New Home Theater/Simulator Build-Help/Advice

[Chalky White]

All,

Many thanks to those who have contributed to this forum. It has helped my make the decision to upgrade my home theater to a golf simulator. I received the green light from my wife and want to seize on this before she changes her mind.

14.6'W X 25' L X 9'H--basement room with no windows. Drywalled and painted room.

I currently have a p3proswing with a 4'X5' mat and a pro series net return that I use in the space and can swing every club without issues with ceiling height.

My plan is as follows but I'm open to any help or advice where you see issues.

Screen/Enclosure: HQ2 w/ grommets with a net on 1 1/2" slotted angle iron one foot from wall.
Hitting Mat: Real Feel 5' X 5" CCE. How far from screen?
Putting Area: Plan is to remove existing carpet in the first 16' of room and install putting area on 3/8 subfloor and make a cutout for CCE hitting area. I'd like to insert a 5 pack of star ball putting cups in the putting area. Thoughts?
Projector: Benq 1085ST. My screen will be 166" X 94" so the projector will be installed at 10'6" @ 16:9 resolution. My question is does 16:10 matter that I should replace my current projector with one with this aspect ratio?
SIM & S/W: GC2 and TGC s/w for a sim. Thought I new what to do here but I am now confused with the Foresight SDK requirement and Protee required with TGC.
Wall protection: I plan on extending paneling covered with foam and fabric 4' from the screen on the side walls and ceiling. Thoughts?

This is my first post in the forum and I apologize in advance if I have done this incorrectly. I really wanted to get my entire build out for help from the group before I begin ordering equipment.
I definitely plan to keep all updated on my progress.

Thanks
CW

[mthunt]

That projector will do any aspect ratio. No need to replace. Don't need an sdk to run TGC. Just foresights way of trying to take your money. CCE, ball should be 10 feet. Putting area is good. Padding on wall can be just heavy drapes. Go 6 feet from screen.

[Dax]

Did you speak to Cory at Par 2 Pro re the use of grommets? I'm just not sure I like the idea of putting a hole in the fabric as I would be afraid this would be a point where a tear could result over time.

[Chalky White]

Thanks for the replies mt and Dax. I did talk with Cory and he said they've been doing the grommets differently and it's been working. Should I request the straps anyway? Also, I don't want to over think the mat/projector placement but as a righty is it just making sure the cutout for the hitting mat is in the center of the room 10' from screen? Or am I missing something.
How far back from hitting area can the projector be before shadows are an issue w/ a 9' ceiling?

Lastly, is eBay or another used outlet the best way to avoid the SDK tax?

Thanks in advance!
CW

[goatbarn]

You can go any route you want to purchase the hardware, just don't buy the SDK package. It's not needed.

That's the best way to avoid the SDK tax.

[ks-man]

That projector will do any aspect ratio. No need to replace. Don't need an sdk to run TGC. Just foresights way of trying to take your money. CCE, ball should be 10 feet. Putting area is good. Padding on wall can be just heavy drapes. Go 6 feet from screen.

While you are almost certainly right that you don't need the SDK it at least guarantees that they can't break your ability to use TGC with a firmware upgrade. I'm sure they have no intention of doing that as it definitely seems that TGC is driving up GC2 sales but at the cost of the whole thing some people might view it as insurance for their system.

[mthunt]

Look at it this way, if you don't upgrade the firmware, how could it stop working? Or, look st it another way. If it stops working, buy the SDK. I personally only see the SDK as Foresight trying to take your money. It's vapourware. If you feel otherwise, buy it. It's your money.

[Dax]

If Cory is good with grommets, then I would stick to his recommendation (i assume then you would have him do the stitching like I did which i was very happy with - just mine is with the straps).

[Dax]

I,not sure I understand your mat placement question, if you are going with a 5x5 CCE, then would this not need to be off centre as I suspect you would be standing on the CCE and then hitting on the edge of the mat (this would allow you to rotate the mat as one side becomes warn). In terms of the projector I believe the lens of the 1085 is not in the centre of the projector and, which I suspect means it needs to be off centre a little to ensure the lens is centred. I would try it out on the floor prior to installing. Once you have the right place sorted, you could use a weighted string then to ID where on the ceiling you would mount.

[Chalky White]

Good comments on the SDK. I understand the insurance but seems punitive if you're already buying their product. Not looking to fight it but I'll definitely avoid the tax if possible.
Screen: I am going to have Cory do my stitching and will re-confirm the use of grommets. Glad to hear you are happy with your screen too.
Mat: Thanks Dax. I'll take your advice on the projector install but I think I'm confusing myself with my mat install. I plan on installing a subfloor so my putting surface is even with my mat. I wanted to make sure when I cut the subfloor that I'm putting the mat in the right place to not hit my projector and for the GC2 to pick up/display the right ball flight. I'm a newbie so please educate me.

Thanks in advance.