Projector advise

[joebuck]

I'm looking at buying a projector to use with my laptop. I'm running windows and use Powerpoint to build my turkey hunting presentations. Want to keep under $1000. Should i look at refurbished or new? How many pixels? etc..etc.I know nothing about this stuff any info would help. thanks Joebuck

[luv2bowhunt]

How about  this one.  It is on special right now for $550, beat that price!! I have used this company in the past for several large dollar items and have been extremely pleased with them, I actually bought a data projector from them about a year ago.

I would look for one that has XGA Resolution (1024x768) and at least 1000 lumens, 2000 lumens would be better but the brighter you get, typically the more expensive that they run.

I would also go with an LCD projector as opposed to a DLP projector, I have read that some people have problems viewing DLP's, they can see flickering or something along those lines. LCD is usually more expensive than DLP but the quality is also better.

Kevin.

[joebuck]

Thanks a bunch Kevin...I'm an idiot to this stuff so basically I could buy this, plug into my dell laptop ,run windows and project a powerpoint on a screen?  You like the quality and resolution of this Sanyo? I'll pull the trigger!

[luv2bowhunt]

That is exactly what you do... you plug the laptop into the projector and show the world you work space in all it's glory on a 6 foot screen  

I have not used the Sanyo model myself... but the specs sound good to me, actually a little better than the Toshiba model that I bought from there and that projector is great, no complaints whatsoever. I did not notice if the sanyo had a zoom or not, you might want to look into that if it is important to you. You can always move the projector back or forward to fill up the screen otherwise, some also have an in menu function for zooming as well.

When hooking up the laptop to the projector I have found the best system to be:

1. Hook up all the cables with everything off.
2. Turn on the projector and let it come up.
3. Turn on the laptop next.

It will all sync up properly most of the time when done this way. Sometimes you will have to hit a function key to shoot the video out the back of the laptop (on Dell's it is usually holding down the function key and pressing the f8 key at the same time. With this button you should be able to toggle between having the image on the laptop and screen, laptop only, or screen only.

I would just play around and find what works best for you computer/projector combos, most of the time you can switch laptops in and out on the projector while they are both running and just have to his the Function f8 to sync them up.

Have fun!

Kevin.

[ks_stickbow]

I own a sharp, 2 dells, and an epson...I would stay away from Sharp. They fall apart, but thier extended warenties a great. The fixed mine as least 30 times untill the warenty ran out.

The epson...well customer service is nonexistant. My bulb burned out in 2 months. called tech support, and they ran me through how to check how many hours on the bulb...I had 1900 and the bulb was rated for 3000. Told me sorry.

However the Dells have been rock solid for me.