PJ upgrade in sub $900 range

[ZeosPantera]

It has been several years on an XGA that I got for next to nothing used with a then new bulb. I watch movies and watch photo slideshows without any regrets, but it is getting WAY on in years and the announcement of next season of Top Gear being shown in HD that has finally pushed my upgrade button.

I already have a Graywolf II 92" pulldown and sufficient throw for a projector to fill it. The money situation is pretty tight and I will be splitting the expense of the upgrade. Way I see it at MOST $900 US can be spent on a 720P projector. If there are any deals on cheap 1080's that bring them down to near the budget please feel free to post them. I have no issue with a 720 over 1080. Very rarely do I have any 1080 content anyways.

This projector will be hooked directly to my PC. When It is on it is always night and the room is nearly pitch black.

Here are the Projectors I have found in my searching. All ~720P and Under $800 (Yes, I know the Mftr Contrast ratings are bupkiss)

MITSUBISHI HC1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824248056
-1700 Lumens
-2500:1 Contrast

OPTIMA HD65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824219051
-1600 Lumens
-4000:1 Contrast

OPTIMA EW1610
http://www.buy.com/prod/optoma-portable-ew1610-multimedia-projector-1280-x-800-wxga-16-10-4/q/loc/111/208656515.html
- 2700 Lumens
- 2000:1 Contrast

Dell 1609WX
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=402899&pCatg=5863
-2500 Lumens
-1900:1 Contrast

Thank you for the help.

 

[tcarcio]

You can check this place out. They have some b-stock and trade-ins for fairly short cash...http://www.adtechsystems.com/specials.html

 

[ZeosPantera]

Interesting site:


http://www.adtechsystems.com/display_projector_details-pid-1292-manufacturer-Mitsubishi.html

That is the only one I would consider. What exactly are the ramifications of "B" stock.

 

[tcarcio]

Well I thought b-stock was units that are new but discontinued or might have a blemish on them that stops them from calling them ''new''. The girl there is very helpfull and could answer any questions you might have.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I can only say that if you have $900 to spend and you are all set otherwise, then I would find that last $100 and get a 1080p model so you won't be thinking upgrade a year down the road and you can be all set for Blu-ray and true HD down the road.

http://www.visualapex.com/Optoma/Projectors.asp

If you can't swing the HD20 ($999) then the HD65 is a great buy for several hundred dollars less.

I would not look at the Optoma EW1610 or anything from Dell. Stick with home theater models and avoid companies which really don't touch home theater at all.

 

[Sherardp]

I can only say that if you have $900 to spend and you are all set otherwise, then I would find that last $100 and get a 1080p model so you won't be thinking upgrade a year down the road and you can be all set for Blu-ray and true HD down the road.

http://www.visualapex.com/Optoma/Projectors.asp

If you can't swing the HD20 ($999) then the HD65 is a great buy for several hundred dollars less.

Nice find, I would definitely try to swing the extra coin for 1080p model

 

[slocuri]

Nice find, I would definitely try to swing the extra coin for 1080p model

Very cool, looking great so far. Keep going, I wanna see it finished!

 

[lsiberian]

I"m a cheap skate, but I'd swing for the Optoma HD20.

Definitely avoid business class PJs at your price. It wouldn't be an upgrade at all.

If money is tight then wait until it ain't tight. PJs are a short life product you won't get your money back.

I suggest you hold off spending until you got a nice cushion moneywise.

I love this hobby as much as the next guy, but rent and eventual retirement comes first.

If you do things right in a couple years you can get a really nice PJ instead of a bottom feeder. Think long term.

 

[ZeosPantera]

Thank you for all your advice and tips. I will see if I can scrape together the extra cash for the hd20.

 

[finishers]

Mitsubishi HD1000U is also very good Pj. You might also consider it. It has almost all the feature of a good HD PJ. Check it out as well

 

[BMXTRIX]

Mitsubishi HD1000U is also very good Pj. You might also consider it. It has almost all the feature of a good HD PJ. Check it out as well

Not sure why you would recommend a 3 year old design with low contrast and a 4x color wheel when most of the similarly priced competition has better specifications.

For cheap HD projectors - the Optoma HD65 and the newly released Epson 705HD are where I would be looking. But, with 1080p only a few hundred bucks more, I would first be looking to see if the HD20 (or other - ie, BenQ) would fit in my environment.