Buying a Projector
Recommendations for buying an LCD projector.
| Ease
of Use Can the average activist use this equipment with minimal effort? Brightness |
Ease of Use
Most of today's portable projectors are very easy to use. They come with about as much hardware as a laptop. Usually just two to three cords (15 pin power adapter, PS2 mouse cord, and audio/video cables) and the projector itself pack into a bag small enough to carry on the plane, or place in the back seat.
Projectors are now plug-and-play, user-friendly and they can be put together in a matter of minutes. Even with the challenges of a constantly changing environment, in most cases all you will need to shine is a power outlet (and an extension cord!).
Brightness
Projector brightness is measured in ANSI lumens. Ultra-portables start as low as 350 lumens (best for lights-off presentations) all the way up to a stunning 2500 lumens. Low or lights off presentations are not generally desirable, as you may be inviting people to doze (or pass notes) during your presentation. A projector with at least 800 lumens is desirable for use in rooms where there will be some ambient light that cannot be eliminated, or in cases when you want your audience to see your winning smile.
A projector rated at 1500 or more ANSI lumens would put you ahead of the pack however, and these brighter projectors should soon become the industry standard. In any case, brighter can't hurt you, but it may cost a little more for the quality.
Image Quality
A lot of people think first about resolution when fretting over image quality. The quick and easy answer is simply match your projector's resolution to your laptop's resolution. New laptops are moving away from SVGA (800x600) into XGA (1024x768) resolutions, so keep that in mind.
Another way to think about image quality is uniformity. Uniformity is measured by percentage. The higher uniformity rating will give you better quality throughout your image, thus eliminating hot spots and distortion around the edges. A good range to shoot for is about 85-95%. The best quality projectors produce such a sharp picture that you can use your projector for home theatre use. HDTV compatibility in your projector is something you might want to consider if you'd like to 'super-size' your home theater in the future.
Portability/Durability
Ultra-portable projectors tend to run between 5 and 10 lbs. The lightest projectors are convenient to carry; however, often there is a trade off for brightness, image quality, or features. I recommend something that best suits your individual needs. Sometimes, but not always, lighter projectors are a little less durable too. However, a good sturdy hard case can help minimize that problem and is recommended for anyone who travels by air. A case with wheels is great to have if you elect to go for a heavier portable, particularly if you tote your laptop too. In some instances, a soft or hard case may be included in the original purchase.
Recommendations
Today, the technology has greatly improved. They have added things that can make your presenting life easier and more successful. Some examples are; memory cards for computer-less presentation, digital keystone correction for versatility in projector placement, digital zoom and digital freeze for visual poignancy, wireless mouse control, on screen pointer, and multiple computer inputs for complex presentations. You may not require all of these bells and whistles for your purposes, but keep them in mind when shopping around for the best deals.
Sacrificing quality is not worth the marginal dollars on an investment that will (hopefully) last 3+ years. That said, there are some great projectors for around $1000-$1500 (USD) capable of doing everything a busy activst needs.
ProjectorCentral.com provides good coverage of projectors and current reviews.
We suggest looking for the best price online, evaluating the vendor's shipping and return policy, and making a smart choice. A good source of online price comparisions is Pricegrabber.com.
