Torpedo Digital Projector – Review

Sunday August 12, 2007 // Share on Facebook

Last night, we went to a friend’s house to watch Peter Pan out in their backyard via a projection system. When Laura told me about this, I thought it was a great idea and something we could use quite a bit at home. Imagine laying in the pool, watching Jaws. Or hanging out in the hot tub in the winter, watching White Christmas. Not to mention, when the guys go off to play cards at the block party, we could set-up a movie for the kids.

So this morning, I went to Target and bought a Torpedo Digital Projector for $160.

I know… you get what you pay for, and this is especially true with the Torpedo Digital Projector. I quickly set it up with a DVD player in the kitchen, and could barely see the picture on the wall. Now I’m used to those business-use projectors that are used in meeting settings.

So, this afternoon, when the rain came and it was darker, I set it up in the front hall and projected the picture on a bed sheet. It was looking pretty good, but Laura mentioned it looked pixelated. I thought it was just the sheet, but sure enough, when we shot it on the wall, same thing.

I’d rather do this right, rather than spend a couple hundred bucks on something we’re not happy with. It’s going back tomorrow. I considered the Epson MovieMate, which has a built-in DVD player, but it can’t flip the image. Instead, I went with the Optoma DV11, which has a built-in DVD player and can flip the image. That way, we can project it on a sheet, and watch it from the other side.

I’ve done some more searching, and you can find a Torpedo Digital Projector on eBay and save a few bucks. Here are some of the current auctions:

Or you can get it from Amazon for about $100.

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 12th, 2007 at 5:46 pm and is filed under Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  1. hal meeks said...

    There are many other choices in the sub $500.00 price range. The lumenlabs projector was for a while the low price leader, and their bulb replacement cost can’t be beat ($30.00), which makes it a compelling choice for total cost of ownership. Note that it is not an HD projector, limited to 800×480, but will scale down 1024×768 — perhaps okay for playing back video.

    http://yhst-18925554572786.stores.yahoo.net/llpjevov1w2.html

    Epson makes nice projectors btw. Some (if not all) of their models can correct for non-white projection surfaces fairly simply.

    Thanks for the concise review.

    –hal

    Reply

    November 26th, 2007

  2. Terry said...

    I just picked one up from Target for $119 plus they give you a $20 gift card. As much as it is indeed a very low end projector I have tried it and it will be fine for the children and their bright movies.

    Reply

    November 29th, 2007

  3. Eric said...

    I just posted an updated price… $75!

    In the end, I got the MovieTime Digital DVD Projector and am very happy with it.

    Now if I only had more time to watch movies… after Christmas I will.

    Reply

    December 12th, 2007

  4. Eric said...

    Another update posted – Wal-Mart is no longer carrying these. You can Search for it on eBay or get it from Amazon

    Reply

    January 2nd, 2008

  5. B. Foster said...

    I just bought a torpedo projector (at Target for $80.00) and was researching if it was worth keeping and came across your website. VERY cool website!! Based upon what I have been reading here and on other sites, it sounds like this is not worth the money, so I think I will return it. Keep up the good work! P.S.- just heard about KIVA on Today Show so I’m going to check it out… Have a good one. 1/11/08

    Reply

    January 11th, 2008

  6. Ryan S. said...

    Well I have to say I think you all are crazy. I bought one of these torpedo projectors and slapped a 50W Halogen bulb in it and I got a great picture even during the day. Spend a few bucks on a high lumen bulb and you have a pretty good picture. I got about 160 dollars wrapped up in it and I couldnt be happier. Im projecting a 125″ image with no problem. I hope this will help some. Thanks

    Reply

    January 18th, 2008

  7. manuel said...

    Hi Ryan S.
    I just did purchase by phone from Best Buy one of this Torpedo projectors.Iread your comment,would you mind to let me know what brand is the 50 W Haloge bulb is? and where you purchase this ,thanks a lot .

    Reply

    January 20th, 2008

  8. viet p said...

    i am planning on buying this projector and i wanted to know if the picture was good.

    Reply

    January 30th, 2008

  9. Manuel said...

    Just got the torpedo projector,and I think that ofcourse it is not the best of the projectors but if you want something affordable and okay like to watch movies in your bedroom or so,this projector does the work.I will probably will buy a 50 w bulb and try to see if improves the quality.

    Reply

    January 31st, 2008

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