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If you’re a nomad or someone who’s rarely within projection range of your TV, you’re probably consuming media on a handheld rectangular screen with crappy speakers and a small, hard-to-share screen. I’m here to tell you that there is a better way.
XGIMI’s new MoGo 2 Pro smart projector not only runs Android TV version 11.0 and can stream all your favorite videos over fast Wi-Fi, but it also doubles as a bluetooth speaker. It offers everything you need in a compact little projector — except for the batteries, which you have to supply separately for true portability.
I’ve lived with the MoGo 2 Pro in the last month, and I’ve used the little guy in a camper van all over Europe, in an off-grid tiny house in a muddy field, and in a windswept North Sea surf shack . In all cases, it proves to be an adaptable, all-in-one shared entertainment resource that rarely disappoints.
One of the best things about the MoGo 2 Pro is how easy it is to set up, both initially and every time you want to use it.
The MoGo 2 Pro supports Android Fastboot, which made it super easy to copy my Google account and Wi-Fi settings from my Android phone. Android TV then makes it easy for me to log into each of my streaming services by providing QR codes that my Android phone can quickly verify without having to type in a bunch of passwords.
I’m glad the initial setup was quick, as I had to factory reset the MoGo 2 Pro once after upgrading to firmware version 2.8.147. It took about 10 minutes from factory setup to enter my credentials into six media services.Netflix must be installed via a workaround, as the media giant only formal support Several projectors. While it’s relatively easy to perform a simple hack, most people don’t want to install the app from anywhere other than the Google Play Store. There’s also the option to cast Netflix from your phone, thanks to the projector’s built-in Chromecast.
XGIMI’s little projector has otherwise been very solid, albeit a bit monotonous, as the UX often lags behind the keystrokes on the Bluetooth remote. But it’s not often that I can find a $500 or so projector with a fast interface.
1/6
Under normal use, the MoGo 2 Pro will boot from standby in less than five seconds. But reconnect power and it boots from zero to Android TV in about 50 seconds, then spends another 10 seconds or so doing all the automatic screen adjustments (which can be disabled if desired).
The MoGo 2 Pro has a built-in time-of-flight sensor that finds a flat, unobstructed surface to project an image on. It then automatically focuses the image and corrects keystone distortion to create a properly aligned rectangle. It’s not perfect, but it usually finds the surface I’m targeting, it’s just that the image is smaller than I’d like. Luckily, XGIMI gives you the option to quickly enter manual adjustment mode to fine-tune the display as needed – no need to hunt through menus.
Although the XGIMI 2nd generation screen adaptation technology is not as good as advertised, it can be regarded as an improvement. than the previous version. It works great on the MoGo 2 Pro, I ticked the setting to automatically adjust keystone every time I move the device – I move a lot. This way, I can avoid tedious manual adjustments and just nudge the projector until it produces the desired result.
The projected image is about as you’d expect in this price range: A modest 400 ANSI lumens spread over a 1920 x 1080 image looks better at 30 inches (when all the light is focused) than at 200 inches. While HDR10 is supported, it’s more of a bullet point on a spec sheet than anything you’ll notice during viewing.
If you’re not too picky, you can watch some casual YouTube videos in a room saturated with ambient light, but mogo The 2 Pro is best viewed in the darkest room. Only then will you be able to see the bright, rich and clear images that XGIMI’s latest portable projector is capable of producing.
Here’s what it looks like in low to medium light:
When using it as a Bluetooth speaker, it is best to press and hold the power button on the remote control first, then select “Turn off display” to turn off the light bulb and fan. It then waits quietly for a Bluetooth connection, turning the projection box into a music speaker that delivers balanced sound from a pair of 8W side-firing speaker drivers.
For its size, the projected image and the sound it produces are pretty decent. I was impressed.
The MoGo 2 Pro always boots into Eco mode (lower brightness, less noise), which can be annoying if you’re always near a power outlet.When connected to a 10,000mAh (40Wh) battery, the MoGo 2 Pro is capable of powering up the projector and playing the first 40 minutes of Babylon When set to Bright and Film presets. When hooked up to a power meter, I can see that the average power consumption in Eco mode is about 40W, and with Eco mode off, the average power consumption climbs to about 48W. XGIMI lists the power required for the MoGo 2 Pro as 65W.
I do find it odd that a projector designed for all-in-one portability doesn’t have any onboard controls other than a simple power button. More than once, I’ve misplaced my Bluetooth remote, requiring me to pick up my Apple or Android device to launch the Google Home app’s remote. It works well, but I usually sit too close to the MoGo 2 Pro that built-in playback and volume controls would be more convenient.
Photographer Chase Jarvis once said that “the best camera is the one that goes with you,” and that applies to monitors, speakers, and media streamers. The MoGo 2 Pro might not be the brightest video projector, the best-sounding Bluetooth speaker, or the most powerful streaming player, but it’s small and compact enough that you can easily throw it in a suitcase or backpack and take it with you.
Yes, the MoGo 2 Pro ditches the original MoGo Pro’s built-in battery in favor of a better speaker. But it can still be powered by the battery pack you probably already have. For most people, I think XGIMI made the right decision.
XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro is priced at $599/€599 Samsung’s disappointing Freestyle portable projector Almost $300. The original MoGo Pro was already one of the best portable projectors around, and the MoGo 2 Pro improves on it in almost every way.
Photograph: Thomas Ricker/The Verge
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