Looking at a Pioneer Kuro 5020

[Fingolfin269]

I finally went to check out the prices after one of our members (jackburton?) Mentioned getting a great deal at a local BB. Here is the dilemma...
They currently have this tagged at 2500 with a Pioneer BRD (can't remember the model, sorry) thrown in. The sales guy thought they would probably be able to knock off a few hundred bucks on top of that. I didn't really go any further at that point.
I'm also looking at the Panny G 50" and that is where the dilemma comes in. The price difference will be about 7-800 and I'm trying to figure out just how much better the Pioneer picture quality is. I obviously can't tell by the display model. From what I understand, it is expected to be up to 5 years or so before the other manufacturers get their act together and make a set of the same caliber as this set in the price range I can now get the Pioneer.
Thoughts? Opinions? Any advice would be most welcome.

 

[JackBurton]

At $2500, I don't think that is that great of a deal. That set has been on sale for $1999 before (at BB) and the Pioneer BD player they are throwing in is probably the BDP-51FD which normally sells for ~$300 at Amazon. I'd throw out that Pioneer BD player though. There are better options out there. I'd try to get the salesman to drop the price of the 5020 to $2000. If he won't, see if you can get the Pioneer Elite 111FD for <$2400. That's what I got mine for. If he won't, try another BB. As for if it is worth the extra cost over the G10, IMO, absolutely. But I'm also pretty picky. Others may be fine with the G10 and the extra money in their pocket. Unfortunately for me, if I purchased anything other than a Pioneer I'd always be asking myself, "Man, this HD picture looks GREAT. I wonder how much better it would look on a Pioneer." That's my problem, and like I said, others would be ecstatic with the G10.

But like I posted in a another thread, the BEST deal going now is the Pioneer KRP-500M. Deepest black levels of any Pioneer display, AND can be ISF calibrated if you like in the future. Think of it as a little taste of what the 10G Pioneer (next gen Pioneers) would have looked like if Pioneer stuck around. But the best part of it is, it can be had for around the price you're looking to pay for the 5020. The only negative is, it doesn't come with speakers, stand or tuner (you can buy the stand separately though). You also can't buy it at BestBuy. But if you are looking for the best performing HDTV, that is it.

I just wanted to throw out that information just as an option. If your only options are the Pioneer 5020 or any other 50" TV, I'd recommend the 5020 by a long shot. The thing is awesome all the way around. The only thing better, is another Pioneer.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Good deal. I need to make a trip to another best buy with a magnolia to see what kind of deals they have on the elite. The lack of a tuner in the model you mentioned may kill it but I'll definitely take a look. If you don't mind me asking, what makes the model you purchased better than the 5020 (other than the extra year of warranty)?
Btw, I'm sure I can get this price haggled down to the 2k range sans-blu ray player. If they still want to throw it in I guess I won't say no assuming I'm to the point they consider the lowest price.

 

[s44]

How far away are you sitting?

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

I have last years model the 5080, and absolutely love it. One of my favorite purchases.

I was in a similar position as you. I wanted to spend ~$1500ish on a HDTV in the 42-50 inch range. I spent weeks researching, looking, and doing in store comparisons (at non-BB stores). What finally sold me on the Kuro over the Panny (last years Panny obviously) was when I took my laptop in, hooked it up through VGA (not ideal I know) and played some of my content through the Kuro and Panny. The Kuro blew it away.

Now, I got mine for $2000 and I was really happy with that price. If I could, I'd buy a Kuro 5020 before they are all sold out just to have another. These things are awesome. The Panny will work for 95% of people, but I (like JackBurton) am a type that will go "well if I had spent a little more for the best would it be even better?" Hell I do that now thinking about going to the Elite Kuros, but at least there I can say it was out of my price range.

How long do you plan to have this tv for? If you plan on using it a lot, and having it for a few years then spend the extra $ for the Kuro. The Panny is great (Pannys are usually equal to the previous year Kuro roughly). I'd put my Kuro up against the G10, and I am satisfied that while the G10 may edge it out slightly I got mine over a year ago.

 

[Fingolfin269]

The time factor may be the clincher. The one I'm currently using is going on 3 years now and I expect the next one to be my primary television for another 3-5 years. Hopefully by that time some new tech will be down in the same price range and it will be time to upgrade again... At least that's the theory.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: s44
How far away are you sitting?

8 to 10 feet away.

 

[Chloraseptic]

Bought mine (Kuro 5020) 2 months ago from Bestbuy for 2 grand. After owning it, i defiantly would recommend it, even at $2500 if you have the money. Try to talk them down though. Pioneer is getting out of the market, they're trying to get rid of these tvs. That's the only reason I could afford one...