Customer reviews from bioliteenergy.com
BioLite - Solar Home System 620+ - Blue
Average customer rating
4.4
(300 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 300 reviews
5 Stars
212
4 Stars
45
3 Stars
14
2 Stars
11
1 Star
18
86%of customers recommend this product.
(
189 out of
221)
Customer Reviews for BioLite - Solar Home System 620+ - Blue
Customer Rating
5
Excellent system, well worth the value!
on January 27, 2021
Posted by: JSmith6
from Kapolei, HI
Length of ownership:6 months
I purchased this system for my garage that has horrible lighting. Install was straight forward and pretty simple. The only issue was the solar panel. The kit comes with a very rudimentary wire kit to mount the panel, but I was installing the panel on my garage roof where the wire concept would not work well. This is one of the only two issues I have with the kit. If Biolite is reading this, please install tabs or mounting brackets on the panel to bolt it down. My solution was to purchase six L shaped brackets/bolts. I drilled holes in my roof, then torqued down the L bolts then I used exterior, clear caulk to cover over the bolts/holes to prevent water coming in.
There was ample wiring from the lights to the control box. The wiring is long enough to reach across a two car garage. The lights are bright, but not too bright. The light on the control box is brighter than the plug in lamps. All lights come with three setting: dim, medium and bright. The control box is the same, just brighter across the spectrum.
One of the lights has a motion sensor, and can be used as either a motion light or a regular light on a switch. The sensor usually engages me at 10 feet but may reach further. It is just that my light is 10 feet from the garage door. Whenever I open the door, the light illuminates. It also turns on when the car pulls into the garage, which is a nice touch.
The control box has the ability to read a Micro SD card that has music loaded. There MP3 player does not give names of the songs/singer but that does not bother me much. There is no repeat function either. Also, there is no shuffle function. These are not deal breakers. The speaker is fairly loud and clear. It can easily be heard at the bottom of my driveway from the backside of the garage.
The control box also has a FM radio. You can seek radio stations or push the buttom repeatedly and go freq by freq. This leads me to my only other complaint: there is no radio preset button even though it looks as though there are. If you have to go from, let's say 95.1 to 107.3, you will be pushing the freq change button....a lot.
Overall, the battery lasts at least 12 hours. I have accidentally left a light (brightest setting) on overnight, came back the next day (during the daytime) and the battery was at 80%. I have ran the radio or MP3 player for around three hours in low sunlight and barely made a dent in the battery.
Of note, I live on O'ahu. It has gotten as low as 57F so I cannot speak to how the system operates in cold weather. We do have an abundance of sunlight here so I have never truly drained the battery. I am very happy with this system, would highly recommend it and when we move I will either buy another system or remove this one and take it with me.
The first photo shows the panel mounted to the roof. The second photo is the left bolt. Third photo is the control box on its lowest setting with one of the lights in the brightest setting in a closet. The fourth photo is two lights: nearest light is the motion sensor and the far light is on the brightest setting. The fifth photo is a basic picture of the control box so you can see the buttons. And the last photo is a picture of the acreen in MP3 mode.
I forgot one thing: I wish there was a way to plug more lights and/or panels into the control box. The lights are chainable, but more plugs would be a nice touch as would the ability to expand with more panels.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Customer Rating
3
Great product but not the most reliable .
on July 13, 2022
Posted by: Fixedgeargod
from California
Length of ownership:6 months
I love this product , I use it as a backup for my workshop . If it’s a cloudy day or week and my primary solar system is below 20% I’ll switch to my biolite to still have lighting and even music . But the components seem to stop working randomly . One of the hang lights (new ) stopped working granted I did drop it but I’m currently troubleshooting the biolite solar panel bc it’s not charging my system . Overall it’s great but I don’t think the components are the most reliable . Also it would be really helpful if they sold replacements so I could buy just a hang light or just a solar panel instead of having to buy a whole new set up just to get one part .
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Customer Rating
5
Great features!!
on September 2, 2021
Posted by: Hurricane Ida
from Ponchatoula Louisiana USA
Length of ownership:3 months
I purchased this for Hurricane prep.
