Pocket projectors - are any of them any good?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Pocket projectors - are any of them any good?

jonathan18

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#255836 2-Sep-2019 17:04

I saw an 'article' in my Google News feed, offering a pico projector (called the Prima) at a relatively cheap price - actually, at first glance it this seemed too good to be true, given it stated it was a 1080 projector. Of course, doing some more digging revealed actual native resolution is 854 x 480!

That said, I'm still kinda interested, given it's apparently fairly bright, comes with apps built-in (runs Android, but a fairly old version), can store downloaded Netflix content on the device itself, an acceptable three-hour battery life (for video)...

I know the resolution is crud (imagine it at the 200" it claims to support!), but for casual use outside being projected on a wall or sheet etc, 4k isn't probably necessary... I'm not expecting amazing quality, but it could still be a fun device to have on-hand.

Has anyone here got direct experience with this or similar projectors, and are any of them any good?

eracode

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#2309603 2-Sep-2019 17:22

I often thought those things could be good on a boat, caravan or RV where there’s not much room for throw.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

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Technofreak

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#2309648 2-Sep-2019 19:27

I've got a one of these. https://www.projectorcentral.com/Microvision-SHOWWX+_Laser_Pico.htm

It works quite well in a darkened or semi dark room and not much use in a well lit room. The picture is pretty good especially for its size and the picture is always in focus.

You need a way to secure it to ensure it keeps facing where you want it to. Without a proper holder if you bump or move the HDMI cable connecting the device it moves and then so does the image.

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froob

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#2309705 2-Sep-2019 21:50

This one looks pretty good...

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Technofreak

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#2309709 2-Sep-2019 21:58

froob: This one looks pretty good...

We're talking projector not protector.

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jonathan18

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#2309849 3-Sep-2019 10:47

Thanks for the comments.

I see the Prima comes with a tripod, and I assume this and most others will have a standard tripod socket, which would be a good way of securing it in many cases.

I had a dig around the mini projectors on Amazon, and didn't find anything with quite that same feature set as the Prima. There's one that's a native 720P and claims to be 420 lumens (the Prima claims 200 lumens), but is bulkier and doesn't have the Android OS with native app support, which is significant benefit.

Both of these would be subject to GST, given they're around US$300, so that pushes the price up.

What I love is the claim in many of the 'reviews' or listings that these projectors are supposed to be good enough to be one's main video display in a home environment. No thanks! (That said, if it was available and I had the money I'd certainly be interested in that new LG 4K ultra short throw projector - I think I could sell that to my wife, who refuses to contemplate a standard projector.)

Anyone else with experience of such pocket projectors (or even pocket protectors!), and can pass on their advice and/or recommend specific models (at the cheaper end)?

esawers

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#2309850 3-Sep-2019 10:51

I have an Xgimi Z6, very nice, very sharp. Sound isn't great but it can connect to a BT speaker.

Family have the Xgimi H2 as their main tv, and CC Auroras (daughters in halls at uni), they all love them.

Edit: I ordered the Z6 through Aliexpress, and they put the value as less than $400 so no taxes.

ilovemusic

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#2309995 3-Sep-2019 16:00

misread thread title as "pocket protectors"

😂

jonathan18

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#2310023 3-Sep-2019 16:24

ilovemusic:

misread thread title as "pocket protectors"

😂

So too, potentially, did this poster - deliberate or not, still amusing!

jarledb

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#2310028 3-Sep-2019 16:35

For one reason or another, Philips have decided to put their pico projector on Indigogo

They are doing well in terms of orders, and they projector should be a decent quality.

As always: Remember the Kickstarter/Indigogo sites allow you to support a project, and you may or may not get the actual product in hand. And it can take longer than the estimated delivery time. Given that this is Philips I would think the chances are fairly good you will get it, but could still take longer than they estimate.

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froob

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#2310373 4-Sep-2019 07:18

jonathan18:
ilovemusic:

misread thread title as "pocket protectors"

😂

So too, potentially, did this poster - deliberate or not, still amusing!

Haha, it was a joke! But it does look like a pretty sweet pocket protector, to be fair...

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