Simviation Forum - Cheap projector?

May 8^th, 2010 at 6:41am

TacitBlue Offline
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So I've been thinking seriously about starting a sim-pit project. I've found almost everything I would need at reasonable prices except for a projector. I won't really settle for anything less, I need a huge display for the out side view. Where can I get a decent projector for less than $300? resolution doesn't have to be super high quality, I would say at least 800x600.

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Reply #1 - May 8^th, 2010 at 10:44am

JBaymore Offline
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TacitBlue,

The words "cheap" and "projector" do not belong in the same sentence Wink

.

From my experience you don't want to go below 1024 x 768 resolution.

Web searches are always in order. Try EBay and Craigslist. Caveat Emptor.

And remember that the REAL cost of running the projector is the replacement bulbs.

best,

.....................john

PS: Sorry you got lured into the "Dark Side". Your life is ruined Wink

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Reply #2 - May 8^th, 2010 at 3:40pm

TacitBlue Offline
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LOL, I was afraid of that. And yeah, replacement bulb prices are crazy. Some that I have seen cost about half as much as the projector. I'm a little leery of buying a projector on ebay, I don't want one whose bulb is just about to burn out, but I'll check around anyway. Thanks for the advice.

A&P Mechanic, Rankin Aircraft 78Y

Aircraft are naturally beautiful because form follows function. -TB

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Reply #3 - May 12^th, 2010 at 4:30am

Towerguy Offline
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try googling "home made projector", I found a site - will have to try and find the address - but it shows and tells how to go about making your own projector using lcd screens etc for about $200-$300 - even shows examples of 100 inch operating and all made at home using not very hard to obtain materials and much much cheaper!

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Reply #4 - May 23^rd, 2010 at 3:16pm

expat Offline
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I realise that this thread is a couple of weeks old, but I have an idea for you. Got to ebay and as a search use "pocket pojector". These hand size projectors may be what the simpit world has been waiting for. Small enough to be mounted anywhere you want or on or in front of your instrument panel and best of all running at about $150. They are LED, so no expensive bulbs to replace. Also go to Youtube and enter the same search word. You will get lots of hits with reviews of them. These things may be ideal. The size of the screen is up to a meter, so for an external cockpit view big enough.

Matt

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Reply #5 - May 25^th, 2010 at 9:58am

JBaymore Offline
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Matt,

That sounds like a great potential solution...... even to a wrap-around multiple projector situation that will not require a mortgage.

Thanks for the idea.

best,

...................john

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Reply #6 - May 28^th, 2010 at 11:33am

expat Offline
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JBaymore wrote on May 25^th, 2010 at 9:58am:

Matt,

That sounds like a great potential solution...... even to a wrap-around multiple projector situation that will not require a mortgage.

Thanks for the idea.

best,

...................john

Glad I could help John. I stumbled upon them by accident when looking for something else

Matt

PETA People Eating Tasty Animals.

B1 Boeing 737-800 and Dash8 Q-400

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Reply #7 - May 28^th, 2010 at 6:13pm

Romflyer Offline
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expat wrote on May 23^rd, 2010 at 3:16pm:

I realise that this thread is a couple of weeks old, but I have an idea for you. Got to ebay and as a search use "pocket pojector". These hand size projectors may be what the simpit world has been waiting for. Small enough to be mounted anywhere you want or on or in front of your instrument panel and best of all running at about $150. They are LED, so no expensive bulbs to replace. Also go to Youtube and enter the same search word. You will get lots of hits with reviews of them. These things may be ideal. The size of the screen is up to a meter, so for an external cockpit view big enough.

Matt

Those do look like the ticket......but the cheapest one I've seen is $399........over course that is still half price to regular projector

I'm fantasizing about three of these units run through trhead2go on a radiused screen Cool

   $339 x 3          = $1197
   TRH2GO          = $400
homemade screen    = $500
Miscellanious          = $500
                              $2597

Might not need to re-mortgage.......but I might just require a good divorce lawyer Shocked

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Reply #8 - Jun 23^rd, 2010 at 9:40pm

Capt.Propwash Offline
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why not just buy the screen and just figure out a way to hang it on the wall WITHOUT the roller thingy???

http://www.projectorscreenstore.com/Projector-Screens/Buhl-Industries-BUHL-INDUS...

for roughly only $150 for just the fabric, and maybe a few thumbtacks to hold it to the wall.... that is WAY cheaper than your $500 estimate.

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Reply #9 - Jun 24^th, 2010 at 12:08pm

Romflyer Offline
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Capt.Propwash wrote on Jun 23^rd, 2010 at 9:40pm:

why not just buy the screen and just figure out a way to hang it on the wall WITHOUT the roller thingy???

http://www.projectorscreenstore.com/Projector-Screens/Buhl-Industries-BUHL-INDUS...

for roughly only $150 for just the fabric, and maybe a few thumbtacks to hold it to the wall.... that is WAY cheaper than your $500 estimate.

My little daydream Wink

was to have 3 projectors and a radiused screen, which involved a curved wall with screen paint......$500 was being optimistic Cool

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Reply #10 - Jun 24^th, 2010 at 6:23pm

mhoffman50 Offline
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Romflyer wrote on Jun 24^th, 2010 at 12:08pm:

Capt.Propwash wrote on Jun 23^rd, 2010 at 9:40pm:

why not just buy the screen and just figure out a way to hang it on the wall WITHOUT the roller thingy???

http://www.projectorscreenstore.com/Projector-Screens/Buhl-Industries-BUHL-INDUS...

for roughly only $150 for just the fabric, and maybe a few thumbtacks to hold it to the wall.... that is WAY cheaper than your $500 estimate.

My little daydream Wink

was to have 3 projectors and a radiused screen, which involved a curved wall with screen paint......$500 was being optimistic Cool

Checkout this site; http://www.avsforum.com/ They have an entire forum dedicated to building your own screens. They are mostly home theatre setups but I'm sure you can use the techniques for what you want to do.

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