BenQ - TK710STi

Literally my journey. Cheap Amazon projector as an emergency display while on the road. Lasted us a year and change at home. When the filter burned through upgraded to a BenQ 4K setup. No way my wife would have been interested in the cost for the system without testing a cheap version first.

This. I had an optima HD39HDR and lasted 3 years. I bought a BenQ tk710 laser and love it. It's like watching OLED

I've used [this](https://www.amazon.com/BenQ-TK710STi-Projector-Response-Chromecast/dp/B0D486MJN9?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7_jZcViZ8f5IgNzc6jkprI0Ng7Ri4GCl_GQqUIsDeOVL4WRIwePeSArs6NwVdyi53bLst6-WqnJstatVWWHMRESMqQ8pAzffz71e-w4Va2QJ0mtWkkhFj6EB4e4wOxd4MV8sLAjSIenRivlCYsRU-Rbbc-TZvtWIfWBQzkXJ_zM.A953x9FnhP93iZvGza6jxIPKGRxaPHTnlVY9gL-IlhM&dib_tag=se&keywords=TK710STi&qid=1750833580&sr=8-1&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=grok43-20&linkId=4448a56e4cd3c243bb432e5df638bad0&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) TK710STi for outdoor movie nights on a 120" screen, and it's been a standout. The image is bright, crisp, and rich in color, even with subtle HDR details that really pop. Setup is easy with the short throw distance I had no trouble fitting it into a small space. Compared to other projectors I've tried, including the X500i, the difference in sharpness and overall picture quality is immediately noticeable. It’s not cheap, but if you care about a truly cinematic experience at home, it’s worth the investment.

i got a tk710sti as it was one of the very few options that fit into my throw distance to screen size setup. image is very good for me, no artifacts, no problems, never seen any rainbow or anything. setup was easy, image adjustment to get it nicely into my screen was easy and works fine. integration with sofabaton was great. it does have a relatively loud fan though, that i can confirm. much more than what i was used to and becasue of the short throw it's also placed right above the sitting position. it sounds scary when turning it on and browsing through netflix to select a movie, BUT as soon as the movie plays with good sounds i don't hear it anymore at all...so yeah, it's weirdly loud and when there is no movie sound on it's a bit much maybe, but while actually watching i never had any issues with it at all.

I would look at the BenQ TK710 as a really solid option overall. It's DLP and laser based so it is nice and quick for sports viewing and the laser means no lamp to replace. It should be within your budget as well. Look up the throw distance and make sure it fits your space properly. Go to at least a 120" screen, otherwise, just get a 100" TV for the same money. The Hisense C1/C2 models are pretty nice as well, but may be tougher to place accurately in your room.

BenQ is a solid brand. Be aware that you will want some sort of sound system to go with things and that if you have planned a spot for the projector to go, you need to be sure the throw distance will work with that projector and your 120" screen. That is, the lens on the BenQ TK710 is MUCH different than the lens on the TK710STi. [https://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-TK710-projection-calculator-pro.htm](https://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-TK710-projection-calculator-pro.htm) [https://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-TK710STi-projection-calculator-pro.htm#calc](https://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-TK710STi-projection-calculator-pro.htm#calc)

BenQ is a solid brand. Be aware that you will want some sort of sound system to go with things and that if you have planned a spot for the projector to go, you need to be sure the throw distance will work with that projector and your 120" screen. That is, the lens on the BenQ TK710 is MUCH different than the lens on the TK710STi. [https://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-TK710-projection-calculator-pro.htm](https://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-TK710-projection-calculator-pro.htm) [https://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-TK710STi-projection-calculator-pro.htm#calc](https://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-TK710STi-projection-calculator-pro.htm#calc)

Why not a LCD projector (Epson). 3 LCD panel projectors tend to be quite durable and can look really good. Like the Epson 3800. But, DLP models also look quite good and models like the TK710 from BenQ are a pretty solid choice for entry level home theater use. Their X500i is also a really solid model. I'd take either BenQ over the Epson models as they use a solid state light engine on them. Epson is still stuck with their lamp projectors right now.

Daytime use = control the light in the room. Don't just think a thousand extra lumens will fix things. It won't. The BenQ TK710 or X500i from BenQ, if you can find one within budget, or stretch your budget, is the way to go. The TK710 is brighter but not as good for movie viewing. Both use the larger and (hopefully) more reliable .65" DLP chip. Both are laser/LED light sources, for long term reliability. The TK700 is a lot less money and readily available as a refurb. But, it uses a lamp and the older .47" DLP chip in it. Viewsonic tends to try to put out projectors similar to what BenQ does, but they tend to fail to achieve the same quality that BenQ often delivers, so I'd generally skip them.

