I have Enclosure / Projector questions

[Detroit Bill]

I have a Foresight GC2 with HMT and FSX software. I also have a 10 foot by 6 foot hitting mat I bought with the Return net years ago. I'd like to keep that at least for now. I have been hitting into a return net with a 55" TV as the monitor. I'd like to up my game to a impact screen and projector. The room is in an industrial building. Its 23 feet wide and 40 feet deep with a 15 foot ceiling. I would like to be able to swing the impact screen out the way if possible because I need to use the room for other purposes a few times a year.

The Carl's enclosures are appealing. Seems pretty turn key. I was thinking the 5 foot deep version.

From what I can gather I want to be 10 feet from the screen, at least. I also have read you either want the projector above you or in front of you in a box. I would have to fabricate a ceiling mount for a projector because there are none that are 15 feet (its really more because there is a drop ceiling. Its likely 18 feet or more. Truthfully to get power up there and run an HDMI cable would be a PIA and I'd rather avoid it. That leads me to a box on the floor, I would buy a prefab unit. There are no windows and I can turn off the lights on the side of the room the simulator is on but I do need some light. I have groups of people over to play so they need to see.

Question one: Is a projector on the floor as awkward as it looks? How do you chip with that there? Does anyone ever hit it? I would not build a platform to hit from.
Question two: Some of the screens I am looking at are quite large, won't it take quite a projector to get a decently bright image.
Question three: I hit 7 feet away from my 7 foot 3" net now. With a hard swing from a 60 degree wedge if I moved further away I would be wary if I did not have a higher net. Carl;s only 16:9 ratio is a little over 7 feet tall. Will that be a problem? It seems like a 16:9 is a preferred ratio because that is the native resolution of most projectors.
Question four: What are the current projectors that would fit this application.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Detroit Bill]

I'll reply to my own question since I seemed to have figured it out.

I am going to get the 13 x 10 4:3 ratio screen and pair it with the Optoma 1080GT Darbee projector. I found a long drop projector mount and will use it to mount the projector overhead.
The projector will get me an 8-9' throw so it should be fine from my ~ 10 foot hitting distance. I plan to mount the projector at around 10' I'll see what options I have when I can experiment on the angles. If I can go a little higher I will.

Feel free to disagree with me I am going to pull the trigger Monday.

[StanMI]

DB..... I just got my HMT and FSX and am in the process of upgrading my simulator area. I am ordering the BenQ TH671ST projector. I picked this one because I am currently using the BenQ MW632ST and I really like it for the Zoom ability. I don't have to mount it in the perfect position to get exactly the size image I want. Both projectors have this option, I don't believe the Optoma does that. Difference being, the 671 is 1080, same as the Optoma.

As to your distance from the screen with a wedge. I tend to hit the ball high, I mean HIGH! ( You want to read that as....I have a flippy swing and hit with my weight still on my back foot........ yes, I suck! Looking to improve with the new stuff). I stand about 10 feet from my screen (image size 15 X10) and hit the ceiling first most of the time. I have it padded now.

my projector is mounted on the ceiling. I agree floor mounted would be awkward. Especially for putting.

good luck with your setup and I sure would like to hear your thoughts on the Optoma when you get it set up.

[Detroit Bill]

I just pilled the trigger on the projector. The BenQ you called out is better! Zoom as you stated and 200 more lumens.

The screen I am using has a 5 foot overhang. I think it will help block the light and catch the stray high one.

I am in SE MI where are you?

[wbond]

So did you get the optoma or the benq? I have the optoma GT1080 and as long as you know the requirements, it's a great projector. FYI, I'm in Livonia.

[Detroit Bill]

I ordered the Optoma GT1080 darbee actually. I figured the sound could be a good thing because it is right over your head.

I want to throw a 156" (across) 4:3 image so I'll be back about 9 feet. I can control the lighting to a degree but I am concerned about good the image will look. If it was a zoom projector it would make placement easier. As I look at the BenQ MW632ST it looks like a good projector but FSX will use the 1080's full resolution so it is probably a better choice.

As I mentioned it is a room in an industrial building. To control the light I will be removing bulbs from florescent fixtures. I am just hoping I can get a bright vibrant image. How does your do with some ambient lighting?

I am in Oxford.

[wbond]

It really depends upon the amount of ambient light. My setup is in my garage so if i have one of the garage doors open during the day, you can see it, but it's not the greatest. Because of the lack of zoom, I made a sliding track to mount the projector. I used punched angle iron like they use for garage door tracks. Then i took a cheap projector mount and just used the portion that connects to the projector itself and then hung it from the track. Works great for ease of zooming in and out and also for being able to change from 4:3 to 16:9. You can see it here. https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum...ector-distance

[Detroit Bill]

My screen will be a Carl's cage so I will be able to move it a little. I think I am going to set it up and hard mount it. I'll never want to watch a movie so that's not an issue.
I am hoping to be able to move the cage with the screen out of the way when I need to. I'd put it on dolly's of some sort.

We will see with the light I may need to dim it further and put in some spots.

[xtiger]

Intresting you chose for the BenQ, I actually found a short throw to be in my way as per my post of today. Where did you put your BenQ?

[wbond]

The issue is not the short throw projector, it's where you mounted it vs your stance.

[xtiger]

the projector doesn't have horizonal lens shift. I am somewhat obilged to put it it where it is to have max screen size. I need to play around. It's only so darn impractical to move a projector around for testing. Nothing is high/stable enough. I did notice bu coincidence that putting the Acer loaner projector on the ground gave the best result :-/