Projector Questions for New System

[prose53]

I am ready to purchase, yesterday, my projector (last key piece in my build). I have been given so many directions on what or what not to use that some of it is just BS to sell a high end projector. When talking to sales, I keep getting pushed to an almost $4,0000 projector which isn't in my budget.

I have a 16'x10' screen but will most likely run 16x9 most likely as some of the 10' will be lost in the hanging (later today). I was going down the path of the BenQ TH761ST but being told that it won't fill my screen and won't be bright enough. I don't want to buy a projector unless I am confortable that it will work. Primary use is golf sim but secondary will be used for home theater.

Would like opinions on best bang for the buck, which projectors have better lifespan w/o repairs, etc.

Simulator Design

• Uneekor EYE XO Refine
• E6 Connect
• Strong gaming PC (I7, 32gb ram, 1tb ssd drive, etc)
• Golfer 10' from Screen
• EYE XO installs at 6.5' from screen at 10'
• Screen 16' x 10'

Here are what I think is important after reading a bunch of info on recommended site:

Projector to be ceiling mounted and brought down to around 10' (or whatever is best)

• Aspect Ration: 16:9
• Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080P)
• Brightness: assuming over 3k lumens but this is the ANSI which is not the best way to calculate (from reading)
• Contrast Ratio: On/Off or variable (what numbers?).
• Dynamic Iris: Do I need this?
• Zoom Range: Do I need zoom? Understand that zoom starts cutting into your brightness and I most likely will use a short throw to keep projector from hitting golfer)
• Lens Shift (vertical,horizontal or both): Worthwhile? I can locate projector pretty much anywhere with some work. Also prefer not to use Keystoning as this reduces the pixels and therefore contrast.
• LCD or DLP?
• Bulb replacement timeframe?
• Is it worth getting 4K?
• Best type of lamp (LED, Laser, Halide, etc.)?
• Input lag: what should this be?

Anything else you may have that helps will be greatly appreciated. I am just now studying on the technical aspects but am ready to purchase.

Thanks!

[3on3putt]

Have you gone down the projector central rabbit hole yet? Always the first place to turn.

Check out the Optoma GT 1080HDR or the 1080 Darbee. Both are popular in the golf sim world and both will give you what you need for under a grand. 16x9 image from 8 feet. They do require the lens to be positioned 17 inches above the image, which will get it safely out of the way. How high is your ceiling?

https://www.projectorcentral.com/Opt...ro.htm?id_=150

https://www.projectorcentral.com/Opt...ulator-pro.htm

[prose53]

Yes, been on their site and even asked for quotes and was told the BenQ TH761ST wouldn't work for the 16' wide screen.

My ceiling is 14' but the EYE XO goes 3.5' in front of the golfer at 10' so it seems like I would have to install the projector at about 9.5' high. I need to make some additional measurements with my club in hand and see how high my swing arc gets.

I will check the ones you suggested and appreciate your help.

[3on3putt]

Yes, been on their site and even asked for quotes and was told the BenQ TH761ST wouldn't work for the 16' wide screen.

My ceiling is 14' but the EYE XO goes 3.5' in front of the golfer at 10' so it seems like I would have to install the projector at about 9.5' high. I need to make some additional measurements with my club in hand and see how high my swing arc gets.

I will check the ones you suggested and appreciate your help.

I assume you mean the BenQ 671 as I did not see a 761 listed. It will fill your screen, but only if mounted from 12 feet away (which will likely cause shadow issues).

With a 14 foot ceiling you have nothing to worry about. I'm not too familiar with the EYE XO .... can the projector be mounted above it? (at a different distance that is, like closer to you but higher than 10 feet). Or can the projector go in front of the EYE XO (closer to the screen?

As far as some of your other questions....

-- the more lumens the better, but it depends a lot on your lighting. 3k is okay if you're in a totally dark room where the light of the projector is the only light.

-- a lot of debate about whether 4k is worth it. A golf impact screen does not afford the same type of image that a regular movie screen does, so you'll never truly get a 4k resolution anyway. "Worth it" is always relative to your budget.

-- most quality projectors have zoom and keystone correction. Nice to have if needed, but ultimately you should mount it in a spot where none of this is needed.

Personally, I would use projector central for your research but do your shopping on your own. Find a couple projectors on there that meet all of your specs and then just do a google search for those models and see what's out there for sale.

[JKCapeCod]

I have a QED 16x10 screen with a Optoma 1080 Darbee running 16x9, .5 throw ratio. Overall a decent projector.

My regrets.
1. The room is almost always used for the simulator (not movies) and wished I went with a projector with a16x10 aspect ratio. Works better for SIM play and would fill the screen.
2. 4,000 plus lumens would be nice.
Waiting on a $2-3K projector that would meet this spec.


