Review of the SIMA XL-12 Inflatable Projection Screen

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[hiredpower]

I figured I better start a new thread specific to my impressions of this screen.

It's a beautiful day here in Indiana so I'm "taking it outside" to layout, set up and snap some pictures for those who may be curious about this screen.

My first objective is to attach the screen and "sun it" for a while to get the wrinkles out. The only other time I set this up, I had a busy day and didn't get a chance to leave it up for a while. The screen comes folded in half and then wrapped around a cardboard tube. I found another cardboard tube (Free, Victor is rubbing off on me) just the right length and I have had it rolled on that since last week

I also want to try to improve on the screen height issue. I have a couple of ideas and we'll see if it works.


More to follow...

[hiredpower]

Here's the box (40" l x 21" w x 15"  h) everything comes in.

[hiredpower]

This is the nylon carry bag with the frame folded in it.

[hiredpower]

Plastic ground cloth with the frame unrolled on it.

[hiredpower]

Four minutes later...

The smaller cardboard tube on the left is what the screen came rolled on(folded in half).
The Victor Special is on the right with the screen presently rolled on it.

[hiredpower]

Screen is attached, went to my parents house to install a ceiling fan while sunning the wrinkles.

[hiredpower]

Lesson #1

Don't leave screen unattended in the yard.

Neighbor kids were bouncing on it when I got back.

The good part was....the wrinkles all came out.

Here's a side view

[hiredpower]

Four minutes later and I'm ready to pack it up for Wallace & Grommet at my parents house.

I would attach some pictures from tonight, but I only know how to shoot in auto mode of the digital camera.

That will be next on my list:

Read the manual!

It might be a first for me.

Changing the oil of my girlfriend's car prevented me from being able to test my height improvement ideas.

[victor-eyd]

What is the noise of the fan like?

That's been my biggest concern with these inflatables- that the sound of the fan will just be too distracting or loud forcing me to turn up the volume and further pissing off the neighbors.

Victor

[hiredpower]

You can't hear it at all because, once you blow it up... you shut it off and disconnect it.

Funny thing was, I forgot to screw the cap back on and the internal flap of the port hole held the pressure all night.

During the sunning phase of six hours today, it also held the pressure.

[hiredpower]

Before proceeding, I thought it would be helpful to compare the SIMA components against the popular producers of inflatable screens, i.e. apples to apples.

I am in the process of obtaining detailed information from the other inflatable manufacturers.
Once I compile the information, I will post it here.

[cheftom]

How long does it take to attach the screen now that you have it figured out?

I like it, nice and compact footprint, clean look and no fan noise.

[rfisk]

Thanks for sharing this info, Keith.  We look forward to seeing more about the SIMA.

Keith and I had corresponded via email.  I was having a hard time getting things setup timing-wise with the SIMA rep for a review of their new screen.   Since Keith had paid “real money” for his, it just made good sense to for him to do the review.  So we’ll have info on this product a good month earlier than if I had done it. 

Thanks Keith!

If everything goes right, BackyardTheater.com will be offering these and/or other screen kits through the website in mid-July!

Randy

[cheftom]

that is exciting news Randy, will it be a wholesale kind of deal or is it a link service?

[hiredpower]

How long does it take to attach the screen now that you have it figured out?

I still haven't got it down yet. When I took the pictures on Saturday, it was only the second time I had attached the screen. This probably took me thirty minutes to complete. I cheated that afternoon and left the screen attached when I deflated it. I admit this knowing I my have voided my warranty.

The picture shows the velcro strips used to attach the screen to the frame. You go through the frame, screen and then through the "keyhole" of the velcro and cinch it. This velcro is the strongest I have ever used. The problem for me is when I go through the keyhole, it immediately wants to stick. You have to pull it apart and cinch some more. I haven't counted, but I believe there are 70 grommets all the way around. I'm not the most patient person, so it was a frustrating experience.

The instructions state to inflate to about 80 percent, attach the screen, then inflate it fully. Now you check which ones need to be tightened, deflate back to 80 percent, remember which ones needed the adjustments and re-inflate fully again. I had to go through this process a few times...

There is a second method of attachment using nylon laces, which are supplied. I didn't like the idea of having to tie and untie them a few times before I got the right fit. Removing the screen would require doing the same.