Optoma GT1080Darbe vs. GT1080HDR or EH412ST?

[Wonko]

Hi all - I’m in the building process of a new sim shed with a Uneekor QED, and I could use some advice on a projector. I purchased an Optoma GT1080Darbee (2018 model - 3000 lumens in short throw) on Amazon ($600), and a 13’ wide by 10’ high screen from DbGolf on this forum. By my math, a distance of 8’8” will mostly cover the screen in a 4:3 aspect ratio with this projector, and I will be hitting from about 9’ back from the screen. I don’t have my screen yet, but I’ve tested the projector on my blank wall by holding it at waist length, and the size looks about right.

I’m concerned that even in the dark the projector (3000 lumens) doesn’t appear very bright on my wall (admittedly, without a screen), and I’m wondering if the EH412ST or GT1080HDR will be brighter and better.

My questions are three-fold:

1.) Will the 4000 lumens from the EH412ST or the 3800 lumens from the GT1080HDR make a big difference?
2.) Do the EH412ST or the GT1080HDR have a zoom function or a vertical image adjustment that will make install easier?
3.) Does it matter if a projector doesn’t say “gaming projector”, and is designed for presentations, and what is the difference?

And, of course, is there a better choice that’s roughly the same price (under $1,000)? My projector would have to be placed no more than 13’ or 14’ back from the impact screen.

Thanks so much, all!

[Gman17]

Can anyone chime in here? I purchased an Optima EH515TST with 5000 lumens. I have a 16' deep black out area with minimum lighting. The pictures I see here on the posts are in brilliant color. I am far from that. Am I wishing it was better, or are you all taking pics with no background lights on lights?

[pwade3]

Nice avatar. Lol.

[pwade3]

GT1080HDR. One with two fluorescent lights on only a few feet from the screen and garage fully light up. The other is with just background light well away from the sim area.

[wbond]

Using your 8'8" distance from projector to screen. If you start the image at the ground, the image will be 9'9" (117") tall. Then the center of the lens will be another 19" higher than that which will put it at 11'4" (136") off the ground. This is higher than what you say your ceiling height is 11'2". So that means you need to move this forward. I am thinking that best case you are probably looking at about 5" from center of lens to the ceiling when it's mounted. I think you are going to end up with it around 8'3" from the screen, image height is 111" (9'3"), plus 18" to center of the lens 129" (10'9"), plus 5" from center of the lens to your ceiling 134" (11'2").

Admittedly, I'm struggling a little bit with the offset calculation. If Projector Central shows a -19 offset at 8'-8" throw distance for a ceiling mount, my understanding is that means the top of the image will be (19" + the mounting height + the distance between top of the projector to the center of the lens) below the ceiling. If this is correct, then the top of the image in my case will be approximately be 9' above the ground (assuming about a 5" mounting bracket and 2" from the top of the projector to the middle of the lens), so I won't be utilizing the top 1' of my screen.

Is my understanding correct? If so, should I be looking for a different projector with a smaller offset?

[Toml]

I agree with your calcs, so either I accept a smaller image or I look for a different projector that has a smaller offset, but still provides the short throw distance I need. Not sure if that projector exists tho!

[wbond]

Check out the benq they have a smaller offset and it has zoom, so easier to mount and may fit your needs