Best of luck, you will love the Uneekor.

[3on3putt]

While I'm at it, I'll also throw my projector into the hat. InFocus IN138HDST. 16x9 image at 8 feet away with 4,000 lumens and really loud speakers. I got it brand new for around $900.

https://www.projectorcentral.com/InF...ulator-pro.htm

[bm11]

I have a QED 16x10 screen with a Optoma 1080 Darbee running 16x9, .5 throw ratio. Overall a decent projector.

My regrets.
1. The room is almost always used for the simulator (not movies) and wished I went with a projector with a16x10 aspect ratio. Works better for SIM play and would fill the screen.
2. 4,000 plus lumens would be nice.
Waiting on a $2-3K projector that would meet this spec.


Best of luck, you will love the Uneekor.

Optoma WU515TST. WUXGA 1920x1200 (16:10) with 5500 lumens for $2699.

[JKCapeCod]

I wish the throw ratio was .5 not .79, I am restricted by a beam on how far I can place the projector from the screen.
This would be a great upgrade at .5 TR

[Stetson]

I plan on getting the Optoma GT1090HDR

[linkkingx]

I was pretty much settled on the BenQ th671st myself until I saw the thread about the Optoma GT1090HDR. I think if you can figure out the placement it seems to be a great option for the price. The benefits are mainly that it is a laser projector and has 4200 lumens. Theoretically the laser should last much longer than a bulb and won't fade as it ages. The only downside I can see is that the optoma doesn't have zoom so you have to be precise with the placement. My dimensions are similar to yours and I figure it will have to be mounted around 7' from the screen. My hitting area is planned to be 10' so it makes me a little uncomfortable that it will be in front, but I might push the hitting spot to 9' to minimize any risk. The BenQ would be mounted at around 11', so pretty much right over the hitting area. You shouldn't have an issue with shadows on either.

[JKCapeCod]

The GT1090 looks interesting, I have no issues with my current Optoma 7 feet from the screen. If you decide on this model I would love to hear feedback. Thanks

[prose53]

Thanks to each of you for your feedback. Lots of good info and I will be doing more studying based on this info this weekend. This morning hanging the screen then try to finalize this projector issue

[jasonreg]

I wont repeat the post but there is a lot of discussion in a few other threads related to the 1090HDR vs other options. I second the comment by JKCapeCod - 16:10 ratio seems to really fill the screen nicely vs 16:9. YMMV. Another plug as well for using Projector Central resources. Lots of info there if you take the time to dig.

[prose53]

Have you gone down the projector central rabbit hole yet? Always the first place to turn.

Check out the Optoma GT 1080HDR or the 1080 Darbee. Both are popular in the golf sim world and both will give you what you need for under a grand. 16x9 image from 8 feet. They do require the lens to be positioned 17 inches above the image, which will get it safely out of the way. How high is your ceiling?

https://www.projectorcentral.com/Opt...ro.htm?id_=150

https://www.projectorcentral.com/Opt...ulator-pro.htm

14' on the ceiling but projector will need to be at 9.5' as the sensor/camera is at 10'.

[prose53]

I wont repeat the post but there is a lot of discussion in a few other threads related to the 1090HDR vs other options. I second the comment by JKCapeCod - 16:10 ratio seems to really fill the screen nicely vs 16:9. YMMV. Another plug as well for using Projector Central resources. Lots of info there if you take the time to dig.

Been digging on the site and talking to several vendors. I am being told that if I want to use the lower end priced projectors that they will work but needs to be pretty dark in the room. I can do that but would like more flexibility in the lighting. I am being led to projectors with 5k and + lumens. The foot lamberts calculates to be too low for the less expensive projectors. I prefer to put my projector behind the golfer which would be at around 13'-14' as the Uneekor sensors/cameras is installed at 3.5' in front of the golfer at a max of 10' high.

[3on3putt]

Been digging on the site and talking to several vendors. I am being told that if I want to use the lower end priced projectors that they will work but needs to be pretty dark in the room. I can do that but would like more flexibility in the lighting. I am being led to projectors with 5k and + lumens. The foot lamberts calculates to be too low for the less expensive projectors. I prefer to put my projector behind the golfer which would be at around 13'-14' as the Uneekor sensors/cameras is installed at 3.5' in front of the golfer at a max of 10' high.

If you place the projector behind you, you run the risk of having your shadow on your screen. And you can have the best image possible but if you can't see it because your shadow is blocking the screen then it's pretty worthless IMO. Now, you do have some really high ceilings to work with. So you can probably get away with putting one behind you and installing it really high up. But then again, it sounds like the unit sensor will be in the way of anything higher than 9.5 feet? How are other Uneekor users doing it with their projectors? How low does the unit hang down from the ceiling?