August 29,2021 our area of Louisiana was hit hard by Hurricane Ida. We lost power and it could take several weeks before we get power again. I strung up the Biolite lights over our kitchen and dining area and it is so nice to be able to see. We are under a heat advisory and need to keep curtains drawn to keep out the sun. Thank you Biolite.
August 29,2021 our area of Louisiana was hit hard by Hurricane Ida. We lost power and it could take several weeks before we get power again. I strung up the Biolite lights over our kitchen and dining area and it is so nice to be able to see. We are under a heat advisory and need to keep curtains drawn to keep out the sun. Thank you Biolite.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Customer Rating
3
Loved the videos of uses, but was disappointed
on October 16, 2019
Posted by: lynnann50
from Sugar Camp, WI
Length of ownership:3 months
I have watched several Youtubers who traveled cross country and loved how they used this system. When it arrived, I set it up in my sunniest spot, the unit would not register any solar source.
I also found out that (I never saw this mentioned in the description) that there was no A/C or car charger in the case of no sun. I would have added the separate charger to my initial order to avoid the shipping charge I paid when I had to order the A/C charger it separately.
I have a garden center where I sell many different solar garden ornaments and lights and fountains. I have solar lanterns I use in my sunny windows in the house. (after a day sitting in the window they shine all night) These all operate with the most minimal sunlight source. I was disappointed this unit does not.
Here in Northern Wisconsin, we haven't had one day, since I received this, that had enough sunlight, for a long enough period, to charge this system. Luckily I did order the "not included" A/C charger. Next, a car charger maybe??
PS: I would have chosen a more subtle color than turquoise, if given a chance.
Response from bioliteenergy.comBy BioLite, Customer Support, October 17, 2019
Hello! Thank you for your review. The unit should register some amount of sunlight unless there is 100% cloud coverage or is especially dark. We will have a product specialist contact you as soon as possible and we will get this resolved for you.
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Customer Rating
3
Still no expansion battery
on September 30, 2020
Posted by: Mike777
from Virginia
Length of ownership:1 year or longer
Works fine but not having the expansion battery that's mentioned in the tech specs after it's been available for years is a bummer. If you're never going to make one then how about sharing the tech info so I can DIY one?
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Posted by: J.S.
Verified Purchase:Yes
Appears to be a well designed and constructed kit, and will come in handy in RV/extended camping/emergency use. One major negative is that a charger (used to keep battery charged in case of emergency use) was not included, and the one required uses a very odd plug size and is overpriced through BioLite. Had this been clear I would have ordered it when I originally purchased unit to save on shipping charges.
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Posted by: Canadian Tree Planter
from Vancouver Island
Length of ownership:1 month
Verified Purchase:Yes
I bought this to address some logistical difficulties of working in a remote bush camp and have it set up in a large tent. The design seems well thought out and is simple to use. The lighting is nice with each light being adjustable to three different levels of brightness. I'm only using one lantern as it illuminates my space sufficiently to do just about anything. The colour temperature is neither too warm nor too cool; it's a good balance. The device charging works great. I'm using it daily to charge a phone and Bluetooth headphones and have had plenty power to do so. Cycling through the digital display will show you the remaining charge and estimated time remaining based on it's current drain. It also shows the solar strength of the light that's charging it. I haven't used the radio do I won't comment beyond that I think it's a nice feature. All in all this is a great device with lots of versatility! Once my work season is done I'll be moving it to an off grid studio. We also get lots of black outs in our area and I can imagine being useful in that scenario as well. Really excellent value.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Customer Rating
5
Love it!
on June 12, 2018
Posted by: Anonymous
It took a little while to arrive but it was worth the wait. It was very simple to install, I used my staple gun because my fingures are too big to try to hammer in the tiny little hangers provided in the packaging. I set it up in my barn which is my workshop and when I open the door the first light with the motion detector comes on and lights the pathway to the first switch. It's amazing how bright my workshop is with all three lights on. The radio works just fine as well, I get all the stations that I listen to in my truck. Great investment and I'd recommend it to all my friends and neighbors.
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com