As a seasoned collector and tech enthusiast, I can confidently say that the Expo Display Cases are indeed worth the investment for those who value their precious items. While it may seem steep for some, these cases offer an elegant solution to showcase rare finds with style.
Recently, Nanoleaf has expanded the functionality of its smart lights beyond merely illuminating gaming rooms. For instance, the newly announced Blocks wall panels are similar, as they also offer storage solutions perfect for displaying collectibles. These light-up boxes, developed in partnership with Fantaqi, can be stacked together in groups of up to 300 cases, allowing for a variety of arrangements.
Some gamers might choose to enhance their shelving with affordable LED lights, displaying figurines or personalized controllers. However, many pieces of furniture aren’t crafted for this specific purpose, resulting in uneven illumination. The Nanoleaf x Fantaqi Expo Display Case was thoughtfully designed, taking into account high brightness and color precision to present collectibles at their finest. Given its high cost, Game Rant conducted a thorough examination to determine whether these cases are indispensable additions to any gaming space.
Packaging
The individual shipping containers for the Nanoleaf Expo Display Cases come in white, rectangular packages. For this review, Nanoleef provided one box labeled as the Smarter Kit, which includes the Controller Box and five Expansion Packs. Each box has an easy-to-open pull-tab that reveals its contents, making it quicker to set up a large display when assembling.
Each Smarter Kit comes with components for the primary Controller Expo Display Case, divided into six distinct sections. The installation guide, plastic connectors to attach expansion cases, and a 42-watt power supply are all included. Notably, each extra case’s box contents will be identical, but they won’t contain an AC/DC adapter and power cable.
Installation
Building the Expo Display Cases doesn’t require any tools, as there are no screws or brackets involved. However, setting up the initial box may initially take some time before you get the hang of it and find the process easier.
The trickiest step involves joining the side and bottom sections together. At first glance, it may appear that the pieces don’t fit properly, but with some pressure, they lock into place with an reassuring click. On the other hand, the top and rear panels require less force to assemble. Once installers get past their initial apprehension about damaging any plastic components, constructing these expansion cases becomes effortless.
Nanoleaf Expo Display Cases join using flexible connectors, unlike the sturdy links for the latest Nanoleaf Blocks. It’s essential that each case has at least one connector slotting into an adjacent or upper case position. The Nanoleaf mobile app can identify how many cases are linked together, but it also enables users to modify the display’s angle.
The tops of each case feature grooves, but it’s primarily the connecting links that ensure the boxes stay together. Customers are advised to position their displays in close proximity to where they plan to store them for easier setup. Moving a stack of six cases on a carpet was quite challenging, almost causing one of the connectors to break apart.
For those who have previously purchased Nanoleaf lights, the remaining setup procedure will be comfortably recognizable. Assuming all goes well, pressing and holding the control panel’s power button for a brief period will prompt the app to guide users on connecting their cases to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. Despite not being compatible with Matter, the Expo Display Cases can function as a Thread Border router when used with compatible smart home devices, ensuring seamless low-latency wireless communication.
Design
The Expo Display Cases offer flexible placement options, whether they’re on, beside, or below gaming desks. Up to 300 cases can be linked with expansion packs, ensuring consistent lighting. However, if you have over eight boxes, an extra power supply from Nanoleaf is required. While a 75-watt power supply works for 14 cases, it may cause cable management challenges for larger displays.
The dimensions of each display box are approximately 14.9 inches wide, 11 inches deep, and 8.7 inches high; however, practical space is slightly reduced to around 7.5 inches per case. This restriction makes it suitable for items with a similar height-to-width ratio, such as special edition sneakers or collectibles. Notably, the average height of a Funko Pop figure is about 6.25 inches, making them ideal candidates for the Nanoleaf Expo Display Cases.
Owners aren’t limited to storing expensive items in the cases; they can also showcase cherished possessions like a beloved hardcover book that deserves acknowledgement. While the cases are easy to access with their quick-opening doors, they’re not ideal for casual storage of clutter.
As an enthusiast, I’d say each of these cases sports a sturdy, transparent back panel and a swinging front door made of durable plastic. The main body is constructed from tough white hard plastic, except for the door which seems slightly more delicate. During setup, one unit unfortunately got a scratch. So, if you’re considering Expo Display Cases, be mindful that they might not withstand frequent collisions with gaming chairs.
Users can find a tactile control panel located along the upper rim of the main controller’s housing. This allows them to toggle the entire screen on/off, adjust brightness levels, or cycle through predefined settings. Remarkably, even with the cover shut, touch-sensitive areas continue to register inputs accurately. The enclosures incorporate magnetic sensors, and visual cues such as lighting effects indicate whether the door is open or closed.
