Palm Top Mini Projector - Joybee GP1 from BenQ

Recently I had to conduct a Training Session for 10 people for 4 days with very tight budgets. To get a projector on rent it was costing around INR 12K to 16K. So, decided to buy one for my self. Researched a lot on them and found BenQ gave a reasonably better value for money. Almost decided on BenQ 525p recommended by the vendor.

For the first day the vendor was kind enough to give a standby projector till he picks the new one from distributor. When I saw the size of 525p, I felt it is more for 'portable' in my terms and less for a big projector. Then I was also thinking of their "Short-throw" projectors in case I have to use it for a small meeting rooms.

I came across Joybee GP1 projector and started reading about it. This is so cute and small and fits in the laptop bag, weighs around 640 grams with 100% mercury free 3LED technology. SVGA (858X600) resolution and with PC/Laptop will project up to 1280X1024. This is more than sufficient in many cases where the presentation has to be done in a small meeting room with maximum of 10 people. The colors are good. It starts up very quickly and when you double press the power button it shuts down very quickly. It also has USB port. You can also buy an iPod/iPhone Universal dock. I have completed the remaining training with this projector and participants were happy with this.

I strongly recommend this for the road warriors (typical Business/Sales persons) who don't want to carry a lot of weight and would not want to wait for the systems to boot up and adjust a lot of things before the projector shows the slides on the wall/screen. Also ideal for home projector if you are not a videophile.

In India it costs you around INR 36K including taxes. However in USA it is selling around USD 400 as per amazon.

It comes along with a soft carry case & remote (looks bigger for the size of projector) in addition to a quick start guide, power adaptor, power cable, CEA 30pin Cable & a manual CD.

For more details visit www.benq.co.in/product/projector/joybeegp1

You may also look at Acer C110 or Viewsonic PLED-W200.

The New TATA ARIA

Recently test-drove TATA Aria. I must say if I remove the TATA badge and ask you to drive you will not think in any wild way that it is TATA vehicle. The build is very strong. It feels like a tanker. The pick up and gear ratios are very smooth. You will never feel that you are driving a beast of 2720 Kg. I must say TATA engineers have done an excellent job here. For the sake of mentioning the specs, it is 140PS@4000RPM and 320NM@1700-2700RPM that makes it very peppy. The space inside is huge. You have AC vents on the pillars for rear passengers. The seat configuration can be changed as per your requirement. For such a huge vehicle the turning radius of 5.6m is very decent. I test-drove the 4X4. It is all wheel drive unless you choose to make it 4X2. A 4X2 version is also available now. The higher end 4X4 version has automatic climate control, cruise control, 6 airbags, ESP and Traction control, navigation system & 17" alloys.

The things I did not like: a whole row of roof pockets, slippery steering wheel (not the drive) and the last row plastics. However one of the pockets on the roof can be an LCD and a leather cover stitched on steering wheel will work with better grip. The last row plastics may create a rattle sound in future.

Aria really surprises you with its strong feel. The highest being priced at INR 19.65L and base at around 12L on road (Bengaluru).

www.tataaria.com

Good one until you see the XUV500 from Mahindra & Mahindra.