Just put a new lamp in my Optoma HD80 after 2056 hours. I had been holding out on putting in my new lamp. I thought its still bright but then I got to thinking what if the projector craps out tomorrow? I won't be able to use my new lamp so I said what the hell and put it in.

OMG the POP is back. Its really bright. I had forgotten what a brand new projector looks like.

Yup, a new lamp makes it seem all new again. I usually change out the lamp at just over the half-way point of its rated life and keep it around as a spare. There is just something comforting knowing there is a back-up or two laying around and besides, nothing beats a new lamp for making brilliant pictures come alive on the screen.

My experience says "wait". I used the same methodology, replacing my lamp about half-way through it's (advertised) useful life, only to see the "new" lamp bite the dust when just outside of warranty: $300 down the drain. I went back to the "old" bulb and ultimately upgraded my projector (Plus to Optoma). Where bulbs used to cost about 1/10 the price of a whole new projector, now they're getting down to 1/3 and even 1/2. I've now come to the conclusion that by the time I need another bulb, I'll just buy another projector.