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LCD Projectors
Because you may be seriously
considering spending $200.00 on Math 6 Slide
Show: Teaching Made Easy As Pi , I feel it
is my obligation to save you at least that much
on some of the hardware you may also have to
purchase. Below is a list of some of the LCD
projectors that cost below $1500.00. The
projector I use in my class was purchased
several years ago for twice this amount and it
only projects at a brightness of 800 lumens. The
projectors today are cheaper, brighter, and
better quality. Take these model numbers to a
search engine like
AltaVista
or pricing guide like
NextTag to see current prices and sellers.
Recommended LCD
Projectors:
3M Model# MP7640i
1400 lumens
Toshiba Model# TLP-s30u
1400 lumens
Sony Model# VLP-CS5
1800 lumens
InFocus Model# LP240
1000 lumens
Mitsubishi Model# XLIU
1100 lumens
Epson Powerlite 53c
1700 lumens
Remote Presenters
Most LCD projectors come with a remote
control for use with the projector. These are
usually bulky remotes that have a built in mouse
and other features that you will probably not
use in class. I recommend purchasing a
light-weight remote presenter instead. A good
remote presenter usually costs about $100 and
should offer the following features in order of
importance:
- 5 mW built-in class 3a laser.
- Forward and reverse buttons that will
advance or retard your PowerPoint
slides.
- RF (meaning Radio Frequency- IR stands for
Infrared and is not recommended since you must
maintain a line of sight with the receiver
that is plugged into the computer).
- USB connectivity for Mac or PC
Some presenters offer additional features,
but these four are critical since they will be
used 99.9% of the time. I have tested many of
these remotes and my recommendations follow.
(Lowest Rating = 1, Highest Rating = 5)
Interlink Electronics RemotePoint
Navigator ... Costs about $100.00
| Feature
|
Rating
|
Comments
|
| Laser 1mW Max. 670NM, Class
2 |
2 |
The only bad thing about
this presenter. It's the brightest of the
1mW lasers I've seen, but students will have
a very hard time seeing it with the lights
on and curtains open. This is my favorite
presenter but I still have to carry a
separate 5 mW laser pointer. |
| Forward and Reverse Buttons
|
5 |
Very large buttons. Advance
button on right and retard button on left as
it should be. Also has nice Hide button to
dim the presentation until it is pressed
again. |
| RF Receiver |
5 |
Small USB receiver. Very
responsive. Slides change almost instantly.
|
| Battery Life = 6 mos. 2 AAA
batteries |
5 |
Common battery. |
Street Smart Technologies Power
Presenter RF ... Costs about
$100.00
| Feature
|
Rating |
Comments
|
| Laser 5mW Max. 650NM, Class
3a |
5 |
Very Bright! Most powerful
laser I've seen in a presenter. This is
critical. What good is it if students can't
see it? |
| Forward and Reverse Buttons
|
4 |
Buttons are small. The
presenter looks like a car door remote. I
found myself hitting the wrong buttons
often. |
| RF Receiver |
2 |
Receiver is bulky.
Comparatively slow response in
PowerPoint . Sometimes I advance the
slide and there is a delay or nothing
happens at all. Tested with PC and Mac with
same results. Perhaps I purchased a bad
unit.
|
| Battery Life = 1 yr. CR2032
battery |
3 |
Uncommon battery. |
Targus Wireless Remote Presenter
... Costs about $50.00
| Feature
|
Rating |
Comments
|
| Laser 3.5mW Max. 645-665NM,
Class 3a |
3 |
Still not bright enough.
Students have trouble seeing it.
|
| Forward and Reverse Buttons
|
3 |
Buttons are reversed when
using PowerPoint. Right retards and left
advances. Has a multi-directional mouse
built-in, but I very rarely use it.
|
| RF Receiver |
5 |
Small USB receiver. Responds
as it should. |
| Battery Life = 30-60 days 2
AAA Batteries |
4 |
Common battery. |
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