[James Romeyn]

Mitsubishi HC6500 1080P projector new circa 2007-08+ (BTW this projector has been flawless and is dead silent directly above my head in a dead quiet room...it was regarded as the quietest projector available and every other projector I auditioned sounded like a motor boat by comparison).

Lamp soon dies, so says text on screen.

What's your opinion of OEM replacement lamp vs. generic?

Mitsu OEM quoted $450 + tax + shipping (no discount prices yet).  OEM longevity of seven years (low mode) seems exceptional.  OTOH I found complete assemblies for $150, apparently generic.  Cost per time unit is a wash if generic longevity = 1/3rd OEM.

Also found bulbs separate without housing for less than $50: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Compatible-Bare-Bulb-for-MITSUBISHI-VLT-HC7000LP-HC7000-HC7000U-HC6500-HC6500U/321495909033?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3D683e881c20014df0a5c055c1bb38a33f%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D20131003132420%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D171384387898&rt=nc&tfrom=171384387898&tpos=unknow&ttype=price&talgo=origal

Help Mr. Wizard!

 

[Bob in St. Louis]

I'm on my third PJ and each one has used up two bulbs. I've always bought the factory lamps.
My worry is the risk of a bulb exploding inside the unit and destroying an expensive PJ in the name of saving a couple hundred.
It boils down to "how much of a gambler are you"?

Bob

[LTCase]

I used to have a JVC RS1 that I put three bulbs through. All were non-OEM and I never had a problem.

I currently have a BenQ W6000 and I'm on my third non-OEM. My second bulb burned out after ~30 hrs so I sent it back and got a replacement...which has been going strong for a few hundred hours.

Make sure the bulb and seller have good reviews and a good return policy. I don't know how often bulbs explode and ruin a projector but I would imagine the number is pretty low. Pretty sure premature burn out is more likely but as you said you can buy several non-OEM's for the price of one OEM.

Hope this helps! 

[James Romeyn]

Thanks very much!

How many hours do you estimate between first lamp warning and demise? 

[Bob in St. Louis]

Not sure on that one, that's a good question for the manufacturer. None of mine ever gave me a warning, they just got dim.

But now that I've typed that, I recall the Optoma having a warning light on the actual unit, but nothing on the screen.
I noticed the light on one day and had to find out what it meant. No telling how long it was on before I noticed it.

Bob

[LTCase]

It depends on the projector. My W6000 warning shows up at the recommended lamp replacement interval (2000 hrs in my case) depending on what power setting you are using (bright vs eco mode). If I recall that is usually at the lamp's "half-life" or half its brightness. Since I'm in a well lit living room I usually need the extra brightness so I replace it shortly after. I have used the lamp for another 1000 hours after that though and it worked fine but it was just dimmer. You should recalibrate the picture settings periodically (maybe every other month) as the lamp ages though because the contrast and brightness will change as the lamp dims.

[nickd]

I made the same decision in July. Bought the Aftermarket bulb for my projector for about $150 delivered. It lasted 6 weeks and failed. I had already tossed the receipt.

My old bulb had 3300 hours when the change bulb notice came up but it worked fine. I changed it trying to avoid the "popped bulb" syndrome described above. I lost a projector that way a few years back.

I put the old bulb back in and I should get another few hundred hours of use before I have to order a another bulb.

When I re-order I will buy OEM and hang on to the the receipt for warranty this time.