Light strips are ideal for subtle effects, but if you want a more festive way to light up your patio, porch, or any other outdoor space, you’re better off with string lights like the Gooey Lynx Dream. Available in 48 feet for $69.99 or 96 feet for $119.95, each string features dimmed multicolor LED bulbs that you can control with your voice or phone. They also support IFTTT applets, and you get an eclectic selection of preset lighting scenes and a fun music sync mode for parties. We would have preferred the tighter spacing between bulbs, but the Lynx Dream String Lights still earn our Editors’ Choice award for outdoor smart lighting.
party light
Govi sent me the 96-foot kit, which is just two 48-foot strings in a single box that you attach to each end with a coupling. Each 48-foot string holds 15 lights that are 3.7 inches long and 1.7 inches wide; They use white translucent covers that resemble the S14 party bulb. Govi says the lights should last up to 20,000 hours with normal use. They hold an IP65 weatherproof rating, which means they can withstand rain and other inclement conditions.
You can trust our reviews
Since 1982, PCMag has tested and evaluated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. (See how we test.)
The bulbs on the string sit 35 inches apart from each other, which I think is a bit too far, but you can always make the gap between the bulbs smaller manually with electrical tape or plastic zip ties. Each bulb has a clip at the base for hanging on nails, stringing on a rope, or attaching to a soffit or frame.
The main (lead) string consists of a 6-foot power cord with a 3.6-by-1.7-by-0.5-inch (HWD) control box that houses the power button. It also has Bluetooth and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radios for connecting to your home network and mobile devices. When you press the button twice, the lights enter illumination mode (more on this in a bit). You can control each bulb individually, and each is capable of displaying the full RGB color and white color spectrum.
As mentioned, the lights respond to Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands. They also work with IFTTT, but they don’t support Apple’s HomeKit platform.
Features of Govi App
You use the Govi Home mobile app (available for Android and iOS) to control the lights. The product appears in a dedicated panel on the My Devices (Home) screen. The panel shows the name of the lights, the status of the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi signals, and on and off buttons.
Tap the panel to use Effects Lab to select colors, add them to your My Colors database, and create custom lighting effects. Timer settings allow you to set usage schedules with gradual brightening and fading options, while the Brightness slider lets you specify brightness levels for all bulbs.
You can also choose between four mode settings. Music mode uses your phone’s microphone to sync the lights to whatever is playing and offers energized, rhythm, spectrum, and rolling tempo options. Color Mode lets you select a hue from the color wheel or the My Color Database. Here you can also use the slider to set the white color temperature from warm (yellow) to cool (blue). A selection of preset lighting scenes such as Lights (all bulbs are solid white), Candy (bulbs glow rapidly through all primary colors), Christmas (bulbs glow red and green), and Carnival (bulbs pulse yellow) Tap the Scene Mode button to do so. green, orange and red). Use the DIY Mode button to create a custom scene.
To access Wi-Fi settings, update the firmware, and view a user guide, tap the gear icon in the top right corner of the screen.
Govi Home Mobile App
Easy to install and use
Lynx Dream String Lights are easy to install and configure. I have a covered patio area with wood framing in my backyard, so I grabbed a box of small finishing nails and a ladder, and nailed each one 34 inches apart from the other. Making sure one was started in a location close to an electrical outlet, I hung a bulb on each nail until I went through the entire 96-foot wire. The whole process took about 20 minutes.
Next, I downloaded the Govi Home mobile app, created an account, and tapped on the plus icon in the top right corner of the home screen. I plugged in the string, selected outdoor lighting, and tapped the H7021 LED string bulb. The app detected the light immediately. On the next screen, I gave the lights a name, connected them to my Wi-Fi network, and entered my Wi-Fi password. To complete the installation, I installed a quick firmware update.
Roshni performed flawlessly in the test. They responded quickly to the mobile app and commanded Alexa to turn on and off, change colors, and dim in brightness. I created an Alexa routine to turn the lights red every time a Ring floodlight cam detected motion. He synced perfectly with Elvis Costello’s “Pump It Up” in music mode, and followed my schedule with no problem.
light up the night
Govi Lynx Dream String Lights are an excellent choice if you are looking to add colorful lighting to the outside of your home. Available in 48 or 96 feet, the Strings are weatherproof, easy to install, and support remote control via voice commands or the flexible Govi Home mobile app. They work with Alexa and Google Routines, as well as with many third-party devices via IFTTT. They also look great and are fun to use, earning them our Editors’ Choice award.
Govi Lynx Dream Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Outdoor String Lights
Bottom-line
Designed for outdoor use, the fun, highly customizable Govi Lynx Dream String Lights feature multicolor LEDs that you can control with your phone or voice.
Like what are you reading?
sign up for lab report To get the latest reviews and top product advice straight to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertisements, deals or affiliate links. By subscribing to the newsletter, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe from newsletters at any time.
