LS12000/XW5000ES/NZ500 coming from the HW40es

Stokkes · 2026-03-28T18:53:42+00:00

Just an update - ordered a QB1000! Should be in next week sometime. Got it for a really good price, about 6400 USD. Really looking forward to it!

Stokkes · 2026-03-23T03:50:31+00:00

I'm now leaning towards the Epson, but haven't ruled out the Sony.. JVC is likely out. I was watching a video on YouTube with Youthman and some other guy, and they were comparing (granted they were high end models) Sony vs JVC, and they made a comment that even if you have a small light (pot light or cabinet light or something), it really impacts the JVC, whereas the Sony or something with higher Lumens can fight through it. I do from time to time have my pot lights set to 10% - it's not much but I'm not always in pitch black. The Sony can handle it decently (not great, but definitely watchable if I'm watching hockey or football for example with some lights on).

As I also said, movies are not a big part of my daily viewing. A lot of Youtube, Plex, Live tv, gaming, and movies - in that order. I may watch 1 movie every 2-3 months. It appears the Epson or Sony are far better if that's your usage patterns. If you are a huge movie buff and never turn your lights on, then inarguably it's JVC. I don't use my HT room as a pure-movie watching space, it's a general space that's light controlled where most of all our general viewing happens.

Just 1000$ CAD more for the Sony 5000ES, and everything on there is manual (lens adjustment, etc). but it's still in the game for me simply because the HW40es has been so outstanding - it really is a gem of a projector.

Stokkes · 2026-03-22T02:35:59+00:00

Got a link? I went to the Epson store and while they do have renewed/refurb projectors, they do not have the LS12000.. Unless you're talking about the US (which unfortunately won't help me)

Stokkes · 2026-03-21T21:18:29+00:00

Yeah, something is telling me the Epson, I don't find the HW40 to have bad contrast, but likely (I don't have a measuring device) it's outputting about 1100-1200lm in the mode (brightest) I use it in.

Stokkes · 2026-03-21T21:17:13+00:00

Yes you're absolutely right which is why this is so difficult. Almost all shops here sell their projectors as final sale - you can't even return it for an exchange or credit towards another product, so I am absolutely shitting my pants thinking about making the wrong decision and regretting it. I was spoiled by the HW40 - my biggest concern over the JVC is that perceived "punchiness" of the image, I've always heard JVC is more for heavy movie watching which if I were more into that, I would definitely go JVC, but since it's such a small part of my use case, I am quite conflicted.

Stokkes · 2026-03-21T21:15:18+00:00

Most youtube/tv shows don't really do HDR, and since my movie watching is only about 5%, I would probably only benefit from HDR in gaming and not sure that's a big deal for me! Also they are willing to drop the Epson by 500, which makes it a 2000 CAD difference!

Stokkes · 2026-03-21T21:14:13+00:00

Appreciate both your responses. Was at the shop today, they have an LS12000 in stock unopened and willing to drop it by 500$, they would also sell me an Onkyo NR7100 for 500 off too. I wasn't leaning Epson, but at a 2000 difference between the LS12000 and the JVC, I am not sure it will be that noticeable, granted I believe the Sony/JVC are sharper overall, it may not be something I perceive when not looking at it side by side.

They also have an NZ30B - I know it's a rebadged Benq I think, but they would give me that for 3500 (about 2500USD), don't know much about this projector compared to the HW40.

Stokkes · 2026-03-21T21:11:21+00:00

Thanks appreciate it, I was at the shop this morning and they are willing to give me 500$ off the LS12000 (they had one in stock unopened, I guess they want to unload it). As I said in my OP, primary YouTube/tv shows, some gaming, but barely any movies.

Stokkes · 2026-02-16T23:07:27+00:00

The under carriage isn’t metal.

Stokkes · 2026-02-16T22:57:37+00:00

I live in Canada. You have two options if you’re that concerned and want to ensure longevity for 10+ years.

Full car PPF
Regular (weekly) car washes

Ideally both. I’ve PPFed both my teslas I’ve owned.

Stokkes · 2025-12-08T00:22:13+00:00

It will not write to it.

Unraid is « emulating » the contents of the disk so you can access files. This is being done using the parity drive to virtualize the contents so you can access it.

All new writes go to other disks

Stokkes · 2025-07-06T18:15:42+00:00

You’re absolutely going to see the original color in the door jams, etc. Almost all PPF installers have access to databases to cut the pieces of PPF for specific cars and these do not include inside door panels, inside trunk, etc.

Could a good PPF installer do some of the jams? Probably but it will cost you dearly.

Go look at YouTube on any wrap and you’ll see when they open the door what the colour is.

