Lamp vs Laser Projectors any advice

[chrisbagnall]

Good afternoon,

I’m looking for some advice on laser projectors compared with traditional lamp‑based models.

 

Our school is currently using Epson EB‑992F lamp projectors, and we typically get around six years of use from each unit. The lamps are always set to Eco mode, and we usually achieve around 3,000–4,000 lamp hours — which is quite a bit lower than Epson’s stated 6,000 hours.

I’m interested in hearing from anyone with experience using Epson’s laser projectors. Is the additional cost justified in terms of lifespan, reliability, and maintenance?

Manufacturers quote 20,000 hours (normal mode) and 30,000 hours (Eco/Quiet mode) for laser light sources, but I’d like to know how long they are lasting in real‑world school environments.

Any insights or recommendations would be appreciated.

 

Kind Regards

Chris

[synaesthesia]

I don't think it matters that much, as you can no longer buy lamp projectors new, it's not legal to do so. Any lamps being sold are merely old stock - it would be folly to purchase those. I would question why you'd want a projector with exception to large AV installations such as a hall, instead of IWBs?

 

[DavR]

We have an Epson laser projector in our Art dept. The art teacher at the time made a big fuss about still needing a projected image.... then promptly retired a year later.... but I digress.

 

It's been up there and running for almost three years, although I don't know how many hours that amounts to. I've done zero maintenance and had almost zero calls about it. Still a decent picture, as far as I recall from last time I saw it.

 

I would definitely recommend switching to touchscreens unless you've got a fundamental reason not to, though. A better picture, easier to setup and manage, and very little maintenance. They might be more expensive initially, but they'll last far longer and pay you back in saved time and effort.

[Rob_D]

The laser projector we've got the school hall (a Barco PGWX-62L), is advertised with 20K hours lifespan and is still going strong without any noticeable drop in image quality/brightness after 10 years regular use (by my estimation around 12-14k hours).

[itskdog]

The projector in our hall is an NEC laser - been there for 7 years now and all we've had to do is get someone to come in on a tall ladder to clean it when it overheats during really hot summers (though hopefully that's going to be less of an issue now that our AHUs are working in there again) as it's in direct sunlight unfortunately.

[robintech]

1 hour ago, synaesthesia said:

Any lamps being sold are merely old stock

 

FAQ Article Page | Epson United Kingdom

 

I thought the same but the Mercury Vapour lamps can still be produced and sold for ever or more likely until the projectors sold in 2026/2027 die off.

 

[synaesthesia]

For existing models only. Anyone buying a lamp projector from this time last year onwards needs sacking.

[empty]

1 hour ago, synaesthesia said:

I don't think it matters that much, as you can no longer buy lamp projectors new, it's not legal to do so. Any lamps being sold are merely old stock - it would be folly to purchase those. I would question why you'd want a projector with exception to large AV installations such as a hall, instead of IWBs?

 

 

 

The EU and UK are banning the sale of new mercury-lamp (bulb) projectors and lamps due to RoHS environmental regulations, primarily effective February 24, 2027

 

I guess nobody would be making bulb projectors anymore in the EU, so not new... but yes new old stock... and has already been said, existing models will get bulbs.

 

1 hour ago, chrisbagnall said:

The lamps are always set to Eco mode, and we usually achieve around 3,000–4,000 lamp hours — which is quite a bit lower than Epson’s stated 6,000 hours.

 

 

We only got 4,000 hours out of the last one I changed.

 

Anyway, for the OP bulb based projector purchases being out of the question and if you are looking for a long term solution it will have to be laser.

 

As @synaesthesia said, that might only be for Hall AV (is anyone putting laser in classrooms now instead of interactive screens?).

 

Has anyone gone for a screen (or screen wall) in their hall?

[synaesthesia]

27? christ, could have sworn it was last year!

I take that part of it back, but I stand by comments that noone in their right mind should even consider a lamp projector

[paulkerton]

5 minutes ago, synaesthesia said:

27? christ, could have sworn it was last year!

I take that part of it back, but I stand by comments that noone in their right mind should even consider a lamp projector

1st January 2026 was the general ban on manufacture, import and export of new mercury containing products. Projectors had an exemption till  24th February 2027, and at that point all new mercury lamp projectors are banned. So only spares for existing projectors will be allowed from that point, and only existing stock.

Edited April 28 by paulkerton

[SamanthaD]

Real world experience of using laser projectors - they can last years if cared for and installed in clean environments. They're not maintenance free, you do need to clean the filters as you would do for older lamped models. We've seen yellow blooming on the image on some, but these are in chalkboard spaces (yes, we still use chalk because another HE institution does) so there might be a correlation between chalk dust and the blooming.

 

We've had to setup a routine nightly power down command as users were just disconnecting their laptop and walking off - this was eating light engine life. But in some rooms we've had 8+ years on the same model, no issues.

[davie887]

We're running through our old stock of projectors and replacing with 75" IWBs. They are a no brainer now, integrated touch, sound, calibration always perfect. Laser in halls, both are 5 years old and still as bright as usual. Clean or replace the filters in summer

[Dos_Box]

Just a quick question(s) for you all, are you now actively replacing lamp projectors when the lamp goes, working through a stockpile of spare lamps you might have, or looking to replace worn lamps the dwindling supply on the market?

[robintech]

buying replacement lamps mainly as and when needed until someone can decide to replace the last set of classrooms with LED or Laser. The industry can still make the lamps though and have applied for an extension past 2027  which is waiting for a decision

 

Just for clarity I would never buy a lamp projector now

 

Exemptions list validity and rolling plan_Febr2026.xlsx

 

 

[DavR]

We've only got two lamp projectors left, both in the school halls. 

 

I wonder if this summer might be a good time for a lamp change, whilst they're still on the market, as both are still running on their original lamps. But that said, I'd expect spare lamps to still be on sale for at least another 5 years.

[MrEprise]

As much as I'd like to replace almost all the projectors we have with laser models or tv's, we're on the school rebuild waiting list and I have to maintain our existing projector fleet until we either get a rebuild or refurbishment as no one's willing to invest in them until then.

As I've been told by a member of the DfE, they will provide the school with interactive tv's or laser projectors when the time comes, but until then it's a case of continuing to buy lamps for what we've already got.

The only saving grace is we've got networked Epson projectors across the site so I can at least do some level of power management using EMP Monitor, which has reduced the frequency of lamp replacements within a year.

[Squelch]

On 28/04/2026 at 14:00, empty said:

Has anyone gone for a screen (or screen wall) in their hall?

 

Our sports hall is occasionally used for large meetings, any permanently installed projector would be a target.

I opted for a Hisense PL1 from Richer Sounds here

It can be quickly setup on a table and taken down again with minimal hassle and can project a much bigger image than we'd get from a IWB/TV

It's advertised at up to 120" but you can go bigger. The sound output is surprisingly good too.

 

I have so far resisted taking it home "to test" during a holiday..