Does anyone here have experience with this projector?We're going to purchase a projector as a family Christmas gift this year, and this one has made it to the top of my list. It's not going to replace the TV, but I still want it to work in bright settings and I don't want to just buy a crap projector. The room is bright, but never direct sunlight. Throw from projector to screen will be about 8.5-9 feet.

https://www.benq.com/en-us/projector/cinema/tk860i.html

I don't have any experience with that particular model. Here is some generic info that applies to projector installation.

Based on just a quick look, I believe that projector will be fine. I would focus more on installation and the screen.

For installations I have been using an online calculator with outstanding results. For home use, replacing & new installations at church, and back yard movie nights.
https://www.projectorscreen.com/projector-screen-calculators

Your model is in the database. The calculator really helps you dial in the physical mounting location.

It also helps with screen selection. Screen selection is often overlooked. It is really important and is a major part of the 'screen brightness' equation. Screens have what's called 'Screen Gain'. Its how much light is reflected back. Common gains are from 1 to 1.4.

The bottom of the calculator will give you and estimated brightness. You can always lower your brightness level. I have not gone wrong choosing projector and screen combos just above the middle range or more.
More gain doesn't always mean quality/clarity of picture. Because of that I would stay away from no name companies or something like Ali Express. The exception is a screen you haul around and setup outside for movie nights, fold up and throw in a box until next time, etc.

Elite Screens and Da-Light are good companies and have screen from low end to cinema worthy. Bigger manufacturers will usually print their specs, have better quality screen material that stands up to cleaning and also easy to assemble frames.

To me easy assembly is worth an added cost.

A friend and I replaced a 180in diagonal at church (Elite Screens) in under 30 minutes because the frame was easy to assemble and tension. That included removing the old one and taking everything to the dumpster.

Ended up getting the newer BenQ TK710sti. I wanted a laser projector, and I thought it was a decent price point.

Also went with an Elite Screen motorized screen with tension. 135". I thought about 150" but that's a lot of screen for the room we'll be using.

Need curtains for behind the screen, and need to put the room back together, but very happy with the setup. Still work on getting the picture perfectly on there.

Is that too big for how close you are? I feel like it might be too hard to see the whole screen at once.

It's "immersive."