Live Science Verdict
The Dark Sky DS - FX is a great superstar projector with basic functionality that performs its job well . When positioned correctly , the images are bright and sharp , and the functioning is very placid . Performance - wise , the DS - FX is corresponding to the Sega Homestars Matataki , but this social unit has the contribute advantage of being rechargeable .
Very quiet motor
visceral and easy operation
The packaging is attractive and would be nice to give or receive as a gift.(Image credit: Future)
Rechargeable social unit
work best when wholly perpendicular / horizontal
Only includes one ejection slide
There are three buttons to control functionality. Here the red indicator light is on as it needed charging.(Image credit: Future)
record cartridges are cumbersome
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The Dark Skys DS - FX genius projector fall into the family of star projector that actually throw a projection onto your trust surface , as pit to ' star projectors ' which are novelty light that glitter dissimilar colors and form around the room to make a cool ' infinite - like ' environment .
It is a small unit and will easily fit on a shelf alongside books or other ornaments,(Image credit: Future)
This DS - FX star projector can be used as a tool to learn about astronomy . It send off a naturalistic night sky full of stars onto your cap . Other disks can be purchased , too , but the supplied disk is the Northern Hemisphere Chrome Star disk .
Compared with the ilk of the original Homestar Original , which was exhaust almost two decades ago in 2006 , this , liberate in 2023 , is relatively unexampled to the star projector market place .
Dark Skys DS-FX star projector review
Dark Skys DS-FX star projector: Design
The DS - FX star projector is comparable in size to many other adept projectors in ourbest star projectors usher . It ’s 8.82 x 6.57 x 6.46 inches and weigh just 1.61 lb . To the jot , it does n’t feel as bounty as we ’d expect for something that costs over $ 100 , but it is not poor quality . It ’s a well - made product .
Size : 8.82 x 6.57 x 6.46 inchesWeight:1.61 lbBulb Type:5 WattLED Rotation : YesSleep timer : YesSpeaker : NoProjection Surface:10 foot
The rotating ' world ' is inside the plastic casing , so the legs are n’t exposed like they are with theSega Homestar Flux . This , along with the black and white credit card with grim branding , we think , make it look a little routine more toyish than we would like , though we know it is n’t all about aesthetics .
The projection looks best (sharper across the whole view) when it is either completely horizontal or vertical.
Dark Skys DS-FX star projector: Performance
As per Dark - Sky ’s selling , the sound projection imagery is dear when the 5 - watt bulb is shining straight onto the desired open rather than at an angle . In any other position , the asperity is quite considerably reduced , especially around the edges .
The bulb is bright enough for you to utilize the projector in a room that is n’t completely pitch black , although , like with all projectors , the double looks more impressive when it is dark .
The rotation motor is nearly entirely dumb , you ’d struggle to recount the social unit was turned on if the light was n’t fall . This is perfect if you ’re look for a whiz projector to aid with fall sleep .
The projection is plenty bright enough even when the room is not 100% dark.(Image credit: Future)
The electric battery seems to last for a recollective fourth dimension ( we have n’t counted exactly ) , but you could sure enough get through a week of using it for an time of day at a time without having to reload it . Just as a side note — when you do come in to point the gadget , make certain the indicator light is on when it ’s plug in . We ’re not certain why , but some USB line workplace and some do n’t — if the lightness is n’t on , it is n’t charge .
Dark Skys DS-FX star projector: Functionality
If you are look for ' just ' a star projector , the Dark Skys DS - FX projector offers all the necessary functionality . Its primary reason for existence is to project the imagination on a lowly disk onto a surface of your choosing . There ’s no brassy app , distant ascendancy , or voice ascendancy ; there are just three buttons to see the sopor timer , powerfulness ( on or off ) and rotation direction .
Though it is basic , it ’s one of the few rechargeable star topology projectors , offer greater flexibility in position since you ’re not restrict to last out near a power outlet . It also charges via USB - C , which is much more convenient than theSega toy dog Matataki , which bank on a somewhat outdated DC mogul cable television service .
The sound projection ' record ' are fixed in their ' tray , ' meaning slides from other good example ca n’t be used . This limits compatibility to Dark - Skys product only — some phonograph record work on in multiple projectors ; we ’re thinking specifically of thePococo Galaxy Star Projectorand the Orzors Galaxy Lite , whose disks are interchangeable . A little selection of additional disk for the DS - FX projector can be buy directly from Dark Skys for around $ 20-$30 .
The closer the projection surface, the brighter and sharper the image.
Should you buy the Dark Skys DS-FX star projector?
✅ You only need a projection of the Northern Hemisphere ’s Constellation : This is the disk supplied with the DX star projector . You have limited options to buy add - on disc .
✅ You need a quality projector without the exchange premium price tag : This is a utterly sane choice as a standalone star projector — it does what it is supposed to do , and the imagination is n’t that different from that of the much more expensive models .
❌ You wish to swap and change : The disc are unique to this Dark - Skys model , and there is only a humble choice in add - on disks .
The projection ‘disks’ are fixed in the tray meaning they can’t be used elsewhere.(Image credit: Future)
❌ You require pin - crisp mental imagery across the whole image : Though , on the whole , the constellation image is shrewd , distinctness does fall off around the edges . The expulsion is when it ’s typeset at a dead horizontal or vertical angle .
If you ’re looking for a star projector that only projects imagery onto a flat aerofoil , the Dark Skys DS - FX will suffer that pauperization . It ’s priced similarly to theHomestar Matataki , with little conflict in footing of functionality or functioning . The images are lustrous and acute and like to those found in the much more expensive models , although they are n’t as vivid as theSega Toys Homestar Flux . That read , we think the Flux ’s image is a little too bright and not as realistic as the cheaper models ( unless you ’re lucky enough to know somewhere with huge , glowering starry sky that you ’re used to seeing ) .
The Dark Skys DS - FX has the added vantage over several headliner projector of being rechargeable using USB - C. We like that you could easy place it anywhere in the elbow room without being tied to main power .
This is strange and seems a little wasteful due to the amount of extra plastic required.(Image credit: Future)
The downside is that there is only a very limited excerpt of disk to purchase as add - ons , so if you ’re someone who desire to hack and change the imagery , you might require to look elsewhere . However , if you ’re content with the Northern Hemisphere ’s Constellation and do n’t plan on changing disk often , or at all , this should n’t be a headache .
If this product isn’t for you
If you ’re looking to create a customizable , distance - like ambiance , theBlissLights Sky Lite Evolveis a great choice . This projector offer encompassing customization options , allowing you to command promiscuous compounding and pattern via an app or voice commands to correspond your best-loved atmosphere . Plus , given its range of features , it ’s surprisingly affordable .
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Similarly , theAstronaut Starry Sky Projector , which is around $ 30 ( and much less during sales event like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday ) , is a fun fallal alternative for any space fan . We have had one in our child ’s room for around two age , and it still bring a big part in the regular bedtime routine , still getting ' oohs ' and ' ahhs ' when it ’s work on . It has a remote control condition for customization and has a sleep timekeeper which is consummate for not having to re - figure the child ’s room to sprain it off .
ThePococo Galaxy asterisk projectoris one of our favored manakin for vivid mental imagery . The projections are bluff and bright , and there is a whole catalogue of disks that you could purchase as attention deficit disorder - ons , and as we ’ve mentioned , disks made for theOrzors Galaxy Litefit it as well .
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