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The projector is everything the manufacturer promised. It is designed for artists and that is important to me. So far I'm on a learning curve with the projector's remote control and the menu system it accesses.
One feature I often need is a one to one ( 1:1 ) projection level; the LED300 does provide it. I do not do murals so the magnification feature is normally of limited use to me. I did use the normal projector magnification level to 'blow up' an image on a canvas recently and it worked fine. I can get within 12 inches of the canvas and still maintain focus. I could get closer if I was willing to lose the focus and just do an outline for tiny images.
The LED300 illumination is quite bright even in a lit room. I usually turn the overhead light off and leave my many floor lamps lit when using the projector. It is a small unit, very light in weight and mounts nicely on the existing camera tripod I already owned. I like the USB input feature because I keep a lot of my graphic files ( .jpg ) on memory sticks. I can leave the computer alone and just plug in a memory stick into the projector's USB jack and I'm ready to project. That is an important feature for artists in my opinion. It is necessary to convert any Photoshop files ( .psd ) to the .jpg file format in order to project through this unit.
I gave this unit four stars instead of five because of the menu system that you must use to operate this device. When most artists are in their creative state of mind they are in their right brain hemisphere; the creative half of the brain. To operate this remote and control the unit via the provided menu system ( the software that runs the projector ) the artist must return to their left brain hemisphere ( the literal, linear, technical half ); leaving their creativity for a moment. I have found that I spend too much time trying to get what I want to be projected, the size I want it, the orientation I want it via the menu system.
I know this is going to be a longer learning curve than I had planned. Not only with the menu system but also with the physical positioning of the projector on the tripod; not to mention moving the easel up or down to compensate for the tripod's leg extensions. Try to imagine what I'm saying here and consider it when deciding if you should buy this or any digital projector as an art tool.
If you do feel the need for a digital projector in your art studio I will say that this is the one you should get because it is designed for artists. I cannot imagine what it would be like to use a regular digital projector in my studio; probably a nightmare.
I failed to mention the available grid overlays that are built into this device. It allows you to project your image with a superimposed grid over it. This provides an immediate visual of any distortion in the projection. If the grid is not square on the canvas then neither is the image. The correction is also provided with their built in 'keystone' correction feature. Keystone is when a projected rectangle is not square on the surface and needs to be properly oriented. Two buttons on the remote allow for keystone adjustment in either direction. Once you see it the whole thing becomes immediately obvious.
In summation I will say that I made the correct choice in the selection of the Artograph LED300 digital projector for my art work. Time will tell how ruggedly it is built and how long it lasts. I keep it in the provided small case with Artograph embroidered on the front. The carry case holds the unit, the electric cord, the power pack and the remote control in a nice tight, small soft case with a handle. A small lens cap is also provided and is a must when traveling with the projector. The printed users manual, all in English, is quite extensive and is accompanied by a disc with the same manual in many languages on it; any language can be printed out if necessary. I have not yet called the Artograph customer service number yet to see how helpful they are or not.
I suppose this would be a good place to ask Artograph to re-think their software menu system in future digital projectors that they might design. Try to get your engineers to work alongside artists so there is a balance of both left and right 'brained' people in on the development. This would be a good idea to use for the development of any new art related products. Finally, I would like the projector to be able to project any Photoshop format files ( .psd ) on my memory stick without first having to convert them to .jpg files in Photoshop. Thank you.
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