Well, I have an update for anyone interested. The projector itself is simply superb! Here are my preliminary thoughts:
- It's *tiny* - shorter than my iPhone!
- It "just works" with any HDMI input. I've tested a Samsung NC10 netbook, a 2010 Macbook, a macbook air, and my iPhone via HDMI adapter, and all have been flawless. It also works extremely well with a Raspberry Pi - which can take power from the on-board USB charger.
- The image is of reasonable size - about 3 metres away it gave a 70" picture or so (can measure exact numbers if anyone is interested).
- It has a very bright image for its size, even in a reasonably lit room. For presentations in a meeting, it's going to be just ideal.
- In a darker room while watching films it's actually pretty decent - obviously not as good as a "real" projector, but frankly a hundred times better than a plain TV.
- The only "negative" thing I'd say is that it's noisier than I expected it to be, even on battery. I guess that can't be helped, it needs to keep cool, but it's certainly louder than I was hoping for. Again, for my uses, it's not a problem.
So, very positive feedback on the projector. Now for the bad part -- the company that sells it has appallingly bad customer service. Even though the product is well worth getting,
I recommend strongly against buying from personalprojector.co.uk.
Here's my story. I placed an order last Thursday, the 29th, before their 2:30pm "guaranteed next day delivery" deadline. I really wanted to use it on Monday for a meeting, but I didn't receive a confirmation email, so I dropped them an email. And called (and left voicemail on the vodafone mobile it was redirected to). And tried to get in touch via Skype IM and Skype calling. And facebook. And their Web contact form. And SMS to the number that the voicemail provided. All with no response. I got a confirmation mail finally, but the order stayed in "Pending" state. Finally at 11:24pm, I got a mail:
Sorry for your experience today.
Plse call again on 0845 121 8800 and i will try and help.
Most items are in stock on next delivery.
So, the next morning, I called again. Nothing. I tried all the forms of communication they had available. Here's a pic of my Facebook post on their page (they've since deleted it):
So, it got to Monday...called them in the morning. No apology, just "we were busy with the GadgetShow Live event". Erm, too busy to answer the damned phone or so much as respond? Or maybe *mention* in the one lone single email that was sent back that they were busy and might have trouble delivering as promised? Right. They also claimed that "there was something wrong with our computers", and then best of all that "oh we sent it on Thursday, it must have been lost by the courier". *sigh* Finally they promised that they would "send it out guaranteed next day delivery". At 4pm I received a "shipment email", with a link saying that it had been sent with "Hermes".
Tuesday comes...no delivery!! I call up at 5:30, the answer is "they might still deliver until 6:30pm". I wait for 6:30, no delivery, and company is back on answer-phone.
Wednesday morning, I phone up again. They finally agree to send it with a "real" next day courier if it doesn't arrive by 4pm. 4pm comes, no delivery, so I phone them up again, and they send it off another one by Parcelforce.
Finally, on Wednesday at 5:30pm, the Hermes delivery arrives. Six days for the "guaranteed next day delivery". At least I have their verbal agreement that they will refund my delivery costs (nothing in writing of course, but I will certainly be checking my credit card statement). Of course, there's another one coming by Parcelforce now, the delivery of which I'll reject. Their priority here was to inform me that:
I must advise you that if you accept the delivery tomorrow you will need to return it to us at your expense
so I'd better make sure it's rejected. Because this is all my fault, you see.
In summary - I think the projector is simply superb if you're looking for a portable large screen, but I would not deal with this company if you have any other option.
If there is any interest in a more detailed review of the projector, let me know and I'll spend some time taking photos and the like...
-simon