Last updated on December 14th, 2023 at 03:48 pm
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Ready to ditch the paper patterns and start projecting your patterns? Sometimes it might be hard to find a recommended sewing projector in Canada. Here is a list of our top sewing projectors in Canada!
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks for Sewing Projectors in Canada
For those in a hurry, here is the top pick for sewing projectors in Canada. If you want to learn more about how we come up with our list and for alternatives, keep reading below.
Yoton
The Yoton is a budget-friendly projector with a 1.2 throw ratio. With just 106cm (lens to cutting mat) you get a projection that is 50cmx89cm. This projector is best used in a dim environment.
Acrojoy 9000
The Acrojoy 9000 is a mini projector that is bright and has high contrast. It has connection options including HDMI, Miracast, and iOS cast. This projector has a higher throw ratio (1.4), so you need at least 132cm between your ceiling and cutting mat for a good image size.
Yaber V2
The Yaber V2 is another mini projector that calibrates easily. It has one of the lower throw ratios, but does have a power cable that exists the back of the projector. It doesn’t have quite as high brightness and contrast as the Acrojoy.
Why Choose a Mini Projector for Sewing?
A “mini” projector is not an “official” term, but it is a term you will see used often in Projector Sewing. They refer to the small home projectors that are budget friendly and sold in electronic stores and online such as Amazon.
Mini projectors are the choice of many sewists because they are very budget friendly. Most mini projectors are under $120 CND.
Short throw and ultra-short throw projectors can be very expensive new. However, these are often purchased secondhand on marketplaces such as eBay.
Mini projectors have an “inside” offset, which means they need to be mounted directly above the cutting surface and not to the side.
To get an image size about the size of an A1 cutting mat (24″x36″ or 60cmx90cm), we recommend having at least 52″ or 1.32meters between the ceiling and cutting surface.
If you aren’t sure which type of projector is right for you, consider taking this short quiz.
Throw Ratio of Mini Projectors
Mini projectors are relatively lightweight, weighing around 2-4 lbs. Most mini projectors that are used have a throw ratio between 1.2 and 1.7
The lower the throw ratio, the larger your image will be at a set distance.
You can also calculate the image size given the throw ratio of your projector. Take the distance you have from ceiling to cutting surface and subtract about 8 inches (20 cm) and divide it by the projector throw ratio. The 8 inches is about the average distance that a mounting takes up on mini projectors.
Example: I have 65” between my ceiling and cutting surface. If the projector that I want to buy has a throw ratio of 1.24, I can use the following equation to see what the longest side of the image will be (horizontal).
65”-8”=57” 57” divided by 1.24 (throw ratio of the Sovboi projector)= about 46”
In this example, I would get an image with a horizontal throw of 46”.
65”-8”=57” 57” divided by 1.4 (Throw ratio of the Vankyo Leisure 470)=40.7”
In this example, by only changing the projector, I get an image size the is 6 inches less wide.
How to Choose a Mini Projector on Amazon
Buying a mini projector on Amazon can be difficult. The product specs on the mini projectors listed on Amazon are rarely standardized.
The listing can also be very misleading and sometimes downright false!
So, how do you work through the sea of information to find a projector that works well for sewing?
Take my advice, get a projector that you already know will work! Why go through the headache of buying and returning projectors when you can get one that you know will work the first time?!
Here at ProjectorSewing.com, we physically hand test the projectors that we recommend! We have tested dozens of projectors and know what makes a projector good for sewing!
If we ever list a projector that has not been tested, we will let you know in the description.
However, if you don’t like the ones we have recommended or you like to try things out for yourself, here are some guidelines to keep in mind:
720p NATIVE RESOLUTION
Make sure you find the native resolution and not the “supported resolution”. Most mini projectors will advertise “1080p resolution”. However, this is misleading because that just means they can play a 1080p video. Low-resolution projectors can often cause aspect ratio issues, with a few exceptions.
I have found that higher resolutions will work okay too (1080p). Higher resolution projectors often cost more, but don’t necessarily offer more benefit for sewing purposes.
Look for a projector with a minimum of 720p native resolution. Some 480p native resolution projectors are on our recommended list and they are exceptions to that rule.
If you can’t find a “native resolution” instead of “supported resolution” listed, that usually means the projector has a low resolution. Don’t purchase a projector that doesn’t give you a native resolution.
Brightness
Cheap Amazon projectors are typically listed as having so many “light source” lumens or “LED Lumens”. These projectors cannot typically compete with the brightness of the incandescent bulbs of the more expensive projectors, so don’t be confused by there “brightness” ratings.
Mini projectors do not use the standard ANSI lumens when measuring their brightness. According to Benq, you can convert LED lumens to ANSI lumens by dividing it by 2.4. (1000 LED Lumens = 417 ANSI lumens). You can also convert light source lumens by multiplying it by 0.04-0.06. (10000 light source lumens=60 ANSI lumens)
Contrast Ratio
In our research, we have found that the contrast ratio does make a big impact on the visibility of pattern lines. Look for projectors with higher contrast ratios.
Throw Ratio
Rarely will the cheap mini Amazon projectors list a “throw ratio”. And when they do, I have often found that they are not accurate anyway. Often they will show an image with a distance and diagonal screen size. This is helpful to give you an idea, but again is not always accurate.
Do pay attention to the minimum throw distance. This is the lowest distance that the projector will be able to focus. You will not be able to use the projector unless you have AT LEAST that amount of “throw distance” between your cutting table and projector.
A mini sewing projector in Canada is usually around 1.2-1.6 throw ratio. They will give you about a 24”x36” (60cmx90cm) image size with the recommended distance of 52”-62″ (157cm) between ceiling and cutting table. The higher you can raise the projector, the larger your image will be!
- 【Ultra-Mini Size & High Portability】The…
- 【5.8G+2.4G WiFi Connection & Bluetooth…
- 【Native 720P & 1080P Support】The native…
- 【Multi-Device Compatible & Easy to…
Last update on 2024-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Acrojoy 9000 has a great body design for mounting on the ceiling. Connect using HDMI, Miracast, or iOS cast.
-9000 Lumens (360-540 ANSI Lumens)
-10000:1 Contrast Ratio
-Tested Horizontal Throw 1.48
-Minimum recommended ceiling to cutting table is 53″
Recommended mounts for the Yoton, Acrojoy, and Yaber
The right mount with the right projector makes the perfect pair! I highly recommend choosing the Basic Niche mount designed specifically for this projector. *I don’t even earn anything for saying that! It really is the best mount available. The Basic Niche mounts are handmade by a small business and shipped worldwide!
The Basic Niche Mount is custom designed for sewing needs! Attach the mount to the ceiling using screws and anchors.
Adjustment screws in the mount allow you to fine tune the position of the projector for calibration.
You can get a bare metal or powder coated mount. Check them out!
*Make sure to choose a mount that fits the correct projector that you bought!
If you are handy with a 3D printer, then think about printing a mount for your projector. These mounts will also be available for purchase soon!
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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Mini Projector Mount Universal Projector… | Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2024-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
There you have it! Our top choices for a sewing projector in Canada! Make sure that these projectors will suit your needs before purchasing!
If you have less than the recommended space for these projectors, consider getting a secondhand ultra-short throw projector.
You can take the quiz in the article “Which Projector Should I get” if you are unsure.
Then, don’t be afraid to jump in and get on of the top mini sewing projectors available in Canada!
You can’t start changing your sewing life with a projector until you get one! Don’t hesitate any longer.
Happy sewing!
