Camping is a great way to enjoy nature and relax with friends and family. But sometimes at the end of the day you might want to indulge in some entertainment while camping. Whether it’s watching a movie under the stars, playing a game on a big screen, or listening to some music around the campfire, you need a device that can provide you with high quality sound and visuals. That’s where a portable projector can be a great solution for your camping media needs. A portable projector is a small, lightweight device that can project images and videos onto any surface, such as a tent wall, a sheet, the side of a van, etc. It can also connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and stream content from various apps and services. We will be testing out the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector to see if it is capable of bringing high quality entertainment into the great outdoors.
Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector Build
The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector has a sleek and compact body that is reminiscent of a soda can. The body is made of a durable hard plastic, with a black finish that resists fingerprints and scratches. The body has a cylindrical shape that allows the projector to easily fit in a backpack. It measures 3.3 inches in diameter and 6.7 inches in height, and weighs only 2.1 pounds. On the front is a lens that can project 1080p HD images with laser brightness and contrast. The lens has an auto-focus and auto-keystone correction function that can adjust the image quality and alignment in just 3 seconds.
Contained within this little projector is a 52Wh battery that can power the projector for up to 2.5 hours of video playtime. It has a quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 chipset as its CPU and a G52MP2 GPU that runs the Android TV 11.0 operating system. The projector has 2GB of DDR RAM and 16GB of eMMC ROM for storing apps and data. The speaker is an 8W Dolby Digital speaker that delivers cinematic sound quality. And also had dual-frequency 2.4 / 5GHz, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi that supports screen mirroring and Chromecast.
Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector Controls
The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector comes with a remote control that is easy to use and is very responsive. You can adjust the volume, brightness, focus, and many other settings with just a few clicks. You can also use the Nebula Connect app on an Apple or Android smartphone to control the projector via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
The projector also has a touch panel on the top that lets you change the volume, confirm selections, return button and navigation buttons. The on / off button is on the rear, along with the mode button that allows the projector to be switched between Bluetooth speaker mode and projector mode, and the infrared receiver for the remote.
The top touch panel lights up for low light and night use and is sensitive and intuitive. There is a LED light in the power button that changes color according to the projector’s status. The projector also has a voice control feature that lets you use Alexa or Google Assistant to control it with your voice. You can ask it to play movies, music, or games, or adjust the settings. The voice control feature works well and recognizes my commands every time. I have to say that I’m impressed by the Capsule 3’s controls, they are easy to use and the multiple options are effortlessly accessible.
Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector Connections
The connection options on the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector are almost perfect. The projector has a HDMI port that lets you connect it to your laptop, game console, or any other device that supports HDMI. You can use the USB-C port to plug in a flash drive or a hard disk and play media files directly from there. The 3.5mm audio jack lets you connect it to external speakers or headphones.
The projector also supports wireless connections via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. You can pair it with your smartphone, tablet, or laptop and stream your content wirelessly. You can also use the Nebula Connect app to mirror your screen or use the built-in Chromecast feature to cast your favorite apps. The projector also supports AirPlay and DLNA protocols, so you can easily share your content from your iOS or Android devices. The projector has a fast and stable wireless connection and I never experienced any lag or buffering issues.
The reason I stated almost perfect is this, only having one USB port on the Nebula Capsule Laser 3 can limit the options for connecting external devices to the projector. For example, if you want to stream content from a USB drive, you will have to use the USB-C port and an adapter. However, this means you cannot charge the projector at the same time, which results in a two and a half hour viewing time cap – no six hour binge watching with it. The solution to this is to purchase a USB-C hub to allow for both, but it is bummer that Nebula didn’t just add a second USB-C port or a separate charging port.
Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector Viewability
Video projectors generally come with lots of features and specs, but one of the most important aspects is the brightness. This determines how clear and vivid the images will be in different lighting conditions. Brightness is measured in lumens, which indicate how much light the projector can produce. The higher the lumens, the brighter the image. However, brightness also depends on other factors, such as the size of the screen, the distance from the projector to the screen, and the amount of ambient light in the room or outdoors.
The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector clocks in at 300 Lumens, which for a small battery powered portable projector is not to bad. The picture below is just over 100″ with a ton of ambient light coming in from a sliding glass door on the right side during the middle of the day. The picture is good enough to be viewable, but it would be hard to enjoy watching a movie or show when the projector is essentially competing with daylight.
