Help with Projector for Class

[recon134]

I am looking to invest in a Projector to show Powerpoint and Videos in my NRA Pistol Classes. I have looked, but I just get confused, I have a Dell laptop that I will hook it up to. Any help, and or recommendations?

 

[ScottMac]

I got a NEC 500 lumen LED projector (NEC NP-L50W) from CDW. It's pretty sweet! Because it's LED, it takes moving abuse pretty well (versus a regular lamp).
It also has built-in software for PowerPoint, Word docs, PDFs, and videos. It'll take HDMI, component, or USB for video.

It's very small & light, come with a remote, does auto-adjust, auto-keystone, etc.

I think I payed about $600 for it.

Check CDW.com; they have lots of projectors from 100.00 and up.

I strongly suggest to stay away from a lamp or bulb type, because the lamps tend to be fragile and expensive.

 

[recon134]

Thanks ScottMac, I'll check CDW out.

 

[OCCI]

If you already have a TV and a Laptop and there is enough room for folks to see the TV you can get a cable that has s video to RCA. In essence this will turn your tv into a monitor that all students can see. Projectors are pretty expensive and only really work if you have a background that you can project on, which is an addition expense. Depending on the size of your classes. In some cases it was less expensive to buy a larger (portable) TV where I could connect my laptop & DVD player to.

 

[recon134]

Thanx, but I think a Projector would be liter than a TV. I travel some times to give my class' and a TV would be to heavy! Again I Thank you for your input.

 

[Rickard]

We have been using an Epson VS220 and have been very happy with it. They are not particularly expensive (about $350) and it has held up to quite a bit of travel. We do use a Da-Lite screen in our classroom and we have a portable screen we use when we travel. The screen make a big difference in the quality of the image. I use to measured strings to lay out the projector to the screen when traveling to minimize the set up time.

Our projector is hooked up to a laptop with an RS-232 and to a dvd player with an S-video connection. Both work well with a minimum of fuss and we switch between the two several times during a class.

I will be adding another projector to our collection soon, and will mount it permanently to the ceiling in our classroom. I will probably stick with the Epson unless I come across something significantly better for close to the same money.

Good luck,

Rick

 

[RickD6023]

I agree that there are many options out there. Try to buy the projector with the most lumens you can get for your budget. I have a Dell that I have used for 10 years. The biggest issue with all projectors is the cost of replacement bulbs. I have found more affordable bulbs on eBay than I could get from Dell. Realize that Dell and any other company will try to sell a new projector rather than a replacement bulb. Bottom line in purchasing a projector is to look to the future costs not just the initial cost.

 

[recon134]

First I would like to Wish everone a "Happy Thanksgiving" and I thank RickD6023 for his information, and RickD6023 I agree with you 100%, that is why I am here, you help is greatly appreciated,Thank You!

 

[ScottMac]

There a number of LED projectors now, the max output (for now) is 500 lumens. The LED projectors are not as sensitive to the abuse of being dragged around.

500 lumens is enough to light up an 8x10' image in normal room lighting.

The NEC I have is HD and shows a pretty good video image too.