Optoma - GT1080

https://www.ebay.com/itm/235949877240?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=XNlbmbwTSTG&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=WIQl22XJSwC&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Used Optoma 1080 short throw for $150. I bought one with 2000 hours on the bulb and after 2 years it’s still going strong

I bought an Optoma GT1080 short throw on Ebay. In 2023 I paid $311. Came with a new bulb. Still kicking...

It sounds like you understand the options and are happy with your choices. That's great! I'm not trying to convince you otherwise. I had a $700 Optoma projector as my living room screen for a long time and it was great. At the time a 65" inch TV was considered huge and cost thousands, and I was happy living with the tradeoffs for the immersive screen. Today, I'd rather not have to watch TV in a fully darkened room and 100in TVs are not only available but affordable, so the math has changed (for me). To each his own.

With Blackfriday looming im trying to make a similar decision. Again like you i have a dedicated theatre room with full control over light. I currently have an old 1080p Optama projector with a fixed 100" screen. I need to look at replace the projector but with mini-led 100" tvs dropping drastically im not sure which route to take. main use is movies as I have a sepwrat3 family room with an LG c3 65".

I have bought several used Projectors over the last few years, they work great for a while but always end up having bulb issues or fans issues and they overheat. Optomas are good to get used, easy to work on, but if you plan on using them in a theater setup, make sure they play nice with your receiver. I spent a lot of money on my set up, dropped 2500.00 on a Denon high end receiver ( used on inheritance money from grand parent that passed, only way i would ever be able to get something that high end.) Came across a good deal on a Optoma 1080 projector on FB Market place, think I paid like 80 bucks, it works great plugged into a streaming box like Apple TV, but when I plug it into my receiver, to get surround sound with the projector, the video will not come through and the receiver does not see the projector at all. So I use it as an outdoor projector for movie nights. I have a Benq HT1075 that a friend had that was overheating, paid like $200 for it, it works pretty good but has to be taken apart and cleaned every 6 months. I say all this to say you can find a good unit used, but be careful its like buying a used car, you don’t know if it was taken care of, and how much it was abused. It could turn into a money pit. I am waiting for UST laser projectors to become a little more affordable, then I will be will to drop 800 or so on one, and not have to worry about replacing a bulb at an inconvenient time for 150-200 bucks.