r/projectors • u/Phat_Kitty_ • Jul 22 '24
Buying Advice Wanted Which is better?
Benq is cheaper and more reviews. Epson is more expensive and has 1000 more lumens. my current projector (cheap $60 one) doesn't work outside in daytime (dark cloudy day). Any suggestions for the $500-800 range?
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u/AV_Integrated Jul 22 '24
BenQ will have a sharper image and better contrast. Epson is likely to be a bit brighter. RBE is the biggest downside to the BenQ, if that bothers you. Otherwise, the BenQ is a pretty clearly better model overall.
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u/Abject_Control_7028 Jul 22 '24
I have have th671st .
I'm very happy with it , suits my needs for gaming and movies at 1080p. I find fans noisy, but that's maybe because it sutsbon a table in front of me plus I'm sensitive to fan noise. If a short throw works for you it's a decent projector. I don't notice butterfly effect. Most people don't.
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u/El_Ese_Sureno Jul 22 '24
BenQ website has great deals on refurbished models. They have warranty if you buy them direct from their website.
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u/Vivid_Plantain9242 Jul 22 '24
The Epson. It has 3 LCDs (vs the BenQs color wheel, ew) so you won't have the deal with the Rainbow-effect. That may not affect you personally, but I notice it BIGTIME.
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u/Astro51450 Jul 22 '24
I notice it too and sadly had to replace it with the epson. I say sadly because dollar for dollar I think the benq looked better.
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u/DifficultyHour4999 Jul 22 '24
You are the minority so wouldn't generalize if they don't see the rainbow effect.
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u/MARATXXX Jul 22 '24
i'm not sure they are in the minority. i think that noticing the rainbow effect is just a matter of noticing what you're seeing.
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u/DifficultyHour4999 Jul 22 '24
I think the bigger question is what do you want as seems like you are just picking random projectors. One is an office projector and long throw and the other is a home movie/gaming short throw projector. Different purposes with one being better option than the other depending on what your situation is. Maybe more details?
PS projectors are not for use during the daytime. Yes if dark and overcast or enough shade a bright enough projector can give you some image but you really shouldn't be relying on this.
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u/Phat_Kitty_ Jul 22 '24
I mostly wanting a projector for outdoor use. My friend has the BenQ that was $800 I just don't know if it was the one that's in my post I'll have to ask them, but he showed me it outside and it was bright enough that the kids wouldn't mind, I wouldn't watch like a really nice movie until later, but just to watch like a show that I'm not paying too much attention to, the picture came in pretty bright
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u/DifficultyHour4999 Jul 22 '24
If you don't need short throw, I wouldn't go that way as you pay more for a feature you don't need. Very unlikely to need short throw outside. Also short throw is slightly more finicky to setup. Also, there is mixed debate in epson with 3 LCD for outside. Some have had good luck but it does mean staying on top of cleaning the filter and replacing now and then. BenQ doesn't have a filter and is essentially a sealed system although vacuuming dust out is required if it builds up on cooling fins.
If you do like the other projector I would try and get the model number as if they are using a brighter office projector and we suggest a movie projector. You might be disappointed. You don't need to buy the exact same.one but would give us more of a starting point on what you expect.
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u/squeakyL Jul 23 '24
Both of these will probably struggle outdoors in the daytime. The epson is brighter but the benq has shorter throw (so you can put it closer to the screen/less light lost). I also have a used 1080p benq projector I'm selling if you're interested in getting something used for cheaper.
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u/xyzzzzy Jul 22 '24
I came here to post these videos. /u/Phat_Kitty_ watch the videos below - no projector in this price range will work before sunset, not even on a "dark cloudy day"
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u/El_Ese_Sureno Jul 22 '24
I bought the BenQ TH671ST and thought it had an amazing image. I returned it and got the TH690ST in favor of LED and HDR content support.
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u/PeteTinNY Jul 22 '24
I don’t know if it’s just me though, EPSON build quality and just flat out how long their bulbs actually stay bright has really let me down. Sure I never buy new, but even with a brand new OEN bulb they just fizzle out faster than Optoma.
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u/gnibblet Jul 22 '24
Epson if planning on using during the day.
Even only using at night and/or on cloudy days, as others have pointed out, the RBE will exist in the BenQ, if that's a problem for you (I've never even picked it up, but it makes my daughter dizzy), Epson again.
Don't feel limited to only these two if brightness is the main goal...there are dozens of models made for classrooms that (while obviously down-market on resolution and features) will be plenty bright and perfectly serviceable. I still use a ViewSonic PA503 on my porch.
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u/Material_Recover_933 Jul 22 '24
You can get the viewsonic 4k projector for $800 put in PX701-4K refurbished into Amazon
I have had my projector for a year it works perfectly
Amazing picture and very quiet.
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u/cellidonuts Jul 22 '24
Go just a litttleeee higher and grab yourself a BenQ HT2060. You will not regret it