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What is the best 5000 lumen projector in 2024?
- BenQ
- 2024-04-15
As low cost mercury bulb projectors rapidly disappear, what are the best models available today when you need a bright projector on a big screen? $5000 for golf simulators, photographers, and digital signage compare in a fair shootout.
While the WUXGA resolution in televisions and monitors has been bypassed in favor of 4K UHD displays, projectors with this resolution are popular for golf simulators and classrooms where they leverage the taller 16:10 aspect ratio by adding extra rows of pixels to a traditional 1080p projector. In the past, nearly every short throw WUXGA laser projector required an expensive optional lens – adding complexity and cost. Today, there are three high brightness short throw laser projectors with mainstream integrated lenses available for around $4000. What is the difference between these three models – and which one is best?
- BenQ LU935ST
- Epson PowerLite L630SU
- Optoma ZU607TST
We’ll look at each projector using key factors that projector buyers look at when choosing a projector.
Figure 1- The BenQ LU935ST is a very popular WUXGA short throw laser projector with 5500 ANSI lumens
How easy are they to install?
For a DYI projector buyer or IT manager who must install projectors themselves in their facilities, this question often ranks #1 on top concerns. There are two areas that make a projector easy to install.
Optical Zoom Lens
If you want to have some flexibility on how far back you need to mount the projector away from the screen, a zoom lens gives you flexibility on exactly where the mount needs to be placed. The BenQ LU935ST is the only model with an optical zoom lens that enables you to move the projector within a range of about 18 inches when using a 16-foot-wide golf simulation screen.
Neither the Optoma ZU607TST or the Epson PowerLite L630SU have an optical zoom lens but use a less expensive fixed lens with a “digital” zoom that also offers some flexibility by digitally manipulating the image on the screen. This can result in lower resolution or brightness on the screen but can save you from having to remount the projector.
Lens Shift
Lens shift makes it easy for you to move the projector image either up and down or side to side without tilting the projector. While you will want to mount the projector as close to center as possible, lens shift offers you more flexibility once you get the projector mounted. All three models have lens shift – but in different amounts. The BenQ LU935ST features 60% vertical shift and 23% horizontal lens shift. The Epson PowerLite has slightly less vertical (50%) and horizontal lens shift (20%), while the Optoma ZU607TST has a lot of vertical lens shift (100%) but the least amount of horizontal lens shift (4%) The larger amount of vertical and horizontal shift give the BenQ LU935ST the edge in this category for being able to cover common mounting mistakes.
How realistic are the images?
One advantage of laser projectors is that they can produce more realistic colors at high brightness levels than mercury lamps. If you’re going to use a projector for golf simulation, photography, or for watching movies, you’ll want a projector that can replicate the detailed poa grass greens of Pebble Beach and Torrey Pines – and still look good for family movie night.
Figure 2- The latest simulation engines like GS Pro require Rec. 709 Color accuracy to ensure a realistic and natural looking picture on the projector.
The BenQ LU935ST is the only projector of the three that can cover 92% of the Rec. 709 color specification used for televisions. That means that the Augusta azaleas look correct on your screen, and the green grass on your simulator looks like it’s real. Neither the PowerLite L630SU or the Optoma ZU607TST have Rec, 709 color specifications, although both manufacturers make lower brightness home theater models that do have these specifications.
Brightness Comparison
All three projectors are bright projectors, but there are some differences to consider. The BenQ LU935ST generates 5500 ANSI lumens with excellent reviews from third party reviewers who detail the strengths and weaknesses of the model. This enables you to see what it might look like in your setup under different lighting conditions.
The Optoma ZU607TST has a different brightness measurement than the traditional ANSI lumens they (and the majority of projector brands) have used over the last 20 years. They promoted the brightness of the projector as 6000 lumens, but according to Projector Central, when translated to ANSI lumens, the projector only delivers 4,800 ANSI lumens, or about 12% lower brightness compared to the BenQ ANSI lumen rating. The PowerLite L630SU is also rated at 6000 lumens, but uses the less common ISO standard as a reference.
Maintenance Requirements
While laser projectors eliminate the need to pay for and install replacement bulbs, there is a difference between how much maintenance the Epson requires and the other two models to consider if you are going to use your projector a lot.
DustProof BenQ LU935ST and Optoma ZU607TST
Both these models have been tested by a third party under harsh conditions where large amounts of dust of different sizes bombard the projector while in use. This test is used for military equipment and smart watches to ensure they can operate even in a dusty environment. The “IP5X” rating on the BenQ LU936ST ensures that it can withstand a dusty garage – or auditorium ceiling during its life without having to clean or replace filters.
PowerLite L630SU Filter Cleaning
The PowerLite L630SU is the only model that requires constant filter maintenance over the life of the projector. Each filter cleaning requires nine steps, including vacuuming the filter. How often you do this may vary depending on your location, but commercial golf simulation companies recommend cleaning filters every month to ensure smooth operation, and some models have recommended filter cleaning intervals every 100 hours. A replacement filter for this model is $54.
Figure 3- Some Epson projector models require filter cleaning as often as every 100 hours of use.
Warranty Comparison
All three projectors come with a three-year limited warranty. But when you look at the details of each warranty – there are some significant differences.
Usage
The BenQ LU935ST and Optoma ZU607TST are both rated for 24/7 use and can be used as much as you want – without voiding the warranty. This makes these ideal for a commercial golf simulator, digital signage, or in a multi-use educational facility where more than 8 hours of use per day is common.
The Epson projector warranty can be voided for “excessive” or “continual” use.
Maintenance
Since the Epson PowerLite L630SU requires regular filter maintenance, this model has a warranty for “damage caused by failure to properly maintain the product.” The BenQ LU935ST does not have any maintenance requirements in the warranty document.
Comparison
While all three are solid projectors with similar price points, the table below may help you decide which is the right projector for your application.
|
BenQ LU935ST |
Epson PowerLite L630SU |
Optoma ZU607TST |
Resolution | BenQ LU935ST WUXGA | Epson PowerLite L630SU WUXGA | Optoma ZU607TST WUXGA |
Optical Zoom Lens | BenQ LU935ST Yes | Epson PowerLite L630SU No | Optoma ZU607TST No |
Vertical Lens Shift | BenQ LU935ST 65% | Epson PowerLite L630SU 50% | Optoma ZU607TST 100% |
Horizontal Lens Shift | BenQ LU935ST 32% | Epson PowerLite L630SU 20% | Optoma ZU607TST 4% |
Rec. 709 Color | BenQ LU935ST Yes | Epson PowerLite L630SU No | Optoma ZU607TST No |
Brightness | BenQ LU935ST 5500 ANSI Lumens | Epson PowerLite L630SU 6000 ISO Lumens | Optoma ZU607TST 6000 “Lumens” 4870 ANSI Lumens |
IP5X Rated Dust Proof | BenQ LU935ST Yes | Epson PowerLite L630SU No | Optoma ZU607TST Yes |
Filter Replacement Cost | BenQ LU935ST N/A | Epson PowerLite L630SU $54 | Optoma ZU607TST N/A |
Warranty Period | BenQ LU935ST 3 Years | Epson PowerLite L630SU 3 Years | Optoma ZU607TST 3 Years |
24/7 Use Allowed | BenQ LU935ST Yes | Epson PowerLite L630SU No – voids warranty | Optoma ZU607TST Yes |
Estimated Street Price (B&H Photo) | BenQ LU935ST $3999 | Epson PowerLite L630SU $4181 | Optoma ZU607TST $4199 |
Want to Talk to a Projector Expert?
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