Building a simulator for the first time. Appreciate help. Thanks in advance.

[mikesimgolfer]

I recently bought an Optoma UHZ35ST 4k projector and a V2 net return screen and the quality of the image is unsatisfactory.


My plans are to build a enclosure for 16:9 / 16:10 projection using Ron Hornbaker's guide on Gunghogolf (https://gunghogolf.com/blogs/simulat...mulator-studio).


There are a few questions i need help with:


1. In selecting a screen size, will the quality of the image be noticeably different between 16:9 and 16:10 (native resolution of 4k vs WUXGA) since the UHZ35st is a 4k projector. BENQ states:


“To take full advantage of your projector, the best strategy is to project at the native aspect ratio and resolution. By doing this, you get every single pixel available to you.” I prefer having no loss of resolution and to have the projected image look as good as it is on my computer if not better.


2. How do you wrap the commando cloth around the space between the enclosure frame and the screen so that the bungees and other clips are not visible and balls do not fly through cracks between the cloth. Does the commando cloth continuously wrap around the sides, top and back (ie no cuts in the fabric)? Any video tutorials you could recommend on this?


3. I am planning on purchasing the Apex Mills triple layer golf screen by bullseyegolfsims and they have multiple screen sizes for each resolution. These screen sizes are all slightly different than what optoma recommends in their projector calculator (screen size, location setup, etc...). Specifically, bullseye has a 7’8”x 13’ screen and when i plug in the height (92”) into optoma calculator, it gives me a width of 13’ and 7.56”.


Is there a reason for this discrepancy?


Any input on bullseye golf impact screen quality?


4. I read that with larger builds (my enclosure would be 13 feet and buffer space of 6 inches), there may be some droop in the middle of the EMT where they are jointed together. My ceiling is ~13-14 feet high.


Anyone have experience with this issue? If hanging wires from the roof to hold up the screen, how do you work around the enclosure cloth?

Looking forward to your responses. Thank you.

[ENadeau]

My quick-ish response;

1) I’ve found that the biggest difference maker in projection quality is the lumen count. I’ve gone multiple routes and have seen/played on setups ranging from 1500 lumens 1080p all the way up to 5,500 lumens 4k. 3,500 lumens is a good starting point if you can control ambient light but ideal starting point when I eventually upgrade will be minimum 5,000.

2) Typically enclosure side and top pieces are attached via Velcro. You’ll wrap the material around tightly and secure it with stitched in Velcro strips. Bungees are used to attach the impact screen to the back bars of the cage and, in my case, the impact screen also has Velcro stitched. This allowed me to attach a foam buffer under more material making a clean transition from sides/top to screen while providing padding in front of the bars.

For reference, I went with a Bullseye enclosure and would 100% recommend. Top notch quality, responsive staff, and extremely easy to set up. I believe they have also recently redesigned their enclosure to no longer have a foam bumper on the bottom and the screen now fully extends to the ground with similar padding, negating the black material/foam that used to sit there.

3) Like mention above, I too went Bullseye and their impact screen is outstanding. Keep in mind that the projected screen size will be different than the actual screen size. Bullseye as a good chart for reference, https://www.bullseyegolfsims.com/can...pecifications/

Highly recommend visiting Projector Central and triple checking your planned projectors throw ratio and mounting distances. With a little bit of homework, you can preplan enough to make sure your image fills each side perfectly. With that said, even if you’re not fully top to bottom, it’s still such a large image that you would hardly notice.

4) I’m sure others have firsthand experience with this but my setup is only 10’ wide and I don’t experience any sagging (projecting at 4:3). I’ve seen a few threads on here where people were referencing finding EMT longer than 10’ and able to get custom sizes which I can only assume helps with a bit of sagging.

[Nugget]

For the potential sagging on a 13ft wide application, at the middle point add a T joint, then a 90 degree back and down, same at bottom. this would reinforce the middle and provide roughly foot behind screen for safety. This way you are using 2 6.5' EMT at top instead of one 13' long piece. For the bottom I left my screen curve forward on floor about 6 inches and made the bar stay bacl a foot so I don't need a bumper or padding and ball rolls nicely back to me.