Projector recommendations around £500

[Whoop]

Hi everyone,

I've tried this search before and it seems every time I read a projector guide online it is already out of date and none of the links work. I'm not after the best, secondhand is fine too but I just want full HD with a decent brightness to replace my cheapie 720p projector.

Does anyone have any experience with a mid price point model?
(I've seen the Yaber/WiMius/Vamvo stuff and I'm not convinced...)

It's for general movies and possibly putting the Switch/PC on there to entertain the kids.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Whoop]

£500 is pretty-much bottom book money for a home-entertainment projector. The Chinese brands you've been looking at are nothing like the quality of an Optoma HD143 (£470), Optoma GT1080 (£530) or Benq TH585 (£550).

Thank you, it was one of those brands I was actually leaning towards but there are so many variants and I'm guessing with a projector it would make more sense to buy new with replacement lamps being about £100

 

[Whoop]

Thanks all, I'll consider the secondhand market too but I'll dodge Ebay etc I think!

I quite liked the look of both the Optoma HD28e and the Benq TH585 (the Benq was my first choice) so I'll dig a little bit more and then commit.

I could spend forever looking at options

Oh, for times when I want to use it in the living room and we don't have a good flat wall... what's the best portable stand option? Pull-up from experience seems better quality than pull-down and I'm not allowed to mount anything