Sylvox Smart 15.6” Portable TV Review: A Great Option for Tailgating and Camping
Television technology has come a long way over the years. For instance, the advent of the HD era has meant that TVs have gotten smaller and lighter, while also offering a brighter, clearer, more high-resolution image. It’s also the reason TVs have gone from giant pieces of furniture that dominated the room to something so elegant and attractive that they can safely be hung on a wall.
But if you truly want to see how far technology has come, look no further than the Sylvox Smart 15.6” Portable TV. Compact and lightweight, this model is designed to nont only be portable and used in outdoors. It is even waterproof and has its own built-in rechargeable battery, allowing it to run for hours at a time without an external power source. This makes it a great option for use in and out of the RV, not to mention in the backyard and when tailgating.
There is a lot to like about this great little device, although there are a few compromises that come along with the experience, too. Read on for our full review.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Google TV on the Go
While Sylvox may not be a household name, the company does make a line of very good TVs specifically for use in the outdoors. Most of those models are waterproof and have bright screens to help keep them visible when used in direct sunlight. The Smart 15.6” Portable TV borrows some of the same tech from its larger, and more expensive, siblings, but as its name implies, it is meant to be used on the go. A built-in kickstand keeps it stable on a variety of surfaces, and the aforementioned rechargeable battery allows it to function completely untethered from an AC outlet, although you can plug it in if you want.
This product uses the Google TV operating system, which is essentially a fork of Android. That means it can run all of the streaming services apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more. It also has apps for YouTube, Tubi, and other free services preinstalled, allowing users to access their favorite content from just about anywhere. Google’s Play Store is also there, allowing you to add any apps that may be missing and to update to the latest versions of the software. All told, there are more than 10,000 apps that can potentially run on the TV.
Of course, you’ll need an internet connection to use those services, so keep that in mind if you want to stream your favorite shows while camping in a remote location. Connecting to a WiFi router is very easy, so Starlink or other services can provide the connection you need. During testing, we even used a smartphone as a hotspot to stream a few movies, although you’ll want to make sure your data plan support that. Alternatively, you can also hook up a digital antenna and pull in over-the-air broadcasts, for free.
Like any modern TV, setting up the Sylvox model requires multiple steps when turning it on for the first time. If you already have a Google account and can install the Google Home app on your smartphone, that process will go a lot smoother and quicker. If not, you’ll have to type in numerous passwords and email addresses using the TV’s remote control and onscreen keyboard. A slow and tedious process, but it does eventually get the job done.
If you connect an antenna, the TV will also scan for OTA channels and automatically add them to the built-in onscreen guide. The entire interface is easy to navigate, responsive, and familiar. After a few minutes, you’ll quickly know your way around and will have fast access to the content you want to see.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
A TV Made for the Campsite
The TV’s size and portability make it an excellent option for use in a variety of environments, including at the campsite. We love how small and lightweight it is—just 4.8 lbs.—making it easy to set up in a kitchen, for example, then carry outside to the pack deck to watch the morning news while you enjoy your coffee. It’s small enough that it won’t take up much room in an RV either, and would be an especially great addition to a Class B camper van.
We enjoyed using the TV while camping, as it is fun to set it up on a table and enjoy a movie, TV show, or sporting event while relaxing around a campfire. Want to move over to a picnic table to enjoy a meal? Just take the television with you. Its versatility is tough to top and it was even a hit while tailgating, as it can be deployed in seconds and stashed away just as quickly. And because it is waterproof, you don’t have to worry about an unexpected rain shower damaging its delicate electronics.
Unlike some other portable TVs, this model comes with a full 1080P HD screen that delivers a clear, crisp image. Its 15.6” size also feels surprisingly large and offers solid viewing angles for multiple people to gather around. It isn’t as bright as the TV you have at home, however, which can lead to some of the colors feeling a bit muted. In direct sunlight, the image can get washed out, too. For the best results, you’ll want to use it in the shade during the day, although at night its overall performance is excellent.
Photo Credit: Sylvox
Great Value with a Few Limitations
Priced at $399 (currently on sale for $359 as of this publication date), the Sylvox Smart 15.6” Portable TV is a surprisingly great bargain. Sure, you can buy much larger TVs—some of which even run Google TV—for not much more money. But those models won’t be built for use outside and they won’t be able to run on their own internal battery. The convenience and portability that this model brings to the table is its major selling point, and it is an attractive one.
In regards to battery life, Sylvox claims the TV can run for 4.5-6 hours on a single charge, and we found that to be mostly true. Turning down the brightness levels or watching OTA channels rather than streaming will net more battery life, but once the charge is depleted, you’ll need to find another power source. That may not be a big deal if you have a portable power station, gas generator, or plenty of juice in your RVs house batteries. But it is something to be aware of when using this model. If the charge runs out before halftime of the big game, you may end up with some very annoyed fans.
The TV comes with three input ports, one for power and recharging the battery, one standard coax port for plugging in an antenna, and a USB-A port. We would have liked to have seen an HDMI port as well, as that would have extended the usability of the device even further. HDMI would allow owners to plug in a DVD player or a video game system, for instance, both of which would be fun additions to any gathering. I’m sure this was a cost-saving measure on the part of Sylvox, but I’d gladly give up that aging USB-A port for HDMI instead. Hopefully, a future model will include this.
Aside from that one oversight, however, the Sylvox Smart 15.6” Portable TV is a great option for use at home, while camping, and while tailgating. The $399 price tag makes it very easy to recommend, giving RVers additional entertainment options to their rig. The device is fun, easy to use, and super convenient, no matter where you take it.
To find out more, visit the Sylvox website.
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