Moving Firefly Lights Review: HW07D Outdoor Projector at 15–45 ft

We sent the HW07D outdoor projector to an independent reviewer to test its moving firefly lights in a real backyard. Here is what he found.

When we designed the HW07D, our goal was simple: create an outdoor projector that throws moving points of light — like fireflies — across a yard, without the hassle of string lights or complex installation. But specs on paper only tell part of the story. So we sent a unit to an independent reviewer and asked him to test it in a real backyard, at real distances, under real conditions.

He tested the moving firefly lights at 15, 30, and 45 feet, checked how they performed with ambient house lights on, tried the music sync mode, and shared the honest drawbacks he found. This blog post summarizes his test and what it means for anyone considering the HW07D.

Watch the Full Video Review

Independent unboxing, setup, distance testing, and music mode demo.

What Is the HW07D?

The HW07D is an outdoor projection light designed to mimic fireflies. Instead of projecting a traditional image or pattern, it throws dozens of small moving points of light across a surface. The effect is created by a rotating reflective disc inside the projector, combined with adjustable color, brightness, and speed settings.

It is IP65 rated, app-controlled, and built for outdoor use — though you can also use it indoors if you want a unique ambient effect.

Build Quality & First Impressions

According to the reviewer, the first thing you notice is the weight. The unit is surprisingly heavy, and the housing is all metal. It feels solid — the kind of build quality you do not always see in outdoor decorative lighting.

The IP65 rating means it is designed to handle outdoor conditions, though as with any outdoor electronics, you should still protect the power connection from water.

In the box:

• Projector unit
• Power adapter
• Remote control
• Small antenna with Allen tool
• User manual

One thing to note: the power cable is roughly 16 feet long. Depending on where you mount the projector, you may need an extension cord. If you are using one outdoors, make sure the connection is protected from the weather — the reviewer used a watertight box for his setup.

Setup & App Pairing

Setup is straightforward. Open the app, tap the plus sign, find the projector, and follow the prompts to connect it to your Wi-Fi. There is also a physical remote, but since the app offers full control, the reviewer used the app for most of the test.

The most important part of setup is placement. Where you put the projector has a big impact on coverage and how dense the firefly effect looks.

App Features, Colors & Effects

The app gives you a solid amount of control for a product in this category:

• Colors: 7 individual colors plus a rainbow mode. Rainbow rotates through colors automatically, and you can add or remove specific colors from the rotation.
• Effects: Constant (always on), Flashing (blinking), and Breathing (fade in and out).
• Brightness: Adjusts how bright the firefly points are.
• Effect speed: Controls how fast the chosen effect moves.
• Uniform rotation speed: Controls how fast the internal disc rotates, which changes how quickly the light points move around.
• Walking rotation speed: Creates a stop-and-go movement instead of constant motion.
• Mixed rotation: Randomizes the uniform and walking speeds automatically.
• Preset scenes: 8 built-in scenes to quickly change the look.
• Timers & schedules: Set the projector to turn on and off automatically — very useful for an outdoor device.

One limitation the reviewer noted: the projector only rotates in one direction at a time. There is no dedicated clockwise or counterclockwise button. Mixed rotation can reverse the direction, but you cannot directly choose it.

Distance Test: 15 ft vs. 30 ft vs. 45 ft

This was the part the reviewer was most curious about. He marked three spots at 15, 30, and 45 feet from the back of the house and tested each distance after dark.

The takeaway: there is a sweet spot depending on how much area you want to cover and how dense you want the fireflies to look. Closer gives you a tighter, more convincing effect. Farther gives you more coverage but less density.

In an extreme range test, the reviewer aimed the projector across his neighbor's yards. On white, he could see the fireflies almost three houses down. To be clear, he is not suggesting you light up your neighbor's property — this was just to show how far the light can travel.

Performance with Ambient House Lights On

Most outdoor lighting reviews test in complete darkness. That is not realistic. In real use, you probably have porch lights, patio lights, or indoor lights spilling outside.

So the reviewer turned all the surrounding house lights on and tested again. Even with the projector sitting 45 feet away, the fireflies were still visible. That is a meaningful result — it means this projector is not only usable in a fully dark yard.

Music Sync Mode

The app includes a music mode that makes the lights react to sound. The reviewer put on some music and tested it. The effect works, and it adds another layer for parties or gatherings. It is not a precision beat-matching system, but it does respond to the music and changes the feel of the ambiance.

Pros & Cons

Who Is This For?

Buy it if you want:

• A simple way to add outdoor ambiance without installing string lights
• App control, scheduling, and music sync
• A durable, weather-resistant unit that can stay outside
• A unique firefly effect for patios, yards, or parties

Skip it if you need:

• Precise image or logo projection
• Direct control over rotation direction
  

Final Verdict

Check the HW07D Moving Firefly Lights →