New projectors for classrooms

[DrBeaker]

Hi All,

 

What's the latest thinking of the hive mind for new projectors for classrooms?

 

I haven't had to buy any for a couple of years now. Epson used to be our go-to brand in another job, for us the quick corner feature was a winning feature for us.

 

Probably going to be looking soon for some new projectors as some seem to be dying now. Most current ones are Casio LED lamp-free ones but I believe these are going end-of-life from Casio from what I've heard here. We have a few that are normal bog-standard Epson projectors, some Epson Short-throws, few old/odd Hitachi's.

 

All were here when I started so are at least 2x years old now. I have no records to go on except that, no asset register etc

 

Most rooms with a projector still have a Smartboard in 4:3 ratio hence the need for a projector not a TV screen/flat panel. Currently flat-panels are still out of the question due to cost.

 

Any particular brand of projector anybody recommends or are Epson still pretty good ones? The short-throw Epsons were good quality but the laser unit for interaction was very hit and miss we found.

 

Thanks

[Jamman960]

I started using NEC projectors before switching to LCD panels, one model pretty much fitted every setup.

 

Still have a few in storage with barely any hours on the bulbs, can’t bear to throw them out and they’re worth hardly anything

[VeryPC]

Good Morning @mhaddock

 

We'd certainly still recommend Epson! We've built up a strong partnership with them over the last few years and sold Epson projectors to many schools, including you EduGeekers! I'm going to get Ross our AV specialist to drop you a PM so keep an eye on your inbox.

 

In the meantime check out our specialist projector page here.

 

- Ryan

[Andycat]

We're fully NEC now, the NEC ones we replaced in April were 8/9 years old and just dull and eating lamps but not broken. But 8 years seems ok to me so I've gone with updated models.

[SamanthaD]

We're pretty much an Epson house here, now only installing laser models and only spec'ing lamp models for ultra portable applications. EB-700U for Ultra Short Throw, EB-L610U for standard throw and EB-L1070U upwards for lecture theatres. Expensive initial outlay but TCO is pretty close when you look at lamp purchases (assuming you use original lamps). For us the reliability and reduced support cost won us over to laser.

[jthompson]

We're pretty much an Epson house here, now only installing laser models and only spec'ing lamp models for ultra portable applications.

 

Do the laser models you use still have the quick corner feature? In a similar position to @mhaddock here, and the quick corner feature gets us out of jail with all the weird ceilings we seem to have here that aren't conducive to perfect mount placement.

[SamanthaD]

Yes, Quick corner is pretty much standard for Epson I think. Though correct placement should always be the preferred method of alignment, it's a life saver when it's just that little bit out!

 

All but the ultra short throw ones have lens shift as well, another really useful tool!

[chazzy2501]

I like the epson ones as well, project on to a MAGNETIC white board. (this is because the magnetic boards are metal backed and are not wobbly like the cheaper ones (which looks fine for normal use but bad for a projection) and not the enamel boards as they don't wipe clean) make sure they're hung properly (some people just screw them to the wall rather than hang them using included mounts) This will warp the board to the walls shape which isn't always perfect.

 

Anyhow Epson over whiteboard, teacher can use normal pens and project and interact all nice. We buy the biggest whiteboards we can fit (240x120) put the projector in the centre and the teacher has two columns either side for pen work (if displaying)

 

You want Lacquered steel if you can get it just never enamel.

 

 

EDIT: extra info

Edited September 7, 2020 by chazzy2501

[DrBeaker]

Do the laser models you use still have the quick corner feature? In a similar position to @mhaddock here, and the quick corner feature gets us out of jail with all the weird ceilings we seem to have here that aren't conducive to perfect mount placement.

Majority of the Casio ones are ones I inherited. There's not a single one mounted that has an adequate focus/image in the screen. But with zoom and basic keystone correction I can't do a lot else at the moment.

[Djmonky1]

Epson definitely the best ones we use our go to for the normal ones

we are hopefully (fingers crossed) upgrading all our smart boards at one of our primarys from 2008 I remember them when they where brand new I’m young I know, should be upgrading to iiyama lcd touchscreens 65inch

 

Just getting quotes atm

[sydneynetworker]

Probably a bit late now, But Epson is by far the best contendor. Can vouch for the Ultra Short Throw ones especially in use with a SmartBoard. Reduces shadows so much. If you connect them to a network then remote administration is also avaliable. I have found Casio and NEC to be super painful, issues with lamps, image fading, focus just to name a few. Epson's UST mounts are a lifesaver with installations, and quick corner as well as their low priced lamps make it a no-brainer for me.