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XGIMI MoGo 2 Review

XGIMI MoGo 2 review
Review

Price when reviewed

£359

$359
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Our Verdict

The XGIMI MoGo 2 is a compact portable projector that’s an ideal solution for any photographer, videographer or educator looking to present their work, run workshops or wind down with a good film at the end of a day.

The MoGo 2 isn’tisn’t a straight project in the fashion of those used to display holiday slides; it’s based on the Android system and comes with all the wireless connected power of a smartphone.

Set-up is straightforward, really just pop it into a surface or onto a tripod and face it towards a screen or wall and then the impressive auto-focus and dynamic screen adaptation technologies adjust everything automatically so that the projection fits the space.

While its 720p resolution might leave some professional creatives yearning for more, most users will find it more than adequate for typical viewing. Then there’s the brightness which is sufficient for evening and night viewing but at 400 Lumen will be drowned out by daylight without the blinds slightly drawn. Seamless integration with Android TV 11.0 and Chromecast enhances the ease of use making it easy to view content from online sources such as google photos or through a more traditional HDMI connection.

From displaying images, screening your films or running workshops with presentations the MoGo 2 is a powerful tool for photographers and videographers.

For

  • Intelligent Adaptation Technology
  • Extensive Android Integration
  • Impressive audio

Against

  • Lower 720p Resolution
  • Not for mid-day use
Click here to buy the XGIMI MoGo 2 at the UK store
Click here to buy the XGIMI MoGo 2 at the US store

What is the XGIMI MoGo 2?

The XGIMI MoGo 2 is an Android-based portable projector, packing plenty of impressive features into a compact and travel-friendly form. Although primarily designed for entertainment this projector is a huge step-up from many compact offerings and offers a feature set that makes it an ideal for projecting your work or presentations.

The small projector features a 400 ISO lumens projection which for it’s size is the brightest model in its category. What however makes this projector stand out is that the projection brightness is paired with a D65 colour temperature which is the standard used in Hollywood and the DCI-P3 colour gamut, guaranteeing vibrant, life-like colours replicating the correct colour and contrast for your projected images.

What’sWhat’s more despite the small size it’sit’s equipped with an impressive in-built surround sound system and the ability to plug the audio into a larger external output if needed.

XGIMI MoGo 2 review

One of the most impressive features is XGIMI’sXGIMI’s industry-leading Intelligent Screen Adaption (ISA) technology; the MoGo 2 offers a top-tier visual and auditory experience, streamlined by automated features like Auto Keystone Correction, Auto Focus, and Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance which all mean that all you need to do is position and switch on and the projector does the rest.

This makes the XGIMI MoGo 2 an ideal solution for anyone needing a projection system to run workshops, show their work, or run small screens of their films.

Specification

  • Portable Projector technology: DLP Display Technique
  • Display Chip: 0.23-inch DMD, HDR 10 Supported Formats
  • Brightness: 400 ISO Lumens
  • Standard Resolution: 1280 × 720 pixels
  • Lamp Life: 25,000 Hours
  • Lens: High Light Transmission Coated Lens
  • Throw Ratio: 1.2:1 with Auto Focus and Auto Keystone Correction
  • Auto setup technology: Intelligent Screen Alignment and Obstacle Avoidance Features
  • Projected Image Size: 40-inch – 200-inch
  • Audio: 2 x 8W Speakers, Dolby Audio, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus
  • Computing hardware/software: 2GB, Storage: 16GB, System: Android TV™ 11.0
  • Chromecast: Chromecast built-in, Fast Boot Feature
  • Connectivity: USB type-C, USB type-A, HDMI 2.0, AUX 3.5mm – WiFi: WiFi 5 Dual-band 2.4/5GHz,802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0
  • Product Size and weight: 161 × 119 × 108mm, Product Weight: 1.1kg

Build and Handling

The XGIMI MoGo 2 sports a sleek, compact design, making it an ideal travel companion and that design and size means that it fits easily into a bag or case without too much issue.

When it comes to build quality it feels well-built and solid, although due to the high quality nature of the projection it’s worth giving it a little more protection that you might give some other portable kit and should really be handled in the same way as a portable monitor, although this is thankfully smaller and lighter.

When it comes to the actuall conrtol of the project the various features and controls are laid out intuitively, making it easy for users to navigate the Android TV interface once connected to a wifi source or data hotspot.

XGIMI MoGo 2 review

One of the biggest issues I have with projectors is the inital setup. Getting the projector in a place that isn’t in the way and is stable enough not to trip over or get blocked by someones head.

The small size adn light weight of the MoGo 2 certainly helps navigate this issue, but the big fetaure for me is the automated adjustments it makes to deliver optimal viewing. When the projector starts up it projects a chart which is then used by the Intelligent Screen Adaption technology to auto-tune the display size and focus, while manoeuvring around obstacles and ensuring the best viewing experience possible. Watching this go is impressive, and if you need to move the projector at any point it will automatically re-adjust.

As mentioned the integrated 1/4-inch thread on the underside, which is a common feature in photography gear, enables the MoGo 2 to be mounted onto a tripod, so no need to take any specialist kit with you. This proves invaluable for outdoor viewing or professional presentations, allowing for optimum positioning. With just the addition of a screen, a nice compact 111 x 62cm screen can be purchased for around £100.

