Potential garage build

[CW35]

Hi everyone!

I'm a new member here although I have been lurking around for a bit. A friend of mine turned me onto this site due to the enormous wealth of knowledge on everything golf simulators. Quick history, I've been playing on that same friends golf simulator for the past 3 years. So, I've had the chance to experience a lot of the different pieces and offerings for each part of the simulator. He has a garage setup using the GC2 running FSX/TGC/E6 with an overhead projector powered by its own desktop. He's using a CCE mat and has inserts that include divot action and fiber built.

Now for me, I'm in MN and NEED one for myself however there are some limitations. The only option that is financially reasonable is a garage setup. Although, I don't have the "ideal" room specs for one. I would be using my 3rd stall garage space. My length (19') and height (10' 8") are doable but it's the width that I'm concerned about. I have a bulkhead that comes out from the back wall which essentially covers the 2 other stalls. It basically leaves me 7'8" in width from the left wall to the start of the bulkhead. The bulkhead measures out 5'10" from the back wall and 3' down from the ceiling. I will try to post a pic if that doesn't make sense.

I'm RH and understand this would only allow the one side which would also include a offset setup. Both of these are perfectly fine. I would like to run the same setup as my friend with the GC2 and overhead projector.

Now I'm looking for your advise, expertise, etc. Do you think this is possible with the limited width? Can I get a custom made screen for that width? Is there something I'm not considering that could sink my plans?

I would love for this to happen and have received the go ahead from the wife if I can make it work!

Thanks for reading and an advanced thank you for the help

[FirGir]

Hey CW,
Yeah, a bit hard to visualize and a couple pics would help. Best thing you can do is get out there with your least favorite driver and lob wedge and swing them around and see what it takes to clear the wall behind you (driver), and to also confirm projector position is/isn’t dictated by those two very different swings (driver/lob wedge). Things get even more narrow for taller players, so if that’s you or a friend you plan to have over, it’s a consideration. Although I’m not sure I’d do it, can you “cheat” a bit and have the ball positioned a few inches under the bulkhead and then your backswing clears it?

I can't quite tell if the width will also be 7'8" at the screen but, if so, the maximum height of your image in 4:3 will be 5' 9" and that assumes the screen will touch on both sidewalls.

I built my sim in the tandem portion of my garage and have about 9 feet 8 inches in width. I’m six feet tall and it’s tight. I’m offset by about four inches and could probably still survive if it was offset another ten inches or so.

You might need to heat your garage if it’s not already.

I don’t know anything about GC2 and where the equipment goes. Have fun!

[CW35]

Hi FirGir,

I figured as much, haha! Here is a pic of that garage stall. As you can see, I still need to remove all the storage and shelving. I will be building a small storage shed the backyard for that stuff. I've tried to take a swing or two but it's a little hard to tell with everything in there right now.

I'm only 5'9" and don't anticipate anyone really tall using it. As for cheating under the bulkhead, I don't think that would really work.

My plans do include a heater as well as reconfiguring the garage door system. I would like the garage door to raise up to the ceiling to get the rail system out of the way as well.

[FirGir]

Yeah, that looks familiar. The link below has a pic of the stuff in my tandem before moving it out. If you haven't already, type "garage" in the search bar at the top and you'll find many great ideas. I'd get a cheap drop cloth or something and cut it to the dimensions of the projected image your space dictates and hang it up, just to get a visual. It's going to be super tight.

http://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/build-your-own/enclosures/84413-it’s-either-here-or-the-dining-room

[theizer]

Also keep in mind that the gc2 needs about 20" to your ball...in building in my garage 3rd stall as well. Not as tight as you, but I have about 10ft of width.

[CW35]

Thanks for the responses. I've been reading through as many of those garage related builds as I can. I just haven't seen any w/ the width constraints that I have. The location of the GC2 will not be an issue since that side is open the next garage stall. There will be enough space between the GC2 and the car parked in that stall.

I'm researching the projector options, image size, etc as well. I've used projectorpeople.com in the past on a theater build I had in the main house.

[bknoxville]

Welcome fellow Minnesotan,

If you cheated under the bulkhead, it looks like you could have a 10' W by 7.5' H 4:3 image.

Maybe a ceiling projector mounted left of center could allow filling the above dimensions with some keystoning and horizontal lens shift.

I talked with projectorpeople.com during my search and my contact there was a little 'luke warm' in their willingness to help with a sim projector. You can also check the projector database at http://www.projectorcentral.com/projectors.cfm

Once you narrow it down, order one (with return option) and see if it adequately fills the back wall (no screen necessary for projector test)

brian

[CW35]

Hi Brian,

Where in MN are you? I'm in the Brooklyn Park/Champlin area.

I guess I didn't consider only having the screen size at 7'5" H which would allow it to go under the bulkhead. Thanks for that idea. My initial thought is around the ceiling mounted projector. Would the projected image interfere w/ the netting above the screen that comes out from the screen? I would think I could play around w/ different projector mounts (how far the projector hangs down from the ceiling) if that were the case.

Another idea I have is potentially having the screen against the wall on the left in the picture I posted (which is the outside wall). I wouldn't have restrictions on screen size in that scenario, however, I would need to consider the rail system on both the 3rd stall and the main 2 stall garage door to see if they would interfere. Also, I would need to see where the stance mat would sit vs a car being parked in the middle stall. I would prefer to have the mat secured in place rather than having to move it each time.

So many ideas, issues, etc. Haha.

Thanks again!

[bknoxville]

Hey CW,

I live in the Lino Lakes area. I play mostly at muni courses in the north metro, Chomonix and Francis Gross (Mpls) are my current favs.

My understanding is that 7.5' height is the max you can get from a 10' width install

My install is a 10' wide enclosure and that is the max I can get from 4:3 aspect ratio. The HD aspects like 16:9 are shorter yet.

Most HD images are meant for 16:9.

As a newbie, I am just learning most of this also... There are many more knowledgeable people than me on the topic and if anything above needs correcting please feel free to do so.

brian

[CW35]

I know the Lino Lakes area well as I grew up in Hugo. Yeah, the projector stuff is new to me again. I did it 6-7 years ago but forgot it all, haha!

[wbond]

Project on the wall on the left. You will probably have to move the car and the mat when in use, but this gives you the best option. You could hit from about 9' from your garage door, which your back would be facing. This assumes you don't need the garage door in this bay ooperational, so remove the horizontal rails. I suggest changing the garage rails in the middle bay to the high lift type to get them close to the ceiling. This should give you plenty of space.

[CW35]

Hi wbond, thanks for the advice on switching the layout. That is going to be a way better option for me. I will need all 3 garage stalls to be operational. After spending some time in the garage last night, I know I will need to re-route the garage rails on the 3rd stall. At this point, I might be able to clear the rails for the main 2 stall garage door but will need to figure out the exact placement of the stance mat, etc to verify.