A couple of months ago, the folks over at BenQ sent us a test unit of their "Ultra Portable Projector," the BenQ GP1. This projector is designed for photographers and videographers "on the go" and boasts a 3LED light source offering 100 lumens, a 2000:1 contrast ratio, Native SVGA resolution of 858x600, full HD compatibility ranging from 480i-1080i, projection size range from 15" - 80", a built-in USB reader and 20,000 hours of light life. All of this is packed into a stylish casing that measures at about 5"x2"x4.5" and weighs just under 1.5 lbs. Simply put: this projector is amazing! Daylight's staff has tested the unit internally as well as publicly at a photography screening event with nothing but staggeringly positive results. The image quality is superb, setup is quick and easy (as is breakdown) and the unit powers up, ready to project, in mere seconds. The downsides: for larger projection needs, this little unit just doesn't have the lumen heft to throw a large, bright image (anything beyond 70" inches, really...), the control buttons (while very stylish and sleek with blue backlighting and touch sensitivity) are a bit clumsy and often don't respond on the first tap, and the built-in speaker is limited to a 28 db output - just not enough sound for projection needs outside a small room. However, all-in-all, this projector is highly recommended for photographers, videographers, artists and anyone else for that matter, looking for a solid, portable digital projector to take on the road. And for only $500, it seems worth every penny. Stay tuned for a durability followup review later in the year as we put this little piece of magic to the test on the road...
