price comparison in methods

[yoyoman]

So, there are two main routes that I'm considering, 4000 lumen OHP + 15" LCD panel or a 7" lilliput and optics, lenses, light, whatnot. The OHP route seems like it'd be roughly $150 + $200 = $350. The lilliput route seems like it'd be $200 (lilliput) + $200 for the rest = $400. The OHP route is cheaper, but the bulb life is only like 50h! At $12/bulb, I'd spend a few hundred a year, but with the lilliput route the bulb replacement is very infrequent.

I'm leaning towards the OHP route for it's simplicity. Would I be correct in thinking that the OHP route would end up costing more eventually?

[will1384]

You can do what they call a retrofit - and put that HQI into
the OHP - its easy-er than making a projector - but
not as good - I have done this 2 times - only problem
is getting it dead center - were the old lamp was,
but it can be done - the lamp and ballast will
cost about $160 for HQI - and the good thing
is you will have all your optics and light to
make a projector - if you do so later

I even saw a guy that used a large MH lamp in a OHP

a OHP can be found used for $50 or less

the LCD monitor is a lot of $$$ but its
a lot better than the OHP lcd pannels
like I use - higher rez more colors ect

[yoyoman]

Ah, I think the OHP retrofit is the way to go then. The simplicity coupled with the long life of the bulb sounds good.

Can all OHPs be retrofitted? I would like a less bulky projector that folds into a smaller package, but I'm wondering if they can are good candidates for a retrofit. Specifically, I'm talking about a Dukane 663. It's not a dirt cheap one, but it's got a nice size.

Can I go the 250W Sola ballast route that was mentioned in a different post, which was a link to 1000bulbs.com. Their ballast is $60 cheaper than an icecap.

Hmm, are triplets universal and easy to retrofit?

[will1384]

Can all OHPs be retrofitted

most - unless there real strange - if its got
about a shoe box in size, of open space on
the inside, then yes - the ballast can be on
the out side or in - and a lot of junk can
be removed - I think 90% can be retrofitted

Right now I am using a 3M 2100 or 2150
I cant remember - its a sum what small,
and fold up OHP - my 3M 2100 looks
about the same size as the Dukane 663
but I think mine is about 3 to 4 inches thicker

I was using a Apollo 15000 and was able to fit
every thing in it - I removed every thing
that was in there before - It was a cheap
plastic OHP - got it for $20

Can I go the 250W Sola ballast

The big ballasts work well, lumenlabs uses them
but the lamp is also big - and may be hard to fit into
a super small OHP - if I ever go to 400w I will use
one, may be different brand, what ever is cheap
- I would use it in a projector not not a OHP
to hot

- 250w is more than enough for a 90in screen

It's not a dirt cheap one, but it's got a nice size.

you may end up working harder on retrofiting that
small OHP than making a projector - it may work
and may be easy - I dont know - I would want to
see the inside first - it does look real small - I would
get a cheap name brand that looks big and has a
good triplet lens