Outdoor movie nights under the stars sound like a dreamy RV experience—until you realize you’re more likely to be swatting mosquitoes than watching The Goonies in crisp 4K.

We recently asked our readers in the newsletter: “Do you use a portable projector for outdoor movie nights?”

The responses were… well, let’s just say they weren’t exactly a blockbuster hit.

If you missed this poll, don’t worry—there’s always another one coming!

Make sure to vote next time so your voice is heard (and so we can all collectively judge each other’s life choices).

The Results Are In—And They’re Gloriously One-Sided

Drumroll, please…

  • 95% of you said NO,
  • While a brave 5% said YES.

That’s right—for every 20 RVers, only one is out there fumbling with HDMI cords and praying the Wi-Fi holds up.

The rest of you? You’re either streaming on a tablet, reading a book, or accepting that nature’s version of “entertainment” is listening to your neighbor’s generator hum all night.

Why Portable Projectors Are the Unicorns of RV Gear

Let’s be real—portable projectors sound amazing in theory. “Movie night under the stars!” “A personal drive-in theater!”

But in reality? Between finding a perfectly flat surface, battling ambient light, and keeping the speaker volume at “not annoying the entire campground,” it’s basically an extreme sport.

And let’s not forget the true enemy of outdoor cinema: wind. One gentle breeze, and suddenly Tom Cruise is performing his Mission: Impossible stunts on the side of your RV instead of the screen.

The 5% Who Said “Yes”—Who Are You?

To the 5% of you who voted yes, we have questions.

Are you professional AV technicians? Do you travel with a dedicated “projector butler” who handles setup?

Or do you just enjoy the challenge of turning a simple movie night into a MacGyver episode?

Either way, we salute your dedication (and mildly question your sanity).

The Real Reason RVers Skip the Projector Life

So why did 95% of respondents nope out of portable projectors? Here’s our take:

  • Setup Hassle: Nobody wants to spend 45 minutes calibrating a screen when s’mores are waiting.
  • Battery Anxiety: RVers already worry about power—adding a projector to the mix is like inviting a energy vampire to dinner.
  • Good Enough Alternatives: Between tablets, laptops, and good old-fashioned campfire stories, a full-blown outdoor cinema feels… excessive.
  • The “I Tried It Once” Effect: Many probably did buy a projector, used it exactly one time, and now it lives in the “miscellaneous gear” bin forever.

Final Verdict: Stick to the Classics (Or Just Stargaze)

At the end of the day, RV life is about simplicity—and for most, a portable projector is just one gadget too many. But hey, if you’re in the 5% who’s making it work, keep living your best (high-tech) camping life. For the rest of us?

There’s always the original big screen: the night sky. (Just watch out for clouds—nature’s worst buffering symbol.)

What do you think? Did we nail the reasons, or is there a secret projector fan club we don’t know about? Drop a comment or vote in our next poll—because nothing says “RV community” like passionately debating the best way to watch TV in the woods.