[Mania] "Turntable with Fire Watching Possible"... For Emotional Camping, 'LG StanbyME Go'

'LG StanbyMe Go' Experience
Durability and Easy Usage Are Advantages
Heavy Weight and Lack of Waterproofing Are Drawbacks

Among the hottest electronic devices for camping enthusiasts recently, the undisputed favorite is the 'LG StanbyME Go.' The LG StanbyME Go is a new concept portable screen monitor, featuring a 27-inch monitor housed in a dedicated case designed for portability.

One might wonder, "Why would you need a monitor while camping?" or "Isn't camping about enjoying and relaxing in nature?" However, campers, especially those who camp for two nights or more, often look for ways to enjoy the somewhat dull and boring moments that arise intermittently. This is why more people are equipping themselves with monitors to watch movies or play games. I rented the LG StanbyME Go, which has captured the hearts of campers, for a week to try it out.

Digital turntable function of LG StanbyME Go.
Photo by Han Yeju

Released as a successor to the 'LG StanbyME,' this product's biggest feature is its enhanced portability by removing the stand and designing it in a bag form. During the online pre-sale last June, the product sold out in just 10 minutes, and since then, it has become a popular item traded at a premium in the secondhand market.

The first impression of the product was that it was larger and sturdier than expected. The StanbyME Go passed 11 durability tests by the U.S. Department of Defense, including low pressure, high pressure, low temperature, dust, vibration, shock, and drop tests, boasting robustness that resists damage from most pressures or impacts.

The LG StanbyME Go powers on simply by opening or closing the case, without any separate assembly or installation process.
[Photo by Han Yeju]

Using it was simple. The screen turned on and off just by opening and closing the case, with no separate assembly or installation process required. This ease of use is a major advantage, even for first-time users. The top of the case functions as a large speaker, making it more than just a storage box but a fully functional product. The bottom has a compartment to store accessories such as the remote control and power cable, emphasizing convenience.

Depending on the content, it could be freely used in three screen modes: landscape, portrait, and table mode. The touchscreen feature allowed intuitive operation like a smartphone. Voice recognition was supported, enabling channel changes, volume adjustments, and content searches by voice alone. Equipped with the proprietary smart TV platform webOS, it could connect to the internet without external devices and stream various domestic and international OTT content such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. The built-in battery allowed up to 3 hours of wireless use, enough to watch a full movie without interruption.

Playing a chess game after setting the LG StanbyME Go to table mode.
Photo by Han Yeju

It also supports simple gaming functions. Users can enjoy board games like chess, cards, and spot-the-difference, which are specialized for the table mode where the screen lies flat. Applying a dedicated skin, users can enjoy a retro and unique experience by listening to music on their own digital turntable.

When not enjoying content, the built-in healing themes could be used as interior decoration. Indoors, one could experience 'bulmyeong' (staring blankly at a fire), watch underwater scenes, or create sentimental atmospheres like being in a snowy mountain lodge even in midsummer. The ability to heal at home without traveling was appealing. The vivid sound matching the screen was a highly satisfying feature for this reporter, who frequently listens to ASMR.

A scene of creating a fire pit ambiance through LG StanbyME Go.
[Photo by Han Yeju]

However, the weight remains a drawback. Weighing 12.7kg, it feels quite heavy when carried. Moving the product around is cumbersome, making it somewhat questionable to call it 'portable.' While it is an advantage that it does not shake or fall on windy days, it seems unsuitable for solo campers (honkaemjok) or those who prefer minimal camping (minimal camping). It would be better if there were models with reduced inches to lower weight and volume. It feels like LG Electronics has not addressed the customer pain points they often emphasize.

Another inconvenience is that an additional table is needed to place the product during camping. Unlike previous models, it has no legs, making it easier to carry, but having detachable dedicated square legs or a stand would likely win over campers even more. When used indoors, having a table large enough to place the product would also make usage more convenient.

Watching shorts in portrait mode after rotating the LG StanbyME Go to vertical mode.
[Photo by Han Yeju]

The lack of waterproof functionality also reduces its appeal. Using it during rainy camping is restricted, and there is a risk of malfunction if water or food is accidentally spilled. During the period this reporter rented the product, continuous rain limited outdoor use to prevent possible damage.

The image quality issue remains unresolved. The previous StanbyME also received many reviews stating the image quality was disappointing, and this StanbyME Go is no exception, featuring a 1920x1080 FHD LED monitor that does not provide sharp image quality. The screen refresh rate supports 60Hz. For consumers accustomed to 4K video and 120Hz refresh rates, these specifications may feel lacking.