Best Projector Under $3k?

[steve1121]

What's the best Projector for around or under $3000?

It will be going into a basement with controlled lighting to complete darkness.

 

[purbeast0]

if you care about gaming, i'd recommend the panasonic ae8000 simply due to it's input lag. it's minimal for projectors. i think there is also an epson that is also recommended for gaming in that same price range. i have a panasonic ae8000 and couldn't be happier. the input lag was a major decision in why i got it too, but overall it has great reviews.

 

[ezclick]

Ya the ae8000 is great

 

[DesiPower]

What's wrong with Benq w1070? MUCH cheaper, and under controlled lighting its good enough, even comes with glasses. It's input lag is also one of the lowest...

 

[blotto]

Good enough is the key phrase, the w1070 is good for $1000 but if his budget is $3k there's much better to be had. Hell, at sub $1k there's a lot better to be had right now with Mitsubishi's fire sale on the HC7900dw which is on par with the AE8000 and Epson 5030.
Right now if I had to pick a projector under $3000 I'd have a hard time not buying the HC7900 and putting the savings into a better screen or room finishing.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Consider B-stock. Sometimes you can used a manufacturer's refurb for 40% off list. I've done this in the past and got one JVC listing for $5500 for $3K, and a Sony 3500 for $1K. I used AV Science for those purchases, but its been about three years now. In a couple more years I may need to update.

 

[Kaido]

AE8000 is what I'd buy as well.

 

[blotto]

Seriously, take a look at the Mitsubishi HC7900. Was a $2500 unit, Mits is getting out of projectors so you can find it as low as $799. It's every bit as good as the AE8000 and the 5030, it does some things better than either of those, they do some things better than it. With the exception of B-Stock JVCs or Sonys if available, those three are really the only three units to consider under $3k.

 

[vshah]

Seriously, take a look at the Mitsubishi HC7900. Was a $2500 unit, Mits is getting out of projectors so you can find it as low as $799. It's every bit as good as the AE8000 and the 5030, it does some things better than either of those, they do some things better than it. With the exception of B-Stock JVCs or Sonys if available, those three are really the only three units to consider under $3k.

man, so tempting. but no horizontal lens shift kills it for me

 

[blotto]

Horizontal lens shift would be nice for sure. AE8000 or 5030UB both have it. Between the two I'd have to say the AE8000 with the better input lag and the motorized lens memory is the better choice.