AVS Forum banner
  • Get an exclusive sneak peek into our new project. >>> Click Here
  • Our native mobile app has a new name: Fora Communities. Learn more.

A good mostly outdoor projector in the $500-$800 range?

1248 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Krbass
Considering a lot of options right now but there is a ton of projectors in this price range. I want to host outdoor sports parties and kids movie nights. Is lumens the most important thing? Or when it gets dark it doesn’t matter? PQ I would think has most importance. Wouldn’t mind setting this is the bedroom either occasionally. Probably would like at least 150inch screen outside. I’ve seen the BenQ 2020a in some other threads, is it bright enough for dusk viewing? Or is their a better option now? Any help is appreciated.
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
Considering a lot of options right now but there is a ton of projectors in this price range. I want to host outdoor sports parties and kids movie nights. Is lumens the most important thing? Or when it gets dark it doesn’t matter? PQ I would think has most importance. Wouldn’t mind setting this is the bedroom either occasionally. Probably would like at least 150inch screen outside. I’ve seen the BenQ 2020a in some other threads, is it bright enough for dusk viewing? Or is their a better option now? Any help is appreciated.
I've got a BenQ w6000 that would be nice for outdoor movies, it's only 1080p but a light cannon. PM me if interested.

Sent from my GM1915 using Tapatalk
The Epson 1060 is very often recommended for out door theater, very bright, cheap lamps and right in your price range. No projector will work very well at dusk as it really needs to get dark. For right at the top budget at $800 the Epson 3100 is bright, much better contrast, loads of both H and V lens shift so placement is much easer, quiet with a fairly large case.
Thoughts on a refurb BenQ TK800? Good price, seems nice for double duty. I have quite a few Vudu 4K movies (even though I don’t have a 4K TV yet :/
Thoughts on a refurb BenQ TK800? Good price, seems nice for double duty. I have quite a few Vudu 4K movies (even though I don’t have a 4K TV yet :/
That would be a good choice as might be a Viewsonic PX747-4K. I have some info on the PX-747 here:


https://www.avsforum.com/forum/199-...10-viewsonic-4k-px747-750-a.html#post57864284

in several posts. The TK800 would be similar and it even does 3D.
I've been using the Epson 2150 for outdoor movies this summer and it's been great, also fits nicely in your price range.
I've been searching for the same solution. For picture quality all of my reading has led me to the BenQ HT2050A, but not sure how it would perform at dusk. For a brighter picture the Epson HC 1060 is what I have been finding. I've been wondering if the image quality of the BenQ is that much better compared to the Epson. Would be interested to know what you go with and why to help with my decision.
Considering a lot of options right now but there is a ton of projectors in this price range. I want to host outdoor sports parties and kids movie nights. Is lumens the most important thing? Or when it gets dark it doesn’t matter? PQ I would think has most importance. Wouldn’t mind setting this is the bedroom either occasionally. Probably would like at least 150inch screen outside. I’ve seen the BenQ 2020a in some other threads, is it bright enough for dusk viewing? Or is their a better option now? Any help is appreciated.
The Benq 2050A is a good choice. Not only is it bright enough for a 150" image, but the built-in speaker works. You haven't mentioned what you will do for sound or what the screen will be. For an outdoor use, both must be taken into consideration. Not many projectors have decent sound built-in, so if you don't intend a separate sound system (recommended, of course) pay attention to the built-in speaker in reviews. Likewise, a gray ALR screen can help at dusk, but that means you need even more brightness, so screen decisions are important to projector choice. And, of course, every projector has its own range of distance for any given screen size so you need to have an idea of where the projector will be relative to the screen. A 150" image for the TK800 requires 16.5' distance from lens to screen while the HT2050A needs only 12.5'. Both must be exactly in the horizontal center of the screen and a few inches lower than the bottom of the screen or hung upside down a few inches above the top of the screen, so will that interfere with seating ? There is more to your decision than simply whether a projector is bright enough for the image size you want and in your price range.
See less See more
Just sold my BenQ w6000 to a buddy yesterday with a new bulb. He used it outside last night and said it looked awesome. I'll get some screen shots.

Sent from my GM1915 using Tapatalk
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top