Building motorized retractible impact screen

[Jtangm04]

I'm interested in constructing a diy impact screen that rolls down in my garage. Has any tried this yet? Looking on ebay for tubular motors, but unsure if there is a particular size or motor strength I would need. Also would be unsure on how to attach the impact screen to the top of the roller. I was wondering if anyone has a home setup for this scenario and what they did.

[RyanP]

I saw this one https://youtu.be/rPfEWhctdbo.

I want to build one too if possible like the one in the video using an electric motor kit. I want one wider than the homecourse model above (which is too narrow) with the ability to put tension on the screen sides so the image doesn't look all wrinkled up like theirs. Seems like you could just attach the side of the screen with some bungees to some eyelets when the screen is down or something similar..

[Thundergolf]

Check out the sportscreen. I'm installing mine next week.

[mikeingp]

Did you get your sportscreen installed? Would love to hear how you like it and see some pics.

[Sramp17]

Thundergolf can you link that net and post pics when yours is installed? I'd like to see

[p3eps]

I looked at something like that for a while, but as above - there is no way to keep the screen tight at the edges. The results are a saggy mess.
My V1 build setup had a saggy mess for a screen, and I wanted something that looked much better.

The only way I could get my screen to stay tight in all directions was to attach it to a frame, and then make the frame retractable.
It's not quite as slick as pressing a button and it disappearing to the ceiling... however my screen stays in shape / wrinkle free and holds a great projected image.

http://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/build-your-own/enclosures/75415-my-fold-up-golf-sim-build-v2-uk

I guess it all boils down to your priorities. That Homecourse retractable screen is a great idea... but the image looks horrible after it's been hit a couple of times.

[Thundergolf]

Just finished hanging the sportscreen. Ive hit about 50 balls into it. It has a few wrinkles, but overall not bad. I have a few ideas to try yet to stiffen it up. Will take better pics tomorrow.

[mikeingp]

I think this is the route i'm going to go as well. How did you attach the impact screen to the sportscreen, with velcro? Did you put a piece of emt in the bottom of the screen to weigh it down...maybe there's a way to use a longer pipe, bungies and tarp clips to tighten the screen at the bottom?

[Thundergolf]

Yes I attached the sportscreen with velcro. My screen is 12' long so some of it is still wrapped around the pole, so no tension on velcro. I'm using the supplied pole from the sportscreen to weigh down the bottom. If u let it hang a few inches off the ground the bottom is tight. I prefer to let it rest on the ground to prevent bounce back. I might experiment with some clips to tighten the sides a little.

[Jtangm04]

Looks pretty good! I was looking into sports screen but trouble seeing it fit with my current setup. Have a net hanging in front of the garage door and a projector showing the image on the garage door. The width from the garage door railing to the garage opener rail is about 8 feet.

Great to know velcro with the impact screen to the sports screen works well.

[Thundergolf]

Don't mind the mess in my building. Here are a few more pics of my sportscreen with better lighting.

[mikeingp]

Appears you were able to get some of the wrinkles out, looks good! What kind of impact screen did you go with?

[Thundergolf]

Yeah I'm very happy with the picture. The screen is carl's impact screen (not the premium). I was able to get most of the wrinkles out, just by adjusting the way the screen hung from the roller. Still don't have it tied or cliped to anything. Just sportscreen and impact screen.

[mikeingp]

How's the bounce back & noise?

[kb5233]

Looks like what would work in my garage, as the Homecourse screen is just too narrow and expensive for what I'm looking for. How did you coordinate the velcro placement setup between Sportscreen and Carl's?

[kb5233]

Thanks Thunder.

[Jtangm04]

Did you velcro just the top or also the sides and bottom?

[Drmuzoid]

Thunder, How exactly did you velcro the Carl's Screen to the Sportscreen? Does it all roll up together now?

[zengolf]

Hi there. Has anyone bought or used the Homecourse retractable screen already? I'm contemplating on getting this one or the Net Return sim series. Any reviews on these 2. I'm going to put up my golf sim in the playroom of my daughters. lol The space is very limited though at 10.5 feet wide, 9 feet tall, and 14 feet long. I've already did some test swings and I did not break anything, lol. From reading and being a lurker here, it seems that I have to offset the impact screen's center to the right.

