Last updated on September 28th, 2022 at 12:58 pm
*This post may contain affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click on them.
Will the Vivitek Qumi Q3 Plus work for sewing? Yes, it does work for sewing. I went through the entire setup process with the Qumi Q3 plus to see what the pros and cons are for sewing with this projector.
My parents already owned this projector, so I thought I’d give it a try for sewing. If you already own a projector, I always suggest trying it out before buying a new one. In this case, it paid off because the Vivitek Qumi Q3 plus projector works for sewing. The Vivitek Qumi Q5 and the Vivitek Qumi Q6 have also been used successfully.
Vivitek Qumi Q3 Plus Projector Overview
The Qumi Q3 plus projector has all the necessary features that we look for in a projector for sewing. Looking at these key features, we know it can be a good candidate for sewing. It is a small pico projector. It is lightweight and easy to mount on the ceiling or using a portable setup.
| Vivitek Qumi Q3 Plus Specs | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1 lb |
| Dimensions | 1.1″H x 6.9″W x 4.0″ D |
| Throw Ratio | 1.66 |
| Brightness | 500 |
| Native Resolution | 1280x720P |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Technology | DLP |
| Contrast Ratio | 5000:1 |
| Mini, Pico, UST, or ST | Pico |
| Connection Types | HDMI, Miracast, Air Play, Micro SD, S-Video, composite |
| Lamp Life | 30000 LED |
| Noise Level | 33 db |
| Other features | Web browsing, video streaming apps |
| Availability | Discontinued |
| Price | $249-$400 used |
- Keystone adjustment of 35 degrees
- Focus correction
- Projects 100” in 12 feet
- Wireless, USB, Micro SD, and HDMI compatible
- Battery powered
- Remote included
- Micro SD, USB port reads documents, powerpoints, PDF, music, and video files
The Vivitek Qumi Q3 plus projector is a pico projector that is packed with features.
Check Amazon availability from used sellers HERE.
How to Set Up and Mount the Qumi Projector
During this initial trial, I set up this projector using a camera tripod. If you needed a portable setup, then a pico projector is nice and light. You could pack this with you if needed. The projector has a mount screw hole in the center underside.
A tall tripod is best to get the largest image possible. Due to it’s lightweight the mounting possibilities are endless. The quick and simple ball and joint mount would work well. If you didn’t want to put holes in the ceiling or wall, you can try a boom stand or tension rod.
The Vivitek Qumi Q3 plus needs to be mounted directly above your cutting surface. It is best to not use the keystone adjustment much. Adjusting the keystone more than 15 degrees seems to really increase the distortion of the image. You will notice that your squares are more rectangles when using the keystone. It is best if you only adjust the keystone as a last resort.
How to Connect to the Qumi Projector
The Vivitek Qumi Q3 plus projector has several options for connecting. The preferred and most stable method for connecting is the HDMI cable. However, the Qumi is setup for Airplay, Miracast, and Googlecast.
Projected Image Size for Sewing
You will not get a large image size in a short distance with this projector. This projector will give a diagonal image of about 41” or 36”x20” at a distance of 5ft. This is just slightly smaller than an A1 mat size. If you have higher ceilings, you can get a larger distance. The image quality will be good up to about 12 feet from the cutting surface. The max diagonal image size is 100” or 87”x 40”.
Pros and Cons
Depending on your sewing situation, the Vivitek Qumi Q3, Q5, and Q6 may work well for you. It has a native resolution of 720p, bright screen even with ambient light, and is very lightweight. The projector image was very clear and crisp. This projector also has battery power, which can be nice. If you don’t mind taking it down to charge from time-to-time, you can enjoy cord-free sewing. A built-in web browser allows you to surf the web straight from your projector.
Make sure to keep the remote handy, because you can only access the menu through the remote! Having a spare battery for the remote would be a must. You can connect wirelessly or using HDMI. While it does have a document reader, it is not very useful to sewing as you will not be able to access layers. The price point on these new is high. But, since they are an older model you may be able to find them used for cheaper. Although this projector is small, don’t expect it to be quiet. While on, you will hear the constant fan noise.
Pros:
- Keystone adjustment on remote
- Focus on remote
- Bright image
- Crisp picture
- Airplay, Miracast, Google cast compatible
- HDMI port
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Battery-power
- Built-in web browser
- Netflix and streaming apps
- Game apps
Cons:
- Menu buttons only on remote
- On the higher end of throw ratios
- Price
- Loud for size
Non-Sewing Applications of the Vivitek Qumi Q3 Plus
As I mentioned in the pros this projector comes loaded with features that are not necessarily useful for sewing, but are fun. You can stream movies and TV directly from the projector by download the app! But, this will probably mean you need to recalibrate your projector when using it for movies. There are also many game apps that can be downloaded. It is also a web browser. So, go on and pull up the latest news, pattern instructions, or social networks. The projector can also read music, video, documents, powerpoints, and PDF files. This projector can be a great multi-purpose tool.
Where to Buy
The Vivitek Qumi Q3 has been discontinued. But, this can be good for you because you may be able to find a deal on a used one! The first places to check are eBay and Facebook Marketplace.
Q3 sold on Amazon open box, used or refurbished: Amazon.com: Vivitek Q3 Plus-RD Qumi Ultra-Portable HD Pocket Projector Red : Electronics
Q5 on Amazon: Amazon.com: Vivitek Qumi Q5 500 Lumen WXGA HD 720p HDMI 3D-Ready Pocket DLP Projector with 4GB Memory (Red) : Electronics
Similar Sewing Projectors to the Vivitek Qumi Q3 Plus
Can’t find the Vivitek Qumi projector? Then take a look at these options. The pico projectors are typically going to cost more than the mini projectors. The pico projectors will be around 1 lb or less. The mini projectors are usually around 2-4 lbs.
Pico Projectors: Kodak Luma, Vivitek Qumi Q38, Vivitek Qumi Q5, Vivitek Q2 (shorter throw, but not as bright, throw 1.55), AAXAP300 Neo $279, Miroir M220 $400
Mini Options: Yaber V2 $139, Vivimage Explore 2, Vankyo Leisure $109, Phillips NeoPix 2+ $150, Phillips NeoPix Prime $99, Vankyo Leisure 410 $89
