Decision Time! Need Help Guys: Pics & Vids included with post

[shellman19]

As always, 1st & foremost.... thank you all for your input in advance. Really appreciate it!
I will try to summarize where I am with the build out.

What I have:
1) GC2 with HMT
2) Fiberbuilt Mat- 6' x 4' with left & right hitting area
* I suspect this will eventually be replaced with a center hitting strip mat
3) Direct from mill impact screen (18' x 10') not hung yet
4) New fairly high end Dell gaming computer with GeForce 1070 vid card (let me know if you want to see more specs about the computer)

What I still need to buy:
1) Projector
2) Eventually I will likely purchase a center strip hitting mat

Unfortunately, I need to continue my sim build out in phases to keep the financial impact spread out over time. That said, eventually I will be finishing the walls and floor (carpeting). I will NOT be finishing the ceiling to save money and ceiling height. So, the next phase is to hang my impact screen, purchase the best possible value projector and install the projector. I know selecting a projector is a complex topic and I have read a significant amount on this site and others and I have to admit I am still having a hard time narrowing down the options and am really worried that I will buy the wrong projector and/or install it incorrectly to maximize the image quality. I am a bit of a self-admitted perfectionist and would really love the projector image to look really good if not awesome! I say that I and have to say that does not mean I am ready to throw thousands of dollars into the projector budget. I am sure there are some really good projectors out there for a good value... I just don't know how to find them and more specifically find the right one for my specific set-up. If there is anything that I THINK I have learned is that at all costs I want to NOT want to have an off-set (though I am not really sure what the means exactly) and I DO want a 16:9 ratio. Please correct me if I am off base with that or better yet tell me I am correct so I can start to gain some confidence in making a decision.

I will spare you a whole bunch more dialog from me at this point and simply post the pics & video I have taken to help you guys get a feel for my space. Thank you all again!

Pictures are attached.
The video can be seen here. I uploaded it to YouTube: https://youtu.be/9wFU4J3r-dk

[shellman19]

I should have also mentioned in the OP that I plan to use the room for watching sports and movies in addition to simulator use. Not sure if that changes anything but wanted to mention that in case it matters.

[Ykaar]

I should have also mentioned in the OP that I plan to use the room for watching sports and movies in addition to simulator use. Not sure if that changes anything but wanted to mention that in case it matters.

I think there will be a prob... You will never have the best spot with heater ... Mia wont let you this haha

[vrpunk]

OFFSET: Do you mean the projector position ( non centered) so you correct it with keystone which gives a loss of image quality OR the more expensive projectors with Lens Shift, which allow offsetting the projector to move it away from the swing plane, without image quality loss.

[shellman19]

OFFSET: Do you mean the projector position ( non centered) so you correct it with keystone which gives a loss of image quality OR the more expensive projectors with Lens Shift, which allow offsetting the projector to move it away from the swing plane, without image quality loss.

I guess I was thinking that the projector would be placed somewhere close to directly above the hitting mat. I thought I had read in another post that the projector is actually very safe directly above where you hit from due to the arc of the golf swing. This is why I have it in my mind that I will eventually be getting a center strip hitting mat so that regardless of left or right handed golfers the projector would be directly above and safe. Please correct me if I'm wrong in my thinking.

[shellman19]

I have it in my head that it would look something like this picture. Is there something I am not thinking of or realizing that would prevent this kind of set up?

[vrpunk]

Thats exactly how I have mine (search posts) but found with some less abled players / taller players if they are steep, they come close to the projector. So eventually will replace with a lens shift (Hozizontal) projector so it can be moved to the right and out the way of the swing plane, but with NO loss of image, as its a hardware lens shift, not a keystone correction.

[shellman19]

Thats exactly how I have mine (search posts) but found with some less abled players / taller players if they are steep, they come close to the projector. So eventually will replace with a lens shift (Hozizontal) projector so it can be moved to the right and out the way of the swing plane, but with NO loss of image, as its a hardware lens shift, not a keystone correction.

vrpunk I just took a look at the pics on your profile (nice job on your sim!) Can you give me a rough idea what the prices are for the projector you currently have and the projector with "lens shift" that you have your eye on?
What projector do you currently have and what one do you have your eye on?
Do I have enough ceiling height and distance from impact screen to set things up like you have it in your pics?

[vrpunk]

I have an Optoma 1080darbee it’s set 2m from the screen giving me a 4m x 2.25m 16:9 image cost about £700
Players club head is directly below it, so swing plane is fine 99% hehe.

i have created the screen with the ability to move the black top frame up if I can ever afford a wuxga 16:10 projector that has short throw and horizontal lens shift

I would like an Optoma WU5151TST £3k but seen a few demo ones around £1.5k it has 5000 lumens as well, and would sit about 3m back from screen ( so no player cast shadow) and would offset to the right about an extra 40cm,it also has vertical shift so it can go higher, I have 3.1m ceilings.

Your ceilings look fine.

[shellman19]

Is there an advantage to the 16:10 over the 16:9? I was under the impression that 16:9 was optimal?
Do you have "player cast shadows" with your current set up?
40 cm's does not sound like much of a lateral off-set of the projector to make any difference... am I missing something?

[vrpunk]

On my screen 2.25m high at 16:10 would give me 2.5m high, it just feels more immersive ( don’t get me started on curved screens!).

No because it’s above my head but you can use Pythagoras theorem once you know your distance to work out shadow casting

On that projector the horizontal offset is 10% so on a 4m width I can move it horizontally 40cm left or 40cm right......for me this 40cm off centre positioning totally moves the projector out of any swing plane area even for the steepest of swings
And with it further back and higher it works well for my setup and probably for a lot of people not realising about offsets.

Good luck

[shellman19]

Can anyone comment on the specific process I would go through to narrow down the following based on the pics/vids/measurements I provided in the OP:
1) The specific best projector(s) (Brand and Model) for my sim set up?
2) The ideal positioning of the projector?
3) The ideal placement of the hitting mat (distance from impact screen)?

[shellman19]

I guess it would be helpful if I included an actual budget amount to help you guys help me find the right projector for my sim... That said I have $500-$1000 in my mind but could push somewhat higher for the perfect projector. Thanks again for any guidance!

[Kaj0341]

Have you addressed the ceiling height yet? I didn’t check your other posts. I can tell you for sure that ceiling will get hit with balls and clubs. Steep players especially. My ceiling is 9’ 2” from the hitting mat and it gets clipped from time to time by clubs and gets smashed with balls often.