3M MPro160

3M Pocket Projector MP160

By most pico projector standards, the 3M Pocket Projector MP160 ($350 street) is too big. It measures more than an inch thick, weighs 10.6 ounces, and won't fit in a shirt pocket. On the other hand, it feels surprisingly comfortable to hold. It's about the same size as, if a little heavier than, the small LED flashlight that I keep in my car glove compartment. More important, it's unusually bright for a pico projector, with a 32 lumen rating paired with a two hour battery life, a combination that easily makes up for the large size. Built around an 800 by 600 LCoS chip paired with a set of red, green, and blue LEDs, the MP160 is the next step up in 3M's line beyond the MPro150 ($385, 4 stars). Unlike the MPro150, however, it doesn't offer such niceties as built-in memory for storing files to read, or the ability to read files from a memory card. Instead, it focuses on the basics, delivering a bright image and the ability to connect to a computer or any video source with a composite video connection, including cameras and camera phones. The most obvious aspect of the MP160 is its large size: 1.2 inches thick by 5.9 inches long and 2.5 inches wide.