Pocket Laser Levels

MicroVision ShowWX+

Compare the specs or a broad brushstroke description of the MicroVision ShowWX+ ($349 direct) with the earlier MicroVision ShowWX ($500 street, 2.5 stars), and you won't see much difference, which probably explains why the names are so similar. In reality, however, the ShowWX+ deserves a far more significant name change. It's a more polished product in lots of small ways, it solves the one serious image problem that the ShowWX suffered from, and it's a lot cheaper as well. In short, it's a significantly different projector, and a far more attractive choice compared to the competition.

The most obvious difference in the ShowWX+—the one you can see immediately even before you plug anything in or turn it on—is purely superficial. Where the MicroVision ShowWX's physical design had an industrial flavor to it, the ShowWX+ has much more of a consumer electronics feel, with a sleek, shiny black case.

The other obvious difference is a 50 percent boost in brightness rating, from 10 to 15 lumens. A 5 lumen difference may not sound like a lot, but keep in mind the perception of brightness is logarithmic, which means the perceived difference between 10 and 15 lumens will be just as significant as the perceived difference between 1,000 and 1,500 lumens.

The Basics
As I've already suggested, the ShowWX+ hasn't changed much from the ShowWX otherwise, at least in general description. It draws an image using red, green, and blue lasers, much like cathode ray tubes use electron guns. And although it doesn't have a native resolution in the same sense as DLP, LCD, and LCOS projectors, it has a preferred resolution for optimal performance, at 848 by 480, one of the variations on WVGA and appropriate for the wide-format version of 480p video.

Aside from the case's color, the physical design is also largely unchanged. It measures 0.6 by 2.4 by 4.6 inches (HWD) and weighs 4.3 ounces complete with the rechargeable battery. The only connectors are a USB connector on the side for power and for firmware upgrades and a proprietary port for input plus a pass-through audio output on the back. The projector itself doesn't have an audio system, and the only potential audio input is through the supplied iPod cable. When you're connected to your iPod (or iWhatever), the audio-out port lets you plug in a headset so you can listen to the sound.

Cables
The projector also comes with an AC-power block, a USB cable, and two video adapters. The power block lets you recharge the battery as well as run the projector when the battery dies, although it can't do both at once. Both adapters plug into the proprietary connector. One lets you connect to a standard composite video cable. The other plugs directly into the Apple 30-pin connector on an iPod, iPhone, or iPad, and is Apple certified.

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I don’t have many needs for a laser level, just your basic DIY projects and the occasional picture hanging, but this device couldn’t even handle that. It projects a line of varying width (much thicker in the middle than on the sides) which makes it difficult to level anything except when the level is placed extremely far away in order to minimize the line distortion. The two beam heads and magneticly atatchable and thus hard to adjust in small increments. The included tripod is of poor quality as well. It’s difficult to adjust and tends to come undone in the middle of a job, frustrating to say the least. This product isn’t a good buy for anyone except those on the tightest of budgets.

works as shown. I find the line head more useful the the 90 degree dot one. I find the tripod adequate and the magnetic heads alright. Its a touch annoying to find tune but it is not a precision layout tool. It is for general carpentry and layout. I am very happy with the purchase. I bought two be accident and I am keep both. It also have a reasonably strong and bright laser which is nice.

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