Crisp and clear picture, cloth over impact screen.

[William Jenkins]

Just thought I would share my experience with something I tried. When building my enclosure I went with a 10x9 size. Ordered a 10x10 impact screen from Supertex. It's very rigid and durable, but also has a slight waffle pattern to it. So I added a polyester photo drop screen in front of the impact, I know most people do this with a black cloth and white cloth behind it, I tried the front on a whim

It's been over 4 months since I've had it this way and I couldn't be happier. I get a nice clean picture from the projector and there isn't a single mark or year after about 750 shots.

Link to the drop cloth, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R45YHMT..._CfJkFbYM9HV46

[chrisrbr]

How are you mounting the additional layers? Did you add another rod along the top behind the screen?

[tntfox]

chrisrbr, I'm not sure this question was for me, but I used 4 Tarp Clips I bought at my favorite place (Harbor Freight) for $0.99 each. When I get a rainy day here in Dallas, I will add bungees to the photo backdrop and see if tightening it helps in my setup. In any case, since it is so resilient and cheap, I would think this would also work great as an impact screen backing layer.

[14MPH]

tntfox Thanks for the updates - that’s my intention too, photo backdrop —> archery net —> air gap —> moving blankets for acoustic and protective added measure. Not an audio engineer but guessing the different surfaces & densities of tight weave vs archery netting holes helps dampen sound as well as have the archery netting absorb most if not all of the shot impact. If you use tarps as backing to photo backdrop, it’s 2 similar high density surfaces. I’m just guessing here as to what combination of different surface and density types (tight weave vs netting with hole gaps) might increase or decrease the sound whilst not compromising on bounce back/protection of back wall.

chrisrbr adding rods at the top might be a good idea, as you don’t want to keep adding more weight and risk the whole thing coming down (assuming you don’t have an emt cage and just rod attached to ceiling..?). Just depends on how heavy your combined layers are and how much weight any supporting structure can take. For my set up above, I intend to have multiple hanging rods - I just need to figure out if I hang everything off the ceiling or combination of some on ceiling and some off the back wall with heavy duty brackets etc. I’m keen to spread the load essentially.

[Mernst33]

Hi all. Long time reader, first time poster. My SkyTrak will be coming in early May therefore I have some good lead time to complete my build. I have my enclosure up and, because the size of my build, I want to keep a few items budget friendly for the first year or two; one of those items being the impact screen. So I found a BSN Archery Net on Amazon (see link below). I do not know much about archery nets, but I thought I'd give this one a go as the price was good and the size of the net (10' x 16') was perfect for my build. My desired screen size is 15' 6" wide by 8' 8" high (16:9 aspect ratio). I purchased and received my BenQ th671st and recently sent that up. I expected bleed through, however I wanted to wait to see how to address it after actually seeing the projector on my archery net. Now that I have, I am trying to find a solution to the bleeding, and that is where this thread is exactly what I need! I absolutely love the idea of the backdrop on this thread and want to purchase this material that William Jenkins has posted, however the largest size offered on Amazon is 10' x 12'. Has anyone found a similar material or solution for a screen of my size (8' 8" high by 15' 6")? Thanks!

[Scottygolf]

Folks - I wanted to update you on what has transpired in my sim room with these back drops screens. I have gone thru 2 of these screens in a month. I used tarp clips and clipped it to all 4 sides to give a flat clearer image. Looked great but very loud. I added a paint drop cloth in a 4x9 section to act as a buffer and that did help with the sound. Due to high impact, the tarp clips would not hold the screen in place. I was always having to reconnect during mid round. Because I wanted to smooth surface and doing all 4 sides it started to tear on the sides thru the tarp clips. After 3 weeks a hole in the screen appeared. Pitched Screen number 1. Added Screen number 2. This time I folded each side in 3 inches to give depth on the area of where the tarp clips were holding and did not clip at the bottom to provide give. So far so good but without securing I would get air and gaps so the screen image did not look as good. Yesterday after a week, 3 balls went thru the screen. For me, image was wonderful but having the loose bottom took away from picture quality and just flat did not hold up. I will most likely be order a Carl's premium to put in from of the west coast archery netting and hopefully be done.

