Help with picking a projector

[Dtruitt2@yahoo.com]

It sounds like the BenQ is best for my budget and space. I will probably go with that option.
Thank you all for your help, it’s greatly appreciated!

[Dtruitt2@yahoo.com]

Is this the 570 you are referring to?
Panasonic WUXGA Full HD Projector PT-VZ575N 4800 Lumen 4600

[3on3putt]

I think the throw distances of those will be a bit too long for his setup, especially with only 10 foot ceilings.

[3on3putt]

Wow, you guys are great. Thanks!
Screen to back wall is 16.5’
Screen to ball is 9-10’
Screen is 12x9
Ceiling is 10’
Yes, I now believe I was told the wrong information so I’m super happy I double checked before I just purchased something and was unhappy!
To be clear, I am not opposed to having the projector (in front on the ground, or behind on the ceiling) whatever works best.
My budget is $1000 but could stretch to $1500 if it makes a big difference. I’d also be ok with a used unit.

Also I’m considering E6 Connect or TGC. My buddies have E6 but the price is making me consider TGC. Is it possible to purchase used software from someone? Not sure if that’s even possible.

9 foot screen with a 10 foot ceiling, so you'll have to consider the vertical offset of any projector you buy. Vertical offset is the distance from the top of the image to the middle of the lens (for a ceiling mount) or the bottom of the image to the middle of the lens (for a floor mount).

For your hitting distance and screen width, your throw ratio will be in the neighborhood of 0.6 to 1.0. With only 10 foot ceilings, you probably don't want anything too close to the screen (golf balls, follow throughs) or too far behind you (shadows). Mounting directly over the ball or pretty close to it is always safe.

What's your lighting situation? Lumens is less important if you have the ability to totally black out the room. Brightness is relative to room light, so the 5,000 lumens you spoke of earlier may not be totally necessary if you have ample control over the lighting.

At a $1,500 budget, you're probably looking at 1920x1080 projectors.

The BenQ I linked to earlier is used quite a bit for golf sims and a number of people here have it. For your screen size it would mount 12 feet away and fill the screen in 4:3 (giving you a 1440x1080 resolution). It only has 3 inches of vertical offset, which would work well for your space. Best part is its under $700 new.

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

A lot of BenQ projectors have short vertical offsets, so you could browse their selection and see the throw distance for each. This one for example would also work for you =

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

Optomas for the most part tend to have longer vertical offsets which would make it a little tougher for you. The one I linked to earlier requires 16 inches for your space, which obviously doesn't work when you only have 12 inches to work with (screen to ceiling).

As far as E6 or TGC ... TGC offers better graphics, more courses, and a bigger online community for less cost. In your case, E6 might make sense if you figure you probably want to play with your friends who have E6. But aside from that, I think you would have a hard time making a case for E6. Just my two cents. You do occasionally see people selling their TGC license that you can buy for slightly less than what you would pay new. So yes it's possible. But those offers don't come by too often.

[Dax]

The software does come up second hand every once and a while. For the cost of TGC license though I would just go and buy new as there is a transfer fee that you need to consider. Bouxy was selling an e6 for TrackMan license and could still be trying to sell it. It was listed on this site. I know the TM license might not work for you, but I would contact e6 and see what they would charge you to switch the license and hardware platform.

[Dax]

Also, I think the Panasonic has a better lens shift option than the Eiki (might want to check this), but this may allow you to have greater flexibility on set up.

[Dax]

I believe the ones I suggested can be found within this price range. The 570, has been replaced with another more expensive option now I believe, but you might be able to locate one.

[GarnetGolf]

One thing I’m not sure of is the effect of sensor cropping on total light output. I assume that when cropping, the effective light output is reduced. It’s kind of a moot point as a widescreen projector is the way to go.

[Dtruitt2@yahoo.com]

If I were to go up to $1500 what would you recommend?

[3on3putt]

Lol no worries I see where you're coming from. To me, resolution is really the focal point because a 1440x1080 (4:3) resolution is a far better image than a 1280x800 (16:10). You are correct about 1600x1200 natives being limited in selection (which is a shame because I think they would sell like hot cakes in the sim world).

[GarnetGolf]

Wow, you guys are great. Thanks!
Screen to back wall is 16.5’
Screen to ball is 9-10’
Screen is 12x9
Ceiling is 10’
Yes, I now believe I was told the wrong information so I’m super happy I double checked before I just purchased something and was unhappy!
To be clear, I am not opposed to having the projector (in front on the ground, or behind on the ceiling) whatever works best.
My budget is $1000 but could stretch to $1500 if it makes a big difference. I’d also be ok with a used unit.

Also I’m considering E6 Connect or TGC. My buddies have E6 but the price is making me consider TGC. Is it possible to purchase used software from someone? Not sure if that’s even possible.

For $1000, I think you’ll need to make some sacrifices in the brightness and use a 1080p short throw projector: the Benq and Optoma are recommended frequently.

[GarnetGolf]

A projector that is 1600x1200 native (4:3) projects a 1600x1200 image in 4:3.

A projector that is 1920x1200 (16:10) projects a 1600x1200 image in 4:3. It's the same.

16:10 is irrelevant because he has a 4:3 screen. So whether his 4:3 image is coming from a projector that is 4:3 native or 16:10 native doesn't matter. He's still looking at 1600x1200 or 1440x1080 no matter what the original source is.

UXGA projectors effectively don’t exist so that’s not a great example. There are a few SXGA projectors but the vast majority of 4:3 native are XGA. So he may have received the advice to not buy a 4:3 projector because the resolution would be lower than that of a widescreen projector. In general, for someone that may not be that knowledgeable on the subject, it is good advice.

EDIT to say that you obviously are knowledgeable about these things and you advice is surely appreciated. I’m probably coming off as argumentative but it is the internet after all

[Dtruitt2@yahoo.com]

Wow, you guys are great. Thanks!
Screen to back wall is 16.5’
Screen to ball is 9-10’
Screen is 12x9
Ceiling is 10’
Yes, I now believe I was told the wrong information so I’m super happy I double checked before I just purchased something and was unhappy!
To be clear, I am not opposed to having the projector (in front on the ground, or behind on the ceiling) whatever works best.
My budget is $1000 but could stretch to $1500 if it makes a big difference. I’d also be ok with a used unit.

Also I’m considering E6 Connect or TGC. My buddies have E6 but the price is making me consider TGC. Is it possible to purchase used software from someone? Not sure if that’s even possible.

[3on3putt]

OP is talking about 4:3 native projectors which in general will have a lower resolution than running a widescreen projector with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Looking into 16:10 projectors buys you another 120 vertical pixels (compared to a 16x9 1080p) which may or may not be that noticeable. I don't think he is working off of bad information; just is admittedly overwhelmed with the options/features.

A projector that is 1600x1200 native (4:3) projects a 1600x1200 image in 4:3.

A projector that is 1920x1200 (16:10) projects a 1600x1200 image in 4:3. It's the same.

16:10 is irrelevant because he has a 4:3 screen. So whether his 4:3 image is coming from a projector that is 4:3 native or 16:10 native doesn't matter. He's still looking at 1600x1200 or 1440x1080 no matter what the original source is.

[GarnetGolf]

Where are you reading that 4:3 doesn't give a good picture?

OP is talking about 4:3 native projectors which in general will have a lower resolution than running a widescreen projector with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Looking into 16:10 projectors buys you another 120 vertical pixels (compared to a 16x9 1080p) which may or may not be that noticeable. I don't think he is working off of bad information; just is admittedly overwhelmed with the options/features.