Best Projector for 12x8 impact screen??? NEED ADVICE !!!

[JoeJoeJoeUrBoat]

So I've had my current setup for about a year and change at this point.

Right now I have my GC2 with FSX and TGC with my Net Return. I have a 55 inch TV mounted in front of me so after I hit the ball into my Net Return, it shows up on my screen. I'm deciding to take it to the next level and bought a 12 x 8 ft. impact screen from Par2Pro. My room is 14w x 9.5 h, so this gives me a bit of room on each side.

The depth of the room is about 15ft. and the guy from Par2Pro told me the screen with some angle iron only needs to be about 8-10 inches from the wall. So my projector will be about 10-12 ft. from the screen, rough numbers anyways.

Was wondering what the best bang for my buck is. Currently running TGC and FSX in 1080p with no real ambitions to go 4K.

Don't even know where to start as far as what projector to get, so was hoping you guys could offer some advice based on the info given.

Thank you all in advance!

[KPaas]

That distance. You’ll need a short throw full HD projector.
When searching keep a few things in mind.
-How big the projector can go. Some only go to 100’’ or so.
-Is it full HD
-Can it do 4:3 ratio and 16;9 ratio.
-At least 3000 lumens
I’d say looking at 500-800 bucks for a good one.
I would look at Optoma or BenQ projectors first.

[gnomike]

There are TONS of projectors out there, but when I was doing my research, two models seemed to come up over and over and over again as the favourites for simulators... The Optoma GT1080Darbee & the Benq HT1085st. I gather that the Optoma is quieter (a little ) than the benq, but the benny might get the nod in terms of image quality. I am going for the Optoma because of the throw distance. I have a smaller space, and 0.5:1 ratio meets my needs better. I found the following comparison between the two, and although not the best review, is does give some info:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXpkvXi7db8

[JoeJoeJoeUrBoat]

I'm in a bit of a pickle with my room. My 5x5 matt is about 5ft. away from my screen (12' x 8') and I would like to put the projector in front. I figured I would need about 160" on the diagonal to maximize my screen on a 16:10 ratio. My room is only 14 ft. deep, so projecting from behind isn't enough plus my room is only 9.5ft. high so the projector would cast a shadow if it were directly behind me.

Looking for something I can put 3-4ft. away from the screen and fill that 160" diagonal. Any suggestions? A lot of "Super Short Throw" projectors I've looked at only do 100" on the diagonal.

In the video KPaas posted, it's showing the projector about 5 ft. away doing a 140" image as the guy says in the video, not sure if that's on the diagonal or not.

[wbond]

You might be able to get by with the benq 1085st. For a 160 diagonal it would be mounted 8'9" from the screen. Is your hitting position 5' from the screen or the front of the mat 5' from the screen which means your hitting spot is about 7'6" from the screen. If it's the latter, you may not cast any shadows and the benq can be mounted very close to the ceiliing. Also, are you hitting centered in your room?

[KPaas]

I’ve got a Optoma EH200ST 1080p projector doing 196 inch screen from like 6-7 feet away? I hit from 10 feet away.
It’s a short throw. It’s got the .5 throw ratio I do believe.
Check it out. Good quality. It was the biggest screen from as close as I could get with a short throw. Ultra short throws can be pretty pricey.
Look up the throw ratio and screen calculator on google for hanging a projector.
Itll give you a good idea what throw ratio and distance your gonna need. Then you just find the projector that has those specs. There will be some diff options.

[JoeJoeJoeUrBoat]

I’ve got a Optoma EH200ST 1080p projector doing 196 inch screen from like 6-7 feet away? I hit from 10 feet away.
It’s a short throw. It’s got the .5 throw ratio I do believe.
Check it out. Good quality. It was the biggest screen from as close as I could get with a short throw. Ultra short throws can be pretty pricey.
Look up the throw ratio and screen calculator on google for hanging a projector.
Itll give you a good idea what throw ratio and distance your gonna need. Then you just find the projector that has those specs. There will be some diff options.

Is that 196inch on the diagonal I'm assuming? And for me if I'm going to put it on the floor in front of me, the max the projector can be away from the screen is 4ft. and that's to the back of the projector, so call it 3 ft. Would the EH200ST be capable of something like that? My screen is 12x8, but looking to fill it the best I can.

[KPaas]

Your going to need to do some calculation.
I’ll help ya with this projector.
So the 200 has a throw ratio of .49
so for distance you need to calculate the screen width x throw ratio. So if you want 12x8
you need to go 12x0.49 which is 5.88.

So to fill the width of your screen your projector needs to be roughly 5.88 ft away.
Now in 4:3 ratio, if your screen is 12x8.
Picture will actually only cover 10.67 x 8.0
That gives you a 160 inch screen.
Project will need to be 10.67x 0.49= 5.22 ft away.

Doesnt look like that one will work for that distance.

Keep this in mind while looking.
I have a feeling your going to be shelling out for an ultra short throw projector if you want to be 3ft away.

[JoeJoeJoeUrBoat]

I'd shell out the money for ultra throw, but have yet to find one that will go past 100 inches on the diagonal. That's my goal is to find one that can...

[triplebogeysrbetter]

Visit http://www.carlofet.com from they have a great screen size calculator. You can pick projectors from the drop down and see the specs for each.

[Psw757]

What net return are you using that will fit the 12x8 screen?

[Trickle007]

What net return are you using that will fit the 12x8 screen?

Considering he was talking about getting angle iron I think he is doing away with the net return in favor of the 12x8 par2pro impact screen mounted with angle iron.

Joe here is a good link to a projector calculator. I used this and it is how I picked my projector I went with an Optoma GT1080Darby. Also you might want to consider mounting your projector directly over your head rather than on floor in front of you. It is what I did anyway.

[Psw757]

[QUOTE=Trickle007;n150237]

Considering he was talking about getting angle iron I think he is doing away with the net return in favor of the 12x8 par2pro impact screen mounted with angle iron

well I've seen several folks use angle iron for hanging a projector so i wasn't sure if he was using the screen in tandem with the net return or totally eliminating it. OP didn't say anything about that. Maybe he is hanging the screen in front of the net return via the angle iron? I have no idea hence why I asked.

[JoeJoeJoeUrBoat]

What net return are you using that will fit the 12x8 screen?

Yes sorry, I am getting rid of the Net Return once my impact screen comes in.

[JoeJoeJoeUrBoat]

Considering he was talking about getting angle iron I think he is doing away with the net return in favor of the 12x8 par2pro impact screen mounted with angle iron.

Joe here is a good link to a projector calculator. I used this and it is how I picked my projector I went with an Optoma GT1080Darby. Also you might want to consider mounting your projector directly over your head rather than on floor in front of you. It is what I did anyway.

My ceiling height is only 9 ft. 2 inches. Will I still be able to swing a club freely without worrying about hitting it?

With yours mounted directly above you, how do you find the shadow situation?