Touti rikiki, maousse costo, the mini-projector Lenso’s Cube ? With its waspish waist and its edges of only 5.7 cm, the aptly named Cube has all the gadget that the experience should encourage us to turn away from. Curiosity helping, 20 minutes nevertheless tested the small device that fits in the pocket and promises to accompany us on vacation, on weekends and at the office to watch films, series and play in style.
5.7 centimeters side for 210 grams
HAS 20 minutes, we have become accustomed to being wary of these slightly unusual devices that claim to reinvent the wheel. But Lenso and his Cube managed to pique our curiosity. This picoprojector stands out with its very small size: 5.7 cm side and 210 grams. It fits between two fingers and slips easily into any bag, instantly being forgotten… even if its manufacturer forgot to provide a protective cover that we would have liked to find in the box.
Netflix embedded natively
Supplied with a remote control and a tripod, the device operates on battery (announced autonomy: up to 90 minutes on video – the time of a feature film) or mains. It not only has practical connectivity (mini HDMI, USB port, headphone jack), but is also Bluetooth and Wifi. Compatible with AirPlay2, EShare and WifiDisplay, it can be used wirelessly from a smartphone or tablet to project content with a simple flick on the screen of your mobile terminal, by “casting” it.
Observation: the Cube is very easy to use. Easier to use with its remote control than with the touch control pad located on top which lacks responsiveness. Under Android (7.1, a slightly dated version… from 2016!), the device can be personalized using applications to be stored in its 16 GB memory. YouTube and Netflix are natively included, but Disney+, for example, example, must be downloaded.
A quality image up to… 1.80 meters (and in the dark)
With a brightness of 100 ANSI lumens, this projector with DLP technology will not work miracles if you want to project large on a white wall in a lit room. Up to a meter away (i.e. a projected image that we measured at 80 base), we will be satisfied with it. But you will have to make it completely dark if you want to obtain a larger image.
According to our tests, it is thus possible to obtain an image up to 1.80 meters wide (with a distance of 2.20 meters) whose quality can be considered correct. We are well above a large television.
Contrasted and with fairly dense colors, the images obtained remain astonishing given the smallness of the projector. But with a resolution of 854 x 480 pixels (WVGA), their finesse will quickly degrade when enlarged further.
We appreciate that the projector carries out its vertical keystone correction on its own if it is not positioned perfectly in front of its projection wall (+/- 40°). In just a few seconds, we obtain an image in 16:9 format with very right angles, without distortion. Focusing is done manually, using a small wheel located on the side.
No miracle for the sound
A great classic for such equipment: the included speaker makes up the numbers. With a power of only one watt, it may be enough to watch a news program, for example, but not for a film or series which requires much better immersion. Especially since the small interior fan can be heard slightly. You will need to use a wired or Bluetooth headset. Or even a wireless speaker.
Currently at 379 euros, the Lenso Cube does not disappoint, far from it. It even gives a lot if you use it sparingly, in a child’s or student’s bedroom, or when traveling too. Even for office use. However, we would have appreciated it if it adopted Android TV, which is much more convenient to use. For a better quality image, in 720p or Full HD, with more powerful sound, you can use the MoGo 2 from Xgimi (currently 399 euros). But this model does not fit in the hand.