A Closer Look - Wemax Go

Out of the box, the unit is really compact. In terms of a size comparison, it is similar to a high-quality 20,000 mAh power pack, for example. The top comes with controls as the unit lacks a remote, but they are incredibly hard to read and even feel, as it is all white on white on white. On the underside is a "Wemax Go 300"sticker, a number that is not usually communicated elsewhere and probably refers to the projector's 300 ANSI lumens brightness rating. Three little knobs are used to keep the projector stable on the table, but the central forward one is so tiny it easily tips towards the front corners. Naturally, using the usually included tripod would immediately solve the issue, and it is also integral because the Wemax Go itself does not come with a kickstand.


The silver dial on the side of the projector is used for manual focus adjustment. This is a limitation of the Wemax Go, as the more expensive Wemax Go Pro has auto-focus. A little red tab reminds you that this compact projector is based on an ALPD laser instead of the classic LED illumination hardware. On the opposite side is just a speaker grille and the Wemax slogan "Beam into the future."


The front comes with a silver sliding lock that acts as a protective element for the lens and an on/off switch, which is quite handy. The lens is unlabeled, but the Wemax Go provides a throw ratio of 1.2:1.


On the back is the audio out, USB 2.0, HDMI, and USB-C power input. All around these connections is an air vent for the internal fan to cool down the internals of the Wemax Go.


I previously mentioned the buttons being hard to read. Under the studio lights, you can make out up, down, left, and right on the left and back and OK buttons on the right. Having the navigation buttons placed in a row like this feels a bit unnatural. I would have preferred a circular and true placement even though it would result in smaller, more tactile buttons much like those on most remotes these days. That way, the OK button could have been placed in the center, and the back button just outside of the circle.


Placing the Wemax Go on the scale, at a mere 312 grams, it is a featherweight compared to other compact units out there, which tend to weigh around three times as much. This and its compact size really underscore the Wemax Go's portable nature.

A Closer Look - 50" Portable Screen

The screen Wemax provided us with will be part of their Go & Go Pro Indiegogo campaign. It is not manufactured by them and has no notable branding. This exact screen runs you around $50 on Amazon, thus possibly making it a nice add-on value for those opting to back the crowdfunding campaign, if Wemax offers if for less that that in a bundle or add-on.


A lock keeps the screen securely rolled up and ready for transport. Flip it open to then grab the two loops to pull the screen up.


Once completely expanded, it locks into place with a sturdy mechanism in the rear. The screen is lined with a black layer in the back and a solid white screen, which is a classic setup for traditional projection methods.


Using the screen with the Wemax Go works just fine and feels like a good combination considering the unit's 540p resolution. To project that 127 cm image, the projector was placed 140 cm from the screen, which is not quite the 1.2:1 throw ratio, but close enough.