What would you pay for a used Sony VPL HS51A?

post #1 of 10

5/9/12 at 7:02am

Thread Starter

2 Posts. Joined 5/2012
Select All Posts By This User

Hi all -

My friend has had a Sony VPL HS51A projector for several years now, and I'm interested in buying it. He's asking $600 for it.

Sony VPL-HS51A Projector Specifications
(show metric units)

MSRP (USD) : $2,999
Brightness (Lumens) : 1200 ANSI
Contrast (Full On/Off) : **
Variable Iris: Yes
High Brightness:
ANSI Lumens: 1200
Contrast Ratio: **
High Contrast:
ANSI Lumens: **
Contrast Ratio: 10000:1
Audible Noise: 24.0 dB
Weight: 12.4 lbs
Size (inches) (HxWxD) : 5.9 x 13.6 x 14.6
Std. Lens: Focus:
Manual
Zoom: Manual, 1.55:1
Throw Dist (feet) : 8.9 - 19.7
Image Size (inches) : 60.0 - 200.0
Optional Lenses: No
Digital Zoom: **
Digital Keystone: No
Lens Shift: Horz & Vert
Warranty: 2 Years
Performance:
H-Sync Range: 19.0 - 72.0kHz
V-Sync Range: 48 - 92Hz
Compatibility:
HDTV: 720p, 1080i, 1080p/60
575i
EDTV/480p: Yes
SDTV/480i: Yes
Component Video: Yes
Video: Yes
Digital Input: HDMI
Computers: Yes
Display: Type:
0.7" 3 LCD
Native: 1280x720 Pixels
Maximum: 1280x768 Pixels
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (HD)
Light Source: Type:
135W UHP
Life: 2000 hours
Eco-Mode Life: 3000 hours
Quantity: 1
Speakers: No
Max Power: 195W
Voltage: 100V - 240V
FCC Class: B
Special: Wired Networking
Status: Out of Production
First Ship: Dec 2005
Last Ship: Sep 2006

Any opinions? Not sure I want to pay $600 for a 6 year old projector.

Thanks!

Reply

post #2 of 10

5/9/12 at 7:27am

371 Posts. Joined 4/2007
Select All Posts By This User

You're thinking is right in my opinion! No more than $250 for sure! if there are a few thousand hours on it, then maybe not even that!

Reply

post #3 of 10

5/9/12 at 7:29am

3,427 Posts. Joined 12/2008
Location: Philadelphia
Select All Posts By This User

LCD that old .. $75 - 150 depending on the lamp age.. new lamp needed will cost at least $300 ball park for an OEM Now you are at $450 for a 7 year old projector.. Value of old projectors is like the value of a computer or Cell phone of that build date...
Then again, when selling something, it is the buyer that sets the selling price.. uninformed buyer could pay way more than they should.. so does that mean it is worth that much?? He may very well get close to that.. no clue why people buy things like this without knowing what they are buying but they do!

Reply

post #4 of 10

5/9/12 at 7:34am

2,387 Posts. Joined 7/2001
Location: KY
Select All Posts By This User

Hi,

I had this projector as a tv only projector and I bought it used for around $225 with a low hour bulb and after having it for 6 months I sold it for around same price. Projector worked fine but it is a very very dim projector. I honestly would either get a used Panasonic ax100u or ax200u used for $250-$350 or just spend a little more for a better projector. My screen size was only 92" and it was even high power and the Sony was too dim on it.

So, yes your friend is asking way too much as are the few that are on eBay. $200 is all this projector is worth but be prepared to only use it on a 72" screen at most.

Mike

Reply

post #5 of 10

5/9/12 at 7:36am

Thread Starter

2 Posts. Joined 5/2012
Select All Posts By This User

Quote:

Originally Posted by airscapes

LCD that old .. $75 - 150 depending on the lamp age.. new lamp needed will cost at least $300 ball park for an OEM Now you are at $450 for a 7 year old projector.. Value of old projectors is like the value of a computer or Cell phone of that build date...
Then again, when selling something, it is the buyer that sets the selling price.. uninformed buyer could pay way more than they should.. so does that mean it is worth that much?? He may very well get close to that.. no clue why people buy things like this without knowing what they are buying but they do!

Thanks for the info. It actually has a brand new lamp in it (I know because he's letting me try it out, I stuck the lamp in myself).

Reply

post #6 of 10

5/9/12 at 9:33am

699 Posts. Joined 10/2005
Select All Posts By This User

Cheaper but new:

Optoma HD66 (720p): http://www.amazon.com/Optoma-HD66-25...6580886&sr=8-4

Acer P1303W (1080p): http://www.amazon.com/Acer-P1303W-Re...580959&sr=8-13

$600 for that used Sony pj even with a new bulb is way too much!!! Hell, I'm selling my 6yr. old Optoma HD72 for $250 although it used to retail for $2000.

Reply

post #7 of 10

5/9/12 at 2:04pm

5,630 Posts. Joined 2/2004
Location: Oconomowoc, WI.
Select All Posts By This User

With friends like that, you don't need any enemies.

Reply

post #8 of 10

5/9/12 at 3:16pm

436 Posts. Joined 5/2007
Location: Boston Area
Select All Posts By This User

The build quality of the Sonys is far better than most of the newer PJ's. With a new brand name lamp Its worth 300.00 at best. No matter what you do will not get a bright image out of a 135 watt UHP lamp.
Bohanna

Reply

post #9 of 10

5/9/12 at 4:10pm