The BlissLights USB Starport star projector is likely one of the smallest star projectors we have ever reviewed and examined. In our BlissLights Sky Lite 2.0 Star Projector review earlier this 12 months, we concluded that the two.0 is a helpful machine that creates a enjoyable technique to see and create lights which might be akin to deep space imagery and stars, albeit not scientific.
BlissLights Starport USB star projector: Key specs
Dimension: 19D x 38W x 64H millimetres
Bulb Sort: Class 2 Laser
Rotation: No
Sleep timer: No
Speaker: No
Projection Floor: 30 x 30 ft / 10 x 10 m
It offers the person inventive management over the colours, lasers, pace and patterns because of its app performance and that is considerably paralleled within the USB Starport. We have been intrigued when testing the BlissLights Starport USB star projector. It did not appear to supply a lot in any respect in the best way of performance however nonetheless boasted over 6000 reviews on Amazon (opens in new tab) incomes it a good 4.5 out of 5 stars, with lots of the evaluations raving about how good it’s. We needed to attempt it out for ourselves.
BlissLights Starport USB star projector: Design
- Tiny machine
- Comes with a versatile gooseneck cable
- Easy enhancements could be welcomed
In the event you have been to see the BlissLights Starport USB star projector mendacity on a desk, you can be forgiven for considering it was a flash drive. That’s precisely the way it appears to be like. Small, discrete, inoffensive. It is simply 2.5 inches (65mm) lengthy and weighs 2.4oz (68g). It comes with a gooseneck cable, extending it by 7.2 inches (185mm). There are not any buttons. One finish is the USB (2.0, sort A connector), and the opposite is the laser. To show it on, you plug it in, and to show it off, you pull it out.
We predict it might have been a very good design concept to have a keyring attachment so you may go away it together with your keys to take it out and about with you, to share with mates at their events/film nights, and so forth. That may even function a word-of-mouth promotion for BlissLights to promote extra gadgets if extra folks see it in motion for themselves.
The machine is made out of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), a cloth frequent in 3D printing and infrequently discovered to accommodate electronics. It has excessive resistance to affect and abrasion to guard the elements inside. We have dropped it (reasonably than thrown it) from varied heights, which had no detrimental affect in any respect.
The laser is Class 2, which is taken into account secure for regular operation, offered you do not stare into the beam. It is not secure for youngsters or weak folks to be left with the machine unattended for that reason. The mannequin we’re testing is a blue laser, however it is usually accessible to buy in blue or crimson.
BlissLights Starport USB star projector: Efficiency
- Lasers are very brilliant
- Makes use of subsequent to no energy
- Plug it into any USB machine to energy it
We have been fairly nonchalant about attempting this machine. In any case, it’s a plug-in laser pointer with only one laser output, no customization choices, single strong coloration and no motion.
Nevertheless, after we might waited for it to go utterly darkish, we plugged the USB 2.0 into an Anker power bank 325 (opens in new tab) and turned the ability on. We have been really pleasantly stunned on the ambiance it instantly created throughout two complete rooms. The partitions and ceiling have been utterly suffering from blue dots of various brightness, some brilliant, pinpoint and sharp, others slightly dimmer and fuzzier. The projection protection is as much as a considerable 30 x 30ft / 10 x 10m.
Within the daytime, the ensuing show is considerably lackluster however in fact, it is not meant for use when it is mild. As a result of it is charged by USB, we examined it in a laptop computer, energy financial institution, and USB wall charger. The stick itself is limiting positioning-wise because it solely factors in a single route instantly from the USB machine, however when you add the gooseneck cable you may place it at whichever angle you please. The cable is not fairly robust sufficient to remain in place when holding the machine with out help. We used a peg to pinch the cable collectively and hold it in place. If utilizing an influence financial institution you may clearly additionally place this wherever you see match to regulate the place and angle of the laser beam accordingly.
We had some enjoyable shifting the ability financial institution with the laser pen connected to create some sluggish shutter pictures, in addition to teasing the cat…who liked it.
With power prices nonetheless rising, we’re all considering of how to ‘swap off’ the place doable. So it could appear to be counter-productive to have further issues plugged in simply to create a little bit of ambiance. Nevertheless, with the starport utilizing lower than 1mW of energy, the fee to run it’s negligible. We do surprise why BlissLights did not simply go for it to be battery-powered, given even a small button battery would run the lasers for a whole lot of hours!
BlissLights Starport USB star projector: Performance
- It may have been made to be extra practical
- Different gadgets supply extra options at a decrease price
- Does what it’s meant to and nothing extra
The strapline on the field reads ‘Transportable USB Star Projector’. In contrast with the likes of the Sega Toys Homestar Flux, or the National Geographic Astro Planetarium Star Projector, the variations are clear. Under no circumstances does this machine supply a practical illustration of the night time sky, so calling it a ‘star projector’ is not fully correct.
It does fill the room with a powerful show of blue (or inexperienced/crimson relying on the mannequin) lasers. The first function is to create a cool surroundings to boost the ambiance in a room. Appropriate areas we will consider embrace events, video games rooms, music studios, house cinemas or spa rooms.
Given the affordability of reminiscence/storage, it might have been a bonus if this machine may have been used as a flash drive/reminiscence stick to provide it an extra function.
We would additionally wish to have a button on the aspect of it so we may flip the lasers on and off with out having to bodily unplug the machine from the USB 2.0 energy supply. You could possibly plug it into a wise plug and use voice activation to show the plug itself on or off to cease powering the machine.
We might have additionally appreciated the flexibility to only the brightness of the lasers. They’re very brilliant, so if it is a stress-free ambiance you are attempting to create, the brightness is likely to be ‘a bit a lot’. You could possibly make them seem dimmer by utilizing a wipeable marker and drawing onto the glass itself or masking it with translucent tape.
Ought to I purchase the BlissLights Starport USB star projector?
It is a easy plug-and-play machine to boost the ambiance of a room. It lacks versatility and has minimal performance, however should you’re trying to flood a spot with laser lights, this matches the invoice. It covers a big space with very brilliant factors of sunshine, and the value is affordable. It is best suited to these on a good funds or who aren’t fussed about shifting lasers or correct star projections. We think about this is able to be most loved by youthful space fanatics and players who need to boost their room with some ambient lighting.
If the BlissLights Starport USB star projector is not for you
For gadgets that serve the same function — to create ambiance — that do enable some inventive management, contemplate the Encalife Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector that we reviewed beforehand.
For even higher performance, within the type of an inbuilt Bluetooth speaker, the Encalife Ambience Galaxy and Star Projector is likely to be a very good possibility.
For a extra academic and scientific expertise, you may’t go far improper with the Segatoys Homestar Flux or the marginally cheaper National Geographic Astro Planetarium. Try our evaluations of each gadgets to see which might be higher suited to you.
If it is solely the actual night time sky that you just’re all in favour of, you will need to take a learn of our round-ups of the best binoculars for stargazing, best cameras for astrophotography and the best telescopes for seeing planets.