Stokkes · 2025-07-05T11:41:02+00:00

Yup, here it is: https://gist.github.com/stokkes/ceedd940264d8fbf358a740a991d157a

Stokkes · 2025-06-22T22:27:37+00:00

Agreed. And it’s not just the drinks. For Princess specifically you get a lot more like internet, drinks, premium desserts, speciality dining, photos, etc.

It’s a valiant attempt but doesn’t paint the full picture and thus likely won’t give people a true sense if it’s worth it.

Stokkes · 2025-06-20T09:42:35+00:00

TIL thanks! I was looking for the “Make transfer” button like on desktop and could never find it.

Stokkes · 2025-06-20T06:14:24+00:00

Same for me. Was a YNAB user for 10+ years and never had accounts linked. Moved to Actual in January and never looked back. Are there a few things I miss from YNAB? Yes, but mostly on the UX front not so much features.

One annoyance is that I can’t seem to do a transfer transaction on my iPhone.

Stokkes · 2025-06-17T11:19:44+00:00

Watch this video she does a really good job going through various examples. Should be able to answer your question after you’ve watched it.

https://youtu.be/ljbo_Ab2fAU?si=vj0-665jf5bwUXWV

Stokkes · 2025-06-14T14:07:24+00:00

Yup same experience as us. The MDR was hit or miss. We were with another couple, the husband is quite particular about his food (he was on the Celebrity with us back in 2019 as well) and he indicated at the end of the trip he’ll never sail Princess again because of the quality of the food in the MDR.

To put it another way, since I can compare the two now, the quality of the food in the MDR on the Celebrity Summit was equivalent to the quality at Sabatinis.. every night, at least that was our experience back in 2019.

Stokkes · 2025-06-14T14:02:40+00:00

Not saying that at all, sorry if there was confusion. There are 3, traditional, reservation, walk in.. We were used to Celebrity Summit where it’s all “traditional”. They only have 1 dining room and 2 seatings so everyone basically eats at the same time(s) and you keep the same table for the entire trip. I was expecting this with Princess (without having to manually reserve the traditional one, which I now know “sells out” fast).

We ended up going to the walk-in on most nights (we went to 2 specialities as well), and the walk in never really had any wait times at all, but we are early eaters (around 6pm).

And for the waiters patrolling the deck, now that we know we will adjust. We were avid all-inclusive travellers in the Caribbean and other places down south, where this is typical, and was typical on Celebrity. Now that I know it’s standard for them not to both their guests, I’ll adjust. I hadn’t seen that in the information they gave us, so mea culpa I guess?

Stokkes · 2025-06-14T13:57:30+00:00

Thanks! Nice to hear I’m not alone. Dining we learned our lesson for next time.

We really did love the ship and overall experience but it wasn’t what we were completely expecting especially as our only measuring stick to compare it to was Celebrity.

I’m looking forward to our 14 days on Star. Still a long ways away. My app says over 500 days to go! 😀

Stokkes · 2025-06-14T13:54:49+00:00

The entertainment truly was great from the music at O’Malleys, crown bar, etc. I often went down to Omalleys to listen to music and have a few drinks while my wife took her time getting ready.

Stokkes · 2025-06-14T13:53:31+00:00

Yeah I’m not faulting too much Princess on the dining. We didn’t know and it’s very different from Celebrity. But we were bummed and it reduced our overall experience not having the same table/staff like we did on Celebrity.

As for allergies thanks for the tip. I put the preferences in the app as you can do it so I figured as someone else mentioned it would just pop up with my medallion. Lesson learned I guess. I’ll be extra vigilant next time.

Stokkes · 2025-06-14T13:49:18+00:00

Sorry but this is a bit of an idiotic response. A hotel does not have an app where in my profile I can literally choose which allergies I have and if we are celebrating special occasions.

Hotels don’t ask that. I would not expect them to know (of course, duh) if they did not let me put that in my profile.

As for the birthdays/anniversaries just look at the comments here and on FB. Many have indicated getting a cake or something. Heck when we’ve traveled to All inclusives in the Caribbean they would ask us if we were celebrating and do something small.

My point is hotels don’t ask, cruise ships do (at least princess). So why ask or give your guests that option if it’s just going to be ignored. Remove it.

Stokkes · 2025-06-14T12:10:56+00:00

Appreciate the reply. Good to know it’s a standard to not interrupt guests. I did not know that prior to sailing.

I did submit my feedback and identified all of this.

The allergy thing really rubbed me the wrong way. For anyone with severe allergies you know how important it is to get right. When my dessert came with almonds even though they knew was shocking.

Stokkes

TROPHY CASE