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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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