An Overhead Projector is similar to Slide Projector which is used to project images on the big screen. These projectors are mainly used in Classrooms by teachers and lecturers for projecting research papers, Class Notes and solving the problems and making it visible to everyone. Moreover, Educational Institutions prefers portable overhead projectors, as they are easy to handle and can be adjusted accordingly.
According to Wikipedia: An overhead projector works on the same principle as a 35mm slide projector, in which a focusing lens projects light from an illuminated slide onto a projection screen where a real image is formed.
In overhead projectors, the functionality is totally different from other projectors. In this type of projectors, you will get a table type stand which can hold transparent sheets on which is also known as overhead projector sheets on which you can write anything and get its projection on the big screen. These Overhead Projectors are nowadays used in Educational Institutions where teachers project the handwritten notes easily.
How to Choose the Best Overhead Projector in 2017
First of all, you should ask yourself, Do I really Need an Overhead Projector for the Classroom? If, yes is the call, then you can continue to read the Criteria on How to Choose the Best Projector?
1. Brightness of the Projector
The brightness of a projector is the most important thing as it defines the light of the room in which you can use the projector. The brightness of Projector is measured in ANSI lumens. The most commonly used projectors have the range of brightness from 600 lumens to even 6000 lumens. Now let’s see how much brightness is appropriate for which type of projectors.
- Under 1,000 lumens: This type of brightness comes with mini projectors, and are least expensive one.
- 1,000 to 2,000 Lumens: You can easily find a projector with this type of brightness, but it requires dim light and projection is to be done on medium sized screen.
- 2,000 to 3,000 Lumens: This brightness range is most commonly available in the market and is used with some ambient lighting.
- Above 3,000 Lumens: This range of projectors are the most expensive one and provide you the flexibility of using it with bright light also.
2. Focal Length of Projector Lense
Most projectors come standard with a zoom lens, i.e. a lens with a variable focal length. The specification can be the zoom range in the focal length, e.g. 60-105mm, or expressed as a zoom ratio, e.g. 1.3x, which indicates the ratio between the longest and shortest focal length. So check the focal length before buying the best Overhead Projector.
3. Weight of the Projector
If you are willing to buy the best Overhead Projector, then one of the most important thing which you have to take care is the weight of the projector. If you are going for the portable model, then try to buy the product with less weight, it will help you to carry it easily.
4. Size of the Staging Area
Overhead projector has a staging area on which transparent sheets are placed. Check the size of the staging are and always go with the maximum are so that it can also project large sized sheets.
5. Throw Ratio:
The throw ratio is the distance that how far you have to place the projector from the screen to obtain a quality image. A projector’s throw ratio is defined as the distance (D), measured from lens to screen, that a projector is placed from the screen, divided by the width (W) of the image that it will project (D/W).
Now after these parameters, now I think you are capable enough to make judge the best overhead projector yourself. Now let’s check out the ultimate list of the best Overhead Projectors which you can use in your office or in the schools for the presentation and learning.
Top 10 Best Overhead Projector for Classroom
After researching for the approx full day, I am here with the list of best possible Overhead Projectors for Sale you can find on Amazon. Now check out the detailed specifications of the each product and choose accordingly.
Projector Name | Brightness | Weight | Dimension | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Apollo Horizon 2 | 2000 Lumens | 12.5 Pounds | 17.5 x 15.7 x 12.4 Inches | Check Price |
3M 9100 Series | 2800 Lumens | 18.5 Pounds | 24 x 17 x 10 Inches | Check Price |
Apollo V4000M | 2,000 Lumen | 8 Pounds | 22.6 x 15.3 x 7.6 Inches | Check Price |
EIKI 3850A | 2000 Lumen | 18 Pounds | 13.2 x 13.2 x 9.8 Inches | Check Price |
3M 2000AG | 1600 Lumens | 14.9 Pounds | 18.8 x 13.3 x 4.7 Inches | Check Price |
Apollo AccWorld | 2000 Lumens | 15.4 Pounds | 22.5 x 15 x 7.5 Inches | Check Price |
3M 1720 | 2500 Lumens | 21.4 Pounds | 28.2 x 20.2 x 13.2 Inches | Check Price |
Apollo V3000M | 3000 Lumens | 14.9 Pounds | 17.5 x 15.7 x 12.4 Inches | Check Price |
3M 9060 | 2500 Lumens | 18 Pounds | 16.5 x 16.2 x 10 Inches | Check Price |
Apollo V16002M | 2000 Lumens | 12 Pounds | 23.2 x 19.4 x 16 Inches | Check Price |
After this quick table format, now check in depth of each Overhead Projector.
