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What Should I Consider When Buying a Refurbished Projector?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Buying a refurbished projector can be a great way to save money on a projector purchase. There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a refurbished projector which will make the experience more productive and enjoyable. Whether the projector is being purchased for installation in a home theater or for the purpose of conducting overhead presentations in a classroom, it is important to select the best product for the application.

The first thing to consider is the type of projector needed. Projectors can work in a number of different ways; SVGA projectors are cheaper, but only suitable for small to medium projection, while XVGA projectors have a crisper image quality, and they can be used for big projections. The brightness of the projector is also an issue to think about; the more lumens a projector has, the more costly it becomes, and it may be possible to use a low lumen projector in many environments. It is also important to think about how the projector will receive data to project: from film, a laptop, a portable hard drive, or another device, for example.

Buying a refurbished projector may be an ideal way to save money.
Buying a refurbished projector may be an ideal way to save money.

For people who are not very experienced at projector shopping, it may help to ask an expert for recommendations of specific models, and for more general specifications recommendations. These can be used to select a range of models which would be suitable, to generate a shopping list which can be used when looking for a refurbished projector.

It's a good idea to scope out prices on new, used, and refurbished projectors to get an idea of the range to expect. If a refurbished projector is not much less expensive than a new projector, it might be better to just buy new. Likewise, if a company offers a refurbished projector at an unusually high price, knowledge of average projector pricing can help a consumer avoid a bad deal.

Projectors can work in a number of different ways.
Projectors can work in a number of different ways.

Some refurbished or reconditioned projectors are reconditioned at the factory, using factory-specific parts. These projectors tend to be the best buy, because they are usually backed by a good warranty, and the quality standards at the factory are high. Refurbished projectors from outlets and private sellers may have been refurbished with non-factory parts, and they may lack warranties and other protections.

Most film projectors include a spooling system, lamp, lens and audio system as main components.
Most film projectors include a spooling system, lamp, lens and audio system as main components.

Something else to think about is the ease of maintenance. If a model has been discontinued, it may be hard to get replacement lamps and other parts as needed, which can turn a refurbished projector into a costly doorstop the first time it needs routine maintenance.

The ideal refurbished projector will be factory reconditioned, with a supportive warranty and parts which are readily available. The price should fall into line with the prices obtained during the pricing research stage of the shopping project, and if the projector is being shipped, it should include a free return policy in case it is damaged or it does not perform as expected.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a EasyTechJunkie researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a EasyTechJunkie researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • Buying a refurbished projector may be an ideal way to save money.
      By: aigarsr
      Buying a refurbished projector may be an ideal way to save money.
    • Projectors can work in a number of different ways.
      By: Noel Powell
      Projectors can work in a number of different ways.
    • Most film projectors include a spooling system, lamp, lens and audio system as main components.
      By: drx
      Most film projectors include a spooling system, lamp, lens and audio system as main components.
    • Epidiascopes were a type of early projector.
      By: Juulijs
      Epidiascopes were a type of early projector.