Looking for cheap, used projector for church camp

[LeAnn B]

My husband and I work at a children's church camp and we're trying to set up a projection system in our cafeteria for as cheaply as possible. Some churches bring their own projector if they have one but we really want to have one on hand for those churches that don't have one or can't bring their own. There is no money in the budget for these updates so I'm hoping someone will have a used (but working) projector they might want to get rid of CHEAP! Money may have to come out of our own pockets so that is why we're looking for the best deal possible. Thanks!

LeAnn

[Brad Weber]

Hopefully someone will have a projector to offer. It is easy to approach this as being thankful for whatever you can get and that is understandable, however from a practical perspective the challenge in situations such as yours is that while you may not have a lot to spend, that also means you probably have to spend what you do have wisely. Spending any money on any projector that can't provide an acceptable result is probably worse than not having any projector at all. Some of the factors that often need to be considered include:

• Can the projector provide a desired or acceptable image size from the physical projector locations possible? You may have complete flexibility in where the projector can be located but that is not always the case and that can then become a factor.
• Does it provide acceptable image brightness given the projection surface and ambient light conditions? You may be willing to accept a much less than ideal result but if you can't get an acceptable image with the projection surface and lighting that you have then what's the point?
• Does the projector include inputs that can support the sources typically encountered? Many of my clients seem to be finding more and more people showing up with sources (laptops, tablets and so on) that are not directly compatible with projectors that have only analog inputs and that require either special adapters or interface devices.
• How many hours are on the lamp(s) and what is the cost of replacement lamps? For used projectors a slightly more expensive projector with a new lamp might be a better deal than a less expensive projector whose lamp may be expected fail at any moment.

[LeAnn B]

Thanks for your concern. This isn't my first time around the block, been in media for 10+ years and with ChurchMedia.net for most of those years so I knew I would get the old 'if something is worth doing, it's worth doing right' speech And as always that view is correct. But in this case it isn't a matter of using the money wisely because there isn't any money to be used. What we have now is nothing so anything would be better than what we have. If we have to buy new we probably won't be able to spend over $500 and even that will be a challenge to get approved. I was just hoping there might be a church out there that has recently upgraded and might have a working projector to sell for less than $500 (thus making it easier to get approved). Can't hurt to ask right?

[[Admin] danroth]

Have you looked at prices from discount sites?

If you can't get one donated or used, you can (for example) buy two different 3200 lumen XGA projectors for $500 from TigerDirect. ($499.99 with free shipping)
or for $345 you can buy a 2700 lumen XGA projector from Amazon (with free shipping).

[LeAnn B]

Thanks Dan I hadn't checked Amazon yet!

[[Admin] danroth]

Amazon.com: Acer ColorBoost II Projector...

[cmchamp]

caution on used projectors. Make sure you can get lamps for them. We have a 20+ old Sony that works like a champ. In the 14 years I'd been going to the church and involved in the media ministry, we'd never replaced the bulb. The bulbs are now no longer available.
Depending on the price range you're looking at spending, I might be able to find something for you new with warranty.

[[Admin] danroth]

Yeah, we have a great 9-year-old projector we use at church.
Replacing the bulb costs almost as much as buying a new projector would!

[LeAnn B]

Ya I understand bulbs can be pricey (or not available anymore). I'll be sure to do my research when we find one, thanks!

[LeAnn B]

Cory we don't really have a price range except for cheap Just hoping to find one under $500.

[cmchamp]

I've got 4 BenQ under $500 ranging from 2500 to 3000 lumens.

[[Director] Joseph B]

I just bought a nice epson for $300 from Staples - only has RCA and VGA inputs but still...