1. Apollo Horizon 2
Apollo Horizon 2 is the Portable Overhead or Tabletop Projector which you can use in a small room with around 20 persons in it. This portable overhead projector is ideal for classroom or conference room and delivers high-quality images. It has the 10 x 10-inch glass top which can accommodate standard size transparency sheets to be used for projection. Integrated with 2000 Lumens brightness and a fresnel lens, it can provide sharp, uniform, crystal-clear projection every time.
To prevent the overheating, this projector has the high-efficiency cooling system and a thermal shutoff safety switch which will automatically cool down the temperature of the projector while using for long sessions. The incorporated lamp changer allows you to instantly replace the lamp in the event of a lamp blowout by simply flipping a switch, and a high/low lamp control adapts the projector light to bright or dark presentations and extends lamp life.
To provide this overhead projector more compact, it has a foldable arm which you can fold it down and also the lamp head can be stored in the built-in storage compartment. This projector is a lightweight projector with just 12 pounds and the convenient carry grips provide additional portability and ease of transportation.
If you want to keep this projector safe from other disturbing elements of your office or naughty students of your school, then it has an additional Kensington Security Slot locks which provide theft prevention. Also, the company provides 2-years limited warranty and free technical support with this overhead projector. If you want that your device should be installed by an expert and gives you basic demo, then the company also provides this facility with extra bucks.
So, if you want a good portable and cheap Overhead Projector for your Classroom, then his Apollo Horizon Model will be the best for you.
2. 3M 9100
The 3M 9100 overhead projector is easily portable and ready to go once you start using it in your office and institutions. With its 2800 Lumens of brightness, you can easily use this projector in bright light also and this 3M overhead projector provides you the crisp and brilliant images. The post assembly that holds the projection head aloft is hinged against the body of the unit, and a loosening turn of a knob swings it into place.
This is a good overhead projector made with durable grade material to make this projector tough. The body is made of plastic which makes it light-weight and easy to handle. The overhead projector bulb is also provided with it which gives proper light and last for long. You can easily change the lamp bulb and also adjust the height of the table according to your need.
This projector supports the normal overhead projector sheets to project the image on the screen and this projector has the cool stage which prevents the transparency film from curling. You can easily find these sheets in the market. To operate this projector, you just have to simply turn on the lamp by pressing the large red button and adjust the focus dial. The projector will start displaying the images of the sheets placed on its table.
This 3M model is ideal for classrooms, business meetings, and large presentations of any sort. Also, the company provides limited time manufacturing warranty and free technical support with this 3M Overhead Projector. If you stuck somewhere in installing or need some help, then you should read the troubleshooting manual or also contact the technical team.
So, if you want a compact overhead projector with good lumens of brightness for your office, the 3M 9100 Overhead Projector will be ideal for you.
3. Apollo V4000M
Apollo V4000M is the stylish and sleek designed Overhead Projector ideal for office and educational institutions. It is the full-featured portable projector which you can folds flat into its hard-shell case featuring a molded handle and internal storage for power cord and transparencies. It has the open head with 2,000 lumen light output and reflective light transmission ideal for small rooms with up to 20 people.
To provide you with the best picture quality, this overhead projector has the three-element varifocal lens which provides crystal clear with optimum brightness. For keeping the transparent paper properly, this projector has the large stage glass with a reflective anti-glare projection on which the sheet fits edge to edge and provide an accurate projection on the big screen.
The Apollo V4000M also has a lamp changer to prevent delays by instantly positioning a fresh lamp and reflective light transmission for superior light output. It is the superior ultra-portable projector which you can easily carry with you anywhere and use it very easily. This projector will make your presentation a perfect one with its brighter and crisp images every time.
Also, the company provides 2-years limited warranty and free technical support with this Apollo V4000M Overhead Projector. You can easily setup this product yourself by reading the user manual and if finds any difficulty, then you can also talk to the technical team to get the solution.
So, if you are looking for a stylish overhead projector with ultra portability, then you can try the Apollo V4000M.
4. EIKI 3850A
EIKI 3850A is the tough overhead projector made with metal. You can use this projector for presentations in the office or for education purpose in the schools and institutions. This projector has the 86 volt EYB Quartz-Halogen projection lamp and works for so long. Also, it has the 2000 Lumen of brightness which can provide a bright and crisp image at your presentations.
