Spoiler alert: be prepared for late nights binge-watching your favourite TV shows with the LUMOS RAY. Not that I’m complaining, really. Currently priced at SGD298 (U.P. SGD848), the LUMOS RAY Home Cinema Short Throw Projector (smart version) might just redefine your home entertainment viewing experience at a steal.
The LUMOS RAY (pictured in the bedroom) has somehow become a "must" to have.
I’ve toyed around with the idea of installing a projector in my bedroom before, but that thought has always been a fleeting one. A DIY home theatre felt like a “nice to have”. Now – after having been acquainted with home-grown Singapore brand LUMOS and their bestseller, the LUMOS RAY – recreating a cinema experience at home has somehow become a “must" to have.
After all, how much of an immersive experience can the small screen of your smartphone give you?
*The product was sent as a press gift. The views and opinion of the reviewer are independent and purely editorial.
Attractive price point
The main draw of the LUMOS RAY has got to be its pocket-friendly price point for the technical specifications the product is offering. It truly gives you value for money. The RAY is available in two versions: regular, and smart, which runs on an Android 9.0 operating system and is Wi-Fi enabled with in-built Netflix, YouTube, Casting Apps, Playstore & Bluetooth connectivity. The regular version is currently priced at SGD199 while the smart version retails at SGD298.
Portable, modern minimalist design
The LUMOS RAY (placed on the LUMOS Rize Adjustable Stand) features a sleek, minimalist design.
The RAY boasts a minimalist design that looks stylish for any modern home. Weighing at just 1.2KG, you can easily bring it and project anywhere you want in the house (or out) using its leather carrying strap as long as there is a power socket, wifi connectivity and a blank backdrop.
Decent image and sound quality
The RAY is a short-throw projector that comes with a 720p native resolution that supports up to 1,080p. At 3,000 lumens (a market average), it gives decent light output and vibrant image quality. The projector works amazingly in a totally dark room at night in the bedroom where I use it, and it’s good enough for me when I use it in the day with my curtains drawn and light seeping in.
Left: Projection in the day with black-out curtains. Right: The RAY allows you to connect devices via HDMI, AV and USB.
It also has two in-built Dolby Audio speakers — no complaints there from a non-audiophile like me. If sound quality is a hard requirement for you, you have the option to connect external speakers or earphones with 3.5mm audio out at the back of the machine.
Easy and straightforward set-up
Setting up the RAY Smart is an effortless job. Absolutely zero technical skill is required when it comes to installation — that’s a huge deal coming from a tech noob.
If space is a constraint, you’ll be happy to know that you have a playing distance of 1.5 to 3 metres from the projection surface. That will give you a projected screen size of 50 to 150 inches.
My only gripe is its remote control and navigation aspect. Navigation is a little challenging on the Netflix app. All is well, though, because it comes with a function that activates a mouse on the screen, which helped solve the minor issue. I also read a clever tip online that you may want to attach a USB mouse or keyboard for even easier navigation. Smart move.
It’s going to change the way you stream shows
The LUMOS RAY has won my heart and changed my streaming experience for the better.
If you’re projecting in a bigger space or just looking for a high-performer, you may want to consider the LUMOS AURO, which projects 1,080p full HD resolution at 6,000 lumens. But all in all, the LUMOS RAY works beautifully in small spaces such as our bedrooms and is an impressive piece of tech that has won my heart and changed my streaming experience for the better.
By the way, if you're looking for a Christmas gift that will leave a lasting impression, this is it.
The LUMOS RAY retails at SGD199 for the regular version and SGD298 for the smart version here. Add on another SGD55 for its RIZE adjustable stand.
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