BenQ GS1 Portable LED Projector (Built-In USB Reader and Bluetooth, Wireless Display, Android, HDMI, HML, Docking Battery, Short Throw 60-inch at 1 m, 1 kg, IPX1 Water Splash Proof) for Outdoor Family

Pros: looks nice, dinky, compact, nice little carry case. Plugged into my PC to access Netflix then projected on wall for bigger screen. Also using for presentations.Cons: wasn't able to access some online features such as Netflix direct so had to use via my PC. Could be more user friendly for direct access

We are so pleased and surprised with this little machine. I will not go into technical details - this can be found on Amazon or BenQ's website, I will instead write what we use this projector for, what we like about it and what can BenQ improve.We're mostly using it to watch movies from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, we have connected Amazon Fire stick via standard HDMI and it works 100%. The picture is very good (we have it mounted on a tripod and projecting it at a light gray wall - the picture size at around 100 inches). We sometimes connect a USB stick with movies on it and that works good too.We use the inbuilt speakers - they are a bit tinny but perfectly loud - externals speakers can be connected too.We like the fact that it can take any HDMI or USB source, we also like that that the picture adjusts to angle at which the projector is set - i.e. you can have it on an uneven surface and the picture will still be nice and rectangular.We also like the portability - it comes with a small carry case that take everything you need - projector, battery, charger and cables with space for your extras (like Amazon fire stick or Google chromecast etc.). The carry case is small (W32 x D16 x H9 cm) and neat (see attached pictures).We normally use it connected to electricity, but have once done a projection of a kids movie outside using the battery. The projector was running for around two hours on full brightness and highest volume - and the battery coped well.The user interface is easy to use and the machine is wifi enabled, so I was able to use it to show run some videos and photographs from my PC, however (and this is what BenQ should improve) the selection of apps for download is limited - add Netflix ,BBC iplayer and Amazon Prime and you have a winner!I am really impresses with this product and happy to answer any question you might have.

If you are looking for a projector where you can air play films or save film to projector so not on Wi-fi - this is not the projector for you

Pros: it's easy to set up, ridiculously small, simple to use, surprisingly good sound given how small it is, and picture is very good qualityCons: it barely connects to anything! The only Bluetooth thing it could find was my tv - it couldn't connect (wirelessly) with my laptop, phone (Samsung s7 edge) or any of my Bluetooth speakersIt also doesn't have any of the popular apps like Netflix, NowTV or Amazon video - and won't play Amazon videos through its browser. It also won't connect to Google home or Chromecast.It connected to my laptop via hdmi however.After trying all sorts of options, the only way I could play any of my movies was to download them to a portable drive and plug that in, or plug in my laptop and watch through that.Considering the price it's at, to be so limited is bizarre. It's great if you plan to or are happy to use a plugged in laptop with it - but my advice would be if you want true portable/ wireless entertainment, to avoid it and pick something with better connectivity.

Lovely small projector which has a power well beyond its small size.It is smart equipped and so is able to context direct to online content without being attached to a laptop or phone, although you could.Works well on the battery charge unit which screws to the base.Able to produce good quality picture outside in dusk conditions. In darkness can give a large projected image suitable for outdoors film show. Sound is ok, and suitable for using in the back garden for the alfresco film shows.

It has taken me some time to get around to reviewing this splendid little projector as - in common with other reviewers on this page – I lacked somewhere or something to project anything on to; I eventually found my old Starlight projection screen which served the purpose.The BenQ is a dinky wee thing; as you can see from the illustrations above, it comes in a rather nice zippered carry-case which contains the projector, battery pack, protective rubber casing and external power cable; it also has a nifty handset (batteries included) and an HDMI cable – everything you need to get up and running.The manufacturer has pitched it as very much as an outdoor, portable unit - perhaps for holiday/camping use or something similar; I restricted my testing to indoor use, though the 3 hour battery time makes it eminently usable if you find yourself without a mains supply.What/how do you project with it?I immediately put a few films and videos onto a USB flash drive and set my screen up in my living room – the projector sat raised on a pile of books on my coffee table and at a distance of about 1metre I was able to project a film in 16.9 ratio onto my 36" square screen perfectly; the manual focusing ring was easy and accurate to use and with the auto keystone, the picture was sharp, stable and completely free of any distortion. I repeated the test the following night with a 4:3 ratio film with the same excellent results.I also had the same success using a micro SD card as my source; as the sound with the built-in speakers is acceptable - but not very dynamic - I connected a pair of headphones using the audio-out socket, which greatly enhanced my viewing enjoyment.In a later test, I connected the projector again via the audio socket with an external speaker which also worked well.Those were the most practical tests I was able to carry out – there are a considerable variety of connections and source devices possible – the HDMI connection is especially useful if you have a spare DVD/Blu-ray player to hand. This is a versatile little projector for entertainment, but it also has plenty of other uses for presentations or office use.One test I haven't carried out yet is to see if I can use it as an art projector to enlarge scanned images onto large canvases – but that will have to wait for the winter months when I can darken my studio properly.My only criticism is in the documentation; the printed guide consists mainly of a set of pictorial instructions concerning the hardware; its only when the on-screen menus appear that one gets an idea of all the available options; it is easy enough to understand, but not entirely intuitive – a little trial and error may be required, but once one gets a hang of the settings (of which there are many) there are no problems.I'm very happy with this; it performed well in the (admittedly limited) tests I put it to, but I should think that most people will find it easy to set up and use regardless of which device or connection method they choose. A good wall-space is advisable (there is a colour adjustment setting available in the menu, so it needn't be a white wall) but even with the limitations I imposed on it this was an impressive unit; I still marvel at how small – but powerful - it is.