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When you watch reviews of the Nebula Mars 3 online, the people giving you their opinions uniformly praise this projector. Usually, this is a red flag for me. But, I am pleasantly surprised at how well it performs and lives up to the praise. The hardware and the build quality are solid. This is the mobile projector Apple might have designed and built if projectors were part of their product line-up. Physically handling the projector and accessories, the engineering, and attention to fit and finish are substantial. I initially gravitated to the Cosmos Laser 4K. However, the Cosmos Laser lacks an internal battery and the AI Environment adaption features. Also, the Mars 3 was almost 1/2 the cost of the Cosmos with a better feature set, IMHO. After living with this projector for the better part of a week, putting it through its paces, and digging through all its menus — I suffer no buyer's remorse. This one is a keeper. The one sticking point for me, though not a deal killer, is that Netflix is not native to the Mars 3. You can sideload it as an APK (the projector comes with easy instructions and a single-button install). Or you can use your favorite streaming stick.)
• SET-UP: Easy but a Little Finicky
The set-up was easy, but I spent the better part of an evening getting things set up "just right" because I'm a little obsessive-compulsive. So, if you're OCD like me, you'll want to skim the Quick Start Guide and familiarize yourself with the image correction and focus controls. The AI does a great job, but sometimes, you need the human touch on focus. Last, Mars 3 will automatically ask permission to update the Firmware and the Software ASAP after you connect to WiFi. (This is a good thing as it lets you know the manufacturer is paying attention to updates.)
• THE GOOD STUFF: Image + Sound Quality
The projected image is rich and vibrant, even at 150in - 200in size. It won't replace your regular TV for daytime use, but both in-house and outside, the Mars 3 really shines at night (see my projection comparison images). Color, contrast, and brightness really pop in the dark. Live football games, action movies, and even more reflective and slow scenes of nature show off how gorgeous the picture quality is. As for sound, as long as your sound levels are 25% or above, the 40W speaker fills the room. The Dolby Audio is crisp, clear, full, and rich. People who love concert movies and extra bass can always pair Bluetooth speakers or a sound bar to enhance the music. But unless you're a great distance from the projector, the 40W is more than enough.
(EDIT on SOUND QUALITY) Many reviewers complain about the Nebula's speaker sound quality/volume when playing movies. This issue is specific to how certain movies' have recorded their soundtrack. Some movies have crystal clear dialogue and sound beds. While others sound muddy and have dialogue that sounds muffled. An example of this sound issue is "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny." In the case of this movie, Harrison Ford's dialogue always sounds muffled because he's mumbling. But when he yells, the dialog is clearly audible. Sound on TV shows and YouTube videos are much, much clearer.
• THE VERDICT: If you're looking for a versatile, weather-proof projector that has everything built-in (portability, incredible video quality, rich speakers, streaming capabilities, long-lasting batteries, and the ability to function as a charging pack, flashlight, and Bluetooth speaker) this one is a no brainer. (If you plan on lugging this around, Anker makes a dedicated padded carrying case for the Nebula and all its accessories.)
