Used DLP Lamps – Should You Buy Them?

If you have a rear projection DLP television set, you probably know that the high quality picture can begin to degrade over time. This is usually caused by the DLP lamp going bad. DLP lamps provide the light that gives your television set such nice video. These lamps are expected to go out after several thousand hours of viewing time. When you bought your set, the salesperson probably told you about the fact that DLP lamps will need replacement after time.

If the picture on your set is starting to go bad, or has gone out completely, it is definitely time to get the DLP lamp replaced. Getting a replacement DLP lamp installed is actually a very simple process. Many people panic when their television sets go out and think that they have to immediately call a television repair technician. This call is usually unwarranted. If you have a screwdriver and can loosen a few screws you can remove and replace the DLP lamp in your television.

New or Used DLP Lamps?

There is a thriving market for reselling DLP lamps. Most brand new DLP lamps have a starting price of around $200, but some can top out at over $800. People want to save money when they can, so it's only natural to want to find the best deal when buying a DLP replacement lab, but which should you choose – new or used?

Used DLP Lamps – Limited Product Life

The thing to remember when you buy a used DLP lamp is that these products, even when they are brand new, come with a short life expectancy. When you bought your set, you probably knew that the DLP lamp would have to be replaced after a certain amount of time. When you buy a used DLP lamp, you have to be aware that the clock is already ticking on the life expectancy of these bulbs. You are not going to get the full, expected life out of a used bulb.

New DLP Lamps – Full Life Expectancy

The biggest benefit in buying a new DLP lamp is the fact that you will have the full life expectancy for your money. You can also get a warranty on new lamps from some retailers. When you put a new lamp in your television you have the peace of mind that you will not have to replace the lamp again for quite a while and that no product degradation has occurred yet. You cannot get this kind of assurance when you purchase a used DLP lamp.

If price is the only factor you are considering, you can go ahead and get used DLP lamps when replacement time rolls around. Just know that you are not guaranteed how many hours you will get out of these DLP lamps. If you don't feel like replacing the DLP lamp constantly, you are probably better off buying a new lamp instead of a used one. You could even save more money over the long run when you get new DLP lamps, as you won't be replacing them as frequently as you will be if you only buy used DLP lamps.