Note: I'm not discussing projector pricing, only extended warranty pricing.
After an astounding 6+ year run on the original bulb, our InFocus SP4805 is now on its way out with the light tunnel failing. Now I'm in the market for an HD projector. I've been a big fan of the Panny AE series ever since I saw the 3000U in use in a model home's dedicated home theater. I would love to get the AE4000U, even a refurb model, but I think we're going to wait on something of that caliber and cost (or the AE7000U) until we have a larger home with a larger dedicated movie room.
So I think the AR100U is right for us, and the price has dropped considerably even in just the past month. Several reputable online dealers have it for the same price, and even free shipping. The difference, then, comes down to extended warranties. I think for a piece of equipment like this, a warranty to extend the original factory 1-year would be worth it, especially if there are things like no deductibles and such. I've seen extended warranties through several different warranty services, and with different prices, ranging from 3-year for $164 to $189, up to 5-year for $274 up to $329.
Interestingly, the 3-year warranty through SageMax seems to be the cheapest of the 3-year, while the 5-year warranty through CPS is the most expensive of the 5-year plans. What are your thoughts on such extended warranties? I recall purchasing one through Circuit City for my SP4805, but never used it. But looking at the projector model owner threads, you never know what might happen.
After an astounding 6+ year run on the original bulb, our InFocus SP4805 is now on its way out with the light tunnel failing. Now I'm in the market for an HD projector. I've been a big fan of the Panny AE series ever since I saw the 3000U in use in a model home's dedicated home theater. I would love to get the AE4000U, even a refurb model, but I think we're going to wait on something of that caliber and cost (or the AE7000U) until we have a larger home with a larger dedicated movie room.
So I think the AR100U is right for us, and the price has dropped considerably even in just the past month. Several reputable online dealers have it for the same price, and even free shipping. The difference, then, comes down to extended warranties. I think for a piece of equipment like this, a warranty to extend the original factory 1-year would be worth it, especially if there are things like no deductibles and such. I've seen extended warranties through several different warranty services, and with different prices, ranging from 3-year for $164 to $189, up to 5-year for $274 up to $329.
Interestingly, the 3-year warranty through SageMax seems to be the cheapest of the 3-year, while the 5-year warranty through CPS is the most expensive of the 5-year plans. What are your thoughts on such extended warranties? I recall purchasing one through Circuit City for my SP4805, but never used it. But looking at the projector model owner threads, you never know what might happen.
