Benq LK936ST not worth the hype.

[Pickled]

Well I figured that strikes a cord to many but here’s my honest opinion. I’m also aware that I may come across like a pompous ass but I’m hoping to save others money.

mid you have a lower end projector, this review is not for you.

Let me preface my admittedly terrible review by saying I’m a theater nut. 100% video and audiophile. I’m running a 30k laser projector in my theater and I’m always looking for “the best”. In a theater that’s paramount and I couldn’t be happier with the decisions I have made. In a golf sim, I my golf sim, I have 1 regret.

For my sim, I had a Panasonic PT-VMZ50U which is a very good projector. However, i suffer from a syndrome that many call FOMO “fear of missing out”. I’m not sure if it’s actually a thing, but apparently it can be. Budget isn’t a great concern and I decided to upgrade my golf sim projector to the top of the line BenQ.

The good:
im able to move my projo closer to the screen. Approximated 21 inches which is the reason I bought it and the reason why I’m glad I did. My Panasonic was sitting in my bar area and I hated how it looked in the room.

the bad:
my picture quality improvement is VERY minimal and definitely not enough to justify the upgrade. I also prefer user settings over the golf setting. Golf setting seemed to dark for my liking.

In my environment and having ADD about esthetics, I’m happy I am closer to the screen and would buy it again for that reason alone. However the picture quality improvement is underwhelming.

is the picture subtlety crisper… yes it is a bit but to anyone who has played my sim in the past, they have not noticed a difference. I went from 1080p to 4k and it’s not noticeable to my guests that have frequented my bar.

I have watched many YouTube reviews of the Benq and that’s what got me convinced to make the leap. Granted, my Panasonic is a great projector and I’m not comparing a low end to a high end. So take that into consideration.

if your running a dual purpose sim and use it as a movie theater (with a proper movie screen) your movie experience will be much better with 4k. If you not, then don’t upgrade.

This is just a PSA announcement to everyone considering spending an extra couple thousand on the latest and greatest. I know it’s a small group but it is what it is.

bottom line….

is the Benq better than budget friendly projectors? YES! But if you have the space to mount a bit further back, I would save a couple grand and and pick up a Panasonic, Optima or something along those lines.

[digger]

I have been looking at projectors and was under the assumption that the 936ST was the Holy Grail. It's more expensive than I really like anyway so maybe it's a moot point. What I want to ask about is your experience with the Panasonic. I have looked at that one as well as the Benq LU710 as possible long throw projectors on the shorter side. Another thing I like about the LU710 is its 16:10. Was shadowing a problem? Aside from cosmetics is there any other benefits to a shorter throw if I have the room? Another projector that I find interesting is the Benq 935ST which looks like a scaled down version of the 936 but higher priced than the LU710.

[preludesam]

I’m not sure if this is true but remembering going through this process on Projector Central where the closer the projector was to the screen the better the perceived lumen count or “brightness”

[Pickled]

I really expected the increased lumens and laser projection to be a 30% experience. But I don’t see it.

936st is the holy grail and I believe that in a completely dark room and a theater grade screen, it would really show its differences. I have a golf setting in my lighting and it turns my bar pots to 25% and turns the sim lights pretty much off. Much darker than many setups I have seen. The improvement just isn’t there.

I hit 11’ feet from the screen and when the Panasonic was up, never had a shadow issue. I have a 6’3” golfer in our group and we have never had a shadow issue.

as for actual brightness and distance. You can do a complete comparison on Projector central. The Panasonic was said to be bright by 8fl even at a further distance.

[Speedyidol]

Hi
What about going from 1080p to 4k, that must have been a huge upgrade if you compare pixels and details on the golf course?

[Pjd0808]

I completely agree with this. The “upgrade” over my previous projector is minimal. The detail is a bit better from 1080p to 4K, but nowhere near enough to justify the price. In complete darkness, it looks very nice. But when I have friends over, we need ambient light. I would imagine that goes for anyone using a simulator. It’s creepy otherwise! Also, mine occasionally turns off. Shop Indoor Golf, in their typical spirit, basically blew me off when I asked about potential problems that could cause the projector to stop projecting on some courses. All in all, this is an overrated projector, in my opinion

[GullLakeMi]

Have you tested multiple image sources (4k video vs. golf software)? What golf software you running? TGC, unmentionable? I couldn't tell from picture attached, which also means I don't have that one.

