Optoma PK201 pico projector now shipping, PK301 up for pre-order

We're still holding out for the faraway 1080p pico projector, but for those who need a display in their pocket before 2023, Optoma's latest aren't half bad options. The PK201 and PK301, both of which made their debut at CES earlier in the year, now have product pages at Amazon, with the former being listed as in stock ($299.99) and shipping this very moment. The other guy is up for pre-order at $399.99, though you'll get an 854 x 480 resolution output with either. 'Course, you may want to hold out for the 301 and its 50 lumens of brightness if the 201's 20 lumens seem a little weak, but hey, the ball's in your court now, vaquero.

[TRiPgod Posted Apr 5th 2010 3:01AM]

I'll stick with my AAXA technologies L1 laser pico projector, thank you very much.

[weatherman Posted Apr 5th 2010 5:36AM]

From what I've read the Aaxa L1 is good, but not great and not with the price. With these you get the same brightness at hal the price or double the brightness for 2/3rds the price of the Aaxa, though the latter is at the expense of battery life.45 minutes is pointless - even a business person using it for short presentations would have to carry the adapter around since there would be just too great a chance of the battery crapping out mid-presentation.

[neogr0wl Posted Apr 5th 2010 5:50AM]

@weatherman But you have to worry about focus.. probably has a distance sweet spot where you can focus it properly, and if it's not lined up with the projection surface then it is likely to be out of focus. The laser projector doesnt have any of those problems.

[weatherman Posted Apr 5th 2010 8:04AM]

I hear ya, an I will definitely get a laser one day, but only when the price goes down and I can get one with 50 lumens or more. Also, I need the ability to adjust image size and keystone. So for now, I will save my money and pull my own focus on my Dell m109s.

[Tes Posted Apr 5th 2010 8:20AM]

So, how big a display can you get from these things?

[weatherman Posted Apr 5th 2010 8:32AM]

Depends on how dark the room is, but I get a good 50"-60" picture from my 50 lumen projector in a semi dark room. 20 lumens is probably good for 30"

[think before you react Posted Apr 5th 2010 8:40AM]

@weatherman
Damn! I didn't realize they were that good... Might have to look into it.

[weatherman Posted Apr 5th 2010 9:27AM]

@think before you react I use a Dell m109s with 50 lumens and people are always blown away at how small it is and how big the display is. Keep in mind though that it's not the same as having a 50" LCD - the picture is good but the image isn't as sharp, the colors don't pop and the blacks aren't as black. Also, I use it for business which generally means web presentations and powerpoint. Movie viewing might be a different experience.

[Tes Posted Apr 5th 2010 10:41AM]

@weatherman

So how long does the bulb last in that, if say you watched two movies a week using it?

[weatherman Posted Apr 5th 2010 12:36PM]

@Tes The new LED projectors are rated to 20,000 hours so at two movies a week of an hour-and-a-half each, the bulb should last about 125 years.

[cukleti Posted Apr 5th 2010 9:17AM]

Its still on pre-order as per amazon