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How to Buy an Outdoor Projector Setup

How to · Tech

How to Buy an Outdoor Projector Setup

Skip the theater prices and build a backyard cinema setup for under fifty-three dollars a month.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $950 before anything else
Across the 0% window $52.78/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $950 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

A solid portable laser projector and outdoor screen setup should give you years of backyard movie nights, sports watch parties, and video game tournaments under the stars. Buying cheap means you end up with a blurry picture you can barely see before midnight, so we want to buy a quality mid-range setup once rather than replacing a junk one next summer.

Late summer is the sweet spot to buy. Retailers want to clear out warm-weather stock, and projector brands are getting ready to announce winter models, which means last year's perfectly excellent tech gets marked down. We can pair these seasonal discounts with the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card to spread the cost without paying extra.

Remember that this 0% rate is a strict deadline, not free money. If you still have a balance left over when the 18 months are up, the standard variable interest rate kicks in on whatever you still owe, which defeats the whole purpose of doing this.

The steps

  1. 01

    Wait for late August

    Do not buy this setup in May when everyone is excited about spring. Wait until late August or early September when stores start clearing out outdoor gear to make room for fall inventory. You will save a lot on the screen and accessories just by waiting.

  2. 02

    Buy last year's model

    Projector brands release new models annually, but the actual image quality barely changes from year to year. Avoid the hype of the newest release and look for the previous generation. You get the same laser brightness and battery life for a fraction of the price.

  3. 03

    Spread out the cost

    If you put the $950 purchase on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card, you get 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. This lets you split the cost into small monthly payments without paying a dime in interest while you watch movies.

  4. 04

    Set up your autopay

    Divide the $950 total by the 18-month window. That comes out to exactly $52.78 per month. Set up automatic payments for this amount immediately so you do not have to think about it again.

  5. 05

    Prioritize the screen material

    A great projector looks terrible on a bedsheet. Invest in a proper outdoor screen with a black backing to stop light from leaking through, and make sure it has tie-downs so a light breeze does not ruin your movie.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

Can I just use a white bedsheet as a screen?

You can, but you will regret it. Bedsheets let light pass right through them, which ruins the contrast and makes the image look washed out. A real outdoor screen has a black backing to reflect the light back to your eyes.

Do laser projectors work during the daytime?

Not really. Even high-end portable laser projectors struggle against direct sunlight. You will get the best picture starting at dusk, about thirty minutes after sunset.

How many lumens do I need for outdoors?

Look for a projector with at least 1,000 ANSI lumens. Anything lower will require total darkness to see, while 1,000 or more lets you start the movie while there is still some twilight.

Is the Citi Simplicity card actually free?

There is no annual fee, but it is only free if you pay off your balance before the promo period ends. Miss the window, and you will pay high interest on the remaining balance.