Choosing the perfect portable overhead projector for your important presentation can be very confusing and difficult if you don’t have any prior experience or knowledge of this instrument. Portable overhead projectors are indeed not complicated to use, but choosing the right one to fit in with your needs is definitely an important decision.
If you are constantly on the go and are always traveling from place to place for different presentations, then always opt for a projector that offers convenience and portability. Portable overhead projectors can be easily folded and are the size of a large briefcase, and can be easily transported.
Once you have decided that you want a portable overhead projector, then here a couple of options to consider before you go ahead and buy it: lamp changer, hi/lo switch, open or closed head, lumen output, wide angle, standard focal length, and the singlet, doublet or triplet head. Yes, when purchasing a portable projector there is indeed a lot to consider, and if these terms all sound like gibberish to you, then it will be very easy for a slick-talking salesman to sell you the cheapest and worst equipment.
Like purchasing a computer or an automobile, the more features you add to your portable projector, the more expensive will be your purchase. So make sure you consider the above-mentioned options carefully and how or if they will fit in with your requirements before you go ahead and make your final decision.
Features to consider when choosing your Portable Overhead Projector
- Lumen Output – The term ‘lumen’ refers to the amount of brightness or light that the optics of the generator and the projection lamp produces. Will your offshore presentation be in a dark room, partially dark or fully lit room? In general, boardroom or classrooms require portable projectors that produce roughly 3000-4000 lumens.
- Lamp Changer – a lamp changer is a type of projector that has two lamp sockets and lamps. You wont be burning both the lamps at the same time, the whole idea is to give you the ability to rapidly change to a completely different projection lamp during the presentation. If your presentation requires you to change a burned out projection lamp quickly, then this is a good option.
- Hi/Lo Switch – This switch basically controls the lumens of your portable overhead projector. However, most people believe that this particular option is more or less a gimmick rather than an option.
Yes, it is very important to take some time out when considering these options before going ahead and buying that portable overhead projector. In doing so, you’ll definitely buy something that will fit your needs. Another thing that needs to be mentioned here is the ‘lifetime warranty’ offer that most manufacturers provide. A friend of mine recently bought herself a portable overhead projector and said that the ‘lifetime warranty’ offer is all a gimmick to get people to buy the product.
Most people don’t even need to use the warranty, and for the few who do, the warranty is only for a limited time and covers just a few components in the portable projector. So, don’t let these gimmicks fool you – always purchase a portable overhead projector that is reputed and keep in mind that there is no manufacturer who will offer any item for nothing no matter how good the warranty may sound to you good