If this is a permanent installation, look at home theater projectors, or lifestyle models designed to be easily ceiling mounted. A proper 5.1 audio installation with an AV receiver is a must, especially in a dedicated space with a home you actually own. Run wiring in the walls before you paint, and you will have a life long proper surround system. Avoid equipment at the front of the room if possible. Run HDMI to the projector and make it so you can swap out that HDMI cable. Wireless/screen mirroring is generally quite a lousy way to do anything. Use a wired device like an Apple TV or a Chromecast. If you're just streaming, consider a Roku or similar. The lifestyle models, as seen in the video, and as recommended with the X1 are decent solutions for sure, but are trickier to ceiling mount if they don't have a 3-point or 4-point mounting structure as is common with traditional projectors. Plus, they rarely have zoom and lens shift is almost unheard of. These are more common features on traditional projectors. But, the Hisense C2 Pro is a model with good zoom but terrible mounting. The Nexigo Trivision Ultra is well reviewed and has 4-point mounting which is nice for a ceiling setup. No zoom, no lens shift, so positioning must be very accurate for best results, as is common. Super easy to setup are models like the Epson 3800, but they are lamp-based and pretty much past their prime. A shame we haven't seen a laser version of those models yet. The BenQ X500i or X3100i are considerations as is the TK710 (or TK710STi) which are decent traditional models. High end starts around $5000 with Epson, Sony, and JVC models, all worthy in a good theater. Not sure what you're really hoping to spend here. A fixed frame screen from Silver Ticket is a excellent way to go.

While I like the Epson models and they are great for those who are rainbow sensitive, I think the BenQ TK710 is a really solid choice. Make sure to check the throw distance calculator and ensure it fits your space properly.

BenQ X500i, BenQ TK710 are the models I would put high on any list. They are both bright enough for a 120" to 140" diagonal. You should go larger than 120" if you can. If you have one row of seating at 16' then a 150" diagonal isn't even unrealistic. Check [www.silverticketproducts.com](http://www.silverticketproducts.com) for a standard frame fixed frame screen. They have some of the best pricing and you can buy through Amazon if it saves you on shipping. In a dark room, their matte white material is perfectly fine. Plan on at least $300 for a quality screen. The projector mount will vary in cost depending on how much quality you want. I generally pick up Chief RPMAU mounts off of eBay, The Peerless PRG-UNV mount is also a solid choice for a bit less money when new. The cheapest mount anyone should ever use is the QualGear ProAV mount. Also: You MUST think about sound. Projectors aren't TVs. They don't have built in sound which is that good or sound that comes from the front of the room. It's all sound coming from overhead, which is weird. A proper AV receiver and separate 5.1 audio system (or better) is a really good way to do things. Complete packages are available from [accessories4less.com](http://accessories4less.com) from about $400 or so.

Short throw projectors are much more forgiving on screen quality compared to ultra short throw (UST) projectors. So, a model like the BenQ TK710sti would be more of what I would consider over the UST models. Yes, the UST models often WILL work, but if your screen has a single wave or ripple in it at all, then the image will be screwed up. As well, aligning UST projectors accurately can be a real headache. [https://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-TK710STi-projection-calculator-pro.htm](https://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-TK710STi-projection-calculator-pro.htm) All of these models are short throw and should work in your room just fine... [https://www.projectorcentral.com/projectors.cfm?g=2&ar=16%3A9&exp4=1&tr=.48&tr2=.9&oop=1#list](https://www.projectorcentral.com/projectors.cfm?g=2&ar=16%3A9&exp4=1&tr=.48&tr2=.9&oop=1#list)

You may have been looking at the TK700, not the TK710. The TK710 is the newer version of the TK700. This is the page you would want to reference... [https://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-TK710STi.htm](https://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-TK710STi.htm)

I have the TK710sti, in part because I could not justify for myself the extra cost of the LK936ST for my setup. As others said, the brightness seems to be the main difference between these two models. If helpful, my setup is in a garage whose only real natural light source is the window panel/glazing/lite on the top half of an exterior access door ~25ft from the impact screen. During bright daylight hours with all interior garage lights turned off, the picture from the TK710sti is awesome. No complaints. If the garage door is open or interior garage lights are on (other than the directional spotlights I installed that point at the hitting mat), the picture will be a bit washed out but still useable. It really comes down to how bright your use case environment will be.

I'm on a BenQ TK710 and it's fantastic

Given your budget and setup, almost certainly a TV. You can get a really nice 75" Mini-LED with 144hz and VRR and still probably have a couple bucks left over to buy some DLC. That said, I just went to a projector with my PS5, and I LOVE it, but my total setup was closer to 1500 Euro. It's been fantastic for the types of games I play (Expedition 33 is *GORGEOUS*), but I don't think I'd get it if I was still a CoD guy like when I was a teenager. It performs great for Destiny, but anything faster might be a bit wonky. I got a BenQ TK710, a Samsung all-in-one Soundbar, and a 120" Grey soft screen that just attaches to the wall via hook-and-loop tape. I'm upgrading that soon, but it's been great for the last month. The resolution is comparable to my previous 4k TV, and I can go to about 110" in my living room comfortably.

Don't buy this product! I bought one and it definitely has a very bad light leaking problem. And the most frustrating thing is: authorized BenQ technical service in my country (Turkey) said it doesn't have an issue and didn't accept it!

I have a TK710STI and my sim setup is 4:3, posted some pics of the quality and my setup in the link below. I had 2 AH series ones before this, my take is the AH series are trash, picture quality was not good, I almost moved off BenQ projectors because the AH ones were so bad. Then I got the TK710STI and it was night and day difference, much better quality and ease of setup. Also use it to watch football on Sunday’s and it has excellent image quality. https://www.reddit.com/r/Golfsimulator/s/77NwHBNZOz

tk710sti is ur best bet especially with the better brightness over the x500i

from those the x500i, if you absolutely need the extra brightness then the tk700sti but even better is the updated tk710sti so i'd personally go for that (ebay refurbished that ones is $1563)