XGIMI MoGo 2 review

The Chromecast integration is well thought out, enabling seamless casting from your devices including laptops if you’re going through images at the end of a shoot.

Features

The XGIMI MoGo 2, a portable projector that features ultra high quality DLP display technology. DLP brings a number of features that make this projector better suited to photography and video enthusiasts than many cheaper models. Firstly it comes equipped with a 0.23-inch DMD display chip that supports HDR 10 formats, this promises a vibrant and immersive viewing experience.

The XGIMI offers 400 ISO lumens of brightness, which is paired with a standard resolution of 1280 × 720 pixels, ensuring decent clarity and sharpness. Partnering the high quality XGIMI state that the lamp has a life of 25,000 hours and that light is projected through a high light transmission coated lens further enhancing the brightness and clarity.

The 3D projection capability adds another layer of versatility, while the 1.2:1 throw ratio, Auto Focus, and Auto Keystone Correction ensure the projected image is always in the best shape. Intelligent Screen Alignment and Obstacle Avoidance features help to tailor the projection to your environment, delivering image sizes from 40-inch to 200-inches, which is impressive for such a small machine.

XGIMI MoGo 2 review

The projector also houses two 8W speakers, supporting Dolby Audio, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital Plus. Being based on the Android operating system means that functions and features can be updated. At the time of test the projector was running on Android TV™ 11.0 with 2GB of RAM and 16GB storage, which makes navigation responsive and wifi connection times quick. The in-built Chromecast and Fast Boot feature make streaming content from different devices extremely convenient.

Connectivity is comprehensive with USB Type-C, USB Type-A, HDMI 2.0, AUX 3.5mm ports, and dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0. Despite all its functionalities, the MoGo 2 manages to keep the noise level below 30dB and power dissipation at 65W.

With a compact footprint of 161 × 119 × 108mm and weighing just 1.1kg, this projector fits into various situations with ease, from the classroom to being projected in the van at the end of a shoot. The power input requirement is AC100-240V, 50/60Hz, enabling usage from the mains or from a power station.

Performance

The XGIMI MoGo 2 delivers as a user-friendly, versatile projector that can be used in a variuety of locations and uses. Set-up is fast, taking less than five minutes to extract from a bag, install onto a tripod, set-up the screen and switch on, the actual physical assembly of the set-up takes as long as you need rather than the projector. When it comes to powering up and adjusting the throw of the projection this is all handled by its Intelligent Screen Adaption technology. This smart feature correctly aligns the projection, auto focuses, and adjusts the display size to avoid obstacles in the room, proving incredibly reliable in various real-world scenarios. Watching this feature in action is impressive.

While 400 lumens doesn’t seen a great deal, the brightness surprisingly holds its own even in outdoor environments as daylight fades, but don’t expect that brightness to carry it through a mid day projection. Inside, the device’s auto-focus feature and the 720p resolution ensure clear and sharp visuals, albeit the softness can be slightly noticeable with certain images and videos due to the HD rather than FHD or 4K resolution.

The device performs excellently with the Android TV 11.0, showcasing quick app transitions with little lag. Chromecast integration is seamless, and Google Assistant (although not tested in this review) is available for those who use it. Power consumption is good, working well with power banks like the Bluetti AC180 and AC200P for power on location.

XGIMI MoGo 2 review

Overall the ease of use makes the MoGo 2 stand out. Set-up ease is really down to you and your familiarity and set-up at the studio, classroom, home or on location. The setup intervention by you with the projector really is as simple as plugging it in, facing it at the screen and switching it on, the projector then handles the rest.

Selecting your input is easy, and on location for the most part I connected through HDMI and projected directly from a MacBook Air. The Chromecast feature worked exceptionally well, and despite being a Mac user in general terms I’m increasingly impressed by the ease of Chromecast in an educational environment. My only issues with the projector are that in some brighter situations, 400 lumens does get washed out, which is really to be expected, and for photo and video work investing in the higher resolution 1080p version is an absolute must. Still, at £100 less for the standard version, it’s still incredibly impressive.

Final thoughts

The XGIMI MoGo 2 is an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable and smart portable projector. Its ability to easily display photography and videography content makes it a potentially invaluable tool for creatives, educators, and professionals alike.

XGIMI MoGo 2 review

Its intelligent features – Auto Keystone, Auto Focus, Intelligent Screen Adaption, and Obstacle Avoidance – work together to optimize the ease of set-up and viewing experience. These smart features handle most of the legwork, making the set-up and viewing process smoother and easier.

Though it might not replace high-end, professional projectors in terms of image quality due to its 720p resolution, the MoGo 2 excels in convenience, portability, and smart functionality. The integration with Android TV 11.0 and Chromecast adds to its ease of use, and the power efficiency, heat dissipation and low noise make it suitable for prolonged use during lectures or exhibitions.

XGIMI MoGo 2 review

If you’re looking for a projector for your photo or video work, be that display, exhibition or lecture. The MoGo 2 is an excellent choice, but if you can dig a little deeper into your pockets and stretch to the Pro version for the higher resolution, it will make a small but significant difference to the quality of your images.