Hello, Doug -
Welcome to Photon Lexicon!!
You won't be sorry if you go with the FB3 - it's VERY capable, has some very nice free applications available for it direct from Pangolin, and will probably have some very nice free upgrades from Pangolin in the near future! That board would be a good investment to last you a long time! You'll find a LOT of happy FB3 users on this forum!
Buffo (Adam) has posted some great reviews on the ScanPro 20's and, most recently, the new DT-25's. Either of these would be a great investment for a first set of scanners.
Realistically, "home-made" or low power laser modules are probably about the only way you'll be able to stay within your initial budget - I'm sure someone else with more "home brew" experience will chime in with more advice. Just be aware that you're getting into what can be a VERY expensive hobby, especially if you want to go with quality, safe components to build your projector - this becomes very important if you are considering the idea of using the projector to entertain other folks!!
In any case, feel free to post any questions you have - the participants on this forum are generally a very helpful bunch! Also, you might want to include where you live in your personal info so we can see what part of the world you're posting from. It could be that you're close enough to other forum members that you could get some hands-on demonstration of some gear before you start investing your hard-earned bucks!
Welcome aboard, good luck, and have fun!!
Randy
RR
Metrologic HeNe 3.3mw Modulated laser, 2 Radio Shack motors, and a broken mirror.
1979.
Sweet.....