After some intensive days of research, I'm struggling deciding witch one to choose...

I can get the Mitsubishi hc1500 at $800, the PT-AX200U best I can find is $1250 (also at $1000 in an unkwnown dealer open box...) and the PT-AX100U at about $1000 or $1100.

The unit will be used with some ambient light.

I can't compare the one to the other. I am sure you will be getting a lot of responses from people based on what they ended up with.

I went with the HC1500. Partly because of the price, and the lumens. I use it with some ambient light (I don't have a dedicated theater, but use it in my tv room, which has a few windows).

I love it.

What about the Epson cinema 720? About 1100-1200 after rebate and per reviews is the best of the lot you cite.

How about another strategy (one I am considering) - get the lowest possible cost reasonable projector now, e.g., the Acer 530 for $600 and then replace with 1080p at the $1k price point in a year or two. Donate the 530 to a school, church, etc. at that time.

I used to have a panasonic 4:3, 450:1 contrast projector and was very happy! All this new tech has jaded me.


db

Thanks for the replys
About rebates, I can't get them, cause I live in Argentina, south America, so I can't count on mail in rebates. :(
Anyway dbbarron, I thought about your "strategy" about getting for example a w500 at 600 open box, and once I get the taste of projector image, get something more advanced.
I think the projectors I listed are in the same league, basically the panasonic ax100 and his upgraded brother agains the HC1500.
There are not really important upgraded features between the two panasonic iirc, the cheaper I get one the better, but the HC1500 is cheaper than both, but doesn't have lens shifting. So that's my dilemma

And I will not have a dedicated room again until next year.