The lamp of this projector is sealed with the head protector which prevents the lamp from dust, dirt, and fingerprints. Also, the positive Alignment Fresnel and polished aluminum reflector ensure uniform reflection and even screen brightness. This EIKI overhead projector is integrated with the Pre-drilled platen for roll feed, carry handle and accessory shelves attachment.
You can easily adjust the projection head and tilt them up 25 degrees or down 5 degrees according to your need. You can easily setup this product yourself by reading the user manual and if finds any difficulty, then you can also talk to the technical team to get the solution. The company also provides 3-years limited warranty and free technical support with this overhead projector.
So, if you want an overhead projector with more warranty and long lamp life, then the EIKI 3850A is good to look for.
5. 3M 2000AG
3M 2000AG is one of the best Overhead Projector made by 3M for Professionals. This projector has the 1,600 lumens of brightness which provides excellent image quality. At just 14 pounds, this lightweight unit packs plenty of heavyweight performance and can be easily folded into its own carrying case for instant portability. This 3M 2000AG Overhead Projector is ideal for conferences and classroom education.
Also, this projector features silent mode with on/off switch which will help you in focusing on your work rather than listing the noise of projector. This device is also provided with the built-in lamp storage which provides a place for an extra lamp for uninterrupted presentations and ultra-quiet convection cooling eliminates distracting fan noise. Also, its thermal protection circuit cuts power to the lamp if projector exceeds safe operating temperature.
If you will use this overhead projector, it will provide you an affordable performance and built-in quality makes the 3M Overhead Projector Model 2000 the ideal portable solution for mobile users. The body of this projector is made with a hard coated finish that resists scratching and reduces the chance of damage during normal use.
Also, the company provides limited time manufacturer warranty and free technical support with this product. If you want the demo of the product, the company also provides this by sending their executive to you who will give you the full knowledge of the projector and also teaches you the procedure for operating it. If you want to self-operate this device, just read the user manual provided with it.
So, if you want an overhead projector which you can carry with you in the form of a suitcase, then the 3M 2000AG is the perfect one to use.
6. Apollo AccWorld
Apollo/AccWorld is the stylish overhead projector which provides 2000 Lumens of brightness to give you the crisp and brighter image. You can adjust its arm and lamp up and down according to your need and obtain the good result. This Apollo Overhead Projector is ideal to be used at your office for a presentation and also for classroom programs at the educational institutions.
This Overhead Projector is Provided with the reflective anti-glare projection format which ensures ultra portability and its protective hard shell cover with molded handle keeps your projector safe and secure from minor damages. Also, its three-element varifocal lens delivers sharper focus and picture clarity and make your presentation clean and easily visible. It has the lamp charger with two lamps to prevent the delays.
The size of the stage provided with this projector is oversized so that you can present your information in both landscape and portal formats. For better safety, this overhead projector is integrated with the safety thermal protection switch which cuts power to the lamp if the projector exceeds safe operating temperature and ensures the extra safety to the lamp.
Also, the company provides limited time manufacturer warranty and free technical support with this product. If you want the demo of the product, the company also provides this by sending their executive to you who will give you the full knowledge of the projector and also teaches you the procedure for operating it. If you want to self-operate this device, just read the user manual provided with it.
So, if you want to Overhead Projector with a large oversized stage for both landscape and portal formats, then this Apollo/AccWorld is the best.
7. 3M 1720
The 3M 1720 is one of the best cheap overhead projectors with over 2500 Lumens of brightness so that you can also use this projector in bright light. Also, its lamp life is double as compared to other overhead projectors in this category. Its lamp can last for about 130 hours average, it is very good for an overhead projector lamp. If we talk about the staging area, it has 10 x 10″ available so that you can easily put the large overhead projector sheets on it and projects easily.
If we talk about the physical appearance of it, this overhead projector has easy-to-locate on/off button and focus knob design so that you will find it easy to use. Also, 10-feet long cord allows you to move this projector accordingly to obtain the desired image. To keep this long cord in neat and clean manner when not in use, it is provided with the tangle-free cord storage. Also, it has the built-in pen try to keep your pens at one place.
For better safety, this overhead projector is integrated with the safety thermal protection switch which cuts power to the lamp if the projector exceeds safe operating temperature and ensures the extra safety to the lamp. The focal length of this projector is 11.5-inch which provides a clear and proper image on the big a screen.
Also, the company provides limited time manufacturer warranty and free technical support with this product. If you want the demo of the product, the company also provides this by sending their executive to you who will give you the full knowledge of the projector and also teaches you the procedure for operating it.
So, if you want an Overhead Projector with higher illumination, longer lamp life, and of less price, then the 3M 1720 Model is the best.
