FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DO MOVA GLOBES NEED TO BE OUTDOORS SINCE THEY ARE SOLAR-POWERED?

Although they contain solar cells, MOVA Globes are designed as indoor decor items and actually operate best in ambient light. It is best not to keep MOVA Globes exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time, as this can lead to the graphics fading.

 

WHAT KIND OF LIGHTING WORKS BEST WITH MOVA GLOBES?

Fluorescent lighting, LED lights, and indirect sunlight flowing through the windows provide the most optimal lighting, although MOVA Globes will rotate in any kind of sufficient ambient light. We suggest avoiding high-powered halogen lights due to the heat they emit. For globes that are darker in design, we recommend that you place them under direct light to operate.

 

WHAT HAPPENS TO MOVA GLOBES WHEN THE LIGHTS TURN OFF?

We like to say they have a sleep cycle just like humans. MOVA Globes will slow down to a complete stop in the absence of sufficient lighting but will come back to life as soon as the lights are turned back on.

 

I NOTICE A "BUBBLE" AT THE BOTTOM OF MY MOVA GLOBE. IS THAT NORMAL?

Yes, it is normal! In between the inner and outer shell is a mixture of clear fluids, and the “bubble” that you see is simply the different densities of the fluids. It may be more visible depending on the graphic you have and lighting, but it does not affect the globe’s rotation.

 

WHY IS THERE A SMALL HOLE ON MY MOVA GLOBE?

Good question! On the outer shell, there is a small clear fill hole where fluids were injected during the production process. On the inner shell, there is a small black dot for the injection of fluids into the inner globe. The location of these fill holes on each MOVA Globe may vary.

 

THERE IS A "SEAM" ON THE OUTER SHELL, IS THAT NORMAL?

Yes! The outer acrylic shell is composed of two halves put together, and the resulting seam is made to be as invisible as possible. If you prefer, you can align the seam with the equator on the inner graphic for a more "seamless" aesthetic.

 

WHY IS THE INSIDE OF MY MOVA GLOBE NOT COMPLETELY FILLED?

As a normal part of the production process, the fluids in the inner shell may be more visible inside our darker graphics (such as the Black & Silver) as the film needs to be transparent enough to allow light to pass through.

 

HOW LONG DOES THE MOVA GLOBE WARRANTY LAST?

Our MOVA Globes are designed and made to last. All our products are assembled by hand with confidence. We currently offer a one-year limited warranty. Like most high-end kinetic and technical products, a year is long enough for possible defects to appear, so they are still covered under warranty. Since the debut of our MOVA Globes in 2007, our products have been enjoyed by countless customers and our support team has always considered servicing any issues as the top priority. We will continue to honor that commitment.

THERE IS A BROWN FILM COVERING MY ACRYLIC BASE. HOW DO I REMOVE IT?

We’ve recently started including covers on all of our acrylic bases to prevent scratches. There is a thin brown cover on the top and bottom of each acrylic base that you will need to peel off before assembling the base and putting your MOVA Globe on top. Watch a quick video on how to remove the acrylic base cover.

HOW DO YOU ASSEMBLE THE MOVA GLOBE 3-PRONGED ACRYLIC STAND?

Insert each of the three prongs into the holes on the acrylic base, with the smooth rounded side of each prong facing upward. Make sure they are fully inserted into the holes. Gently set your globe on top of the three prongs in a well-illuminated place, wait for a couple of minutes and then see it come to life. Watch our video for an assembly demonstration.

CAN THE MOVA GLOBE BE PLACED ON A DIFFERENT STAND THAN THE ONE THAT CAME WITH IT?

Certainly. Just about any stand will work as long as it has an adequate grip to stabilize the spherical globe so that it doesn’t fall off. Ensure the desired base will not scratch the globe and is not made of iron, as that will interfere with the Earth’s magnetic field, and the globe will stop rotating. You will also want to make sure the stand is not magnetized in any way as this will also possibly cause the globe to stop turning.

 

HOW SHOULD MOVA GLOBES BE CARED FOR?

MOVA Globes need very minimal maintenance. To remove fingerprints and dust, rinse with water and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Do not use any abrasive cleaning solutions.

