EPSON 8500UB here:
3/15/2010 Purchased.
Approx 6/2010, first bulb burns out with 767 hours. EPSON sends replacement bulb.
9/1/2010 - second bulb burns out with approx 400 hours on it. EPSON sends refurbushed projector (wait - how much did I pay for a scratched unit again? . . . uh . . . hmmm . . .)
1/5/2011 - third bulb (now in refurbished projector) goes out with 1022 hours on it.
EPSON claims there was a manufacturing defect that is now solved.
9/15/2011 - fourth bulb burns out after 1785 hours - halfway (kind of) to the stated 4000!
7/20/2012 - fifth bulb burns out after 1405 hours. I am now out of warrantee, so pay $300 something for a new bulb.
9/15/2012 - sixth bulb is showing massive red shift in image. EPSON customer service is all gone - they think the unit is now defective, and that my recently purchased bulb is still fine! Had I any idea that the EPSON bulbs would only last 1,000 hours, I would have never purchased from this company.
12/5/2012 - sixth bulb burns out with 893 hours on it.
My projector is in a basement - typically very cool room - about 10 inches from a drop ceiling. Regular modes, no additional fans on the unit. I think that EPSON just does not understand how to correctly cool their bulbs is all, and I don't think that they care too much either. Too bad - I spent some time doing research and figured short life bulbs was a fluke, but no more. I wish I knew what percent of owners have longer life bulbs, and whether there is a defect with my unit or what, but EPSON never bothered to get back on me with my new projector they replaced with a refurbished one, so I really feel like I was taken to the wood shed on this whole thing. I mean, does ANYONE get 3,000 hours? What percent? 25? 50? 75? Am I one of just 2% of users? If I buy a new one will I likely get 2,000 hours?
EPSON is certainly not forthcoming with any imformation like this, which leads me to believe that this is more common than not. They basically ask one thing: "Are you in warrantee?" If yes, here is a new bulb, if no - have a nice day.
They are quick to point out that the bulbs last "up to" 4,000 hours and that there is no guarantee (except for a 30 day one!) I foolishly did the math at half capacity and figured since I would SURELY get 2,000 hours, I would be fine with that, but I have never gotten 2,000 hours. Heck, I felt good when I broke 1,500 hours - that is a THIRD of what they inidicate the bulbs will do.
Oh well - live and learn. I will just probably NOT do business with this company ever again. Kind of turns me off on their printers, too, by the way . . . .
3/15/2010 Purchased.
Approx 6/2010, first bulb burns out with 767 hours. EPSON sends replacement bulb.
9/1/2010 - second bulb burns out with approx 400 hours on it. EPSON sends refurbushed projector (wait - how much did I pay for a scratched unit again? . . . uh . . . hmmm . . .)
1/5/2011 - third bulb (now in refurbished projector) goes out with 1022 hours on it.
EPSON claims there was a manufacturing defect that is now solved.
9/15/2011 - fourth bulb burns out after 1785 hours - halfway (kind of) to the stated 4000!
7/20/2012 - fifth bulb burns out after 1405 hours. I am now out of warrantee, so pay $300 something for a new bulb.
9/15/2012 - sixth bulb is showing massive red shift in image. EPSON customer service is all gone - they think the unit is now defective, and that my recently purchased bulb is still fine! Had I any idea that the EPSON bulbs would only last 1,000 hours, I would have never purchased from this company.
12/5/2012 - sixth bulb burns out with 893 hours on it.
My projector is in a basement - typically very cool room - about 10 inches from a drop ceiling. Regular modes, no additional fans on the unit. I think that EPSON just does not understand how to correctly cool their bulbs is all, and I don't think that they care too much either. Too bad - I spent some time doing research and figured short life bulbs was a fluke, but no more. I wish I knew what percent of owners have longer life bulbs, and whether there is a defect with my unit or what, but EPSON never bothered to get back on me with my new projector they replaced with a refurbished one, so I really feel like I was taken to the wood shed on this whole thing. I mean, does ANYONE get 3,000 hours? What percent? 25? 50? 75? Am I one of just 2% of users? If I buy a new one will I likely get 2,000 hours?
EPSON is certainly not forthcoming with any imformation like this, which leads me to believe that this is more common than not. They basically ask one thing: "Are you in warrantee?" If yes, here is a new bulb, if no - have a nice day.
They are quick to point out that the bulbs last "up to" 4,000 hours and that there is no guarantee (except for a 30 day one!) I foolishly did the math at half capacity and figured since I would SURELY get 2,000 hours, I would be fine with that, but I have never gotten 2,000 hours. Heck, I felt good when I broke 1,500 hours - that is a THIRD of what they inidicate the bulbs will do.
Oh well - live and learn. I will just probably NOT do business with this company ever again. Kind of turns me off on their printers, too, by the way . . . .
