I have to disagree with your assessment on the Goldberg Projection ports.

First off, they haven't used the thumbscrew for their ports since 1995 or so. That was only their first generation of them...by the end of 1996 they had switched over to the latched version of the port (See the South Branch Cinema 6 photos to see them as they are currently manufactured).

As to the glass, they offer 3 different grades, clear uncoated, optically coated, and Amiran. If your complex didn't get the coated glass (optical) than that was their CHOICE, don't blame Goldberg for providing what the customer wanted (UA). For the bulk of our installations, we use the coated glass but sometimes the customer doesn't want to pay for it.

Next comes the sealing up....again it hasn't been a particular problem though I'll agree it is far from perfect. They slot the holes (now) and allow you to adjust it to ensure a seal all around. A single pain port is NOT going to block the sound of the projection booth completely (nobody's) I find that Goldberg does a fair job and with the projectors we install (Simplex, Century and Kinoton) there isn't the big clacking or banging sound coming from the projectors in the first place...perhaps your projector(s) are just too noisy.

If sound isolation is your thing, go with a double port system, also offered by Goldberg (and others).

Next the tilted glass....it really depends on the down angle of the projector as to how big of an issue it is. If the projector is pointing down then then image reflected off the glass (only really an issue with the uncoated stuff anyway) will be bouncing towards the ground. If the projector is pointing nearly level, then, yes it is a problem. Again, Goldberg offers two other ports with angled glass (an 18 x 18 and their double pain port). The 15 x 21 you reviewed is on the lower cost side and is easier to make and works in most cases.

Next the view port, Goldberg make a single and double pain 12 x 12 (now called the 11 x 11). It can be made with or without a slide shelf (see the South Branch photos for the view port). Again no sealing problems...it is screwed in (no alignment problems in the dozens we have used) and had handles for easy removal of the glass assy.

Again, I won't say the ports are perfect but the current stuff is certainly better than your review indicates. I have NEVER had any complaint about them, in fact, most installers and end-users compliment them and like them.

Steve

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I have used the CPI ports as well but wanted to keep to the issue of the Goldberg ports. I am not as fond of the CPI ports as you seem to be. Their manufacture is far from consistant and getting the main glass in can be an issue as are the spline nuts. You can chuck the refrigerator magnet to cover the mic hole idea too. The CPI ports seem to be of similar quality to the Goldbergs yet cost more too. CPI's double port design seems to be better but far from perfect.

I'm surprised that on the thumbscrew springs weren't mentioned on the Goldberg ports...it is normally a matter of hours before they were lost, but I digress.

My issue with Joe's review is that he was reviewing an outdated design by almost 5-years. Furthermore one of the complaints was the glass itself which is a customer issue, not the manufacturer. Goldberg offers coated glass (two grades even).

Either company's design beats the heck out most of the home-brew ports I've had to deal with.

Again, never a complaint with the Goldbergs, just a bunch of satisfied customers.

Steve

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Gord,
If a building is sprinkled that will prevent the fire from spreading. All new construction, and rehabs in the states that I have been involved in has been sprinkled and that makes the port dampers obsolete. Personally, I think a plex that is not sprinkled is an unsafe building for anyone to be in.

Of course, the sprinklers, if they are set off, will also make all the equipment in the booth obsolete unless it is a Halon type. I have only seen one master Halon system put in to date. Of course, as a dealer, I prefer the water type sprinklers!
Mark @ GTS

Your points are valid, so perhaps the name of the product could be changed to something more specific than "Goldberg projection ports"? Past that, I have worked with these ports for several years and they are a joke. Joe didn't even mention the fact that the hinges are screwed in place, which leads to even more alignment and especially sealing issues. I don't know why you like them so much, but everyone is entitled to their opinion.

What are the various ballpark prices on the breakdown of the Goldberg ports? You mentioned CPI's port was of about the same quality, but cost more. I haven't had my hands on a CPI port yet, but looking at the specs, I cannot imagine how that could be the case. They look to be made of very high quality.

What is your opinion of the exact ports that I reviewed? I didn't even know newer models existed. Goldberg doesn't seem to have a website, so there is no way I could have known that.

I stick with what I said, though. The Goldberg ports in my review suck my hairy ass ten ways from Sunday. I can't imagine ANYONE saying ANYTHING good about them. Ever. There is definitely better stuff on the market.

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I notice that, when a projection room is built, only very rarely will management pay to fix something. Management may pay for a new amp, or to add digital, but will probably not pay (for example) to move a port window that was originally installed to far to one side.

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