Best suppliers for replacement projector lamps/bulbs

[OzJustin]

Hi all,

 

Can I ask where you are sourcing your replacement bulbs and lamps for projectors in Australia?

 

I have a BenQ W1070 with approx. 1,800 hours on the original lamp and the picture seems to be getting a bit washed out and dull now. I'm considering whether it makes sense to replace the bulb in it to give a new lease on life.

 

My Googling has come up with the following suppliers around $190 delivered for the bare Osram bulb:
https://www.ozlamps.com.au/search.php?page=1&scategory=1&svBrandName=BENQ&svModelName=W1070

https://www.projectorlamp.com.au/benq-w1070-w1080st-replacement-lamp-module-5j-j7l05-001-genuine-globe-generic-housing.html

https://www.myprojectorlamps.com.au/bare-projector-lamps/Benq/W1070.html

[hopefullguy]

have you contacted benq australia? they might have suggested retailer but try to make sure you get an original lamp as many many posts on forums about generic rubbish lamps for pj's.

 

the old w1070, that started benq being known for projectors. they actually made it too good and later models were continually compared to it and few were suggested as worth the upgrade. i had the w1070 then went to the w1110 (have 2 actually) and cant see any reason to "upgrade". just added a panny ub420 with tone mapping for my 4k disks and the w1110 (actually a w1070 in a bigger box) is showing a great picture.

[OzJustin]

13 hours ago, hopefullguy said:

have you contacted benq australia? they might have suggested retailer but try to make sure you get an original lamp as many many posts on forums about generic rubbish lamps for pj's.

 

the old w1070, that started benq being known for projectors. they actually made it too good and later models were continually compared to it and few were suggested as worth the upgrade. i had the w1070 then went to the w1110 (have 2 actually) and cant see any reason to "upgrade". just added a panny ub420 with tone mapping for my 4k disks and the w1110 (actually a w1070 in a bigger box) is showing a great picture.

Thanks for that suggestion. Have just sent a general enquiry to BenQ Australia this morning and will see what they come back with. Have also emailed Richard at OzTheatre to see if he might have any.

 

The W1070 has been a great projector. I've just noticed that the image appears much darker and more dull recently, particularly in games. E.g. I fired up the old PS3 and tried some Gran Turismo 6 and it's like the brightness/contrast is turned way down and colours don't pop at all. I don't notice it as much during movies/TV. Hopefully a new bulb will give it a new lease on life. I'm reading some good things on the BenQ TK700STi and W1800 too (4k, HDR, low latency) which could be a good upgrade path down the track. The TW9400 would be another great option if they weren't so expensive. Richard at OzTheatre demo'd one for me several years ago when they were new and they could be had for $3,800 back then...

[oztheatre]

On 29/09/2023 at 1:13 PM, OzJustin said:

Thanks for that suggestion. Have just sent a general enquiry to BenQ Australia this morning and will see what they come back with. Have also emailed Richard at OzTheatre to see if he might have any.

 

The W1070 has been a great projector. I've just noticed that the image appears much darker and more dull recently, particularly in games. E.g. I fired up the old PS3 and tried some Gran Turismo 6 and it's like the brightness/contrast is turned way down and colours don't pop at all. I don't notice it as much during movies/TV. Hopefully a new bulb will give it a new lease on life. I'm reading some good things on the BenQ TK700STi and W1800 too (4k, HDR, low latency) which could be a good upgrade path down the track. The TW9400 would be another great option if they weren't so expensive. Richard at OzTheatre demo'd one for me several years ago when they were new and they could be had for $3,800 back then...

 

You could perhaps try and replace just the bulb, cheap option, get direct from where they get them from. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/323584980077

With housing $68

bulb only $41  (it's the same bulb from myprojectorlamps but they want $190)

they sold 83 so far. 

 

it just has the 2 wires that slide in, no soldering needed. 

 

 

vs BenQ original for $340 (supposedly, from officeworks). though the bulb does look different as the female part seems to be on the bulb

and the cable male? then you'd have to solder but easy as really. I would try it myself.

 

 

[OzJustin]

On 12/10/2023 at 12:36 AM, oztheatre said:

 

You could perhaps try and replace just the bulb, cheap option, get direct from where they get them from. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/323584980077

With housing $68

bulb only $41  (it's the same bulb from myprojectorlamps but they want $190)

they sold 83 so far. 

 

it just has the 2 wires that slide in, no soldering needed. 

 

 

vs BenQ original for $340 (supposedly, from officeworks). though the bulb does look different as the female part seems to be on the bulb

and the cable male? then you'd have to solder but easy as really. I would try it myself.

 

 

Thanks for the suggestion Richard. Is that Ebay bulb likely to be the same bulb as what BenQ supply, just without the manufacturer markings (Osram or Philips)? I'm a little cautious going an unbranded bulb from China given you hear stories of quality control issues. If it is the same as supplied to BenQ then it's an extremely economical option! I don't mind connecting the spade connectors either.

[oztheatre]

On 13/10/2023 at 11:40 PM, OzJustin said:

Thanks for the suggestion Richard. Is that Ebay bulb likely to be the same bulb as what BenQ supply, just without the manufacturer markings (Osram or Philips)? I'm a little cautious going an unbranded bulb from China given you hear stories of quality control issues. If it is the same as supplied to BenQ then it's an extremely economical option! I don't mind connecting the spade connectors either.

 

It likely is but they won't tell you. $41 how bad can it be? Better than $190 and better than $340. The plastic housing does nothing so these prices are really unfair and given Epson can sell brand new lamps in the housing for $139, they likely triple their money on that too so $500 plus lamps are just stinging us consumers. And jvc N series lamps at $980, I was told the lamp was 4k haha funny! Also, you will upgrade that projector at some point so I would not throw too much money at it. I would even grab 2 bulbs at those prices.

[OzJustin]

7 hours ago, oztheatre said:

 

It likely is but they won't tell you. $41 how bad can it be? Better than $190 and better than $340. The plastic housing does nothing so these prices are really unfair and given Epson can sell brand new lamps in the housing for $139, they likely triple their money on that too so $500 plus lamps are just stinging us consumers. And jvc N series lamps at $980, I was told the lamp was 4k haha funny! Also, you will upgrade that projector at some point so I would not throw too much money at it. I would even grab 2 bulbs at those prices.

Thanks Richard. The Ebay seller came back to me saying the compatible lamp brightness is 5-10% less than the original lamp. Not sure if that indicates it isn't quite the same bulb. Agree it's worth a punt at that price, so long as the bulb doesn't explode! Totally agree about all the lamp prices being heavily inflated.

[oztheatre]

On 17/10/2023 at 10:10 PM, OzJustin said:

Thanks Richard. The Ebay seller came back to me saying the compatible lamp brightness is 5-10% less than the original lamp. Not sure if that indicates it isn't quite the same bulb. Agree it's worth a punt at that price, so long as the bulb doesn't explode! Totally agree about all the lamp prices being heavily inflated.

 

I think you'll find BenQ's lamps are also within 5-10% of each other too.

 

I would hope it doesn't explode, but then even original lamps do this from time to time.