What's the best current 1080p short throw projector?

[mshockey22]

I'm setting up my simulator now and deciding on a projector. Should be set about 8' - 10' from the screen. I'm planning to use a 14 x 10 screen. Projector will be on the ground in front of the hitter in a cover. There will be a fair amount of light in the room due to several windows (40 x 60 home shop). I plan to have 5' black fabric sides and ceilings around the screen to help control the balls and darken the screen area. We will also be using this setup as a theater setup. Here's the choices I'm looking at but am also open to others:

BenQ MX819ST - This one isn't full 1080p but was recommended to me. Not Sure if anyone has experience with it. It's not for me due to no 1080p

Benq 1085ST - Has everything I'd like to have, but I'm worried about the lumens being bright enough at only 2200. Lens has manual focus which is a nice feature.

Optoma EH415ST - Highest lumens but lower resolution than the EH200ST. This one is out for me due to the lower image size. It needs to sit 5' from the screen and produces a much smaller image to get the numbers Optoma reports.

Optoma EH200ST - Seems to have everything I want, but I'm having trouble finding anyone who has used it as a sim projector. Anyone used one?

Optoma GT1080 - This is a common one chosen by many people but came out in 2014 and is a little older than some of the others. It also has everything, but again, some people report that it looks washed out compared to the Benq when compared in dark lighting conditions. Also, people have said that Optoma pads their brightness stats a bit. I'm not sure if there's a reason to go with this one over the 200ST which has higher lumens anyhow.

Acer H6517ST and H7550ST - Both are similar and have everything I would want, but both have been reported to show rainbow effects that are visible to some people. The 7550 is the better of the 2. The 7550 also has a lens with manual focus

Currently, I'm planning to get the Benq 1085ST and see if it's bright enough in my space. If not, I will return it and maybe try the H7550ST or EH200ST. Any other thoughts from people who have tried these? If nothing else, I hope this info helps someone else make their decision. I've been researching these for a couple weeks now and haven't found a comparison of all the newer ones.

[penrose]

Did you make the box for the projector or are you buying from a site. I am also looking at this type of setup.

[mthunt]

Some of those won't project 14 wide from 8-10 feet. Narrow your search starting there.

[p3eps]

I got a new Benq TH682ST a couple of weeks ago. It seems to have a good balance... 1080p, 3000 lumens and short throw - all at a decent price. It also has a small optical zoom, which made it much easier to set up than my previous Optoma GT760.

The good news was that I sold my Optoma for almost what I paid for it on eBay!

[mshockey22]

Some of those won't project 14 wide from 8-10 feet. Narrow your search starting there.

That's a very good point. I've looked into the systems a little closer now. The 1085st would have to be at about 11' in order to project a 14' wide image. The EH200ST looks like it could work from 8'.

[mshockey22]

I got a new Benq TH682ST a couple of weeks ago. It seems to have a good balance... 1080p, 3000 lumens and short throw - all at a decent price. It also has a small optical zoom, which made it much easier to set up than my previous Optoma GT760.

The good news was that I sold my Optoma for almost what I paid for it on eBay!

Wow! How have I not come across that one yet? That really does look like the best option. All of the benefits of the 1085st but with higher lumens. I'm having some trouble finding one for sale. Where and when did you get yours?

[Godfather]

I got a new Benq TH682ST a couple of weeks ago. It seems to have a good balance... 1080p, 3000 lumens and short throw - all at a decent price. It also has a small optical zoom, which made it much easier to set up than my previous Optoma GT760.

The good news was that I sold my Optoma for almost what I paid for it on eBay!

How does the brightness compare to the GT760?

[p3eps]

Ah - it appears the US and UK have different models.

I would honestly say the brightness of the Benq is actually better than the Optoma. Although it's a couple of hundred lumens less, it looks brighter to me. Perhaps it's also due to the fact I've changed from an archery weave screen to a Par2Pro HQ screen.

I use SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) lights in my garage to give the room a bright natural looking light. The Benq looks pretty good and strong even with the lights on. The Optoma looked a bit washed out.

[mshockey22]

Ah - it appears the US and UK have different models.

I would honestly say the brightness of the Benq is actually better than the Optoma. Although it's a couple of hundred lumens less, it looks brighter to me. Perhaps it's also due to the fact I've changed from an archery weave screen to a Par2Pro HQ screen.

I use SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) lights in my garage to give the room a bright natural looking light. The Benq looks pretty good and strong even with the lights on. The Optoma looked a bit washed out.

How far away did yo uplace the projector and what size of image are you using? I'm leaning towards ordering the TH682ST but since it will be coming from overseas, there won't be an option to return it if it doesn't work out. Also, projectorcentral doesn't have it in their database. So, I currently don't have any way to measure its throw distance and size. Any info would be great!

[mshockey22]

Did you make the box for the projector or are you buying from a site. I am also looking at this type of setup.

I've looked into making one, but I found some good ones online. I'll most likely get mine from golfsimulatorsite.com. It looks like a good option with a turf top, plexiglass window, and cooling fans for about $300.

[mshockey22]

I now have some new options. We're now adding a 15'W x 10'H x 10'L enclosure. I have the option to put the projector at 7' on the floor in front of the hitter inside a custom built cover. I also have the option to mount the projector at 10' and attach it to the enclosure bar above the hitter (so, about 9' off the ground). I'd like to stay around $1000, but budget is flexible for a good unit. Here are the new options I've come up with:

At 10' mounted to bar:
Acer H7550ST - Seems to have everything
BENQ 1085ST - Lower lumens at 2200. Also, contrast is only 10,000. I've heard the BENQ projectors look better than the Optomas despite lower stats.

At 7' on floor with cover:
Acer H6517ST - Lower contrast at 10,000
Optoma EH200ST - Seems to have everything, but haven't found anyone who's used one for this.
Optoma GT1080 - A little older model but looks good. Also, lumens are at 2800

Lumens may not matter too much as I'm using a full enclosure that should keep out the light. I'm looking at buying everything from golfsimulatorsite (screen, mats, frame, netting, blackout panels, etc). They've been super helpful and very responsive to my questions so far.

[penrose]

I've looked into making one, but I found some good ones online. I'll most likely get mine from golfsimulatorsite.com. It looks like a good option with a turf top, plexiglass window, and cooling fans for about $300.

http://www.allsportsystems.com/store....php#listing_2 I went with this one. Took the 1080 HD 2800 .. I can go 6 feet away from screen for 12x8 16:9

[Scottfer]

I got the Optima W316ST, 14ft wide from about 9ft

[Ookie]

I did BenQ 1085ST. Very impressed so far. Great price from Wal-Mart (? WTF?) online of all places. Delivered in one day as well.

[goodmatt78]

Don't let Lumens fool you. I am pretty sure that value is taken with a pure white image or something. I had the Optoma and the BenQ 1085ST and side by side there was no comparison and the BenQ was significantly brighter and a MUCH better image. It was well worth the couple hundred extra dollars for the BenQ.

I am throwing a 12ft image on the Par2Pro HQ screen with the BenQ and it looks great with the lights completely ON. I often even forget to dim them.