Looking for a reliable starting projector

Hello folks!

I've recently decided on purchasing an RGB laser projector.

Unfortunately, it has become apparent that I know absolutely nothing about them.

I'm looking for something in the ~$400 range, and I'd like a full-color projector with power ideally around 1W.

Can someone point me to a good place to find one?

Thanks! :beer:

How about the wicked laserdock?

Razako said:

How about the wicked laserdock?

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Certainly possible, but I'm inclined to choose a company other than WL. I've heard terrible things about WL's shipping, first - and the laserdock, as all of WL's products are, is quite overpriced (not to mention being significantly above my price range.)

Do you know if it's versatile enough to do things other than music visualization?

Razako said:

How about the wicked laserdock?

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Above Sta's $400 budget at $700. Also, once you sort out the colour balance on those it's more like 500mW. These low end "1W" projectors usually have 0.7W blue, ~0.1W green and 0.2W red which is very blue heavy. I don't consider it 1W when you need to cut your power output in half to get a good colour balance.

Basically, you're not going to get a 1W RGB with analogue modulation for that price. Maybe if you built it yourself using cheap parts and a soundcard DAC you'd get close.

Sta said:

Do you know if it's versatile enough to do things other than music visualization?

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Ehh, not really all that versatile. Fine for beams and simple graphics, but the scan angle is really low at reasonable speeds for graphics and it may struggle with any sort of complicated graphics.

diachi said:

Above Sta's $400 budget at $700. Also, once you sort out the colour balance on those it's more like 500mW. These low end "1W" projectors usually have 0.7W blue, ~0.1W green and 0.2W red which is very blue heavy. I don't consider it 1W when you need to cut your power output in half to get a good colour balance.

Basically, you're not going to get a 1W RGB with analogue modulation for that price. Maybe if you built it yourself using cheap parts and a soundcard DAC you'd get close.

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Well, I can push the price a little, maybe $500 or $600.

What's wrong with a unit such as this? 1000mW 1W FULL COLOR RGB ILDA DMX DJ Stage Laser Light Disco | eBay

Sta said:

Well, I can push the price a little, maybe $500 or $600.

What's wrong with a unit such as this? 1000mW 1W FULL COLOR RGB ILDA DMX DJ Stage Laser Light Disco | eBay

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Wouldn't trust their scanner specs for starters.

You'd need to get a DAC and software if you want to project anything more than the built in projections.

I'd be willing to bet the build quality is terrible, the usual cheap job with cheap modules/no mirror adjustments for alignment. Doesn't even seem to specify if it's TTL or analogue, but the video looks like all TTL.

It'd get your foot in the door, but it may leave you wanting something more.

Interesting, Diachi. So what would you recommend?

When they say full color on ebay they usually mean ttl with 7 colors.. it all depends on your plans with this pj. If you want it usa legal that's more. If you want it analog capable of a least a few thousand colors that will be even more. It could be nice as a first pj. Keep in mind you will also need a DAC and software unless your ok with auto mode.. if you get into projectors hold on!! It's a wild ride.. I'm about a grand away from my kvant cm 3000.. which is about 3400 for just the pj
Decent projectors are about 1$ a Milla watt. You can always keep an eye on photon lexicon.
I just got single color 445 1 watt with analog(I can control the brightness) for 105$ to Daisy chain with my rgb. Guy was just trying to get rid of it. Not legal for shows. But fine for my private nightclub of a kitchen

Edit.. I'll try and get a cool beams pic posted tonight

Sta said:

Interesting, Diachi. So what would you recommend?

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1.) Go with the cheap projector. Don't expect much from it. You may be disappointed and left wanting more. You may decide that it's fine and you don't want more.

2.) Save up more money, buy something higher quality. Get a DAC/software. More expensive, but more capable and will allow you to explore the possibilities more.

3.) Save up more money, build your own. That way you can design it to be upgrade-able from the start. If you decide you want something better you can just upgrade what you want to upgrade.

Yes this exactly

This is a common dilemma I have when buying speakers or other audio equipment. Do I want to spend more $ on the overkill option I might not need, or do I want to cheap out and risk being unhappy with my purchase later on. I generally find it works better to pay a bit more and get something I know I won't regret having.

When I first decided to buy a projector I wondered about buying a cheap one from Ali, but everyone warned me to save up my money and buy something higher quality. After some consideration, I got a used X laser Mobile beat Mk5(450mw) for around $500 on Ebay. You have to watch because good ones don't pop up very often. Its basic, but X lasers have high build quality, are USA legal, and they have 5 star customer service. It will probably perform better than a new cheapo for around the same price anyways. It works great for simple graphics and is bright enough to fill a small venue with vibrant colors. As others have stated, you really need Software and a DAC. I didn't have software when I first got my projector, and it sucks, trust me. I use Pangolin Quickshow, and you can save a little money if you buy a used one. X Laser always has them in stock. Projectors are really something else. They show off the beauty of lasers in the most dramatic way possible, and are quite magical. If you like music and lasers they really are a must have.