Test: Trust GXT 902 VYBZ – Connected lamps for your gaming setup

Today, customizable light accessories are becoming more and more essential in gaming setups. We obviously think of the Nanoleaf brand, qualitative, but quite (very) expensive. With its VYBZ series, Trust targets fans of gaming decor with hexagonal RGB light panels, a light rope and connected RGB bars, all much more affordable.

A little less than two years ago, I treated myself to a Nanoleaf kit to make my living room – a central room which is quite dark – brighter. Oh, I of course waited for a promotion, because Nanoleafs are very expensive, and even then, a pack cost me several hundred euros. But it works well and I’m generally satisfied with it. However, I will not buy from them again, because the prices are really too high for purely decorative elements. My current panels give me a lot of light, it’s enough.

So here we are with a proposal from Trust, for small panels, a rope and light bars. Obviously, I will make the comparison with the panels and functionalities of Nanoleaf, because obviously, if we are much lower in terms of price, we are not at the same level in terms of functionalities or manufacturing.

GXT 902 VYBZ Hexagonal RGB Light Panels

We start with the most imposing: the luminous Hexagons. The kit comes in a neat, compact package, containing everything one might need to get started: nine plastic hexagonal light panels, a control unit to connect them, connectors, cables, adhesive strips, screws for a more solid fixation, as well as a remote control. Nothing seems to be missing, and everything is designed to offer flexibility in installation. The panels have a small relief, and are not flat, which adds a small element of modern design, despite the total thickness of the panels.

Assembly is done by connecting the panels with included plastic clips. A small important detail: each module has a direction indicator (an arrow) to ensure correct alignment. Once the panels are assembled, it remains to choose between adhesive strips or screws to attach them to the wall. However, adhesive strips are problematic. On surfaces such as textured walls or embossed wallpaper, they adhere poorly. Better to turn to the screws to avoid any inconvenience.

Another small problem: in the case of the Hexagons, it seems that you have to put the fixing screws first before the panels, and I admit that the assembly was a little complex. I ended up supporting the whole thing with 3 small nails in the corners, and it doesn’t move anymore. So remember to have an extremely flat and clean wall if you want to use the adhesives. It has been in place for several weeks without problem.

Here I opted for a design in the form of a Cloud (which I also named “Cloud” in the wizard), and the 9 panels occupy a nice space near a bed. My daughter actually swapped her bedside lamp for these panels, which she can control by voice and which we also use in the morning to wake her up gently without climbing two floors in the frenzy of weekday mornings. The fact remains that the small control panel which is placed on any panel – and which is connected to a power socket – remains a little bit bright during the night. This might bother fans of completely dark nights, but allows you to find the controls as well.

Visually, the panels offer surprisingly powerful brightness and vivid colors. It is of course possible to change both the colors and their intensity, and different modes – ranging from reactive to music to flashing – are possible. However, to draw a parallel with Nanoleaf Canvases, don’t expect gradient effects, each panel can display a single color and shade at a time. Their modern design and modularity allow them to be integrated into all types of configurations. Despite being made of plastic, they seem sturdy and are still quite thick.

GXT 904 Vybz LED Neon light cord

Next comes the 5 meter light cord, which we can give a certain shape to. I placed this one in my second daughter’s bedroom, more interested in having ambient light around her desk than real lamps. Initially, she wanted to model the rope in the shape of a dancer, which turned out, as you can imagine, to be rather complex despite all my good will. She therefore opted for a simple and sinuous shape.

The rope is also rather thick, but remains very malleable and easy to twist. Here too, use screws instead of glue for most fasteners. In this example, I screwed the vertical ties and just glued the others to have a little slack and be able to position the rope correctly.

Here too, I was surprised by the quality of the device. Always so easy to control via the remote control or directly via your assistants, the light cord diffuses a beautiful light, and is very easy to configure via the application. With 5 meters, we have enough to decorate a wall or surround a mirror, but for this model, it is suitable for ambient lighting for watching a film for example, probably a little less for reading, with the difference light panels.

Control and integration

Trust VYBZ panels offer several ways to be controlled: directly via the control unit, with the supplied remote control, via the Trust WiFi mobile application or via integration with a Google Assistant or Alexa. If the remote control lacks a little responsiveness and looks exactly like anything you can find at Action, it is sufficient for basic use. The mobile application, on the other hand, shines with its practicality and its numerous options. Once connected, it gives access to a wide range of settings: individual or group control of panels, choice of colors, creation of dynamic or static effects, and even synchronization with music. But once the panels are correctly configured, you can easily add them to a voice assistant, so you can manage your lamps by voice, or even program them.

In my daily use, integrating with wizards has proven to be the best way to manage panels. However, I like the infinite possibilities to precisely adjust the atmosphere according to your desires or needs authorized by the application.

Their price of €129.99 for the basic kit remains a subject of debate for a Trust-branded product, which we now know as much for its effectiveness as for its affordable prices. If this price seems high for lamps, it is justified by the advanced features: WiFi connection, intuitive application and manufacturing quality superior to basic products on the market.

Not everything is perfect. The remote suffers from unreliability, sometimes requiring multiple attempts to work. Adhesive strips also disappoint, especially on uneven surfaces, a concern that could have been easily avoided by providing stronger adhesives. That said, to have Nanoleafs panels at home, I must say that Trust’s proposal seems much more legitimate for fans of light panels. The concessions made are minimal, the thickness and bulk are significantly greater and you will certainly have fewer color nuances, but the VYBZ lighting solutions are unassailable in terms of quality/price ratio and with a little emphasis, will be able to attract a lot of individuals.