VAPex Tensioned Electric Features & Build Quality
It's a very compelling thing to argue that the largest screen size for the money is to be had by using a front projection system. Where it gets dicey is when you factor in the cost of a decent quality screen. If you want a tab-tensioned model on top of that, you're looking at even more and the cost benefits become less and less obvious. Visual Apex' new VApex screens (Visual Apex = VApex, get it?) are moving towards eliminating everything we know about what a projector screen should cost. The VApex line comes in three lines: Fixed Frame, Standard Electric, and Tensioned Electric. For this review we checked out the Tensioned Electric in their largest size: 120" diagonal. To say we were "stunned" by what we got for the money would be an understatement. So let's just come right out and say it: if you don't take at least a long, hard look at Visual Apex' new VApex screens, you're potentially spending a lot more money for no good reason.
Features and Favorites
Right off the bat you get a host of features with the VApex screens that you typically don't find in competitive models - even ones that cost two and three times as much. Let's run through several of our favorites and then move on to our impressions of how this screen is made and how easily it installs.
- RF Remote
RF remotes are where it's at. This is made even more impressive by the fact that VApex' includes a laser pointer and works right out of the box with no configuration (they even ship you batteries). There's nothing magical - it's up, down, and stop - and really, that's all you need or should want for most applications. - Installation Options
VApex screens come with hardware to mount them to the ceiling or wall and they take into account custom installations into both block and stud materials. You just need to bring the drill, drill bits and drivers. - Wireless RF Trigger
This is one of the coolest features of VApex electric screens - they come with wireless RF triggers. That means that you can get your 12V trigger-enabled projector to activate the screen automatically on power up and power down. Once configured, you can more or less throw away that remote control. - 18" Black Drop
While most electric screens allow you the option of setting the rise/fall amount, the VApex also gives you a full 18" of black at the top so that you can send the screen lower in order to avoid any keystoning effects on ceiling-mounted projectors with a large vertical offset. - Tab Tensioning System
Tensioned screens are nothing new, but a tensioned screen that comes in under $1000 is unheard of. Visual Apex' VApex screens are creating a whole new category of screen here and it's something the competition will be noticing.
Build Quality
The VApex Tensioned Screen came in a well-padded box. There was no shipping damage, despite the fact that the screen was over 11 feet long. Opening it up, we quickly took in the black aluminum casing and noted the rear rails that allowed for easier flexibility of placement. We've seen screens that had very restricted bracket positioning, but the VApex allows you to take advantage of nearly any nearby stud or fastening location to get it mounted. The wall/ceiling brackets were made well and had a unique system to allow the screen to be mounted and positioned prior to locking down the clamps and preventing any shifting of the screen enclosure.
When we examined the 1.1 gain CinemaWhite screen (something we did after installation) we found it to be a very neutral white color and of a material that appeared to be easily cleaned. It wasn't the thickest screen material we've seen, but it didn't look like something that would degrade over time either. Accessories came in their own box and were well-packed, allowing us to sort out the various pieces required to get everything up and running.
The 120" VApex Electric Tensioned Projection Screen includes:
- RF remote control with laser pointer
- Wireless RF 12V trigger system
- 3-way wall switch
- Removable power cord
- Sliding L brackets
- Vertical limit adjustment tool
- Wireless 12V trigger tool
- Allen wrench for adjusting tension
- Mounting hardware for stud & masonry walls
The available sizes for the VApex Electric Tensioned Screen line include 120", 106", 100" and 92" diagonal screens.
There are sliding eye brackets on the top of the case in order to mount to hooks. They fold flat inside their tracks when not in use. One thing I wish I had done before mounting would be to secure the eye brackets with putty or tape because they buzz at certain frequencies with a really loud sub woofer sweep. I haven't heard them resonate with program material though so it's not a priority to pull the whole thing down to fix this anytime soon.
The power cord is plenty long, and I ran it down some trim to a nearby outlet. I used the remote to extend the screen and the included tool in an iterative process to set the extension limit. The limit seems to be solidly set. I haven't seen it drift in the month or so in use.
I installed the wireless trigger to the projector to extend the screen automatically. I did have some issues with it at first, working only intermittently, but a battery change in the trigger fixed it. The battery is an odd coin type, larger than the ubiquitous CR2032's. Radio Shack had replacements. The remote is packed away.
The screen itself didn't need tension adjustments - it was wrinkle free right out of the case. The surface is a clean white with no reflective coating and it appears to clean easily. The border is black paint, not velvet. However, from the seating position I can't discern any overscan reflected from the border even with a full white screen.
Bottom line: it just works. I turn on the projector and the screen appears. I turn it off and it goes away. In between it provides a good looking surface to play movies on. All this for less than $1000 shipped.
audiofox;858971
Sorry-the screen sat in its box in my garage for almost a month before I found time to install it (plus take down the old screen and find a place to store it). The screen is great-very easy to mount, works right out of the box, nice display. Only three minor complaints- (1) VisualApex does not currently have the details for the RS-232 interface (which I want to use), but they are working on getting the info from their supplier, (2) screen dimensions are slightly different than true 16x9-the height of the display area is about 1/2" too long, which I decided I could live with and (3) there was a noticeable "vinyl" smell that lingered for a week or so after the screen went up (but is now completely gone). Other than that, the screen is perfect for my needs-no waves or wrinkles, just the right amount of gain for my needs (I have been able to watch a lot of sports during the day and evening without my blackout shades drawn), deployment and rollup smooth, motor not too noisy (wasn't a big factor either way for me anyway), RF remote and manual switch work perfectly (but have not tried the wireless trigger). My projector (a JVC HD250) does not have a 12v trigger out, which is the reason for my interest in the RS-232 function, but just using the wireless remote is working fine for the present. Hope this helps.
BTW, it is in my "man-cave, in the same room as my home office desk, so I have gotten a lot more use out of my projector/screen combo than before because of the convenience of the deployable screen, plus NFL playoffs in the background make the weekend work go much faster!
Thank you for your review, much appreciated!
I still haven't pulled the trigger on mine as I am waiting for my HT Seating to arrive so I can play around with the two rows of seating I will have and make sure the back row viewing is good and that I don't need to go with a smaller screen. 120" should be fine for my 8' ceilings, but I want to triple check. I used tape on the wall where the screen will go to outline the screen, just need my seats now!
as for the screen not being a true 16:9, that is a bit unsettling. How can they not accurately measure and set a well defined, industry standard measurement?
BTW, it is in my "man-cave, in the same room as my home office desk, so I have gotten a lot more use out of my projector/screen combo than before because of the convenience of the deployable screen, plus NFL playoffs in the background make the weekend work go much faster!