The main thing that makes TFT and Plazma more popular than projectors is the high cost of replacement lamps. However, a projector can produce a bigger image and with modern LCOS and DLP displays a superior image in many cases.

Traditionally projectors have used Ultra High pressure lamps and this is the problem! UHP Lamps cost between 2 and 4 hundred to replace. They normally have a average life span of 2,000 hours, produce a LOT of heat and use a lot of electricity, so the cost of running a projector can be quite considerable.

However, emerging onto the Market now are projectors that use LED lamps, offering a superior 20-40,000 hours of lamp life, a much lighter power usage and a lot less heat! Not only that, due to the lower heat, LED projector require less cooling and so, the projector can be made a lot smaller and lighter.

The first wave of LED projectors were launched a couple of years ago, mostly in pocket size, pico format, but they failed to impress, with lumen ratings as low as 8 lumens, they were useless in all but a “pitch dark” room. LED projectors are now evolving fast and getting brighter by the month, in fact, Casio now produce an LED/Lazer projector with a full 2,500 lumens of light!

Still it’s the Pico projector market that interests me, ultra portable projectors are great for “on the go” presentations and places where a fixed system is not an option. The first Pico projectors were, more or less, useless, but now, they are actually getting some quite usable specifications and I am sure the future lies here.

A pocket size projector that can throw a 100+ inch screen is a lot more convenient that transporting a screen or monitor, it is also great for smaller offices and occasional home cinema, but what projector do you go for?

In steps European Company MicroJekt with it’s popular LED mini projector range, with up to 150 lumens of light and high Quality LCOS displays, the problem is solved! 150 lumens may not sound much, but I am more than happy with the results of my MicroJekt Classic LED projector. It has a new type RGB LED lamp and produces very crisp clean images, It can manage 50 inches in ambient light and up to 120″ in a darker environment, from a very small package. It also has a built in USB host and SD reader that can play movies and presentations directly from an SD card, USB stick or USB hard disk, a very handy feature.

Microjekt projectors offer reasonable quality, but are a little cheaper than other brands, although offering more feature and brightness. The Microjekt Classic LED pico is about the same size and weight as the Acer Pico, but boasts 50 lumens more light and a lot more features. A friend of mine has a Microjekt 35 lumen pocket power, again a true pocket size projector, in darker environments that is quite impressive too, but still a bit of a “big boys toy”, the classic is a better choice for serious use.

If you are thinking of buying a projector, then consider the running costs and track down the latest LED models, they are more than just toys these days! I am sure that as LED technology continues to develop, we are going to see the projector make a big comeback, with much much lower running costs, they offer an attractive alternative to Plazma and TFT screens.

Many other companies are now jumping on the LED projector band wagon, including Acer, Samsung, Optoma and more. I am more than happy with my MicroJekt, but excited by what may come next!

Mark, the technology geek