What is the going market value for a used AE900U with a brand new bulb? I just replaced the bulb, so it has less than 10 hours on it. But I am thinking of going 1080p and I have someone interested in buying the AE900, but have no idea what to ask for it. What do you think is a fair price for this unit with a new bulb? (bulb just cost me $300 itself).

I am having no luck finding completed sale prices here on on the 'Bay.

Thanks, Tom

That would depend on the amount of usage. How many hours have you racked up since you purchased it?

Probably not too much. A Sanyo PLV-Z4, a very comparable model, was recently sold on ebay for $699. This was a factory refurbished, fresly packed and sealed projector with a new lamp and a 1 year warranty. The AE900, even with a new lamp, is probably worth less than $500.

Jim

Thanks for the info Buffalo and TF. I put on about 1800 hours in low mode. As noted above, less than 10 since new bulb and new filter. That actually made a huge difference.

I have a "good as new" AE900 that I will sell for $700. It has only 52 hours on it (original bulb).

And, I'd be willing to throw in a HDMI cable, a Pronto TSU2000 remote, a Da-lite HCCV Permwall 106" screen (its a little wrinkled due to being stored but I was told they will come out", an Oppo digital 971 DVD player, and a bunch (10 or so) HD DVDs.

I wouldn't buy the projector at all.
It's not a matter of the amount of globe life that's been used, it's a matter of how much total usage the projector has had because typically, seeing the AE900 uses an organic LCD panel or "optical block", the panel degrades over time and at approximately the 3,000 to 4,000 hours point, it starts to turn all of the image green in colour until it's un-viewable.

To replace the optical block is usually 70% of the cost of a whole new projector, ie it's not worth it. These aren't covered by warranty.

In short, forget buying it and save further for your own new projector!

It's kind of sad reading these types of threads. A projector we spend a few thousand on is only worth a couple hundred bucks a few years later? That sucks.

You might as well keep the thing as a secondary display of some sort.

Do these types of projectors work outside at night very well?

It's kind of sad reading these types of threads. A projector we spend a few thousand on is only worth a couple hundred bucks a few years later? That sucks.



Like a computer, a projector is definitely a bad investment as far as a cash return is concerned. ;)

From a buyer's perspective, though, it's stunning the kind of picture you can get for the money these days as upgraders dump their old ones. I mean, no one who's seen my AE900/92" High-Power/ Panny BD setup (well under a grand at today's prices) has much interest in those teeny flat-panels anymore. :)

Thanks for the info Buffalo and TF. I put on about 1800 hours in low mode. As noted above, less than 10 since new bulb and new filter. That actually made a huge difference.

I would keep it as a backup in case you need to send your 1080p unit in for repair. If you're dead set on selling it I'd say you won't get more than $300 for it...

Yep, a three year old projector with a broken bulb is like a fifteen year old car with a broken air conditioner. (Except that at least a new bulb could be sold separately.)

Like a computer, a projector is definitely a bad investment as far as a cash return is concerned. ;)

From a buyer's perspective, though, it's stunning the kind of picture you can get for the money these days as upgraders dump their old ones. I mean, no one who's seen my AE900/92" High-Power/ Panny BD setup (well under a grand at today's prices) has much interest in those teeny flat-panels anymore. :)

I hear ya. My next projector may very well be used. It's the type of thing that people (especially on these forums) tend to take really good care of, but they still drop in value so fast. And many people on these forums seem to be in constant 'upgrade' mode and dump their fairly new, slightly used projectors pretty often.

Wow, thanks for the great insights everyone. I might end up keeping it as a second set-up/backup, etc. As others here have noted, the AE900 still throws a dynamite picture.

I think keeping it as a backup (or portable to tote to a friend's house for whatever) is what I'll do with my AE900 when I can't resist upgrading. It's small enough to be easily stored.

Like yours, mine still puts out a terrific "wow"-inducing picture, in my case with nearly 3,000 hours on the same bulb. I'm sure if I told friends who have watched movies on it I was in the market to sell it I could probably get about $500 for it and the recipient would be delighted by what they got (if I was inclined to take money from a friend for it).

But, "sight unseen" to a stranger, it is difficult to imagine getting more than $300 for a used AE900 when a brand new AX200 can be had for $999.

I have friends who still own AE900s and are thrilled with the picture after a few bulb replacements. The quality difference between this PJ and the latest Panny AE3000 are noticable but not HUGE. I've seen them both. Now, this was in a light controlled room with both PJs tweaked to the max. Also, when you upgrade PJs, you end up getting upgrade-itis, and convince yourself you need a new receiver with HDMI inputs, a blu-ray player, new screen, etc., etc., etc.. The "true" cost of an upgrade to your PJ ends up being alot more than you think.:D

my ae900 says that it supports 1080p on both playstation 3 and directv equipment... im pretty sure that it does

The AE900 is a 720p native projector, meaning the highest resolution it will display is 1280 x 720. You can send a 1080p (1920 x 1080) signal to it, but it will downscale it to 1280 x 720.