Are projector lamps with a 2 year warranty better than projector lamps with a 90 day warranty?
Warranties on projector lamps are not as important as you would think
The original manufacturers projector lamp, modules offer a standard 90 day warranty. This is the real original manufacturer lamp that arrives in the projector manufacturers packaging and branded box. It is always the most expensive replacement lamp and the one that all other brands strive to imitate. In short, this projector lamp is the best of the best. Why then, only a 90 day warranty?
A 90 day projector lamp warranty is enough for most people. The truth is, if you are going to use your lamp right away, you will know if it's a defective lamp within the 1st two weeks of use. After that "break in" period, the lamp will last however long it was designed to last; 2000, 3000, 4000 or more hours.
This is why we recommend that you install your new projector replacement lamp as soon as it arrives, and keep their old lamp as a spare. This way you maximize the warranty period for your lamp and won't be surprised by a spare lamp that is DOA, a week after the warranty expired.
A long term projector lamp warranty of 120 days to up to 2 years (yes, we have them), is best for those that need to stock spare lamps for their school or institution. They cannot test each lamp as it arrives, so they have to trust that their spare projector lamp is going to work when they need it. Sometimes they don't need it for a year or more. The original manufacturers lamp, as good as they are, are occasionally defective. It would be a painful experience to find out that the lamp was defective after the warranty period had expired.
Projector lamp manufacturers that offer extended warranty are usually those that have the OEM bulb inside. This is what we call a "hybrid" projector lamp. The bulb inside the module is the name brand bulb that was inside the original manufacturers bulb, (usually Philips and Osram) but the case and assembly may be made by another company. These are a great value, as you are getting the same light and life as the original, but a much lower cost.
The warranty on these projector lamps can extend up to 2 years. That doesn't mean that the manufacturer will guarantee that the lamp will last 2 years. It does protect you if you have to install a spare projector lamp and find that it is dead on arrival or is very dim. The manufacturer will offer a full replacement in those cases.
A lamp that has lived a normal life show physical characteristics of use. Because of the high heat, the lamps will become discolored and translucent after several hundred hours. Tiny cracks may appear on the edges of the reflector that indicate improper cooling after the projector is turned off, or because of power outages. In those cases, the manufacturer may deny a warranty claim. We, fortunately have never had that happen though.
So if your projector is giving you the indication that the lamp should be replaced, or its getting dim and you want to replace it soon; a 90 day warranty is fine. You will get thousands of hours of use and will have 90 days to determine if its a dud.
If you are only ordering a spare that may not be installed for a few months, check out the extended warranty lamps.