OptomaML1080 Ultra-Portable Full HD Laser Projector, 1200 Lumens

I normally don't trust reviews on Amazon, so I went around a lot of other venues, and looked up reviews on this. Most of the reviews were for this unit's predecessor, the ML500.They gushed. Every single one. I grudgingly got this unit.I already own an EX330, which is a badass little unit, but is still just a bit too big for carry-on. Whenever I pack it, TSA ALWAYS opens my bag (which is often stuffed to the max, and they will mess things up when they reclose my bag), so I need to carry on the projector.First, this thing is REALLY SMALL. The pictures don't really show how small it is, because the overall proportions pretty much match those of larger ultraportables. However, the lens is really small.The cables and power brick are basically bigger and heavier than the unit itself. With a little creative re-packing, you can fit this into a really small package.I tested with HDMI and some pretty hi-def digital input.Normally, I've been ignoring pico and LED projectors, as they project tiny, dim images only a couple dozen inches across.This is not a pico. It will project a full-size image, just like my 330, and almost as bright.It's visible in a lit room, even an image that covers an entire 72" X 48" whiteboard. The EX330 is a bit brighter in a lit room, but not that much brighter, and the EX330 is rated at over 2000 lumens (LED lumens are basically brighter than incandescent ones, because coherence).The ML1000 is brighter, but it is also physically larger, and I need this to be very small. I can use my EX330 for bigger stuff.When you dim the lights, the image is tack-sharp, and beautifully saturated. Once focused, it tends to keep its focus, even when moved around. It's not as nice as a laser projector, which basically never needs focusing, but it is better than an incandescent one, which can be finicky.There is a focus knob, but no way to adjust the zoom, except by physically moving the unit, which isn't that big a deal, as the unit is fairly short-throw. You should keep this in mind when setting up. Plan to have a long wire to your computer, as you may need to set the unit up on a table (a little one), or a tripod (it has a tripod standard 1/4" threaded hole).The tripod thing is nice. One of my biggest frustrations is getting a table set up for a projector. Since this thing is so small, you can mount it on even a very small or cheap tripod (like a point-and-shoot tripod).It has 3 fans, but doesn't get more than a bit warm (It's not like the "hair dryer" from my 330). The fans do contribute a bit of noise, but nothing like the incandescent unit.I don't particularly care about watching TV on these things. I use them for presentations, and I have yet to encounter a projector, from any manufacturer, that won't handle basic presentations.If you are gonna shell out $550 bucks on a little thing like this, then you should feel its worth it. I feel it was money well-spent.PROS:Absolutely tiny. Easily fits in a standard brief case or a carry-on.Extremely bright. Astonishingly so.Can be mounted on a tripod, so you have more options to setting it up.Surprisingly "short throw." This means that you can place it fairly near the screen.I have the entire thing packaged in a small LowePro digicam bag. That's including an 8-foot HDMI cable and a micro tripod.I also dropped the thing from about 3 feet, and nothing happened at all. My 330 would have been destroyed.This thing is absolutely fine for 90% of my presentation needs.CONS:Has 3 fans, which can be a bit "whiny."No zoom. You have to move the unit.Surprisingly "short throw." This means that you have to place it fairly near the screen, which is not always desirable.External power brick. This is always a pet peeve of mine. The brick is fairly large, as well, with a 3-prong plug. I'd love it if it were a little dinky thing.Color ain't perfect. Tends to have a red cast. I was able to get something better with a calibrator, but still a bit off. The 330 definitely has better color.The focus can change from top to bottom if you have the unit fairly near the screen.Unfortunately, an entire industry has sprung up to create shill reviews. In general, don't believe five-star reviews on Amazon. I wish it were different, but there's lots of money at stake, and whenever there's money at stake, there's unscrupulous people willing to take it.This isn't a shill; but then, that's what a shill would say. Take this review for what it's worth.UPDATE: Added a few more notes, now that I have used it a few times.

First off, I ordered my unit as an Amazon Warehouse Deal. I paid about -100$ than a new unit. I ordered it in "used - good condition" expecting it to be all scuffed and beat up.. hey, as long as it does it's job, right?I got it in about three weeks, which is understandable and average for an APO.To my surprise, not a scratch on the system. Just no original packaging.. fine with me. I saved 100$ on some cardboard. It came in a handy little soft case.That being said, had I spent the extra 100$ I would still think of it as a fair price. This is a strong little system.Pros:Easy to set upBrighter than most portables -good even in dim lightSmall, light, and efficient -fans do their jobCons:Constant focus adjustmentsLarge chordThe picture is pretty good. Not amazing, but true to 720p. I can read fine text if I have the focus dialed in properly. I did notice a strange graphical lag in 2 games I played. Kind of like 3D without the glasses. A slight double-vision while running / moving. Could have been a software issue or a setting I had wrong. It was playing newer games so I suspect a 3D or motion setting. Other than that, all games and movies ran very smooth with no input lag that I could notice. Very smooth and responsive.The picture is also nice and bright. A lot of these portable projector company's claim a high lumen count and brightness and don't deliver. Changing the terminology a bit or just blatantly lying. I feel that this unit is true to 700 lumens. Maybe not bright enough for buisiness use, but plenty bright for personal use.I was worried about fan noise after reading some reviews. I can safely say that it's not is bad as it sounds. It's quieter than my laptop, and only noticeable if the room is silent.I can't speak for the speaker as I don't remember having used it. I have always used a Bluetooth speaker connected to my laptop.My main gripe is that I feel like I'm adjusting the focus pretty often. You'll obviously have to adjust if you move it, but it seems like every 30 minutes to an hour I catch myself making minor adjustments to get rid of some blur that was previously non existant. This is with the unit is sitting still. Untouched.Overall though I am very pleased with the system.If you play games and watch movies like me, this is probably your best value option.