 

WHY IS THERE A MISALIGNMENT ON MY GLOBE’S GRAPHIC?

Since MOVA Globes are handcrafted, a misalignment of up to 3mm on the graphics is allowed. Misalignment of the graphic up to 3mm is not considered a defect and will not receive a warranty replacement.

 

WHY DOES MY GLOBE LOOK DIFFERENT COMPARED TO YOUR PHOTOS ON THE SITE?

The photos and videos you see on our website are taken in a professional studio setting to show details and different angles as best as possible for each design. The globe you receive may not look exactly the same depending on your lighting and setting. In addition, each design is made by stretching a film over the inner sphere and the color may slightly vary from batch to batch. If you would like a photo of our current stock to compare with, contact us at  and we’d be glad to have our warehouse provide a photo. If you purchased your globe directly from our website but would still like to return it for a refund, please fill out our Product Return form.

 

CAN MOVA GLOBES BE PLACED IN A CARRY-ON FOR AIRPLANE TRAVEL?

Due to the amount of liquid in MOVA Globes, they cannot be carried onto a plane per TSA regulations. They may be packed in a checked bag. However, always check with TSA and your airline about any changes to their regulations before traveling.

 

TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS FOR NON-ROTATING MOVA GLOBE

MOVA Globes rely on natural elements like light and the Earth’s magnetic field to turn, so they are sensitive to even small changes in scenery or the environment. We suggest the following if your globe is not turning and has no physical damage (drop marks, air bubbles, or cracks):

  1. Try placing the globe directly under a bright lamp to make sure it has adequate light to allow the light to penetrate the inner film and touch the solar cells. You can also try placing the globe by a window during a sunny day to receive indirect light.
  2. Move your MOVA Globe at least 1-2 feet away from other MOVA Globes you may have, iron/metal objects, large electronics, and metal surfaces or fixtures. Since there is a magnet inside the globe, these items tend to interfere with the globe’s rotation.
  3. Place your globe in various locations to make sure nothing in the room or building is interfering with Earth’s magnetic field. This could mean moving your globe from your bedroom to the living room or from your house to your office. If you are in a high-rise building with a steel structure, try taking the globe to the ground floor to experiment
  4. Try setting a paperclip or any similar item on top of the globe for about an hour. The paperclip will interact with the globe’s inner magnet and give it a boost if it is in an environment where the magnetic field is weak. If the paperclip doesn’t catch with the globe’s magnet and the globe doesn’t start spinning while the paperclip is on top, a replacement may be needed.

 

If you've tried the above tips and your globe is still not spinning, please complete our product replacement form. If you do not have some information in the required fields (*), please put N/A and submit.


 

WHY CAN'T I FIND A DESIGN YOU USED TO CARRY?

All good things must come to an end, and that includes some of our designs. All cubes are discontinued. These globes are discontinued: Apollo Moon MOVA Globe, Home for the Holidays MOVA Globe, Van Gogh Harvest MOVA Globe, Monet Leiden MOVA Globe, Monet Red Boats MOVA Globe, Sea Life, Butterfly, Antique Celestial MOVA Globe, Blue Hearts MOVA Globe, Heart Sutra Blue MOVA Globe, Baseball MOVA Globe, Red Hearts MOVA Globe, Heart Sutra Gold MOVA Globe, Love MOVA Globe, Antique Gloss Finish MOVA Globe, Relief Map Blue Gloss Finish MOVA Globe, Cobalt and Silver MOVA Globe, Silver MOVA Globe, Satellite View with Gold Lettering MOVA Globe, LightSail 2 MOVA Globe, Black Hills Termesphere MOVA Globe. if you are looking for a different globe you can try our search.

 

WHERE CAN I PURCHASE MOVA® GLOBES?

MOVA® is the sole manufacturer and distributor of the trademarked MOVA® Globes. Our products are sold exclusively on movaglobes.com, our Amazon store, and through our authorized resellers. Purchases made through an unauthorized reseller are not covered by the manufacturer warranty and cannot be guaranteed by MOVA®.