Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I want to chime in given the overly optimistic reviews listed for this product. We've had the device for a couple of weeks now and I want to point out a few things that haven't been mentioned by other reviewers.
The image quality is good given the size of the device and the brightness set to its highest value is sufficient. The projector suffers from severe pincushion distortions, and there's no way to correct for this via any of the limited menu settings, which is quite surprising. There's also no keystone adjustment, or any other image geometry adjustment for that matter. This includes the size of the image. When other reviewers say that the size can be adjusted, that simply means that you can increase or decrease the distance to the screen to change the image size, since the projection opening angle is fixed. Somewhat annoying, but not a deal breaker.
While we are at missing features, the device doesn't have a threaded hole to attach it to a tripod or any other means of attaching it to anything. This wouldn't be so bad if the device wasn't that lightweight due to the plastic housing (which could be considered a plus, but it feels cheap) and came with a very short and stiff iPod connector cable. The moment you reposition the iPod / iPad, the projector will move; there aren't even rubberized feet underneath the device. Clearly, not too much thought was put into this. According to the Microvision website, the VGA connector comes with a threaded hole for tripod mounting. I would have hoped that there was some sort of mounting plate available as an accessory to mount the actual projector as well. Right now, I'd recommend using a universal iPod / iPhone car mount.
The really bad part is, as somewhat feared, the battery life. Set to the highest brightness (there are 3 brightness settings) and standard color mode, one gets about 60 minutes out of a fully charged battery. That's not enough to watch a full-length movie, obviously, and we are considering returning the device for this reason. Yes, you could plug the device into the wall or buy an extra ($30) battery, but that takes away some of the ultra portability. We'll test it once more on the next lower setting to see if we can make it through a 90 minute movie. If not, the device goes back. The specs claim up to 120 minutes of battery life ... maybe when you display an image of a black panther at night;-)
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Update: We tested the battery life on the next lower brightness setting and still only got 60 minutes of continuous play out of a fully charged battery. We'll try to return the product.
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One reviewer pointed out that since the device uses lasers to operate instead of an incandescent bulb, he would never ever have to replace a bulb again. Well, true, but lasers do have a MTBF as well, and there's no way to replace them in this unit. I wouldn't count the absence of a replacement option as a plus.
Just our two cents. Think about the money you are about to spend and whether you really need such a portable device. Laser projectors are certainly the future, but maybe there needs to be some more competition to perfect the product.
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Update: We just found out that the seller, DBROTH, doesn't accept any open-box returns unless the device is DOA. Our bad about not looking into the non-existent return policy. I wouldn't recommend purchasing from DBROTH.
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Click Here to see more reviews about: MicroVision SHOWWX+ Laser Pico Projector - Made for iPod/iPad/iPhone 4 - 15 Lumens
Enjoy movies, photos, presentations and streaming video up to 100" in image size with the SHOWWX+ laser pico projector. With the Microvision SHOWWX+, the world's first laser pico projector is now even brighter - our PicoP display engine enables you to enjoy deep, rich color projection with bright and vivid laser images that are always in focus. Even on curved surfaces. We call this 'infinite focus'. Connect your SHOWWX+ laser pico projector to your: - iPhone, iPad or iPod with included cable to project photos, videos/movies, presentations and select Apps. MacBook, laptop or netbook with SHOWWX VGA Dock (sold separately) to project photos, video, presentations, streaming video and more! TV-out device, such as digital camera, portable DVD player, camcorder with included SHOWWX Composite Video Adapter (Female). The SHOWWX+ laser pico projector includes: 1 SHOWWX+ Laser Pico Projector, 1 SHOWWX Cable for iPhone, iPad, iPod, 1 SHOWWX Composite Video Adapter (Female), 1 SHOWWX Rechargeable Battery, 1 SHOWWX Wall Charger, 1 Micro-USB Cable, 1 Wrist Strap and 1 Storage Pouch
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