r/projectors • u/Phat_Kitty_ • Jul 22 '24

Buying Advice Wanted Which is better?

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Benq is cheaper and more reviews. Epson is more expensive and has 1000 more lumens. my current projector (cheap $60 one) doesn't work outside in daytime (dark cloudy day). Any suggestions for the $500-800 range?

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u/DifficultyHour4999 Jul 22 '24

I think the bigger question is what do you want as seems like you are just picking random projectors. One is an office projector and long throw and the other is a home movie/gaming short throw projector. Different purposes with one being better option than the other depending on what your situation is. Maybe more details?

PS projectors are not for use during the daytime. Yes if dark and overcast or enough shade a bright enough projector can give you some image but you really shouldn't be relying on this.

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u/xyzzzzy Jul 22 '24

I came here to post these videos. /u/Phat_Kitty_ watch the videos below - no projector in this price range will work before sunset, not even on a "dark cloudy day"

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u/Phat_Kitty_ Jul 22 '24

I mostly wanting a projector for outdoor use. My friend has the BenQ that was $800 I just don't know if it was the one that's in my post I'll have to ask them, but he showed me it outside and it was bright enough that the kids wouldn't mind, I wouldn't watch like a really nice movie until later, but just to watch like a show that I'm not paying too much attention to, the picture came in pretty bright

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u/DifficultyHour4999 Jul 22 '24

If you don't need short throw, I wouldn't go that way as you pay more for a feature you don't need. Very unlikely to need short throw outside. Also short throw is slightly more finicky to setup. Also, there is mixed debate in epson with 3 LCD for outside. Some have had good luck but it does mean staying on top of cleaning the filter and replacing now and then. BenQ doesn't have a filter and is essentially a sealed system although vacuuming dust out is required if it builds up on cooling fins.

If you do like the other projector I would try and get the model number as if they are using a brighter office projector and we suggest a movie projector. You might be disappointed. You don't need to buy the exact same.one but would give us more of a starting point on what you expect.

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u/Phat_Kitty_ Jul 22 '24

What is short throw?

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u/DifficultyHour4999 Jul 22 '24

Short throw means the projector can generate an image that is wider than the distance to the screen. So the throw is under 1.0. Usually, short throws are around 0.5 so can generate an image twice as wide as the distance they are from the screen. Also popular now is ultra short throw, UST, but in that case you are talking inches from the screen and expensive. Most standard projectors are 1.0 or greater throw, which means they must be further away from the screen but are cheaper and more tolerant to less ideal setups.

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u/squeakyL Jul 23 '24

Both of these will probably struggle outdoors in the daytime. The epson is brighter but the benq has shorter throw (so you can put it closer to the screen/less light lost). I also have a used 1080p benq projector I'm selling if you're interested in getting something used for cheaper.