[alant]

I bought one a few weeks ago and it works great. I dont think you will be able to fully expand with 10.5 feet though.

[zengolf]

Thank you for your reply Alant. How do you find the net, is it sturdy or kinda flimsy? I would not be able to fully expand the net as it extends to about 10.6 feet right? Moreover, with my limited space of 10.5 feet wide, I cannot install the homecourse at the center, I have to move and install it to the right side to give way to my back swing, which would then limit the extension of the other net. Does it need full extension, or is there a choice to not fully extend the net? Regarding the screen, how is the quality, does it wrinkle easily, and does the image projected wavy or wrinkled up? There seems to be no strap or bungee holding it in place. My other option is the net return sim series as they are almost price the same, does anyone has any input on this? Thanks.

[alant]

It's relatively sturdy. The key is when you install it to have it have it land on the floor about 3 inches. The side nets have weighted poles in them to keep it sturdy. That being said if you hit a shot on the edge of the screen with a driver it does slide out but its not really an issue. Yes, the 10.5 feet you have is very tight, I had decent amount of width in my area but i also shifted it to the right because as you said you want to finish your swing. Like anything, if you plan ahead then the install will work for you. You will have to fully extend and "lock" the nets into place, otherwise it won't work. The nets hang until locked. Screen quality so far has been very good but its only a few week old. The image projected is great, my kids are watching movies when i am not playing but of course the projector plays a role in that as well. Good luck

[zengolf]

Finally installed the Homecourse golf retractable screen. Initial impressions: Wrinkly on the sides and a bit of smudges on the screen out of the box. I will try to clean it and have it steam ironed. For my very limited space, this works. The width is only 7 feet and the height is around 8 feet. I have a benqht2150st and the image projected (4:3 - 7ft wide and 5'3" tall) is acceptable. I don't know if the screen is HD though. The smudges do not show and the image projected is not that wavy, your miles may vary however. The bottom of the screen has weighted poles and so do the nets on the side. I believe a bungee cord or something to hold and stretch the bottom sides of the screen would be ideal. The golf ball bounce back is indeed very limited as they claim. I have just hit some balls and yes it is susceptible to some dimples here and there but they go away soon enough. Although is it acceptable, there was however no WOW factor for me regarding the image projected. I don't know if its the screen, my projector or just maybe because I'm used to 4k TV. I'm sure it is not because of my gaming laptop as it's graphic card is a gtx 1070 with the latest CPU.

It is pretty sturdy, and for the price I paid, (on sale) I believe its worth it. The retractable functionality is impressive. You do get back your room. as the room I installed it in, is the playroom of my daughters. For watching movies though, I think it is more ideal to just project it on the wall as it would accommodate a bigger 16:9 screen area. I'm planning on painting the wall behind the screen with HD projector screen paint found in Amazon. Has anyone used this paint? Anyway I'll try to update my impressions as time goes by. For now, I'm quite satisfied.

[Drmuzoid]

Has anyone else gotten a SportScreen or even communicated with them? I am having no luck getting a call back from these guys after more than a week. Looks like a decent option but if customer service is this bad, I would hesitate to trust them.

[mikeingp]

I sent a message through their website & never got a reply or call back. Didn't really matter, I went ahead and ordered a 10' manual through the website & received it in about two weeks.

I love it. I use it with a HQ2 impact screen from par2pro. Takes me a couple of minutes to setup or take down if I want to use the garage

[Drmuzoid]

Thanks Mikeingp, I know Thundergolf likes his too so at least the product seems good.
I hate to bother you with this question (they could answer it easily), but can you tell me how big the footprint is where the mount attaches to the wall or ceiling? I would mount one on the wall and I have a window near the desired height to contend with. Thanks.

[Thundergolf]

Here are some pictures of my setup. I have everything mounted on t- track aluminum for easy adjustments. Protee platform is built in 4 pieces for easy takedown.