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LCD Projectors
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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