Classroom Projector Report: A Look at 60 Projectors From 13 Manufacturers

5/15/2011 - Art Feierman

About This Page

This page is still being updated. The projectors listed below are from last year's report.

Most of the projectors covered below are closely related to the 13 projectors we reviewed in full. In some cases, some models may differ by only a feature or two. In other cases, one or more of the additional projectors covered from a manufacturer, may be dramatically different from the reviewed projector.

All-in-all, the goal is to paint for you, in some broad strokes, how each of these manufacturer's series fit, as in which are best for what specific needs, and how do the models differentiate themselves within one manufacturer.

Perhaps the best way to explain, is just start with one brand of projectors. The Casio projectors work particularly well as an example, so we'll start there (sorry, the BenQ and Canon should be listed first, to maintain alphanumeric integrity, so forgive me):

 

Casio Projectors for Education

There 8 Casio projectors considered in this section, and listed on the chart, are the:

  • XJ-A130
  • XJ-A140
  • XJ-A145
  • XJ-A145U
  • XJ-A230
  • XJ-A235U
  • XJ-A240
  • XJ-A245
  • XJ-A245U

I should note that Casio has a slightly less expensive series of projectors that look almost identical. The major difference is that the others use a conventional lamp. Due to cost considerations we consider this series, though a bit more expensive, to be a better investment for school use.

The eight Casio projectors only differ from each other by three features - half are brighter than the other half (2500 lumens or 2000 lumens), half are widescreen and the other half are XGA, and the third difference - half have USB and Wireless. That means there are 8 possible combinations, and thus, eight projectors, in Casio's case.

How the Casios relate, in general, to the "field"? Well, thanks to their hybrid lamp source (LED and Laser), they do have the lowest cost of operation, and no maintenance during the projector's lifetime. That can be huge! It also has more zoom lens placement flexibility than all the others, with only a few others even being remotely close. The Casios make great portables, and they just as easily ceiling mount.

Our only real complaints about the Casios and might in some cases require some work arounds, are the lack of a monitor out, and underpowered sound. Considering all the hype, and big extra dollars for LED lightsources - you pay many hundreds extra for an LED lightsource on an LCDTV - Casio's hybrid solution - all nice and green, uses laser, led and fluorescing materials. The end result not only works but doesn't raise the price by hundreds. We gave the XJ-A140, the mode we reviewed, a Runner-Up Best In Classroom award. Truth is, the USB wireless versions, though, are probably the best overall solution if you need that extra connectivity and networking.

^ Back to Top

 

You can jump directly to any of the other brands' series of projectors from these links or from the Table of Contents at the top of the page.

 

NEXT: Projectors - Summary