Visualiser recommendations?

[Duranis]

So I'm after half a dozen replacement visulisers and it is a minefield of overpriced junk and items that have not been support for 5 years+ but are still being sold as new devices.

 

Basically I need one that has VGA output with a VGA pass through so that it can run independently of a laptop. The teachers don't wont one that needs them to use software on the laptop (shame as even if I got 6 decent USB cameras it would be cheaper than one VGA pass through visuliser). Ideally it will have a flexible mount as well.

 

https://www.avpartsmaster.co.uk/p-49465-lumens-dc192-visualiser.aspx

 

This ticks all the boxes and we are using this brand already but I really begrudge paying £450 for what in effect is a 3mp camera on a flexible mount.

 

This looks more reasonable and then add a VGA switch so they can switch between this and the laptop output (functionally the same but a lot cheaper)

IPEVO VZ-1 HD VGA / USB Dual-Mode Document Camera 5-861-2-08-00 - DSTele.com

 

Seems to have good reviews on amazon at least.

 

Any other suggestions?

[LeMarchand]

They use the GENEE range here. Not cheap, but the last quote I got was £450 for a 7100. No flexible arm, but at least they look more robust than your first option.

 

 

Their primary use seems to be as a place to store junk on, but I do see some secondary use to display documents - though nothing that a cheap webcam on a flexible arm couldn't handle.

[Duranis]

Thanks. They look good, especially the built in light box, but still rather pricey for what it is.

 

I have ordered the VZ-1's and some KVM's with a remote button so I can hide them all up and just mount the button near the visualiser for when they need it. £120 a piece in total which is a lot cheaper than anything else I looked at (and the VZ-1 is better spec than most too).

 

Funny a lot of schools say the same as you about the visualisers but the teachers here use them all the time.

[TheRobins]

Ive also tried the cheaper models, but actually found as with anything in life, they are cheaper for a reason. 90% of my users now have the elmo range of cameras. The quality and control is excellent as well as very good software. Also I found important with these is that they are easy to use, aesthetically pleasing (teachers like their rooms to be created by a team to TV experts) and backed up by a very good 5 year warranty.

 

Elmo L12ID Visualiser & Document Camera | Elmo Visualizers & Document Cameras

 

I have got these in between 240 - 270 depending on how the resellers battle each other out.

[paulellam]

Genee 8100 here, staff adore them, we tried goose neck jobbies and they were irritating to the user. They get used heavily here and are part of everyday class life.

 

The genee has a great zoom facility and many other features, we differeing models for about 5 years and just kitted the new build out with them so can recommend them highly. We have had one go back to genee but this was dead easy so cant complain. Only real issue was the software was a bit clunky so staff just use it as a visualiser, we even have one in the hall for assembly use.

 

We are a primary school by the way!

Edited February 3, 2016 by paulellam