BTW- most the holes showed up after mid irons were hit and not drivers. Driver ball speeds from my group are 150-164. Hope that helps you guys out, disappointed it did not work long term.

[Scottygolf]

It was your link I followed. Brand new balls, clean grooves, all the precautions. Believe me I really wanted this to work. What I noticed yesterday there was more of a gap from the photo screen to the archery netting. Air from the heater garage heater kept it moving creating the gaps. Wondering if I put a weight to hold it against it that would prevent it from the rip. I will flip it around and try that. If it works fine if not plan C.

[Jerome]

Even with the dozen or so holes in my back drop screen I still like it better than not having it. I just smooth out the holes when I pick up the tees. The static holds loose flaps tight against the tarp backing. Next winter I'll put a fresh one up.

[Scottygolf]

Quick Update. I flipped the screen and threw some tape over the hole. Not an issue as I am hitting off center to the right. I removed the paint tarp that separated the two screens which adds the louder sound back. I also raised the photo screen so it is not laying much on the floor. Much better results and seems to stay against the other screen. The picture is great and the screen does not seem to move much. I will give this a go for a few weeks and report back. But as I said before for $32 a screen, made a difference for me. Just a lot of tinkering. Courses open this weekend!

[bigwill29]

I unfortunately blasted through one of these in a month for this experiment. Looked nice while it lasted though.

[William Jenkins]

Was there much of a gap between the 2 screens? I know these are in no way designed to take the punishment of a golf ball, but if the drop cloth and impact screen are in direct contact, that would keep the stress off the drop cloth.

[bigwill29]

Thats a really good point. I’d have to check that

[Scottygolf]

Bigwill - William nailed it. As I mentioned in my earlier posts, I went thru first screen fast as I had it too tight on the clamps and it ripped on the edges. The 2nd, I added the paint tarp and created a gap and a ball went right thru it. When I flipped it (as I said a little off cent in my sim) and removed the tarp which then allowed no gap, boom it worked great. I will stick to this due to the price for a while as it has improved the image.

I have a white net on the top to catch balls and grey carpet on the wall that will get replaced. Going with a black net and black photo back drop on the left wall to see if that also stops reflecting light and improves image.

[Caroo220]

I’m going to give this option a shot as I begin my budget build. Skytrak coming mid May.

So far I just have a regular black net hanging from a rockler ceiling track set up in my garage. After a while the balls tend to get some transfer from the net so I’m hoping this will keep them clean.

I won’t have a projector right away so I’m not really concerned about picture at this point.

Will post pictures and feedback once I have a chance.

[Scottygolf]

Good Afternoon folks - I wanted to update you that I removed the photo backdrop screen as I went thru 2 of them as my problem was I could not keep it up close to the net which the golf ball went right thru it.

I was given a suggestion by a guy who build sims for a living on a new front screen. He suggested a company called Dazian. The product is called Trapeze Plus Heavy weight in White. 95% poly and 5% spandex. I purchased a 10x12 screen that was about $125. I have a few of the boys coming over to play tonight and will follow up on how it goes and the screen holding up. Very pleased with early reports. It has held up after a quick 18 holes. Image appears really good. This looks to be a better solution for me as it stays put better than the other.

[timsiegle]

Nice find! Looking forward to seeing the results.

[Scottygolf]

Here are images of #16 of some course in GA and 18 Pebble for Foresight. Hole 12 is from when I first put on the photo backdrop. You decide on what you like..

[jdang307]

Where did you find such a small piece? I looked at the Dazian site and it said 65 yards min order hah.

[Scottygolf]

Interesting. I originally started to order the Regular Trapeze Plus in white and the gal said we sell more of the heavy weight for golf sims. The website wouldn't process so I had to call and said 4 yards by 122. She said they had the back screen too but I passed on that as I already had the archery netting from West Coast Netting. It is sold in 122" and then by the yard. The website wouldn't process so I had to call and said 4 yards by 122. If I recall there were 2 or 3 locations, I called the Florida location and the gal checked inventory and said it was ship out of Jersey.

