Projectors best time to buy, and what are sale cycles like?

[brotj7]

The wifey and I are looking to pick up a PJ in the next few months. We are thinking something like an Epson 8350, 8700, 3010, 5010, or an Optima 33, or 3300. I have seen vague posts about an Epson 8350 with a spare bulb going for ~$900 last year, and was wondering where to shop, what types of deals can be had, and when???

I have a light controlled room and can mount as little as 15' up to 18' away. I wouldnt want to do less that a 120" 16x9screen diagonal, and would like to be able to do up to a 12' Wide screen in 2.40:1 scope mode(10ft in 2:35:1 mode would probably be the sweet spot for our room dimensions though). I'm a bit of a bargin hunter and usually like to get great bang for your buck type deals. I don't do credit signups, and will not spend more than 3K on the PJ, with a preference in the $900-1500 range. So what do you think???

 

[vi edit]

Not really sales on projectors, just product refreshes and price drops. CEDIA is in September of each year and most announcements of new products are made then with price drops on existing models following that.

 

[kornphlake]

I don't think the market for projectors is big enough to see black friday deals like you would on a LCD TV. That doesn't mean there aren't deals out there, but it's not likely you'll see them advertised heavily.

 

[Cheesetogo]

Go read AVS to figure out what projector is best for you. I think between now and December is a pretty good time to buy used, as lots of people are probably dumping their projectors to buy the new ones that are coming out. Prices in the new market seem to stay pretty stable, even with projectors that are soon to be discontinued.

 

[queequeg99]

Prices in the new market seem to stay pretty stable, even with projectors that are soon to be discontinued.

One thing to keep in mind is that the "new market" in projector world is very very different than in just about any other CE market. It is not unusual for projector manufacturers to not refresh their product offerings for 2-3 years or so (think Benq W6000 or the Panny AE4000). Prices obviously drop on projectors but it can sometimes be a bit difficult to figure out timing.

 

[brotj7]

I have been over at AVS forums reading up on PJs as we finish our basement, unfortunately they do not allow price talk. I figured new 3D models will be popping up over the next 4-6months, and would like older models to drop in price. Anyone have experience with any of these models and black levels. I don't want to start a heated technical debate over at AVS, it's a little overwhelming with all the info they throw at you right off the bat. I just need to know if I'll be able to see enemies better in Gears of war and Metro type games. On my 2006 46" Samsung LCD the differences in grays & blacks are really hard to see from the couch ~8ft. But bright color still looks good, not great like a plasma during that era, but pretty good.

 

[vi edit]

Here's a very low price on an Optima HD20/180

http://deals.woot.com/sellout

$650 @ woot

 

[Aharami]

projector prices dont drop much. I bought my Epson 8700 for $1999 a year ago. Projectorpeople has that projector still listed for the same price

 

[Craig234]

Here's a very low price on an Optima HD20/180

http://deals.woot.com/sellout

$650 @ woot

They sold out, but new ones are at Costco for $900 with a 2 year warranty.

 

[Craig234]

projector prices dont drop much.

I'm embarrassed that about or 6 years ago, I bought a then-great Panasonic AE900U on sale for $1,600 and then never set it up. Now far better 1080p go for half that.

That Woot special today had one with 1920x1080, and 1700 lumens while the Panny has 1100, for $650 refurb. Panny now seems to go for under $500.

 

[The-Noid]

I'm embarrassed that about or 6 years ago, I bought a then-great Panasonic AE900U on sale for $1,600 and then never set it up. Now far better 1080p go for half that.

That Woot special today had one with 1920x1080, and 1700 lumens while the Panny has 1100, for $650 refurb. Panny now seems to go for under $500.

Don't really go by lumens though. Every projector shows their brightest mode which has horrible contrast. You want the brightest best mode, which has best settings for a theatre.

 

[queequeg99]

I don't want to start a heated technical debate over at AVS, it's a little overwhelming with all the info they throw at you right off the bat.

I wouldn't worry about starting a thread. But before you start a thread over there, do some searching on their forums.

I just need to know if I'll be able to see enemies better in Gears of war and Metro type games.

Specifically, search for threads on projectors that are good for gaming, taking into account your other needs. Do you have ambient light problems (in which case a lot of LCD units will be problematic)? Do you need a lot of flexibility in placement (in which case most DLP units will be trouble unless they happen to fit right where you want to put the PJ)?

Finally, while the rules at avsforum.com do specifically prohibit price discussion, I have found that this rule is enforced with varying degrees of stringency. In a subforum that is entitled "Projectors under $3,000" you would expect some price discussion. I just wouldn't put questions about price in your thread title or ask super specific price questions in your opening thread. For example, you might indicate that you're looking for a gaming projector in the $1,500-2,000 range. I see such generalities over there all of the time and no one's lost their head yet.

 

[kinder]

A few things to consider for projectors to save money is that the 'gaming' ones are more for those that want to bring them places. If you can, find out the model a gaming projector is based on and sometimes you can grab that for a few hun less.

When looking at cheap ones be sure they have keystone correction. A lot don't.

Consider bulb replacement costs. Doesn't help if you grab a projector for $700 if the bulbs are $400. While a $900 one with better specs has a $150 bulb.

 

[JSt0rm]

I'm waiting for led $1500 1080p projectors. I want/need 20k hour life, on a bulb as it will be on 12 hours a day.

I also need a good perf screen.

 

[ericlp]

Last time I bought a projector I got it off of Ebay. I got a refub'ed optima ... factory refurb comes with 1 year and a brand new bulb. Anyway, I think I paid 350 for it shipped lasted well over 2K hours and gave it to a friend. I also picked up an optima from best buy they were having a close out for over half off.

I dunno about cycles but you just gotta time it right and wait around. There are TONS of good deals to be had! Just do on archive search on projectors in hot deals and you'll see them. I think I posted one... Tho, a lot of people don't post hot deals on PJ's but you can check dedicated PJ forums like AVS and other deal sites ... sooner or later something *WILL* come up. I wouldn't buy a PJ used ... Refurb with a warranty and a new bulb is ok... but that's about as used as I will go.

Good Luck and if you do find a HOT DEAL remember to post it since you might not be the ONLY one looking for a PJ.

 

[brotj7]

Thank you all. Sorry for the late reply, I'm doing on-call for my work and finally got bit. 7a to 10p since Tuesday trying to figure out an issue.

The PJ will be ceiling mounted, so no gaming portability isn't really needed. I already have a 3x4ft piece of wood installed behind sheetrock, so mounting is flexable.

If I don't see a good enough sale to post in the hot deals forum, I might just wait until after the holiday and see if I can find a 2nd hand model from someones upgrade. Are there any experiences out there to decide between the Optima HD 20 or 33? If memory serves me right, the HD33 is supposed to be a bit dimmer than the comparable Epsons, how is the HD20.

 

[brotj7]

Just reread and saw the used comment. Got it, refurb with new bulb is possibly a good idea, but second hand is not. Thank you.

 

[Rio Rebel]

The HD33 is fantastic, and quite bright. It is only "dimmer than the comparable Epson (the 3010) because the 3010 is a light cannon.

If you want 3D and are trying to stay around the new $1500 value point, there is the Optoma HD33, the Epson 3010, and the Acer 8500, I believe. All have their strengths and weaknesses, but I've seen the Optoma and the Epson, and they are both SWEET projectors.

That being said, if 3D isn't really that important to you, you can pay much less and get an outstanding 1080p projector for well under a grand.