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Portable Laser Projectors!?

FringeFin440

New Blood
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Nov 26, 2010
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I have been on a eternal search for a portable/pico laser projector! It may seem like an odd thing to want, but from what I have been reading, laser projectors are more environmentally friendly, require less power, and never need to be focused. I could take it with me and start projecting essentially anywhere! The only thing that worries me about getting one is the price :covereyes
It seems that they can be pretty pricey, and i'm not big spender.

So if anymore has any suggestions, it would be appreciated :)
 
I checked out the wiki link and got even more curious about laser projectors. Apparently companies are really starting to push these products. One of them is microvision and the other is aaxa tech. Both just recently released their second generation of laser projectors! The battle is getting intense.

Microvision Showwx+
gizmag.com/microvisions-second-generation-showwx-laser-pico-projector/17027/
showwxplus-6.jpg

Aaxatech L1v2
engadget.com/2010/11/26/aaxa-debuts-l1-v2-worlds-smallest-20-lumen-pico-projector/
l1v2-3.jpg
 
What a remarkable little device. I can't believe I've never seen one or even heard of it before. $300-$400 doesn't seem like a lot to spend if it does what it claims to do.

Digging around, I found there is now even a version that will fit into a cell phone!
 
Olowkow said:
What a remarkable little device. I can't believe I've never seen one or even heard of it before. $300-$400 doesn't seem like a lot to spend if it does what it claims to do.

Digging around, I found there is now even a version that will fit into a cell phone!
Click to expand...

Do you think it will double as a hand warmer?

But also, make the screen obsolete? And all those large screen LCDs?
 
These things are pretty cool but do have some downsides. I've seen one in person because a friend of mine let me play with his for a bit.
 
I'll say! I was doing a little bit more research and found a picture of it in action!

Impressive little thing!

plcs_ 011.jpg
 
casebro said:
Do you think it will double as a hand warmer?

But also, make the screen obsolete? And all those large screen LCDs?
Click to expand...

I'm thinking the room has to be very very dark, not sure.

If you want large without screen, then this is the latest. Japanese hologram performing before a huge audience.

 
Olowkow said:
I'm thinking the room has to be very very dark, not sure.

If you want large without screen, then this is the latest. Japanese hologram performing before a huge audience.

Click to expand...

From what I understand, it is not a 3D hologram. It's a standard CGI animation in a 2D movie, projected onto a nearly invisible 2D screen (glass pane or gauze like material). It's also NOT without screen, but they took great care that the screen is not immediately visible from the audience's perspective(s) (the trick to do that is to find the correct light source positions).
 
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elgarak said:
From what I understand, it is not a 3D hologram. It's a standard CGI animation in a 2D movie, projected onto a nearly invisible 2D screen (glass pane or gauze like material). It's also NOT without screen, but they took great care that the screen is not immediately visible from the audience's perspective(s) (the trick to do that is to find the correct light source positions).
Click to expand...

Interesting, thanks. I found it difficult to believe that it was a 3D projection, a la Princess Leia, but then I thought at first that the "nano laser projector" was fiction!
 
I think I got a little too excited.... because I ended up ordering the aaxa tech L1v2 [aaxatech.com/store/products/l1_laser_projector_store.htm] :p It came in today, so I snapped a few pictures of it in action, and I think its even better than I thought!


img_1.jpg

img_2.jpg
 
FringeFin440 said:
I think I got a little too excited.... because I ended up ordering the aaxa tech L1v2 [aaxatech.com/store/products/l1_laser_projector_store.htm] :p It came in today, so I snapped a few pictures of it in action, and I think its even better than I thought!
Click to expand...

http://aaxatech.com/store/products/l1_laser_projector_store.htm

It looks pretty good actually, but what are the vertical bars on the edges? It seems like the image is folding over maybe?
Does the mechanism make any noise? If I remember correctly, it uses movable mirrors. Have you tried video yet? How large an image can you get in a reasonably darkened room?
 
Those pictures were taken outside, and those vertical bars are vents that run on the side of the house. I took the pictures there to show that even on curved surfaces the image still remains crisp and clear. So that is the folding over you are seeing.

Thanks for the linkify Olowkow!
 
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Aaxa Tech L1v2 Laser Pico Projector Mini Review

I decided I should just do a mini review.

First off the product is super small, essentially like a cell phone with an extended battery pack but it's still just as light at only 170 grams with the battery!. Its a sturdy build, so you could put in your backpack or pocket.

It can play a great deal of file types ranging from MP3, AAC to AVI, and the most important word, excel, powerpoint, and pdf. The plug and play feature came in handy when I didn't have my laptop nearby.

The screen resolution is rated at 800x600, which is pretty good for a product its size. Most laser projectors have shimmering effect, but I didn't notice it with mine. So maybe that was one of the things that aaxa tech changed for the L1v2. There is also no pixilation problem that is found in the other laser projectors out there. I played around with the image size and found that 20-30 inches is ideal but I was able to stretch it to 50" in the backyard. When you get to 50" it depends on what you are seeing. I vivid picture will still look great. I put some videos on and it looks awesome at 20-30" inch, and it was still completely viewable around 40-50". Just depends on you preference.
There is almost no noise from this unit, at times you hear some fan noise, which I think is due to cooling down the product but other than that is silent. So no moving mirror noises.
Oh and one other thing I might add, some people worry about lasers and it's safety. I did some research and found that aaxa tech uses a different setup for their laser projector allowing it to run cooler so the laser is not dangerous to us. It won't cut through skin let alone butter. As for your eyes, viewing one won't damage a thing, and I accidentally shined the projector right at my and it was like looking into a super duper flashlight. I suggest you keep away from direct eye contact, and other than that you'll be fine!

All in all, I think it's a great product especially for being part of the first generation of laser projectors! I am excited for the future of laser projectors.
 
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