Nebo Galileo Air 1000 Collapsible Lantern Review

I have previously been impressed with the Nebo range of products, including the Nebo Ultimate Multi Voltage Power Pack, Big Larry Pro Plus and Davinci 18000 Lumen Flashlight.

Nebo has kindly sent me another batch of products to review, with the first being the Galileo Air 1000 which is a  highly versatile rechargeable lantern designed for outdoor enthusiasts and anyone in need of reliable, portable lighting. With its innovative collapsible design and an impressive array of features, this lantern offers convenience and functionality in a compact package.

Specification

• Light Modes
  • High (1,000 lumens) – 1 hour / 20 meters
  • Medium (500 lumens) – 5 hours / 14 meters
  • Low (100 lumens) – 10 hours / 6 meters
  • Strobe (500 lumens) – 2.5 hours / 14 meters
  • Red (40 lumens) – 10 hours / 5 meters
  • Red Strobe (40 lumens) – 5 hours / 5 meters
• Design
  • USB-C rechargeable
  • Collapsible
  • Smart Power Control™ (SPC)
  • Power Bank
  • Direct-to-Red
  • Folding carry handle
  • Battery charging indicator
  • Water-resistant (IPX4)
• Batteries
  • Powered by rechargeable lithium polymer battery (104050, 3.7V, 2500mAh included) Recharge time: 2 hours (1.0A) – 4 hours (0.5A)
• Dimensions
  • Weight: 285 grams
  • Length: 124mm
  • Width: 120mm
  • Height: 57mm / 118mm extended

Features

360° Illumination and Multiple Modes

One of the standout features of the Galileo Air 1000 is its ability to provide full 360° lighting when the dome is fully extended. Powered by a white LED, the lantern can emit an impressive maximum output of 1000 lumens, making it ideal for illuminating larger areas at close range. In addition to the white light, the lantern also offers a red light mode, which proves invaluable for various scenarios. The red light helps preserve night vision, making it suitable for night reading or animal spotting. It also attracts fewer mosquitoes compared to white light, providing a more comfortable experience when camping or in a tent. For emergency situations or to attract attention, the Galileo Air 1000 includes both white and red strobe modes.

Intuitive Controls

Operating the Galileo Air 1000 is a breeze thanks to its user-friendly orange push button located on the front of the lantern base. From the off position, single presses of the button cycle through the different modes: high, mid, low, red, and off. For quick access to the red light mode without disrupting night vision, users can hold down the button while the light is off. Once in red mode, each press of the button cycles through the modes in reverse order. Activating the white strobe requires a double press while in white mode, while the red strobe is triggered by a double press in red mode.

Rechargeable and Long-Lasting

The Galileo Air 1000 is powered by a built-in rechargeable lithium polymer battery, eliminating the need for disposable batteries. Recharging the lantern is a simple process using the included USB-C cable. Lift the dust cover on the opposite side of the button to reveal the charging port, insert the USB-C end of the cable, and connect the USB end to a power source such as a computer, power bank, or mains adapter. A small charging indicator next to the port turns red during charging and green once the process is complete, which takes approximately 2 hours with a 1 A input.

Power Bank Functionality

In addition to its lighting capabilities, the Galileo Air 1000 doubles as a power bank, allowing users to charge their devices on the go. Next to the USB-C port, there is a standard USB-A port where users can plug in their device’s charging cable. The lantern features a light indicator that turns green when the battery is above 25% and red when it falls below that threshold, providing a helpful reference for the remaining battery life.

Portability and Convenience

The Galileo Air 1000’s space-saving, collapsible design makes it incredibly portable and easy to store when not in use. A handy carry handle, tucked away underneath the lantern, enables users to hang the light or carry it comfortably. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or simply need a reliable light source during power outages, this lantern offers the flexibility and convenience you need.

Design

The Galileo Air 1000 has a quirky collapsable design that basically works like a softbox diffusing the light and providing 360 degrees of lighting rather than directional.

The body of the light is rugged plastic, and on the base, there is a kickstand that allows you to angle it for more directed lighting, or alternatively, you can use it to hang it up somewhere.

On the body is a rubber tab which protects the USB ports. You have a USB-C port for charging and a USB-C port that can be used to charge your devices.

Then, there is a single button that cycles through the different lighting modes.

Performance

The Galileo Air 1000 works as expected, with the maximum brightness and providing plenty of illumination across several meters in darkness. It should be more than enough to illuminate the area where you set up camp.

At the maximum brightness, you only get around 1 hour of battery life, but on the medium setting, it provides 5 hours of lighting at 500 lumens, which should still be adequate enough to illuminate your sitting or sleeping area.

The light has a 2500mAh 3.7v internal rechargeable battery, which can also charge your devices. With that small capacity, you will likely only want to use it in emergencies.  

Similar to many basic devices, it is fussy about the USB cable you use. USB-C to USB-C doesn’t work, which I assume is due to the 1.0A charge rate. Connecting it to my Anker power bank shows a draw of 4W, which is presumable 1A at 3.7V plus headroom for inefficiency.

The light works while charging should you need to extend the performance of the battery.

Price and Alternative Options

The Nebo Galileo Air 1000 is available on Amazon UK for at an affordable price point of £29.

The non-collapsible Galileo 1000 is £42 and has the same lumen output. The 500-lumen Galileo 500 is £27.

Goal Zero has the Crush Light, but this isn’t really comparable. It is a collapsable light like the Nebo, but it only has up to 60 lumens of output, though it can be charged via solar, and it costs £30.

James Smythe( Editor-in-chief )

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.

In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.