First of all, I would like to say a big Thank you to www.highendstudio.fi here in Finland for sending me this Optoma Pico Pocket Projector for testing, trialing, and reviewing.

I have now been using the Pico for a few days now, and so far it has always impressed me, but I’m always constantly reminded each time I set it up, that the single, small inbuilt speaker really is a major flaw of the device, however, all is not lost, you can connect the Pico Projector to an external Speaker source, but you will need to purchase an additional connectivity lead, as the only ones that come with the Pico are the Connectivity lead to Video Source device, and USB to Mini USB charging lead.

Upon unboxing the Pico, the first thing I noticed is how small the device actually is, its smaller than I imagined it to be, measuring at just 50x 103 x 15mm, and weighing in at a lightweight 108g(without Battery), it really is a portable device you can comfortably pop in your pocket, or bag without worrying about it. It has a black piano black upper part, a real fingerprint magnet, and on the underside, a slider finish. Checkout the photos for more detail.

The Pico Pocket Projector comes with a Leather Magnetic closing case, which is a very snug fit, however, you have to be careful, and remember to always put the Projector in the case lens first, because if you try to slide the Pico in with the lens facing the opening, you will find that the on/off switch on the side of the Pico will be moved to the ON position, resulting in a flat battery.

Connectivity is very simple, and is basically Plug & Play when it comes to the N95, and N82. Using the TV Out cable that comes with your S60 device, just plug all the leads together that come with the Pico, and your good to go.

The Pico comes with 2 x 1100mAh Batteries, which so far for me, has lasted very well, giving me around two hours use on a single fully charged battery, this is using the first power setting however. The second, brighter power setting reduces this time by almost twenty minutes.

Recharging is also very quick, and with a red led status indicator on the device which illuminates red whilst charging, then switches off when full. Unfortunately, you cannot charge the Pico whilst it’s fitted in its carry case due to there not being a cut out for the Mini USB no matter which way you put the Pico into the Leather case. A mains adapter is used to recharge, which lets you plug in a standard USB lead. (Standard USB to Mini USB, same as the connectivity cable found with most S60 Nokia handsets).

Removing the battery cover is somewhat tough, and when I first come to remove the cover, it took me a few minutes as I feared I was about to break it. The instructions state you have to press down on the highlighted area on the battery cover (shown in diagram), then slide the battery cover away from the device length ways. Checkout my unboxing video, and it will give you an idea how tough this was.

Now the one thing I really like about the Pico Pocket Projector, apart from what it can do of course, is that it features a hidden, well placed Tripod mount, one I would love to see used in Nokia Mobile handsets. On the underside of the Pico, you will see three small rubber feet, and a small hole in the centre most part of the device, in this hole you will find a small screw thread, which you screw the small adapter into, which then allows a standard tripod screw to be inserted, and tightened up. You have to be careful not to over tighten however, as I found out whilst positioning the angle of the device on the tripod, as you will need to use some small pliers to unscrew it afterwards.

Back to the main purpose of the Pico, and projecting video onto most areas, flat areas preferably, it works well in many conditions, and has two power settings, the first power setting is a dimmer projected image, mainly for completely darkened room viewing, up to eight feet away from the projected surface, and then a slightly more brighter power setting, which is to be used in a room with some light, and for a bigger projected image. I managed to get a 72” image, (recommended max is 60″) which was quite watchable, but again, the single speaker just does not allow several viewers to hear the audio of the Video without having to use an external speaker source.

The focus adjustment of the Pico Pocket Projector is somewhat hit or miss, with not very much adjustment, but I did manage to get it kind of spot on, but not perfect, which let the whole image kind of slightly blurred. Checkout my video demonstrations which cover this.

If you are into your gadgets as I am, then you will love this Optoma Pico Pocket Projector, however, this is not for everyone, and I fear with many people, the wow factor will quickly wear off. I somehow feel that this device is kind of a Beta release, a product which has been quickly released to the public market place to kind of make a statement, a statement, which gives us a true insight of the possibilities of portable projectors, and what the future may hold, however, with this Pico Pocket projector, as previously mentioned several times, the inbuilt speaker is a big FAIL.

Onto the pro’s, and con’s of the Optoma Pico Pocket Projector.

Pros

Ultra Sleek, Slim Portability.

Very simple to use.

Leather carry case (Although unable to charge device when in its case)

Tripod adapter

Performance much better than expected considering its Specification.

Cons

No lens protection

Can only be put in its carry case one way, otherwise you will accidently switch the device on.

Cannot be charged whilst in its carry case.

Piano Black fingerprint magnet

Poor Focus adjustability.

Poor singular inbuilt speaker

No Audio OUT.

Battery Cover quite difficult to remove.

A big Thanks once again to www.highendstudio.fi & Optoma for getting this Pico Pocket Projector to me so quickly after its first public release.

The Optoma Pico Pocket Projector retails around £250GBP, and is available at many outlets, including www.highendstudio.fi and of course Optoma.

PDF Files of Brochure, & New release.

More details can be found here, and here.