The catch
Hisense C3
Compared with the older flagship, it gives up options for both close and distant placement.
Side by side
Hisense C3 vs Hisense C2 Ultra: The older C2 Ultra still reaches both closer and farther
Quick verdict
An unusually close or far shelf is a job for the C2 Ultra, because its wider optical range holds up against the newer generation. The C3 is the pick when its 1.0 to 1.3 lens fits and the current offer is easier on your budget. Newer does not mean more flexible by default.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Twice the placement interval comes with the older model
C3 gives about 2.6 feet of optical adjustment at 120 inches, and C2 Ultra gives about 5.2 feet. In a rented room where the furniture cannot move, that is a better reason to buy than the release year.
Where this comes from
Hisense C3: (1.3 - 1.0) × 104.59 / 12 = 2.61 ft. Hisense C2 Ultra: (1.5 - 0.9) × 104.59 / 12 = 5.23 ft.
The catch
Hisense C2 Ultra
A larger image can use up its extra output, and the wider lens may go unused.
Hisense C3
- Why pick it
- For a 120-inch screen, your lens position falls between about nine and eleven feet
- The Ultra’s wider zoom is not something you need
- The catch
- Compared with the older flagship, it gives up options for both close and distant placement.
Hisense C2 Ultra
- Why pick it
- Your 120-inch screen has to work from either eight or thirteen feet
- The rooms you move between have very different layouts
- The catch
- A larger image can use up its extra output, and the wider lens may go unused.
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What this page compares
Newer model against older flagship: see how the Hisense C3 and C2 Ultra handle a fixed shelf, a large screen and moving between rooms.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A 120-inch screen and an eight-foot table
C2 Ultra alone reaches the target optically.
- Hisense C3
- Not suitable
- Hisense C2 Ultra
- Better fit
A 120-inch screen and a thirteen-foot shelf
C2 Ultra goes to about 13.1 feet, while C3 stops around 11.3.
- Hisense C3
- Not suitable
- Hisense C2 Ultra
- Better fit
A ten-foot shelf and a dark room
Either fits. Compare the current offers and your picture preferences.
- Hisense C3
- Good
- Hisense C2 Ultra
- Good
A viewer who is already sensitive to DLP rainbows
Simultaneous-color imaging is not what either one switches to.
- Hisense C3
- Caution
- Hisense C2 Ultra
- Caution
In practice
Differences you will notice
Twice the placement interval comes with the older model
C3 gives about 2.6 feet of optical adjustment at 120 inches, and C2 Ultra gives about 5.2 feet. In a rented room where the furniture cannot move, that is a better reason to buy than the release year.
How we worked this out
Hisense C3: (1.3 - 1.0) × 104.59 / 12 = 2.61 ft. Hisense C2 Ultra: (1.5 - 0.9) × 104.59 / 12 = 5.23 ft.
An eight-foot table flips the usual preference for the newer model
From eight feet, C2 Ultra reaches 120 inches optically, whereas C3 needs at least about 8.7 feet. If moving the table would block the sofa or a door, the older Ultra is the practical choice.
How we worked this out
Hisense C3: Minimum 120-inch distance 8.72 ft. Hisense C2 Ultra: Minimum 120-inch distance 7.84 ft.
A twenty percent gain in output is not a free jump to 150 inches
The jump from 120 to 150 inches adds 56 percent area, while the Ultra’s output rating is only 20 percent higher. Hold picture size constant when judging that advantage, or accept that the bigger image needs stronger light control.
How we worked this out
Hisense C3: 2,500 ANSI lumens. Area ratio for 150 versus 120 = 1.5625. Hisense C2 Ultra: 3,000 ANSI lumens. Output ratio = 1.2.
Plug in your numbers
Will either projector work in your room?
This checks hard limits only. Personal preferences are left out of the math.
Hisense C3
Works with your numbersFor a 120-inch 16:9 picture, the calculated lens range is about 8.72 to 11.33 ft. You entered 9.50 ft.
Hisense C2 Ultra
Works with your numbersFor a 120-inch 16:9 picture, the calculated lens range is about 7.84 to 13.07 ft. You entered 9.50 ft.
Measure distance from the lens to the screen. The math assumes a 16:9 picture and uses the verified throw range for each exact model.
Option A
Hisense, C3
C3
Optical zoom on this triple-laser gimbal projector makes it easier to work with fixed furniture when you switch between rooms.
- Best for
- For a 120-inch screen, your lens position falls between about nine and eleven feet
Facts we checked
- 120-inch placement: About 8.7 to 11.3 ft
- Optical range: 1.0 to 1.3
- Published brightness: 2,500 ANSI lumens
- Family-room basics: Gimbal, VIDAA, mains power
Option B
Hisense, C2 Ultra
C2 Ultra
High brightness, optical zoom, Dolby Vision and high-refresh gaming come together in this gimbal-mounted triple-laser projector.
- Best for
- Your 120-inch screen has to work from either eight or thirteen feet
Facts we checked
- 120-inch placement: About 7.8 to 13.1 ft
- Optical range: 0.9 to 1.5
- Published brightness: 3,000 ANSI lumens
- Family-room basics: Gimbal, VIDAA, mains power
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Hisense C3 | Hisense C2 Ultra | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120-inch placement | About 8.7 to 11.3 ft | About 7.8 to 13.1 ft | A wider room-depth interval is covered by the older flagship. |
| Optical range | 1.0 to 1.3 | 0.9 to 1.5 | At a fixed screen size, C2 Ultra has twice the interval width. |
| Published brightness | 2,500 ANSI lumens | 3,000 ANSI lumens | Output in the same calibrated mode is not established by the 20 percent rating gap. |
| Family-room basics | Gimbal, VIDAA, mains power | Gimbal, VIDAA, mains power | A suitable spot with electricity is needed for both. Neither gets rid of DLP rainbow sensitivity. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Hisense C3
- Even if you use the gimbal for a patio or ceiling picture, it still needs mains power.
With Hisense C2 Ultra
- Sensitive viewers may be bothered by laser speckle or rainbow flashes, and VIDAA offers fewer apps than Google TV.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
For a 120-inch screen, your lens position falls between about nine and eleven feet
Go with Hisense C3. The Ultra’s wider zoom is not something you need
Your 120-inch screen has to work from either eight or thirteen feet
Go with Hisense C2 Ultra. The rooms you move between have very different layouts
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the home projectors we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hisense C3 |
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| Hisense C2 Ultra |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Hisense C3
For a 120-inch screen, your lens position falls between about nine and eleven feet
See price & reviews on AmazonHisense C2 Ultra
Your 120-inch screen has to work from either eight or thirteen feet
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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