With an adequately dimmed room and while out camping the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector produces a crisp and colorful picture. The projector has Laser Forge technology that delivers a sharp and uniform focus across the entire screen. The image quality is amazing and I can see every detail even in dark scenes. The bottom line here is the Nebula works best when being used in darker environments.
One of the best features on this projector is the keystone correction that automatically adjusts the image to fit the projection surface. In the pictures above I am showing an extreme example of how is works. The picture on the left has the projector lens facing at about a 15 degree angle from the wall and when I push the autofocus and keystone correction button, it corrects the image through its front camera to fit perfectly into the best viewing format.
This is great because it gives plenty of flexibility and convenience in placing the projector and setting up the projection. For example, if you want to project on a wall that is not perpendicular to the projector, or if you want to tilt or swivel the projector lens, you can use keystone correction to correct the image distortion and make it look normal. Keystone correction can be done manually by adjusting the projector’s position or using the remote control, or automatically by the projector’s software.
Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector Audio
The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector has a surprisingly fantastic audio quality that makes watching movies and shows a pleasure. The projector has a powerful 8W Dolby Digital speaker that emits sound in all directions and fills the space with immersive sound. The speaker has Dolby Digital Plus technology that enhances the audio quality and creates a surround sound effect.
On the rear of the projector is a 3.5mm audio jack that lets you connect it to external speakers or headphones. Bluetooth mode is also available to pair it with wireless speakers or headphones. In addition the Capsule 3 can be used as a standalone Bluetooth speaker.
Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector Battery Life
For as small as the Nebula Capsule 3 is, it has a decent battery life. With a video playtime of right around 2.5 hours, it will get through most movies one time or four to six episodes of some shows. The projector has a fast charging feature that lets you recharge the battery in just 3 hours. Charging can be done with the included power adapter or any compatible USB-C charger to charge the projector. The power button on the projector has a battery indicator light that shows the charging status – Red – Orange – Green. Using the projector as just a Bluetooth speaker will net you 10 hours of playtime. And lastly, the projector can also be used as a power bank to charge other devices via the USB port.
I did end up purchasing a media box to plug into the HDMI port which allows for movies and shows to be played from a USB drive or SD card, while simultaneously being able to charge the capsule through the USB C port, give it unlimited playtime and it works great. This of course can also be done using a laptop, but the media box is a more portable option for those weekend camping trips.
Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector Portability
The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector is a great device for bring along on camping trips and outdoor adventures. It’s small and lightweight design makes it easy to pack and carry. You can take it with you on your trips and enjoy your movies and shows in the great outdoors. The wireless mode lets you stream content from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. You don’t need any cables or wires to connect the projector as it is runs Android TV 11 and has everything on board to stream content. The only thing that you will need is a Wi-Fi connection or a good hotspot. You can also use the built-in Chromecast feature to cast your favorite apps from your devices. 
The projector sits nicely on any flat surface or works with any tripod as it has a 1/4″ mounting screw on the bottom. And thanks to the keystone correction feature, setup is fast, easy and convenient to get the best viewing image even in peculiar environments. The durable and sleek body can withstand minor bumps and scratches, and also fits perfectly in the water bottle pocket on backpacks.
Specs on the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector
Projection Technology – DLPResolution – 1920×1080(16:9, FHD)Projection Size – 40-120 inOperating System – Android TV 11.0Dolby Digital Plus & Speaker – 1 x 8WVideo Playtime – up to 2.5 hrs. in battery modeConnectivity – HDMI, Aux Out, Type-C, Wi-FiFocus – Auto FocusImage Correction – Auto Vertical + Auto KeystoneSize – 3.3 x 3.3 x 6.7 inchesWeight – 2.1 lbs.
Final Thoughts on the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector
If you’re looking for a portable projector to bring along on your camping trips or outdoor adventures, the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser is a great option. It’s small, lightweight, has decent battery life, is easy to set up, and offers great picture quality. Plus, it runs on Android TV 11.0, so you can access thousands of apps and stream content with ease. The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser is really the perfect companion for any outdoor entertainment needs. For more info on the Capsule 3 Laser and other Nebula projectors, visit www.us.seenebula.com or www.amazon.com/nebula.
