With mini projectors like BenQ’s Joybee GP2, you get
HD-ready projection resolution and reasonable brightness without breaking the
bank. While the GP2 might not fit into your pocket, it still possesses a
compact form factor and weighs about 565g. Similar to the outgoing GP1, the GP2
sports a dual-color design, with a black top above a white body. The GP2 has a
solid, hefty feel to it despite being constructed mainly of plastic.
You may not expect a host of ports available on such a
compact design but the GP2 surprisingly possesses quite a few to choose from.
Located on the right is an SDHC card slot, a USB 2.0 port, as well as microUSB
and proprietary composite video/audio connectors. The most important port (and
what we found the most useful) was the HDMI port. With the GP2 being HD-ready,
the GP2 also comes with a HDMI port. Audio is served via a 3.5mm audio-in jack,
while audio-out is provided in case you would like to use headphones.
On the top of the projector you get a touch-sensitive
circular control panel and a iPod dock, which allows you to stream music and
video from your iPod or iPhone. The GP2 also comes with a remote that we found
to be rather underwhelming. The slim width of the remote made it uncomfortable
to hold, while the small and recessed buttons further compounded the
unwieldiness of using the remote.
The GP2’s interface is simple to navigate, but it’s also
pretty sluggish so don’t be expecting your commands to register instantly. With
WXGA resolution, the GP2 handles HD content pretty well, with images being
sharp at the 1-meter mark, and colors quite saturated. We tested MKV, AVI, and
MOV file, with the GP2 handling most of the rather well. But do take note that
with higher bitrate files there was some stuttering.
Putting out 200 ANSI lumens means that you will basically
need to use the GP2 in a pretty dark room, but even at the 2-meter mark the
image from the GP2 was clear and colors were vibrant in our testing room with
the lights off. As expected from a portable device, the sound from the GP2 will
suffice for most presentations but if you’re planning to watch a movie or play
some video games we suggest using headphones or external speakers as bass is
practically non-existent. This results in muddy sound, making dialogue muffled
at higher volumes.
And not to forget that the GP2 tends to run rather loudly
too, affecting audio playback if the room is quiet.
The GP2’s control panel is touch-senstive.
The GP2 is a mini projector that has decent image quality
with a good number of ports, making it very versatile.
Furthermore, its compact size does make it very portable.
It does have some minor flaws such as its remote and sluggish interface, but
you can consider the GP2 if you’re looking for a mini projector, as long as you
manage your expectations.
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At a glance
Projector system: DLP
Native resolution: WXGA
(1280x800)
Brightness: 200
lumens
Price: $899
Specifications
Projection system: DLP
Native resolution: WXGA
(1,280X800)
Brightness: 200
lumens
Lens: F =
1.928, F = 26.95 mm
Keystone adjustment: Auto,
=/- 40 degrees
Dimensions:
140.3x52.5x129.8mm
Weight: 565g
Price: $899
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Verdict: 8.0
Physique: 8.0
Features: 8.0
User-friendliness: 8.0
Performance: 8.0
Value: 8.0
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