Projectors for Golf Simulators 101

[Maverick]

Great site to compare projectors and check throw distances.

https://Www.projectorcentral.com

[Joko]

Off topic, I would like to add, not recommended to drop a projector from 10' onto a concrete floor. Oh how that stung.

[Dax]

Ouch

I always feared that when putting up mine.

[mthunt]

Ouch. I was so careful of that.

[Csarran]

Anyone have any thoughts or experience about this projector? I am new to this so not sure what all will work best. Distance will be about 9-10 feet from impact screen.

http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-PJD7822HDL-1080p-Theater-Projector/dp/B00BBM4A52/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1446144806&sr=8-11&keywords=short+throw+projector+1080p&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011

[Eshmetro]

At a 9' distance from screen your image size would be 3' 10" high by 6' 11" wide with a brightness of 110FL. It looks like it should work from that distance if this image size would be acceptable for your specific setup. I was going to recommend the Acer P5515 as that was the one I purchased; ut it looks like you got a better deal here.

[joeycalda]

This seems like a perfect fit for my room. Has anyone used this projector?BenQ-HT 1085 Short Throw 2200 lumens. I wanted at least 3000 lumens with a 9.6 wide screen.

http://www.staples.ca/en/BenQ-HT1085ST-Full-HD-DLP-Short-Throw-Projector/product_1419292_2-CA_1_20001?cid=CSE:SBD:SHOPBOT:1419292

[Mike80]

I just posted this in another thread, but saw this thread about projectors. So here's the info I posted:

Definitely get something with high lumens! My projector is 3200 lumens and has a great picture with having light still in the room. I don't like to have to golf in the dark.

I have the Optoma GT760A. It's only 720P but is very bright and has a great picture!!! Great projector for great price.

Optoma GT760A Full 3D 720p 3200 Lumen Short Throw DLP Gaming Projector with HDMI (1280x720 res) $498

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Optoma-GT760...YAAOSwI-BWN-6l


If I were to buy a different projector for still a good price, I would go with:
Optoma W306ST SHORT THROW DLP Full 3D Projector 3500 Lumens WXGA HDMI 15,000:1 (1920x1280 res) $659

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Optoma-W306S...cAAOSwPYZU8Kio

Both are great projectors for a great price. The 2nd one above is 1080 instead of 720, so it will have a better resolution.

[aja]

The first projector's native resolution is 1280 x 720, see: http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-GT760.htm

The second is definitely not 1080, it is 1280 x 800, see: http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-W306ST.htm

I own the companion model to the Optoma W306ST (which is a WXGA format), the Optoma X306ST, which is XGA format, or 1024 x 768 (4:3). It performs quite well in my ProTee sim room.

Probably worth your while to look up any projector that you are interested in on the projectorcentral.com website.

[etsharold]

I formally opened an indoor center with ten simulators and successfully used Epson projectors model EX5200 ceiling mounted. Both clarity and brightness was excellent. They were used in conjunction with Full Swing and GC2-T units. I still have 5 projectors for sale plus really good screens for golf if anyone is interested they can contact me.

[drcabral]

Foresight uses Panasonic PT-VX605NU Projector for their home installs. It is very bright and has horizontal shift along with vertical shift. Only downside is that you may have shadowing depending on room size because it is not short throw and it is not HD. Does any have experience using this projector or how it compares to others out there? Wonder if they selected it because it is superior to others at this price point ~$1200-1500

[ks-man]

Foresight uses Panasonic PT-VX605NU Projector for their home installs. It is very bright and has horizontal shift along with vertical shift. Only downside is that you may have shadowing depending on room size because it is not short throw and it is not HD. Does any have experience using this projector or how it compares to others out there? Wonder if they selected it because it is superior to others at this price point ~$1200-1500

Tomorrow I should have the Panasonic PT-VZ570U up and running and can let you know how that one is. It isn't quite as bright 4500 lumens compared to 5500 of the Panasonic 605 but is WUXGA so it has a 1920x1200 resolution. The VZ570 is probably a little more expensive due to the higher resolution.

[Sascha1818]

Guys I'm looking for a "long throw" (15 ' distance to 10' wide screen) for my sim room. Ideal would be one which will work for my living room as well. Currently I have a 10 year old, no HDMI, projector in my living room. It did it's job and is ready for retirement lol. I was looking at Epson EB-U04 which has a better resolution (full HD) and 3000 lumen but no 3d, or a Epson EH-TW6600 Which has 3d but only 2500 lumen also full hd. What do you guys think ?

[goatbarn]

You want 3d?

[Sascha1818]

If I can use it for sim (full HD no 3D) as well as movies( Full HD 3D) , yes that would be ideal

[SIm]

The last of my build is finding the right projector. This is has not been an easy task.
I have the Protee with putting sensor. My tee is exactly 10'6" from the screen. My enclosure overhead tapers from 10'7" above sensor to 10' at the screen. I have enough room to go back to a 20' throw distance and have been looking for something to project at 16:10 onto a 13'6" wide screen in HD at around 12'. I could go between sensor lights as long as it doesn't interfere with the vertical cam and could also go back as far as 20' as long as there is no shadowing. I would like to keep my expense under 2k or close to that as I am now in a pinch. Anyone know if there is a considerable difference between 1920x1200 and 1280x800? I am truly exhausted with this search and have come here to ask for your help. I am in rural Pa and my 9 year old daughter plays at the Copperhead classic at Innisbrook in a month. I need to get this running by this weekend. Please, please help me. Yes I have spent hours and hours on projector central and it has not been my friend. 16:10 in hd and the right throw distance with the right lumens and the right contrast etc. is like a needle in a haystack.
Thank you all very much