In an age where screens dominate our visual experience, the Bowio 2.0 emerges as a beacon for book lovers. Building on the overwhelming success of its predecessor, this unique book-mounted reading light represents a blend of practicality, style, and sustainability. This article delves into the features and design of the Bowio 2.0, showcasing why it stands out in the realm of reading accessories.
Design and Usability
At its core, the Bowio 2.0 is an elegantly crafted reading light, designed to be more than just functional. Resembling a leather fashion accessory, it clips onto the left and right sides of a book cover. This design ensures that the light is focused solely on the pages, allowing readers to indulge in their favorite books without disturbing others. The light, cast by LEDs built into its strap, provides a soft glow that’s powerful enough for reading in complete darkness.
The Bowio 2.0, now in its second edition, continues with the format that earned its predecessor acclaim and success, including raising over half a million dollars from 7000 backers in 2021. Its design, resembling a golden arch, is purposefully crafted to provide optimal illumination. This functionality is further enhanced by the light’s ability to fit onto larger books and even board games, such as Dungeons and Dragons.
Enhanced Craftsmanship
The Bowio 2.0’s craftsmanship is a significant highlight. Available in both vegan and genuine leather options, the attention to detail in stitching and edge-finishing is evident. The leather used is of high quality, maintaining its shape regardless of use. Additionally, the metal buckles and N52 neodymium magnets incorporated in the design ensure a firm grip on both paperback and hardbound books.
Advanced Technology
Technologically, the Bowio 2.0 is a step ahead. It features high CRI LEDs for better color rendering compared to regular LEDs. The touch-sensitive brightness settings allow readers to adjust the LED brightness to their comfort. Powering the Bowio 2.0 is a battery pack capable of delivering up to 95 hours of use on a full charge, depending on the brightness setting. The light supports 1.5V rechargeable batteries with a USB-C port for charging, and can also operate on disposable AAA batteries.
Versatility and Awards
The Bowio 2.0 is versatile, doubling as a light source for board games in dimly lit environments. This versatility was recognized with an Honorable Mention at the 2023 LIT Lighting Design Awards. The ‘Gamer’ edition comes with a tabletop standing accessory, adding to its utility.
Variety and Sustainability
In terms of variety, the Bowio 2.0 caters to a wide range of preferences. It is available in pastel or colorful vegan leather, Alcantara synthetic leather, and various natural leather options including regular, suede, and textured variants mimicking snake or crocodile leather. For those seeking luxury, there’s even a 24K gold gilded leather version. Emphasizing sustainability, each Bowio 2.0 is packaged in a plastic-free kraft carton box, which is compostable or recyclable.
Pricing and Availability
The Bowio 2.0, currently featured on Kickstarter, has surpassed its initial funding expectations by a significant margin. With an original pledge goal of $10,000, the campaign has impressively raised over $210,000. This overwhelming response underscores the product’s appeal and market demand.
Prospective buyers can choose from various editions, each attractively priced at a 20% discount from their planned retail values. The Pastel and Color Editions, crafted in Vegan Leather, are available for a pledge of $59. For those preferring a more luxurious feel, the Allure Edition featuring Alcantara Leather is accessible at a pledge of $69. The Prime Edition, which boasts Genuine Leather, can be secured for a pledge of $79, catering to those who favor traditional leather craftsmanship.
Additionally, the Game Light Edition, also in Vegan Leather, is specially designed for board game enthusiasts and is obtainable for a pledge of $99. This edition underscores the Bowio 2.0’s versatility, appealing not only to readers but also to those seeking a sophisticated lighting solution for gaming.
Source: Kickstarter
