What to choose?

[Ryan5508]

Something I think would be helpful to a lot of newcomers to this forum would be some type of guide on purchasing/building a simulator. The more research I do on my own the more questions I keep running into.

Do we have any type of price point recommendation and comparisons here? Best under $3k, 5k, etc.... accuracy and ease of use for one brand to another?

For example: A protee and trugolf setup are very close in overall price for the finished product (pc,cage, sensors, projector). But with new products like skytrak I can get something much cheaper potentially that seem to be plenty accurate for its purpose. I have just been waiting on some type of pc/andriod app and the e6 cloud info.

I would like to set something up in my garage for the next few years until I decide to move somewhere with taller ceilings for an indoor setup. Everything seems to exponentially increase in price as you add all the needed components to the system. I am also hesitant to keep this stuff in a cold garage during the winter months.

I keep reading there is more new stuff coming out soon but as far as whats out right now whats the best that wont break the bank?

My only simulator experience is on a full swing sim that is about 6 years old now. My goal is something I can play a few rounds with friends during the winter.

[bubs3141]

Are you using some memory foam for a bed or something else?

queen size memory foam for a bed. Got it at Walmart. Cheap. go with at least an inch. 2 inches better yet. It deadens the ball and preserves the back wall.

[Dax]

I've used this type of memory foam as well and it worked great at deadening the ball.

[LipOut]

Can any of you guys with the screen, net, foam system post some pictures?

[Ryan5508]

Just received my ultimate monster turf mat today. This thing is top notch and feels amazing. I would definitely recommend it!!

[Bubba22]

Enjoy Ryan. Which sim are you going with?

[Ryan5508]

At this point I am just waiting on skytrak to announce their plans/pricing. Until then I will just be finishing this up as a practice hitting cage. Probably pick up a projector and impact screen this summer and a skytrack in the fall.

Protee is just a little out of my budget and ease of quick setup limitations for now.

[Ryan5508]

Here is my progress for today. I just need to find a way to weigh down the bottom. Real balls take it to the wall currently. I am set 16" from the wall. The net is retractable so I can park my car in there.

[Bubba22]

Nice. Are you gonna get an impact screen and projector?

[Ryan5508]

Yeah but will be waiting until the end of summer/fall time.

[SwingMotor]

I'm building my simulator in my 2 car garage. I bought the Optishot system (New) and a short throw projector (Used) (together $800). Then I bought 2 turf mat's measuring at 5'x3' ($220), a 4'x8' sheet of ply wood and built an 8'x3' box. I bought 4 piece's of 1"x2'x8' styrofoam insulation to fill the box beneath the turf and in the center from the top 1" sheet I carved out a place for the Optishot. I trimmed out the sensor strip holes in the mat and used garden edging trim to keep the strips clear of grass ($100). I bought a 12'x9' green grass carpet to fill between the screen and the stance pad (both lefty's and righty's can play), that was $120. I bought two 12'x9' tarps for either side of the screen. I bought two 12'x12' off white painters drop sheets, one for the screen and the other for the ceiling ($100). I bought two 9' metal corner strips for drywall and two 2"x2"x10' lumber to attach the screen at the top and both the screen and carpet at the bottom. I bought two 3/4"D x10' lengths of metal pipe (Electrical conduit) to hang the tarps from the ceiling like curtains so I can pull them out of the way when not in use. I had a plexi glass cover built for my projector ($60) that will sit on the floor in front of my stance pad. There are screws, hangers for the tarp, spray paint for the box, etc, etc...all in I'd say it cost around $1500. Oh and I also bought a gravity based ball setter, a must have for your set up. I'll up date here later with pic's or a short video once I've completed it this weekend, hopefully by Sunday I will have them to post.

[jchi18]

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How do you like using the white painters drop sheets? I am trying to figure out what I will use.

[Ryan5508]

I just recently received my skytrak and updated my setup a bit. Having a few distance accuracy issues with long irons and woods. Not sure if I want to keep it at this point. Which brings me to a new question.

I want to get Tgc (had it on my pc since early access). Can anyone one with both systems that has had access to the Beta comment on acurracy or experience with both systems. I am debating dropping the skytrak for protee so I can play Tgc now. And I feel like my not great at golf friends are going to murder the skytrak quickly.

Also doesn't help that skytrak will require the worthless Gip just to play Sim golf. With the protee package with Tgc being 3k a skytrak + Tgc will obviously be more after the never ending yearly fee.

I have everything ready to go minus an impact screen and projector. Currently hitting into a net playing with the e6 demo.

[Ryan5508]

Here is my current setup/build. Base is on hinges and folds up against the wall. Net is on shower curtain rollers and slides back to the wall.

[wbond]

Ryan5508 Are you using foam balls or real balls in your setup? I see you mention some distance issues so if you're using foam, that could be the issue. Do you find that you're distances are better with the E6 software?

[Ryan5508]

I used both before the skytrak. For my driver testing it's been multiple different real balls. Mostly Bridgestone, Nike and titleist. All have same results.

For comparison sake i have found almost golf balls to only be a few yards shorts with shorter irons compared to real balls. I sometimes use them when the wife is sleeping so I don't bother her.