Optoma - GT3500HDR

Don't sleep on the Optoma gt3500hdr, or it's commercial equivalent the zh430ust. Both fantastic 1080p projectors with a plethora of features and no clunky operating system to worry about. Plug in the streaming device of your choice, and have at it! Excellent lag times too if you are a gamer. They're especially good options for someone just getting into projectors, as it will free up space in your budget for a great screen. Remember to get an ALR screen specifically for a UST projector.

I have a 1080P Optoma Ultrashort Throw projector from 2019 paired with a 100” screen. It’s still get the job done and everyone in my family is happy with it. I have 2-3 smaller 4K TV’s that are in bedrooms and gaming room for playing video games. I still don’t feel the need to go out and spend 2-$3K for a 4K projector. My buddy got a used 4K laser projector for around $2K and the difference is marginal to me.

Day or night? Assume night, the optoma laser series are very bright and not crazy price. I use one indoors, but room is pretty light during the day and image still good

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.

I have a 1080p Optoma projector in my HT. It is about 10 years old, so maybe due for an upgrade. For now, It gets the job done when it’s dark. But the image washes out quickly if a light is turned on and you can barely see anything. That’s why this caught my attention. With multiple strings of light bulb hanging, I could still see the display without any difficulty. I agree, this is not great but compared to the one I have at home currently the difference is night and day. What projector do you recommend from JVC?