The Nebula by Anker Mars II Pro line is an award-winning, battery-powered capable, and has many features that help set it apart. For starters, it uniquely comes equipped with Android OS, which will give you the capability to have apps displayed directly from the device. Using these apps will make it so you won’t be required to hookup additional devices to enjoy Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming services.
There are two variations available; a standard model and a “Pro” model with additional perks. You could also consider the original Nebula Mars or Nebular Mars Lite models. I can point out the differences in this article to explain any feature disparities between them.
With so many product options it can be really difficult deciding on which projector to get, especially when many of them seem to have similar specifications. If you’re unfamiliar with what all of the jargon is, it’s even more overwhelming. I’ll try to go over all of the details and review the technical information to help ensure you make a smart buying decision.
Display/Resolution
Anker Nebula Mars 2 is an advanced DLP-based projector which will display an image up to 150″ in size, though that’d be best in a fully darkened room. It also contains a one-second focus that will automatically focus your picture regardless of its distance from the wall or the angle that it’s placed. This high-end feature is due to the very large horizontal and vertical keystone correction of 40 degrees. Many other projectors only have a 15 degree adjustment, which could limit where you can place your machine. It’s always nice to have a bit of freedom with placement.
The native resolution is 1280×720 and will provide an HD picture from any high resolution source. This includes Blu-ray players, HDMI media devices, and video game consoles. If you’re a gamer you can enjoy a crisp image against your living room or bedroom wall. I think it adds a bigger presence while playing your favorite games. It’s great for local co-op games with your friends because of the large screen size you can have.
Brightness
Another important part of image quality is the brightness, of course. Having a projector that has a high brightness will let you use the machine more frequently during the day. The standard/Lite models have a rating of 300 ANSI lumens and the Original/Pro variations have a 500 ANSI rating. This is a different rating than many other products that only offer a “lumens” rating. The “ANSI” part of the wording is an official calculation of brightness based on technical information. So, this can match other projectors you may see from China for example that have an outrageous brightness rating. Watch this very short 30~ second video showing the original Anker Nebula Mars at 500 ANSI lumens:
Software
This machine really offers unique capabilities not found in many other projectors. Android 7.1 is the operating system built into the machine. This will allow you to use built-in apps to stream from your favorite services. However, there is no access to the Google Play Store, so you’re unable to add additional apps from there unless you “sideload” them from a USB stick. That requires an intermediate level of technical know-how to do.
Having an operating system built into the projector is a convenient plus because you won’t need to carry around any additional devices. Unfortunately, playback is reduced to 480p for the Netflix app. The only way around this is to use a Roku or Amazon Fire Stick instead. You would then be able to enjoy crisp 720p HD video from the service. This is a restriction from the built-in app itself. Kids probably wouldn’t care or notice the drop in resolution but you’ll need to decide how important that is to you.
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Inputs
There aren’t many input ports available on the back of the panel. You have one HDMI port, a USB port, and an audio out port. The HDMI port is what you’ll use to plug literally everything in and practically every modern devices uses this input slot. This goes for streaming devices, game consoles, computers, and more.
Because of the lack of legacy ports you’re unable to hookup older game consoles from the 90s/early 2000s or VHS players. Could be important if that’s something you do frequently or you scored big, buying up old tapes from your local Blockbuster video. There are companies that make HDMI-to-composite converters though, which would possibly work around that limitation.
The USB port will provide power for your streaming media stick or let you read files or videos from a flash drive. It should play many video formats thanks to the use of its Android media software. Just add your media files onto a USB drive from a computer and play them back directly from the projector. If you have some tech knowledge you can also install additional apps by sideloading them via USB. You can read a bit more information about what it means to sideload here.
Finally, the audio out port gives you the ability to plug in external speakers. It is a standard 3.5 millimeter audio port, so it should work with any speakers that offer that sort of input.
Portability & Battery
The Anker Nebula Mars 2 is actually a portable product and even includes a carrying handle for easy transportation. Additionally, it’s battery-powered, which is a huge benefit for outdoor use. Imagine taking your projector outside and having a movie night outdoors with your family or friends. Being battery-powered you won’t have to worry about requiring a long power cable.
The battery life is around 3 hours depending on its brightness setting so it should last the entire length of movies. If you plan on doing some outdoor viewing, and don’t want the hassle of dealing with needing power to the device, you should definitely consider a projector that has a powerful battery installed like this. There’s also a “battery mode” which extends the battery life up to 4 hours for longer viewing.
Speakers
Usually the speakers that come equipped with projectors lack in power and clarity. The Mars projector has dual 10 watt speakers that provide stereo sound. This is much higher than many cheapo projectors you may find with a single 2 watt speaker. It should give off enough loudness for most situations. Of course, you can always plug in better external speakers if you need even more punch. The machine is also Bluetooth capable and can be used solely as a Bluetooth speaker. Just link your smartphone and play music right from your phone during parties or events.
I should also mention that the fan noise is relatively quiet due to their design. The noise is rated at less than 32 decibels, and a chart I found online stated that 30dB is the loudness of a quiet room. So you shouldn’t have much distraction from the fan running. Though this can depend on each person of course, just know it should be quieter than some other choices.
Summary
Standard / Lite model: 300 ANSI lumens
Original / Pro model: 500 ANSI lumens
1x HDMI, USB 3.0, Audio output
1280×720 Resolution
Android OS – Except Lite model
Bluetooth capable
One-second autofocus
40 Degree Horizontal/vertical keystone
Portable projector 3~ hours of battery life
Lamp life: 30,000 hours
Fan: <32dB (Quiet)
Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n
Alias: Anker Mars 2 Pro
Worry-free 12-month warranty
Conclusion
The Anker Nebula Mars 2 projector offers a native 720p HD image, cinematic dual speaker system, modern connectivity, and more. If you’re specifically looking for a projector that’s portable it’s a great choice thanks to its long battery life. Having the one-second autofocus also removes hassle of trying to get a correctly aligned image to be displayed. The advanced DLP technology provides a bright and rich picture, and the lamp life is rated at 30,000 hours. The throw ratio is about 100 inches at 10.1 feet and 60 inches at 5.7 feet.
Having Android installed is convenient for having an all-in-one media solution. You can even screencast from your Android smartphone to play video, pictures, and more right from your phone. The Anker company released their own dedicated iOS and Android app, which you can use to completely control your projector wirelessly via Bluetooth, so you won’t have to constantly be getting up. There’s a 12-month “worry-free” warranty if for some reason you’re unhappy or have any issues. Bottom line, if you really like the idea of having an all-in-one projector and want the brightest image possible, go for the Anker Nebula Mars 2 Pro model.
Nebula Mars 2 Pro Deals
Click on the following links below to see the latest prices and additional information. Sometimes deals are running that offer discounts or coupons. I’d also recommend that you add the product to your shopping cart so you can see a complete total that includes any taxes or offers applied.
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