TV

Stand: 21.01.2021 | Reading time: 3 minutes

Beamer start where televisions leave off; two-meter-wide images are no problem at all with video projectors. Compact projectors like the Benq GS2 can also be used flexibly. The only requirement is a sufficiently large white wall.

The Benq GS2 can play a football evening on the terrace or in the clubhouse, show photos to relatives or use it for a gaming evening. In the “Computer Bild” test, however, the limits of this versatile concept also became apparent.

Benq GS2: Ancient Android with unusable apps

The cute shape of the Benq GS2 is pleasing, the almost cube-shaped projector has an edge length of just 14 centimeters. Its beige support stocking is, however, idiosyncratic, but the soft plastic housing can take a bump and is splash-proof.

The connections are hidden behind a somewhat fiddly tab. In addition to an HDMI input, there is a USB-C port for computers and a USB-A port for data carriers. The supplied WLAN stick is parked in a throat next to it.

After switching it on, the testers were amazed: the projector runs on the Android TV operating system – in the antique version 6. Instead of the official Google app store, the Aptoide store – its offer is simply a joke.

Of the already few apps, for example those for Netflix and media libraries cannot be operated by remote control. The playback via WLAN from the smartphone succeeded in the test, for example with your own photos and videos, but the apps from Netflix and Disney refused to transmit.

The Benq GS2 is small and straightforward

Apart from the app botch, the Benq GS2 turned out to be pleasantly uncomplicated in the test. In the absence of a zoom, the distance to the (canvas) wall determines the size of the picture, but a distance of 2.40 meters is required for a two meter wide picture. The projector adjusts the sharpness itself using autofocus.

Users then only have to pull the image straight (keystone correction). Because the projector cannot be aligned horizontally on its tiltable base, it always shines more or less diagonally upwards. Thanks to the clear remote control, operation was easy even in a dark environment.

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Buy the BenQ GS2 LED projector online now

The Benq GS2 is not the brightest

Users shouldn’t expect more than two meters wide images from the Benq GS2: It is satisfied with the smallest HD resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, the maximum brightness was just 215 lumens. This means that films and photos do not look particularly high-contrast even in pitch-dark rooms.

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Thanks to the built-in battery, the projector also works without a power supply unit, but then the brightness is reduced by around 40 percent – that’s only good for small projection surfaces. However, the Benq liked the test with natural colors (cinema mode, normal light mode), and its LED light source promises a long service life without replacing the lamp.

The built-in loudspeaker with its tinny sound is more of a makeshift solution. It’s good that the projector can be paired with a Bluetooth box.

Conclusion: The Benq GS2 is a cute projector for in-between cinema fun. With its HD resolution, it is not particularly sharp, and the contrast is also rather poor. An absolutely dark environment is therefore mandatory for its use. In the test, however, we liked the natural picture balance.

The sound can be used in emergencies, but it is better for users to connect an external loudspeaker or couple a Bluetooth box. Operation is easy, also because there are hardly any setting options. The Benq also has WiFi and Internet access, but the promised apps are a joke – either streaming apps didn’t even run or they couldn’t be used. A Fire TV stick can fix the app disaster, however, the included WLAN stick is of little value. The Benq GS2 is a cute projector for in between, but it is also very expensive.

Strengthen: compact format and easy setup, good color matching, all important connections

Weaknesses: Contrast weak, old Android with unusable apps

Test notes: gut (2,4)

Price: from 599 euros