Projector bulbs

[AVJeff]

Anyone know who has the best price on projector bulbs. I have a Panasonic AE900u and it is about time for a new one. It's getting dim. Last one I got was from Visual Apex and it was like 349.00. I hate to spend that much again for an older projector.

[hdtvjunkie]

http://www.apexlamps.com/index.php?m...FQS4tgodYme1cw

http://www.projectorquest.com/PT-AE900U-Lamp.html

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Repl.../dp/B000EK5AWE

[AVJeff]

How good and safe is it to get bulbs that are not OEM? They are cheaper for sure.

[hdtvjunkie]

How good and safe is it to get bulbs that are not OEM? They are cheaper for sure.

I've heard different stories. I personally always bought the OEM bulbs for my Mits. If u get one that isn't OEM I'd definitely check into their return policies.

[Gregg Loewen]

I'd definitely check into their return policies

Id also check to see if they will fix your PJ if the bulb explodes.

[AVJeff]

I am still deciding on getting a new bulb or putting that money towards a new epson. I am leaning towards not getting the bulb.

[Gregg Loewen]

Good idea. Almost anything would be an upgrade from a 900, which is quite dated now.

[AVJeff]

Good idea. Almost anything would be an upgrade from a 900, which is quite dated now.

Lol can you now call my wife and convince her?

[GOS]

Lol can you now call my wife and convince her?

We could start a petition....

[mytime]

We could start a petition....

Or just show up in person. She would be happy to let you buy a new one as opposed to having a drunk Gos in your house for a week or so.

[CALIBER]

Jeff I have been told DO NOT USE non oem bulbs, here is a site I and many other including L2W used to use they are simply great with super cheap OEM bulbs and you used to be able to buy an extended warranty on them too. LINK

[AVJeff]

Wow they have my bulb for 169. How is that possible when most others have it for 300 or more? I could get two from them for less than one from someone like Visual Apex.

Thanks for the link. I may order one this week at that price because mine is really getting dim and I am not ready for a new projector this month.

[CALIBER]

I know I too was blown away to see that they basically sell oem's for the price of the cheap generic bulbs, if I remember right I think my lamp was cheaper for an OEM at discount merchant than a generic lamp cost at other stores . Like I said I and many others have ordered from there with no issue's. All the credit goes to Loves2Watch as he is the one that turned me onto the place.

[Jmouse007]

I called the number on the link and talked to a sales rep. He told me the lamp for my SONY VPL-VW60 was NOT a factory OEM lamp. While the bulp is a Phillips lamp, the housing is not so buyer be ware.

[AVJeff]

I called the number on the link and talked to a sales rep. He told me the lamp for my SONY VPL-VW60 was NOT a factory OEM lamp. While the bulp is a Phillips lamp, the housing is not so buyer be ware.

I would probably be more worried about the lamp though. The housings don't explode.

[AVJeff]

Update. I just ordered a new bulb from Caliber's link. Total with 2day shipping was 191. That is a $185 dollar savings over Visual Apex where I bought the projector and all previous bulbs. However, Visual Apex does stand behind their products. I ordered my last bulb from them and about a week later it started giving me errors. Without hesitation they sent me another bulb no questions asked and they did not want the old one back. I will buy my next projector from them as they do have great offers on those. Bulbs though are another matter.

Old bulb has almost 2k hrs on it at full power and is really getting dim now. I have Cpt. America sitting on the shelf unopened and I don't even want to watch it until new bulb is in and calibrated. Just not ready to pull the trigger on new projector quite yet. It will probably be a Christmas gift to myself.

[AVJeff]

Ok new bulb showed up and it is certainly not a Panasonic bulb. The bulb looks slightly different and is made in Taiwan not Japan as are the two old Panasonic bulbs that I have. It also did not come in a Panasonic box. However, none of this means the bulb is inferior and I am not meaning to say it is. I don't know the answer to that yet. Just wanted to let you guys know what I was sent. I will take some pics before I install the new one to show differences between the two. I am also not complaining at this point either because I did save money. I somehow thought it seemed to good to be true. No way you are going to get a Panasonic bulb at that price. Like I said though this bulb may be every bit as good and have the exact same specs and that is all that matters to me anyway. Of course I don't want it exploding on me either. lol The company seems like they stand by their products though so I am really not worried about that either.

[CALIBER]

Damn jeff I hope it works out for you, it has been like 3 or 4 years since I used that place, I really hope I didn't get you a bad vendor!!! I would truly be pissed at myself!! Didn't the bulb you bought say it was an OEM?? I know the one and a few others I got for others were, but the casings were different, but bulbs were OEM.

[AVJeff]

It appeared OEM on the website, however the actual bulb looks a little different than the ones from Panasonic. It still may be perfectly good though. I won't know until I put it in a calibrate it I guess. I really didn't want to pay 370 bucks for new bulb no matter how you look at it.

[AVJeff]

Well it's in and calibrated. I know I promised pics but I forgot to take one of the new bulb and already put it in and back up on the mount. Too lazy to take it back out. Anyway, it calibrated pretty much the same as the Panny bulbs I had before. I guess now time will tell how it holds out. So far no complaints at all other than I wish the site would be a little more forthcoming about the bulbs in general. As long as they stand behind them then I am happy.