Large venue projectors

The theater needs new projectors.  The three I have in inventory are Panasonics from 2012.  Last time I replaced lamps (a few years ago) there were factory replacement options for around $125 and a dozen aftermarket replacement options for about $75.  The lamps are in need of replacing again and the only ones I can find are factory replacements for $200.  I don't see the need to spend $600 on lamps for decade-old 720p DLP technology

Needs:
High contrast ratio preferred
IP/network ability
somewhere around 7K lumens.  Current ones are 5k and I have to be very cautious with ambient lighting.  Let's just say it's limiting in a design sense.
throw distance up to 40-50'
LED or Laser preferred so I'm not constantly chasing market pricing/availability on replacement lamps
Under $12 each (I'm kidding.)  Not stoopid expensive

I just need to narrow down some options and find some suitable projectors so I can get to the grant-writing part.

Anyone good with this kind of stuff?

You can start your research here: https://www.projectorcentral.com/

In reply to Honsch :

Quite familiar with that site, thank you.  I'm always scouring auctions for projectors and I use them to look up specs, calculate throw ratios, and to find part numbers.  Part of the problem is that I'm a little-league batter in a Dodgers game.  I can find dozens of $10,000 projectors that meet my specs, but I was hoping someone here had some experience with the projector world.  We are a non profit theater, so if I'm writing a grant for $15k for new projectors and they end up being junk and we can't service them, it's a wasted investment.  Metaphorically speaking, it's like giving a 16-year-old kid with a fast food job a $15k check to buy a car of their choice.  I want to wisely choose the gently-used Civic which has a $140 radiator and not choose the Benz AMG which has a $1400 radiator.  Know what I mean?  Big corps can justify disposing cash on big things like this while I'm over here like "can we afford the three 2x4s I need to complete this scenic design?"   I don't want to buy something I can't afford to keep.  I need the Civic/Miata/Accent/Yaris version and not the E46/Disco/Rover money pit version.

I just picked out an Epson laser projector for our church (too dim for your needs) and got hit with it being on backorder for months. Nobody has it. So if you do find one with the specs you need, it may be a wait time for some units.

In reply to slefain :

Good to know, and not surprised.  I have to write the grant, submit, wait three months... I might have new projectors in a year.  One of the fun things about grants is that you have to specify what you're buying, you often have to buy that exact SKU, and frequently it takes long enough for the grant to be approved and funds released that they have a new model and the SKU in the grant doesn't exist.

For the time being, I have a 5K at home that the theater can rent for cheap.

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to slefain :

Good to know, and not surprised.  I have to write the grant, submit, wait three months... I might have new projectors in a year.  One of the fun things about grants is that you have to specify what you're buying, you often have to buy that exact SKU, and frequently it takes long enough for the grant to be approved and funds released that they have a new model and the SKU in the grant doesn't exist.

For the time being, I have a 5K at home that the theater can rent for cheap.

That happened to me!! I had picked out a projector last year and by the time all the grant paperwork was done, it was discontinued AND backordered! So I went with the Epson....which went on backorder anyway.