Thinking about getting a PT-AR100U through BHPhoto, its a hell of a lot cheaper the buying here even with shipping. I guess the only things to worry about are power - says 100-240v in the specs so should be fine and warranty, cant seem to find any info on whether Panasonic warranty is international or not.
geekiegeek: Thinking about getting a PT-AR100U through BHPhoto, its a hell of a lot cheaper the buying here even with shipping. I guess the only things to worry about are power - says 100-240v in the specs so should be fine and warranty, cant seem to find any info on whether Panasonic warranty is international or not.
ALL projectors are universal power. I have bought 3 from the USA and never had a problem.
geekiegeek: Great, its over $1000 cheaper then the cheapest in NZ so I think I'll definitely get it from the US.
Yup, the prices here are quite mental. When you consider the size of the units, bulk shipping for retailers can't be so bad that need to hike up the prices.
In fact, you'd think with how easy it is to buy one from over seas and the minimal shipping cost associated with it, retailers would lower their pricing here to compete more. But no, instead they bitch and moan that people go offshore.
I got a 110" Spectrum2 with a 12" drop as I plan to have the screen case hidden in my ceiling.
I got this from http://www.elitescreenshop.com/Default.asp who were great to deal with.
For the shipping I emailed them as the only info I could find is the screen size which is obviously rolled up when shipping. As a guide the size/weight of the package for my screen is; 118.1"x6.5"x6.1" @ 35ibs
There are a few gottchas that I found so hopefully help you if you are going through the same process KopKiwi. One is that the freight cost to send the screen from Elite Screens to Kiwi Shipping was $125. But Elite Screens asked me if I wanted to collect from Elite Screens Headquarters as they were in California as well and only 30min away from Kiwi Shipping. So I arranged with Kiwi Shipping to collect it for me and that was only $50. (underway now)
I also ordered from EliteScreens ($17) a 110v to 220v converter.
What I didn't get but may do later is the remote kit for the Spectrum2 screen. The Spectrum2 screen is Fiberglass backed and is the same screen as the PowerMax screen but without the remote kit. The remote kit I found out later has the 12v trigger, where as I thought that was with the screen so if you want the 12v trigger its another $150.
I figured I will just use the up down built into the powercord until I have some more cashflow down the track.
GeekieGeek just FYI I found the cheapest way (Other than Sea Freight) for the projector from B&H was to use their free shipping to get it to YouShop and send it back with them. They were half the price.
KopKiwi also to add there is a bit more paperwork with KiwiShipping as you have to fill in a Declaration and provide a scan of your passport. But 10min of paperwork is worth it for the cost savings of sending a screen.
in the end I didn't use YouShop since I was shipping the screen at the same time, so I have sent the screen and the projector via Kiwi Shipping. I would expect to pay GST as anything over $400NZ in value you have to pay your 15% GST so I would include that in your calculations. B&H did free shipping and no Sales Tax on my projector to Kiwi Shipping.
The only downside is I have to wait the couple of months to get here, but I am going to be renovating the room anyway so it gives me time to get that completed and ready.
Also I got insurance through Kiwi Shipping which was about $25 for the screen and projector whereas I think its included in the youshop prices
yeah far to many options! I have been doing tones of reading ;-)
I was looking at the BenQ1070 and also the Panasonic 100 as well but you twisted my arm Kopkiwi with the Mitsubishi and the review.
At the end of the day the only downside for the Mitsubishi seems to be the low lumens (1500) compared to other projectors but every other aspect it compared to more expensive ones. Even thought the room I will be putting it is a multipurpose room I can get it dark with curtains etc and so for the price it seemed to be too good a deal
I think my budget is going to be about 1500, but because this will be a multipurpose room with it being a kids playroom as well. I am looking at either inwall speakers or something I can attach to walls out of reach of little hands. I know these won't give me the best sound but it's one of those compromises that you have to make.
At the moment I am thinking of going in this direction. Orbaudio.com...people's choice plus a couple extras for 7.1
Speakers don't fit into any budget until a bit later in the year though so I will temporally use my panasonic HTIB
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