AAXA M2 (XGA, 110 lumens) mini projector for bonus room?

[powerboost12]

Anyone have any thoughts on the AAXA M2 mini projector? I like it because it's cheap and small and has LEDs (long life). I want the LG HX250 but I can't afford it ($600). But I'm also really worried because my tactical flashlight is brighter than 110 lumens.... The guys on AVSforum seem to like it though.... What do you guys think?

Here's a video on youtube of someone gaming on it... seems ok? no? lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kTavjugEzk

 

[BMXTRIX]

No.

It's worth mentioning that in the less than 10 posts you've had in the past year and a half, almost half of them have focussed specifically on the AAXA projector and nothing else.

The current M2: http://www.projectorcentral.com/AAXA-M2.htm is about $350

I would more seriously look at: http://www.projectorcentral.com/Vivitek-Qumi.htm - which has a $500 MSRP (so less really!) and is 1280x800 resolution (bomb!) and is 300 LUMENS!. No matter how you cut that, a 300 lumen HD projector can deliver a 100" image in a dark room pretty darn easily and is extremely exciting compared to 110 lumens and non-HD XGA resolution.
or: http://www.projectorcentral.com/Acer-K11.htm - Which delivers about 200 lumens with a 854x640 resolution. You get a drop off in resolution, but the 854 width with 480 height is great for 16:9 widescreen DVD playback. The doubling in lumens gives you far more versatility in screen size. $375 puts it almost identically with the brand you keep talking about.

These toy projectors should be used as such. They are toys right now (RIGHT NOW!). People who own them are typically buying them for 'fun', not as a projector, but simply for taking with them as they travel, or for a kids area perhaps. If that is your goal, and you want nothing more than 60" AND you have complete light control, then it may be a good choice.

But, if you want to experience front projection, then get a projector, not a toy. I don't say that to sound like a jerk, but I've seriously considered getting one of the pocket projectors just for fun. But, when I've seen them side-by-side with home theater models, they don't hold up in any regard. Even against the cheap HT projectors.

So, the Optoma HD66 for about $600 is something that can give you a 100"+ diagonal HD image. For a few hundred bucks more you can get 1080p video.

So, I haven't bought a $500 pocket projector and the reason for that is that it is a LOT of money to spend on a rarely used toy.

But, the money that was spent on my 1080p projector is easily justified because it is used on our 106" screen regularly and with great joy.

I can say that if I were to spend money on a pocket projector, it would not be the AAXA, but would almost definitely be the Vivitek Qumi which almost triples the lumen output, and improves to a true native HD projector.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Vivitek-Qumi.htm

 

[powerboost12]

Thanks for your advice - actually I'm asking about the AAXA M2, because I bought the AAXA P1 and P2 (which I have both returned because they were not good for a variety of reasons) and I just got an e-mail for $50 discount on the M2 which is totally in my budget and got me a little excited again, but I'm worried the lumens is not enough as you have mentioned.

I really want to the LG HX300, the AVS guys really like it but it's too expensive. And do you think 250-300 lumens is enough though? I keep getting disappointed

I've returned the Benq GP1 also, it was a good price at $399, but I could see the grid lines and 100 lumens isn't that bright and it didn't work well with my computer, which can only display 1024x728 or higher, the characters got sort of crushed.

Do you have a link to the Vivitek Qumi? Do you think it will sell for $400? I couldn't find it on google shopping. That would be a great projector for under $400.

 

[powerboost12]

Here's a review of the Benq GP1 on the web. If you look closely you can see the grid lines, I think this is a problem with the SVGA resolution? Do you think WXGA resolution will solve this or is this a problem with mini projector in general? In other words do you think higher res is worth it at only 100-300 lumens? Or not worth it? Thanks!

 

[BMXTRIX]

As I said, these are toys right now. They aren't real projectors.

If you are going to be critical of what you buy (you are) then you need to look into a serious projector. This would be the Optoma HD20 or the Epson 8350. Both of those are high quality entry level 1080p models. Yeah, they are more than your budget, but your budget is not giving you the quality that you are asking for.

Both those models will completely blow away any of these toy pocket projectors.

Still, I think if the Qumi delivers close to 300 lumens with quality, it'll be very interesting.

I don't think it is available yet. Next month maybe the release date.... Not sure though.