Last updated on September 28th, 2022 at 12:54 pm
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The Vankyo Leisure 470 and Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro are both mini projectors that work for sewing. However, which one is the better choice for you?
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Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro Vs. Vankyo Leisure 470
The Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro is one of the BEST mini projectors to use for sewing! When mounted from the ceiling you will get a decent image size and line visibility. However, the minimum focus distance means you need at least 65.2 inches from ceiling to table or 55.2 inches from lens to table. The Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro was just released in June 2022.
The Vankyo Leisure 470 is also a budget good choice for sewists. You need at least 61.2 inches from ceiling to table or 51.2 inches from lens to surface. The Vankyo Leisure 470 has long been a popular choice for sewists in Germany, UK, and Canada for its availability and functionality.
The Vankyo projectors were tested at a distance of 62 inches from lens to cutting surface using a native 1080p computer running Windows 11. We have standard 8 ft. ceilings, but the cutting table is only about 2.4 ft tall.
Image Size or Throw Ratio
The throw ratio of the Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro is listed as 1.4, and produced an image size of 25 ¾” x 45 5/8” at the distance of 62 inches. This was much larger than the typical A1 cutting mat sized often used by sewists. My calibrated zoom percent was 30.8%.
The image size with the Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro surprised and impressed me!
It was larger than the projection I currently get using the Vivimage Explore 2 mini projector. Which has been the go-to mini projector for sewists over the past 2 years! Step aside Vivimage, here comes Vankyo!
The throw ratio of the Vankyo Leisure 470 is 1.49, and produced an image size of 22 5/8” x 40 ½” at 62 inches between lens and cutting surface. My calibrated zoom percent was 35%.
I was able to see about 5% more of a pattern in my cutting image on the Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro than on the Vankyo Leisure 470. That can be the difference of a pattern piece fitting in your projection and not!
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Unit Size and Design
The Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro is indeed much smaller than the Vankyo Leisure. The 470 Pro is the same size as the Vivimage Explore 2 and Acrojoy 9000 projectors.
All cords and fans are located on the sides of the projector, meaning they can be mounted flush to the ceiling for maximum height.
Connection Types
Do you want to use your phone or tablet for projecting patterns? Then, you need a projector with screen mirroring technology!
The Vankyo Leisure 470 and 470 Pro offer great options for connecting. This includes the popular HDMI option for computers and screen mirroring for phones and tablets.
The projectors create their own Wi-Fi signal that you can connect your device to. If you want to use the internet while you are connected to the projector, then you need to connect the projector to your internet router first!
When connecting to a phone, your image size will be smaller. My image went from 25 ¾” x 45 5/8” to 21 ¼” x 45 5/8”. It kept the full length, which is great for cutting out the longer pattern pieces. You can learn how to cut a pattern larger than your image on the Tutorial page.
Both projectors do not have a Miracast option. You will not be able to wirelessly connect to your computer without the addition of a casting device, such as Chromecast.
Picture Quality
This is where the upgrades on the Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro really come into play.
The Vankyo Leisure 470 is a native 720p which provides good enough detail to see pattern lines. The brightness at 120 lumens and contrast of 3500:1 is decent enough to see the pattern lines well.
However, there was a noticeable difference when I compared the Vankyo Leisure 470 to the Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro.
The Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro is a native 1080p projector. That, combined with a higher brightness of 170 lumens and 600:1 contrast ratio, made the image much more crisp and bright. Pattern lines were easier to see using the Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro.
*A note on native 1080p projectors. It is important that the computer or device you are operating on can support a native 1080p projector. Most phones and tablets will support this. Also, most newer computers are at least 1080p. I had no issues calibrating using my Windows 11 and native 1080p computer, or my iPhone 11.
The best sewing experience with these projectors will be in a dimly lit room, but I was able to see lines well enough to cut with one window open.
Distance Needed
The minimum distance required for these projectors may limit some sewists. The Vankyo Leisure 470 has a listed minimum focus distance of 4.27 feet. The minimum recommended distance for sewing is 61.24” between ceiling and cutting surface. This take into account using about 10 inches for mounting straight down.
The minimum distance required for the Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro is a little bit higher at 65.2 inches between ceiling and cutting surface. Again, this accounts for 10 inches when mounting straight down. The good news is that you will have an image that is as large as your A1 mat at the minimum recommended distance!
How to Mount the Vankyo Leisure 470 Vs. Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro
The Vankyo Leisure 470 has two mounting options. It has a single-point mount or 3-point mount. You can use the Vankyo Leisure PM60 mount or the PM20 mount.
The Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro is smaller and about a pound less. The option for mounting is a single-point mount. I have found the Vankyo Leisure PM60 mount to be stable enough for sewing. Much better than some of the first cheap mounts I got on Amazon and didn’t hold the projector well!
PM20 Mount
Flexible mounting system. Fits Vankyo Leisure 470.
PM60
Single-point mounting brace. Fits the L470 or L470Pro.
Calibration
Calibration for the Vankyo Leisure 470 and Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro presented a similar experience. By physically tilting the projector, I was able to accurate calibrate both projectors. While I did not need to use keystone, there is a manual keystone dial around the lens for a final adjustment if needed!
Learn how to calibrate a mini projector for sewing by following our step-by-step guide on the Get Started page.
Alternative Options
If you do not have the vertical distance needed for the Vankyo Leisure 470 and Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro, then you need to find a mini projector that has a smaller minimum focus distance. Some mini projectors that fall into that category are the Acrojoy 9000 Lumen (52″ from ceiling to table) or the Yaber V2 (51″ from ceiling to table). Read our complete review of the Acrojoy and Yaber models.
Final Thoughts
Both the Vankyo Leisure 470 and Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro projectors are suitable for sewing purposes. However, in my book and experience, the Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro stands above the competition.
Step aside Vankyo Leisure 470, Vivimage Explore 2, and Acrojoy 9000! You have a new competitor in town, the Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro!
Looking for the perfect projector with a great image size, bright enough to see pattern lines, and small footprint in your sewing space. Then, go with the native 1080p Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro! It is a great budget-friendly mini projector for sewing.
In comparison of the Vankyo Leisure 470 vs. 470 Pro, the Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro is our vote for best in class!
Best in class! Great mini projector for sewing. You need about 65.2 inches from ceiling to cutting surface. Native 1080p.
*Plus! Get $20 off now!
Use the coupon code: projectorsewing470pro
A most popular choice of German sewists. Good projector for sewing. Recommended to have at least 61.2 inches from table to ceiling. Native 720p.
*Plus! Get $20 off now!
Use coupon code: projectorsewing470
Thank you for the comparison review! I don’t sew but was looking for a projector to do some tracing, stenciling. I have a project the stencil some lettering. I will likely use it for outdoor use to host movie nights. Thanks again.