BenQ or Optoma?

[frankiepap39]

i know there has been previous discussions on this... but if you were choosing the BenQTH682ST, BenQ HT2150ST (which in australia may be the W1210ST version) or would you go the Optoma Darbee1080?

either of these here will cost me 1K plus.... so just making sure i get it right!

[shimonko]

I don't know much about the Benq682 but did recently have to choose between the 2150/1210 and the 1080. I went the former because:

1. I have a light controlled room so the lower output of the 2150/1210 wasn't an issue.
2. Reviews always suggested the 2150/1210 had better image quality
3. The 2150/1210 had a better latency for gaming in case I choose to play an FPS on it.
4. The 2150/1210 had and in-built speaker suitable for voice chat when playing team matches on JNPG
5. The 2150/1210 had far less vertical offset - I wanted the sim image to start as close to the roof as possible.
6. The 2150/2120 had zoom - allowing me to have the sim go from floor to ceiling but movies at a more comfortable height without changing resolutions.
7. The Optoma tended to be overpriced here in Australia compared to the States, whereas the Benq was fair.

[frankiepap39]

i am leaning toward the W1210ST - looking at the pricing in Melbourne, i can get one for just over 1K. seems to have the better of the specs.

[shimonko]

That's a good price - I thought I got a good price only 6 weeks ago at $1299.

[p3eps]

I had an Optoma 760GT and switched to the TH682ST. The difference is phenomenal. Whilst I’ve technically gone down in lumens, the Benq projector is so much brighter and clearer. It also has a zoom lens, which made it much easier to set up.

I can quite happily play golf with all the lights on, and still get a decent picture. Obviously it becomes much sharper as I dim the room, but I often leave the lights on for practice as my replay camera prefers more light!!

[DFDubb]

The BenQ is most certainly a better, brighter, and sharper projector. That said, I went with the Optoma because I needed the shorter throw. The image is merely OK IMO.