8. Apollo V3000M
Apollo V3000M is an easy-to-use overhead projector with 3000 lumens of brightness for providing excellent picture quality and crisp images for all your presentations. This projector is ideal for medium-size conference and meeting rooms with 50–100 people. It also has an open head that folds down or can be stored in the built-in storage compartment features a double Fresnel lens to assure sharpness and brightness.
This Apollo V3000M is integrated with the lamp changer allows you to instantly replace the lamp in the event of a lamp blowout by simply flipping a switch. Also, it has the high/low lamp control which adapts the projector light to bright or dark presentations and helps in extending the lamp life.
The Apollo 3000 features 11.25 x 11.25 Inch stage glass which allows the use of transparency sheets from edge to edge. This projector is lightweight provides with the convenient carry grips which give additional portability and ease of transportation. If you want to keep this projector away from other people, then it has the Kensington Security Slot locks which offer theft prevention.
The company also provides 2-years limited warranty and free technical support with this Apollo V3000M Overhead Projector. If you want that your device should be installed by an expert and gives you basic demo, then the company also provides this facility, but it is chargeable.
So if you want an Overhead Projector with high Lumens of brightness and with the adjustable light option, then the Apollo V3000M is ideal for you.
9. 3M 9060
The 3M 9060 is the easy-to-use multipurpose overhead projector that’s a perfect meeting solution for schools, government organizations, and businesses. It has the 2500 Lumens of brightness which provides high-quality images from color and monochrome transparencies. The weight of this projector is 18 Pounds, which is less as compared to others. Also, it has the cooling fan which controls the temperature.
This is a good overhead projector made with durable grade material to make this projector tough. The body is made of plastic which makes it light-weight and easy to handle. The overhead projector bulb is also provided with it which gives proper light and last for long. You can easily change the lamp bulb and also adjust the height of the table according to your need.
This projector supports the normal overhead projector sheets to project the image on the screen and this projector has the cool stage which prevents the transparency film from curling. You can easily find these sheets in the market. To operate this projector, you just have to simply turn on the lamp by pressing the large red button and adjust the focus dial. The projector will start displaying the images of the sheets placed on its table.
The lamp life of this Overhead Projector is 130 hours. If we compare to another projector of this category, its lamp life is so long. After buying it, don’t worry about the lamp life. The company also provides limited time manufacturer warranty and free technical support. If you find any difficulty in using this or it has any technical issue, then you should contact the technical department to get the solution asap.
So, if you are looking for an overhead projector with long lamp life and good lumens of brightness, then the 3M 9060 is the best.
10. Apollo V16002M
The Apollo 16002 Overhead Projector is designed to present in a small room setting and is ideal for the classrooms, meeting rooms, and small conference rooms. This is a superior quality projector with 2000 lumen light output and a closed head style which keeps dust, dirt, or foreign objects from damaging precision-focusing mirror and lens. Also, integrated with the double fresnel lens which provides edge-to-edge brightness and sharpness for your presentation.
The glass stage of this overhead projector is 10 x 10 inches which are very spacious to keep the large sheets also in the horizontal and vertical way. Also, this projector weighs only 12 pounds so you can easily carry it with you anywhere you want and use it. For easy portability, this projector is provided with the carry grips through which you can easily transport this overhead projector.
You can easily change the lamp in minutes to help you avoid embarrassing delays due to lamp blowouts. Just flip a switch and a new lamp takes over. It is very easy and can be done anytime without any technical knowledge. To provide better security from thieves, it is equipped with the Kensington Security Slot so you can secure your machine with a standard computer lock.
Also, the company provides limited time manufacturer warranty and free technical support with this Apollo V16002M Overhead Projector. If you find any difficulty in using this or it has any technical issue, then you should contact the technical department to get the solution asap.
So, if you want a good overhead projector with the thieve protection and good lamp life, the Apollo V16002M should be the right choice.
Editor’s Recommendation
For choosing the best Overhead Projector, if you need an expert advice for you then I will give you the name of the best Overhead Projector for you. According to me, the overall best Overhead Projector is the Apollo V3000M. The reason for choosing as the best is that it has the highest Lumens of brightness output, and also good reviews by customers on Amazon. Besides this, Apollo is the trusted brand for Overhead Projectors and with this provision, the company is providing 2-years limited warranty.
This is all for this article, hope you like the selection of the products. If you are confused in choosing the best for you, then you can go with the Editor’s Recommendation. I have recommended this product after testing it. The performance of this Overhead Projector is up to the mark.
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