Sims -- Mid level new or high end used?

[Travis Poindexter]

In a commercial setting, would I be better off with a used 'luxury' type of unit, about golf, trugolf, etc. if the price is drastically reduced and I could self install, or would I be better of with a new mid tier model simulator? Looking for something fairly easy to get started on for new users. Any suggestions on best bang for the buck used or new I would appreciate. Not knowing how the business will do, I am attracted to a unit that might cost $5k that was new $50k 5 years ago but not sure if that is the best route to go not having a lot of knowledge on these units.

Looking for in order:

1. Good / Great Graphics on a wide screen, 14 ft or so.
2. Fairly easy to get started on a new game for a new user
3. Lower maintenance / easier upgrades
4. Fun for a group of players / multiplayer
5. Course variety
6. Good enough metrics / data that avid golfers will value

[WadeH]

The cheaper you can start your business the better off you will be. Its been a little while since I crunched #'s, but it takes YEARS to pay off $50K simulators even with a thriving business.

HD took awhile to catch on with golf simulators, so those that are true HD (1080p) are big $$$. The only exception being a ProTee simulator running The Golf Club software.

[Travis Poindexter]

I have seen some about golf sims $5k, Trugolf $10k-$20k. Just wondering if the updated software will be that much better. I wish I could go somewhere and test drive all the different sims but I don't have a clue where that would be. How much are the ProTee simulator TGC typically run for the hardware w/out install? I likely could install everything myself. I know that some places don't offer warranties unless they install. I have decided I don't want to go the $50K route. I don't know for a commercial setting if something like the skytrak with Jack Nicolas or the ProTee w/ TGC would be better than buying a 6 yr old About Golf sim like the one posted in the classifieds. Enough of the simulator startups go under that I probably can locate a really high end used one if I am willing to drive to pick it up. Any suggestions appreciated

[andygg1986]

Just a heads up. A couple months ago several about golf simulator harware pieces came up on ebay really cheap. I emailed a sales rep about what it would cost to get a computer with software to run them, and he said it was around $10k. If you buy a used one and the computer dies, you may be in a tough spot. You might be able to copy the hard drive right away and keep it as a backup.

As far as buying one in the classifieds (or any online really), make sure to do your due diligence before sending any money. Golf simulators seem to be a favorite item for scam artists due to their high costs. It seems like every week there are fake ebay listings for GC2's where they say to email them directly for a lower price. I would request a video of it working with the seller showing something like a newspaper in the video to prove that they have it in their possession and it is functional. Or better yet, drive to pick it up in person.

[Travis Poindexter]

Thanks for the feedback Andy.  I have been burned once on ebay on a large gym equipment lot several years ago (partial shipment).  Your comments don't surprise me. I was curious about the listing I saw on the classifieds which has an about golf sim, NY area.  I messaged him.  No idea on if scammer or not.  Mentions shipping.  I think you are right, its too expensive to risk shipping / fraud.  My preference would be to get a full turn key setup from someone getting out of the business, I would rather play it in action before buying.  Might be difficult to do. If you are educated on these, do you have one of the luxury models / mid tier in particular that would be preferable? I definitely want something that will make it worth the drive for people. I like the look of the curved screens with these to make it more immersive.

I will have a combination of people using the simulator, avid golfers, and novice golfers doing a guys night / day out outing. I am doing a pretty nice elaborative setup in my fitness center. I bought a nearby building to extend our business and this is one of a few things going in there. I'm planning on adding an area with a putting area, small den area in the golf sim area, along with theatre chairs behind the golf area to double as a theatre. Upstairs a seperate rentable room with arcade games, etc. My intention being that it could be rented possibly all together for business events, etc. I'm also doing it for my family to use, so its multipurpose for sure. I would rather have it setup where I can show gym members how to use it fairly easily (only golfers allowed to use).

Travis

[WadeH]

Where are you located? I'm in the Twin Cities and just about every brand of simulator is represented by the dozen or so indoor golf centers/golf courses. Maybe you need to make a trip to a big metro area and try them all out. Not a lot of businesses using ProTee so I did have to make a trip to Chicago to play on those.

[Travis Poindexter]

I am in the Nashville TN area. I did some searches but haven't come across anywhere in Nashville that might have several on display. I would like to get my hands on some of them to understand the differences. You can only learn so much watching youtube videos. Sorry for late reply, I took my kids to Disney last wk.