As a FYI, this comes raw. there are no grommets or border on it. I just folded the edges in a couple of times and then used the tarp clips.

[Scottygolf]

Folks - wanting to pass on the update on this Dazian Trapeze Plus - 100% support this. The flex in the screen, the image quality, this thing is the bomb! My buddies have all commented how great it is as it sits flush, not loud, does not come out of the tarp clips. As the layer in front of the primary screen, extremely happy. I have a good week into this new screen and I am a fan! hope this info helps

[William Jenkins]

Any way you can post some photos?

[Scottygolf]

post 69 has the Dazian screen and then the backdrop screen. Still after the few weeks very pleased with this thing. I also added a mini split in the garage to keep it cool. Thrilled with that investment as we played the other night when it was 88 and humid outdoors, 74 and dry. Yes, a little excessive but no budget when it comes to golf, right! If you want to see a different track I can grab another.

[MarkSC]

I just built a sim in my garage that makes use of this. My budget was limited for the screen, and I only had this past weekend to build it, so I was in a rush and needed everything from Amazon.

1) Golf net (probably overkill);
2) The cheap aikeec (Chinese) screen sold on Amazon. About $180. I couldn't find any info on it, so I knew it was chancy. Overall, it's not too bad for the price. My 10 x 8 screen weighed 11 pounds, so it is certainly more than just a simple sheet. It is a fabric material of some sort and quite thick like a comforter but yet with some sheen like a screen. Maybe a cotton/poly blend.. I doubt that it alone would survive a high speed ball, but I think it would with a net behind it.
3) The white screen from this post on top.

The three items all hang from the same EMT conduit. The net is attached with bungee balls, while the two screens are attached with tube clips on the top and bungees on the side.

The end result looks great. I put the screen in the dryer with one of those dry cleaning pads. That removed most wrinkles. My garage is hot and humid this time of year, so that removed the remaining wrinkles.

In short, this solution looks great. No creases, and the image really pops. I've only hit about 50 balls so far though. Time will tell.

[Brettster]

MarkSC - hey just checking on your DIY Screen Setup and how it's holding up?


Can you take any pics, and let me know how all of those items mentioned above are holding up/and work for you? I'm in a similar situation, limited budget but want to get a screen up - really don't want to spend $600+ on an impact screen if it's going to break down over several years.... Especially if I can just replace simple fabric photo backdrop mentioned on this post from @William Jenkins

Can you let me know, 1.) which Golf net you purchased on Amazon? 2.) I see the Chinese Screen, is it holding up? and 3.) did you purchase the photo backdrop recommended here?

How are they all working together? How is the sound when all hung up? Are you holding it down at the bottom with anything? Pics please if you can take a few... Thanks!

[Brettster]

Scottygolf - can you tell me how this is holding up for you? Still happy with it?

Dazian Trapeze Plus - 100% support this

TIA,
-Brett

[Scottygolf]

Hey Brett - Sorry I was out of town - Still very pleased with this and would buy it all over again. I have zero issues. We used it quite a bit this summer and shows no wear and image still is awesome. Hope that helps.

[Brettster]

Scottygolf - you have that Dazian Trapeze 'in front' of the archery netting - is that right? Are there any pics you have of how you did that, is it just tarp clips and clipped on to the archery netting? Which archery netting do you have? I'm at that point where I am ready to order, and looks like I can buy some cheap archery netting - but it's only has grommets on top, and 2 toward bottom (nothing else on sides), will that help me out, or do I have to make sure I have archery screen with grommets all the way around it for tightening?

[Scottygolf]

Brett - I have West Coast Netting that I ordered with grommets around all four sides. I used Zip tie on the top and screwed the sides into a wall. Since my floor is a wood platform, I secured the bottom which controls much of how tight it is. The dazian is attached to the archery netting using tarp clips. I think I paid around $450-500 for the archery netting because of all the grommets and such.

When I put this frame together, I went with 2x6 and joist hangers on the wall verses the pipe option. Keep in mind this is in my garage so when I started I was more into functionality versus looks. It has since been prettied up ;-).