[bionicboogerboy]

Pickeled

Thanks for the info. Optoma is carrying a more budget friendly 4k. And I can definitely tell a difference between a laser 1080 and Optoma’s 4K. Maybe a middle of the road Optoma 4K is the answer for most.

Picketed, do you use an ALR (ambient light rejecting) projector screen for your home theater? I’m in the sim business and I’m having a prototype screen run of 50 meters of ALR color screen done in the preferred air mesh fabric. Would this be something you would be interested in since you have a small amount of ambient light? For those who have no ambient light in their sim room, an ALR screen wouldn’t benefit them at all. I think most sim users have at least a minimal amount of ambient light and could possibly benefit from an ALR type screen. Below is a photo of a standard projector screen vs an ALR projector screen.

Since you are an home theater enthusiast, I would like to hear your thoughts.

[drsagacity]

I am definitely interested in this type of screen. I will PM you.

[schrambow]

I really expected the increased lumens and laser projection to be a 30% experience. But I don’t see it.

936st is the holy grail and I believe that in a completely dark room and a theater grade screen, it would really show its differences. I have a golf setting in my lighting and it turns my bar pots to 25% and turns the sim lights pretty much off. Much darker than many setups I have seen. The improvement just isn’t there.

I hit 11’ feet from the screen and when the Panasonic was up, never had a shadow issue. I have a 6’3” golfer in our group and we have never had a shadow issue.

as for actual brightness and distance. You can do a complete comparison on Projector central. The Panasonic was said to be bright by 8fl even at a further distance.

HI, i have panasonic VZ580 WUXGA, and thinking of spending some money on a upgraded projector like the LK936ST, But reading your experience here, might not be the smart thing to do here?

[drsagacity]

I just ordered mine and it will be here next wee. I will shoot some before and after pictures.

[drsagacity]

I just ordered mine and it will be here next week. I will shoot some before and after pictures.

I got the projector today. I didn’t have time to get everything setup, but it’s amazing! Compared to the Optoma projector I had, this is going to be a game changer.

[qlxpfive]

Pickled - I appreciate your assessment here and, based on your comments, suspect we are of similar mind on these issues.

drsagacity - I look forward to your assessment.

I don't expect cinema quality, primarily due to the characteristics of the screen and the beating that it takes. As you can see from the image, I'm currently not using my full screen, primarily due to the temporary placement of my current projector (BenQ LH710). It is sitting on a shelf and was put in place to quickly make the sim functional while I sorted out details. Once I sort out a mounting option (too high ceilings), I'd like to shift to a short throw projector to, hopefully, achieve better brightness and picture clarity, with less shadowing (currently none, with the wider picture).

I was naturally leaning towards the 936ST, but should I consider something else? I don't mind spending the money if it is worth it, but should I just get the TK700ST to get moved to 4k, since the golf screen isn't really going to be able to shine? I saw Carl's comparison and the brightness difference didn't impress.

I appreciate it!

[drsagacity]

Pickled - I appreciate your assessment here and, based on your comments, suspect we are of similar mind on these issues.

drsagacity - I look forward to your assessment.

I don't expect cinema quality, primarily due to the characteristics of the screen and the beating that it takes. As you can see from the image, I'm currently not using my full screen, primarily due to the temporary placement of my current projector (BenQ LH710). It is sitting on a shelf and was put in place to quickly make the sim functional while I sorted out details. Once I sort out a mounting option (too high ceilings), I'd like to shift to a short throw projector to, hopefully, achieve better brightness and picture clarity, with less shadowing (currently none, with the wider picture).

I was naturally leaning towards the 936ST, but should I consider something else? I don't mind spending the money if it is worth it, but should I just get the TK700ST to get moved to 4k, since the golf screen isn't really going to be able to shine? I saw Carl's comparison and the brightness difference didn't impress.

I appreciate it!

I have more testing today and now I pulled my enclosure apart so that I could find a way to really tighten the screen and remove all waves. The picture was amazing…real game changer for my setup. My Optoma projector was about 3 years old. It’s such a great upgrade…I can’t wait to play and practice through the winter with this setup. I will get pictures when I am done. TGC2019 set at 4k was so much nicer. That being said, the brightness from the LK936ST is also much stronger than the projector I had (Optima EH200ST).

[pwade3]

So what ever happened to the before and after pictures you were going to post?