biolite website. Live an learn.
I returned my first Nano to the store because I wasn 't able to unlock it (never got it to enter flashing mode either when it wasn't locked), neither were a few other employees able to unlock it and so I took home a second Nano. This one does not have the double flash indicator when its locked and it took forever(over a half hour) to finally unlock it. The battery rattles in the second one, which is quite annoying, but it does have a steady flashing mode for the lantern and for the torch, although no SOS. So there must be at least two versions of firmware existing. I found that getting it into the flashing mode you had to first turn on the lantern then press the switch rapidly four times.
Nice review. I have the biolite stove and love it. Really happy about this new product. Keep up the good work.
I have the nanogrid. However it will not charge the Galaxy S5 completely which battery size is is 2800 mAh. I had the unit replace and I have the same issue. Do you have any insight on this issue?
JP H I have the S5 and have not tried to fully charge the phone from zero, I usually just use it to top off my phone.
Wildernessways what % was your phone when you started charging it? I just want to compare it to make sure my battery bank in the nanogrid is fine. Thank you for the reply.
Hi, does this lantern remembers the state where its dimmed in after u. Put it off and back on again ? Great review by the way !
JimsTVEU Yes it does, I just checked it, because I was not sure.
Great ! I actually just bought one today :) - Thanks again for your response and great review ! I also know about the rubber cap that doesnt close anymore after use ... biolite just sended me a pack with replacement rubbers. Great service !
This seems to be a very good quality product, all I wonder is whether the biolite products last the test of time? I love the idea of crank/solar torch/radio/usb charging radios but I bought one of the more expensive ones scorpion or something only to find it just doesn't create enough stored power via cranking as after a very short period of listening to the radio would dim and require cranking again and what made it even more annoying is it would lose its digital memory of the station you were listening to so you had to tune it in each time it needed cranking.
Up to about the 14 minute mark this was a good review but the addition of you showing the lights lighting up the room, FANTASTIC review 🐸 looks like a great system. All I need now is a USB powered fm (digital even better) radio. Anyone know of one for Australia?
Great review... I have decided to purchase several items from bio lite!
great review, you have convinced me to purchase these lights!
Awesome review! one of the best I have seen
Great well informed video! My powerlight is in the post, will probably get some site lites in the near future. One question, has anybody charged this thing from the campstove? Would be most interested to know charge times etc if using the stove to charge it when out in the woods!
So it's been over a year how well is everything holding up? I am considering buying this system, but I need to know if it can handle wear and tear. Have any of the switches or connections failed? Is the battery sill holding a charge for a reasonable length of time?
The only thing that stopped working was the little nubs that keep the
site lights together broke off, so now I keep them together with a
rubber band when traveling.
Good to know, thanks.
Awesome Review, Biolite should give you some gear?
+Shad Finney Actually, I prefer to buy my stuff, that way I don't feel obligated to give a good review.
Thanks for the very thorough review. You covered everything I needed to know and did it as efficiently as possible. You also clarified some questions I had from their minimalist documentation. I was happy that you'd already unboxed your Nanogrid, as it told me you were really enthused to check it out. Personally, the unboxing videos seem like a waste of time to me. I don't care that much how it came packed; it's not going to give me the thrill as if I'm opening it myself, so what's the point?
Anyway, great job.
Thanks for the kind words. I love spreading the word on excellent companies and products.
Ditto. I'm generous with praise for good products and companies, as well as suggestions for improvement for those who need that!
My NanoGrid arrived yesterday and I'm very impressed with how well-engineered it seems to be. It's also as bright as they say, which pleasantly surprised me. I was concerned it wouldn't throw enough light, but I'm impressed with the light it throws.
Now if I add the task light that came with the BaseCamp stove, my campsite will be REALLY bright! :-)
Stew Stryker I am glad you are happy with it. I remember how amazed I was with the site lights when I did my video. I really didn't realize how much light they threw till I reviewed the footage.
.
Great Vid and info. I love the idea of beneficial innovation. Their product is well thought out. Thanks for giving a great review.
OK, the instructions are written in several languages. In Spanish, French, Dutch, Italian German, Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian (probably the Japanese and Korean too) say the lantern has flashing mode and a SOS mode, which I think could be very useful, but the English instructions don't mention SOS, they just mention a flashing mode, I was not able to get it in the flashing mode...were you aware of this? Also you didn't mention dimming features in your VID did you?
+jadesluv Check out the video at 9:44 for the dimming feature. There was no flashing mode that I found, it only flashed to confirm that you were at the top/bottom illumination mode.
+Wildernessways Your vid is helpful, I watched it entirely this time. All the other languages in the instruction manual, apart from English, state that there are FLASHING modes and SOS modes available from sequence button presses for the Lantern button and the Torch (flashlight) mode. For the FLASHING mode on the lantern it says press 3 times and press 4 times for SOS mode. For the torch its 2 times for the FLASHING mode and 3 times for the SOS mode.
Excellent information and much appreciated .
Master Tracker Thank you for the kind words.
Awesome review.
+Wildnessways Burn time: with the lantern dimmed all the way down and only one side lit (a feature you ommitted from your vid), I am able to get more than 120 hours of continuous run!!!
Great review
My NanoGrid is coming soon thanks for the info
Great review.
Great review.