Help requested (please) on sim setup

[dunginhawk]

Good morning fine people. I have had my optishot for a few years and i NEVER use it. Because my space isnt done right. Id love to get it to the point that its a nice place to play.
Ive uploaded a few pictures to get an idea of what the room looks like.

So I have a screen and projector (for movies, games, whatever). However hitting in to that isnt a great solution as 1. the balls just fly all over and hit people (soft ones) 2. there is no dampening at all 3. There is so much wood (cabinets) and wall etc that get hit. Its just not a good solution.

So a couple thoughts I had .
1. Buying a new projector with a motorized lens focus so I could leave that screen there, and mount a 2nd screen from the ceiling that drops down when I want to play golf. can be retracted (motor) when not in use. Obviously this is expensive (2500$ for projector), 800$ for screen (id want it big). That screen would come down in front of the cabinets.

2. A simple smallish net in front of the optishot to catch most of the balls. I havent explored this yet just because it feels cheap and lame... also im concerned that if i get a small net (which would help to not block the screen as much) that it wouldnt catch wedges as well, as they would just go over the net.

So im in a bit of a pickle. This is a multipurpose room, so whatever I do needs to be able to be changed around. ceiling in the sunken part is 10 feet, so plenty of ceiling height for drivers. the couches you see on the left were split so they can be slid around in to that corner. Its really just figuring out the ball catching/net/screen situation.

Id love your guys/gals help please.
thank you much

[gnomike]

Skytrak (new approx $2k) and GC2 (used $4-5k) both provide very realistic numbers to the sim software. The GC2 is often what Skytrak users gravitate towards when seeking an upgrade. There are plenty of comparisons and discussions on the two on this forum. Keep in mind that both of these measure only ball data... meaning they'll give very realistic shot results for your sim game play, but won't provide any club data if you are looking at using your simulator for swing analysis.

Sim-dreamer suggested a great link that i've used before as well: http://www.par2pro.com/compare.php

[dunginhawk]

thanks sim dreamer... wife is going to be a tough convince either way, not thinking protee will work... apparently need a camera 6-7feet left or right of ball area, which I dont think will work in this room.
so I think skytrak is the one that will work for me. which is just fine, i like that setup.
I THINK i can get away with a portable type setup. I need to design and build a screen system to get in front of my current setup. and instead of the new projector, i think ill just install a 2nd one , seems cheaper and easier. I have 2 HDMI runs in my walls back to front, so that should keep it wire free.
this is going to seem crazy, but i think a hitting screen with hooks could easily be hooked on to hooks in the ceiling... not too hard to take down when not in use. just not sure where to get a big custom sized hitting screen. google that later

[gnomike]

I was too slow typing my post lol... you'd already seen the link! Maybe just note that a used GC2 is a good option, and almost in the same cost ball park as protee & Skytrak... well worth consideration imho

[Sim-dreamer]

Archery netting might be something to look into for a screen, I’m still learning about that myself. One thing to note, you already have an optishot, so you can always build around that and upgrade each component as life allows. Especially if you’re looking into the portable options. This maybe tougher to do with a protee build, but others will know more on that for sure. But starting with a new projector and screen, or screen and mat etc. Then move up on skytrak or whatever as you see fit. Just a thought...

[dunginhawk]

Im not opposed to a used gc2, or spending more money for a quality product... and lord knows I need help with my swing... used to be a 4-6 ish, now realistically a 15. college, marriage and life got in the way. so while i would be playing it as a sim 90% of the time, it wouldnt be a bad thing to have the option of club data to look at too, since right now my optishot is telling me im woefully outside in haha.

[wbond]

If you're looking for some club data, then skytrak and rmotion is a good option. They work together in TGC and give you some club data, CHS, path, face and fact to path. If you want more clubhead data then a GC2 with an HMT. HMT gives more data but you are looking around 8K plus for this combo for a used setup, about 4x the cost.

[dunginhawk]

I think the skytrak is the best option for me right now.. thats likely the way to go. Just looking at all the options, and the distances required for some sims, etc. as long as the skytrak provides some basic club info then thats ok. I just want to know if im open at impact, closed, etc. nothing too crazy. Id like to get to a 5 handi again, i dont need to be scratch . more than any of the training things I just want a fun atmosphere for friends and family. being in iowa, our golf season is only about 6 months, maybe 7. Im thinking about using some sort of hitting screen on a ikea rail (drape system) i saw on some guys setup. i can slide it out when i want to use it and push it to the side when not in use. because my wife is all about aesthetics Im actually looking in to a motorized system where as the drapes can actually go in to a small slit in the wall and be completely gone from view.

[linkkingx]

You should really check out the SQ Beta screen from par2pro. I got a 10' x 11' screen for under $300. I ordered it with raw edges and used tarp clips to hang it. The picture quality is great and it's super quiet. I highly recommend it.

[dunginhawk]

I think the problem there is, if its too high quality, i couldnt put it on a rail and conceal it.. NO WAY is the wife going to allow something that isnt aesthetically pleasing and easy to conceal or hide.

[desgolfer]

Has anyone tried the Panasonic PT-VZ580 1080p 5000 Lumens LCD Projector i amthinking a 12 ft 9 ft screen about 12 feet away from projector THANKS !

[dunginhawk]

desgolfer, i have not... des, any chance your from des moines? anyway.. has anyone used the truestrike hitting mat with a skytrak? im considering just this https://www.par2pro.com/shop/product...roducts_id=276 and incorporating it in to a bigger standing area etc... but will the grass hold a tee? or would i have to do something else? I like the idea of the gel hitting surface of true strike

[wbond]

Forget the tees. You will be chasing them around. Use the claw tee system attached to something like a tomahawk or birtee.

[DannyMRICS]

anyway.. has anyone used the truestrike hitting mat with a skytrak? .... I like the idea of the gel hitting surface of true strike

Thumbs up for Truestrike from me.

Dan

[dunginhawk]

wbond is that chinese? lol... thats three terms i must google now
so i looked up the claw.. that looks fine however why not just use a regular wooden tee? i like the feel of wood (thats what she said) but i guess i could use plastic or something else... either way, the claw looks nice.

[dunginhawk]

BTW, am i correct in saying that you need the 99$ game improvement plan on skytrak + the 199/249 per year jack nicklaus package just to play the courses on a sim? not saying thats crazy, but does seem strange that both charge you. Does that get you the 120 or so courses that jack nicklaus perfect golf provides?

[wbond]

Thats one reason some prefer TGC, it's a one time buy vs multiple yearly on top of the yearly ST fee. There are differences in the software though so make sure it suits what you are looking for.