Optoma gt1080darbee, gt1080hdr, or BenQ2150st...?

[DejaVu]

I am new on here and would like to thank you guys for being such a supportive community with awesome feedback so far.

I think I have done my homework and for my under $800 budget it seems to come down to those 3 projectors for my needs. But still am confused and have ?'s:

1. Is the Optoma gt1080hdr picture quality that much better than the gt1080darbee as good as it's specs say it should be? 50,000:1 vs 28,000:1 and 3,800 vs 3,000 lumens (I've heard that somehow it isn't as good as the darbee but that doesn't make sense..)

2. How/why does everyone rave about the great picture and brightness of the BenQ2150st when it's only15,000:1 and 2,200 lumens over the Optomas seemingly superior specs..? (I have even watched videos and the BenQ does seem like a better picture than the darbee...but it doesn't make sense how, and does it get washed out with just a little ambient lighting at only 2,200?)

3. How washed out do these projectors become if I need to use a lot of vertical keystone due to a higher mounted projector..?

My screen (material yet to be decided...all advice appreciated for around $300) will be 14' x 8' with the projector overhead 8' back from the screen and I can mount it anywhere from 8'-11' high.

Thanks again for your time and I hope to get straightened out and order projector and screen on Tuesday.

[Wizard of Coz]

Benqth671st 3000 lumens.

[DejaVu]

Thanks Wizard of Coz It is on my list as #4, but it only has a 10,000:1 contrast ratio. Does the higher contrast not really matter/apply bc the avg impact screen really isn't set up for superb high def? I thought I was good with a/v tech stuff but throw in an an impact screen and it's like starting from 'scratch' again. lol

[Wizard of Coz]

Honestly I don't know. I wish I had then side by side. Im content with the th671st.

[Wonko]

For what it’s worth, the sales person from Projector People told me that contrast and dynamic contrast are not specs that mean anything between manufacturers. Check out this article that backs up her story...

https://www.projectorcentral.com/projector-contrast-ratio.htm

[Gambler]

What wonko says is true. Unless you do side by side comparisons you won't really be able to know. Unfortunately the projector market is so deep and random specced that nobody has reviews of everything.

Best bet is to look for a unit that meets your criteria that other people have vouched for and doesn't have any known reliability issues.

Of course if you have the time and money to buy multiple projectors and try them out, I'm sure you would find others interested in that information.

[wbond]

Don't forget to take into account the offset of the Optoma, it's fairly large.

[Golfstrongia]

https://www.benqdirect.com/benq-outlet/refurbished-projectors/ht2150st-refurb.html

I have bought over 10 refurbished with zero issues. Highly recommend!

[Wizard of Coz]

Why so many? Do you collect em?

[Golfstrongia]

we do residential and commercial installs

[DejaVu]

Thank you guys. I'm still looking around and comparing everything you suggested so far. I hope to be able and confident to
pull the trigger on something tomorrow.

[calebm1001]

I’m struggling too. My old projector works fine but now that I went with a bigger screen I need an actual short throw.

[DejaVu]

Thank you ALL for all of your help. I just ordered the BenQ ht2150st. I probably would have went with the th671st, but they're out of stock and I can't wait any longer to golf (just golfed yesterday in shorts/weather said feels like 39)...need to keep going but snow on the ground now. I will report back, and I'm pretty worried about the wash-out at only 2200 lumens with even a candle on from my 168" (hopefully I don't need to make it smaller) screen. But, since a lot of you have raved about it seemingly regardless, I am giving it a go and will report back. Thank you all for the support on this awesome @golfsimulatorforum <<<Hmmmm...too bad I can't give you guys/devs creds too...!??!!! Ty tho.

[DejaVu]

Still waiting for my projector to show up. This is the video that compares the BenQ th617st, BenQ ht2150st, and the Optoma gt1080darbee that may have pushed me over the fence. Time will tell and I will hopefully report back sooner than later. Happy Friday and weekend!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78AL_kCVwSg

[calebm1001]

I also just ordered an open box 671st from amazon. $630! Couldn’t pass it up.

[DejaVu]

Congrats. I didn't go with the 671st, but the ht2150st BenQ. You definitely got a good deal on the 671st from Amazon. It's a little bit more than refurbished, but they're not always in stock @benq and with Amazon...they ARE quality about returns if you have an issue. Hmmm. What's your screen size, ambient light presence, and distance from screen 'projected' to be..? I went with the 2150st bc of the colors/contrast but I'm a little bit worried about only 2200 lumens vs. the 671st.

[calebm1001]

DejaVu I’ve got a 10x13, planning for 4:3 ratio. Projector Central said I’ll be around 12’ from the screen to get the right projection but BenQ state’s like 11’ I think. That should be fine I hope... I’ll be standing about 9-10’ away from the screen.

Light presence is minimal but - two small windows and the windows in the garage door. It has 200 less Lumens than my old projector so I should be ok. Can always pull curtains too.

[DejaVu]

calebm1001 That sounds like a nice setup. I am going to wait until my projector arrives before mounting my screen and installing my hitting mat just to be safe. At 9'-10' I've heard the balls can climb up the screen pretty high too with wedges so I will experiment with that too. I hope to be about 7'-8' but then some say that will wear the screen down quicker. I'm not sure how 1'-2' could significantly decrease the ball speed though. Please report back on how your 671 works for you. I will most likely get it if the 2150 isn't bright enough.

[Fhacker]

calebm1001 DejaVu So how happy, or not with your respective projectors? I am considering both of these. Thanks

[DejaVu]

I ended up going with the Benq Ht2150ST. I haven't posted back yet bc I'm still setting everything up. So far I'm pretty excited about it. In retrospect I may have been better off going with the Benq Th671st as @wizardofcoz mentioned...just because it's a little brighter for sim purposes. However, I plan to use my screen for some gaming and movies too, so I felt the 2150 would be the best overall bet. We'll see hopefully soon. It fills my 14' x 8' screen from about 9ish' away and has a lot of features that I haven't had the chance to mess around with yet. So far impressed by Benq.

[Fhacker]

Thanks let us know when u have it set up

[CBDBOZ]

i went for 2150ST - very happy

[LeftyLeff52]

Looking at 2150st how has the projector work out for you guys

[DejaVu]

I'm overall very happy with it (2150st). It probably isn't the brightest as some of the others (BenQ th671st), but it shows an awesome pic here still, with a lot of ambient light, and with the lights dimmed way down...for gaming/movies...it is absolutely amazing. I have no regrets with it whatsoever.