Software and Performance
Although the Nanoleaf Expo Display Cases may not offer many innovative features compared to other products, it’s important to note that they will mainly be controlled through Nanoleaf’s mobile app. Similar to their smart wall panels and other lights, this app houses pre-set effects and scenes. Musical notes serve as icons for scenes that respond to rhythmic beats. Users can also download custom effects created by others or create their own unique lighting patterns. Additionally, the app includes AI Magic Scenes, a newer feature of Nanoleaf lights, which generates personalized effects based on search terms.
With Nanoleaf devices, there haven’t been any significant problems that our customers have encountered lately. However, we did notice occasional disconnections with the Expo Display Cases, but these issues typically resolved themselves swiftly.
The brilliant lighting effects are what will draw most customers to Nanoleaf and Fantaqi’s display cases.
The LED light strip is barely visible on the back edge of the interior ceiling. Even so, it’s quite bright and effectively diffuses light evenly throughout each case. The color accuracy and fluid transitions from one case to the next never disappoint.
Objects within the boxes are harder to see when the color scheme is dominated by darker tones. However, it’s good to know that RGBW lights can effectively highlight the nuances between cool and warm shades of white in Expo Display Cases, making the subtle differences more noticeable.
Due to their excellent fit with gaming environments, Razer Chroma-compatible accessories can synchronize visual effects with Razer’s RGB keyboards, mice, and headsets. To achieve this harmony, users need to install the Nanoleaf Desktop software along with the Chroma Connect extension in Razer Synapse. Once set up, compatible games will respond to in-game events by activating lighting effects on the accessories. Additionally, Nanoleaf Desktop offers screen mirroring, allowing lighting to be programmed based on images shown on monitors.
One last Nanoleaf Desktop feature that deserves mention is Orchestrator, which is still in early access. The Expo Display Cases can respond to music without PCs, but Orchestrator analyzes audio tracks in real-time without added latency or potential background interference. It’s easy to imagine DJs and streamers integrating the technology into their broadcasts as it matures.
Are the Expo Display Cases Worth the Cost?
As a passionate collector myself, I can understand why shelling out $300 on four hard plastic display cases might give some buyers pause. Yet, for fellow enthusiasts like me who invest substantial amounts on rare finds, the price to elegantly showcase these treasures seems reasonable. It’s essential to remember that Expo Display Cases are primarily designed for sneakers, but they can also accommodate various books and figurines with ease.
The RGBW cases’ strengths include easily adding units as collections grow and rearranging them to fit evolving setups. They also look spectacular with both vivid colors and white hues, bolstered by effects triggered when opening and closing doors. There are few complaints about the performance of the Expo Display Cases, particularly the fact that the doors and linkers that connect them are easily damaged.
If you’re a gamer seeking budget-friendly storage options for your equipment, it might be worth exploring other options. However, if you value your prized gaming items, the Expo Display Cases are likely to draw attention and stand out prominently in any gaming environment.
Related Products
| Similar Display Case/Shelf | Best Choice For | Price |
| Gudemay Stackable Plastic Storage Bins | Cheap storage for accessories and collectibles | $23 at Amazon |
| Rojasop 5 Tiers Corner Shelf with Light | Displaying taller collectibles | $81 at Amazon |
| Bestier Gaming LED Floating Shelves | Versatile shelving with RGB lighting | $110 at Amazon |
The Nanoleaf in conjunction with Fantaqi Display Cases rank as some of the RGB cases that seamlessly blend with widely used smart home systems. Yet, budget-conscious buyers might opt for more affordable options such as Gudemay Stackable Plastic Storage Bins. Although these clear storage containers lack built-in lighting, adding inexpensive LED strips to their ceilings is a straightforward process. Similar to the Nanoleaf cases, they feature magnets that lock securely into place.
FAQ
Q: What is the best way to display figurines?
Instead of placing Funko Pops and similar collectible figurines directly on bookshelves, shelves, or display cases, it’s a good idea to showcase them in their original boxes for storage. While storing them in the boxes might take up more space, it is essential to keep the packaging intact to maintain their resale value.
Q: How to hide an LED light strip?
Compared to some LED light strips, others can be less noticeable. If your furniture or metal casing is dark wood, opt for black strips. For other situations, find a spot on objects where light will shine most effectively without being seen, such as the top of an object. When it comes to shelves, try to position the lighting as far back and along the top edge as possible, so it’s hidden when examining collectibles closely.
Read More
- ENA PREDICTION. ENA cryptocurrency
- SOL PREDICTION. SOL cryptocurrency
- USD PHP PREDICTION
- BTC PREDICTION. BTC cryptocurrency
- SHIB PREDICTION. SHIB cryptocurrency
- LUNC PREDICTION. LUNC cryptocurrency
- Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare – Where To Find Sasquatch
- USD ZAR PREDICTION
- USD COP PREDICTION
- TARA/USD
2024-09-17 04:05