What is the Projector?
The Projector is classified as a Rare item in Arc Raiders. You usually find it while scavenging residential areas, and it weighs 2 units and stacks up to 3 per inventory slot. Its base value is 1,000 coins, so it has some trade value if you’re running low on funds.
Crucially, the Projector does not have a direct function in combat or exploration. Unlike weapons, armor, or certain gadgets, you won’t be “activating” it during missions. Its main role is as a crafting resource.
Can You Use the Projector Directly?
Not really. Many new players pick up a Projector hoping it might do something flashy or defensive, but in practice, it’s not a deployable item. You cannot place it in the environment, scan areas with it, or integrate it into any kind of turret or shield system.
Experienced players usually ignore it as a standalone tool unless they are specifically farming materials for crafting upgrades. Its utility is hidden in what you can make from it, rather than in any in-game ability it grants directly.
What Do You Do With a Projector?
The real value of the Projector comes from recycling and salvaging. Here’s the breakdown:
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Recycling: Turning a Projector into crafting materials gives you:
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2× Wires
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1× Processor
Wires and Processors are commonly needed for a lot of mid- and late-game upgrades, so having extra Projectors can help you avoid scavenging too heavily for basic components.
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Salvaging: If you choose to salvage it instead of recycling, you’ll get:
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1× Processor
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Salvaging gives fewer components than recycling, but it’s sometimes worth it if you only need the processor and want to conserve inventory space.
In practice, most experienced players will recycle Projectors unless they’re strategically saving processors for a specific blueprint. For example, I’ve often kept a few Projectors on hand when I’m trying to buy Arc Raiders Il Toro blueprint, because the processors you get from recycling them can help complete the crafting requirements faster.
Should You Pick Up Every Projector You See?
From a practical perspective, yes, but selectively. Projectors are common enough in residential zones that you won’t starve for them, but inventory space is limited. Here’s how I usually handle them:
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Prioritize Projectors if you are low on Wires or Processors.
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Ignore Projectors if your crafting queue is full and you have enough basic components.
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Stack them whenever possible, since they take only 2 weight units each and stack up to 3 per slot.
This approach keeps your scavenging efficient without cluttering your inventory with items you can’t use immediately.
Where Can You Find Projectors?
Projectors are almost always found in residential areas, particularly inside apartments or houses. They show up as loot in boxes or on shelves. They are a rare item, so while they aren’t as common as scrap metal or basic electronics, you’ll see them often enough if you focus on residential scavenging routes.
You generally won’t find them in combat drops or enemy caches, so residential scavenging is the reliable source.
Are Projectors Needed for Any Key Crafting Recipes?
Yes, but mostly indirectly. You don’t craft a Projector into anything by itself. Instead, the components it yields—Wires and Processors—are used in other crafting recipes. For example:
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Processors are a core component for upgrading certain drones and gear.
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Wires are needed for power connections and some weapon mods.
If you’re planning to buy Arc Raiders Il Toro blueprint, keeping a few Projectors handy for their recyclable components is smart. The blueprint requires multiple processors, and recycling Projectors can save a lot of time that would otherwise be spent scavenging enemy zones.
Practical Tips from Experienced Players
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Inventory Management: Don’t hoard Projectors. Recycle them regularly unless you have a specific component shortage.
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Focus on Residential Areas: You’ll get more Projectors per run if you stick to apartments and houses.
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Recycle Over Salvage: Unless you only need one processor, recycling gives you a better return.
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Combine With Blueprint Goals: If you’re working toward a particular upgrade or blueprint, like the Il Toro, keep Projectors until you have enough processors for the full recipe.
In Arc Raiders, the Projector is not an item you use directly in combat or exploration. Its value comes entirely from recycling or salvaging it into crafting components. For new players, it can be confusing because it looks like a gadget, but in practice, it’s just a source of Wires and Processors. Experienced players handle Projectors strategically, storing them only when needed for specific blueprints or recycling them immediately to keep inventory space open.
So, if you’re asking whether the Projector is “useful,” the answer is yes—but its usefulness is indirect, and it becomes relevant only when you are working on crafting or upgrading gear. Keeping a few in your inventory while farming residential areas is always a good idea, especially if your next target is something like the Il Toro.