New Golf Sim Build - Mike80 is BACK!

[Mike80]

Hey! I'm finally back to sim golfing! Just finished my new build! I moved to a new house and haven't had my golf sim for a year or more. A lot of work has been done to finally get to this point. I added an epoxy floor, insulated/drywall and painted entire garage. Added a gas heater and AC unit. I had to change my garage door openers and track. I changed them to the LiftMaster where they are mounted on the side and had high tracks installed. This allowed me to save a ton of space in the garage. I was then finally able to start my sim build.

Sim Build Dimensions: Width: 15 ft - Height: 10 ft
Screen: SQ Screen from Par2Pro (15 ft wide x 9.5 height)
Nylon Turf: 1/2" thick 12' x 15' roll from TurfAvenue.com
Hardware: GC2 and TGC software

I want to throw a big shout out to Par2Pro! They have been amazing to work with. I originally ordered a 12ft wide screen and then later during the build I realized I needed a wider screen. They allowed me to return the screen and upgrade and pay the difference for the wider screen. I can't say enough how great they are to work with! I am using the SQ Beta Screen from Par2Pro. This screen is amazing! It has a nice and quiet sound with ball impact. The material allows for a great High Definition picture quality. I was super impressed. This screen blows away my old screen I had. I highly recommend this screen to everyone! You won't be disappointed. Thanks again Par2Pro !!!!! I'm finally back! Yeah!!!! Also looking forward to TGC2019. I'm hoping to get the email for Alpha Testing! Check out the attached pics of the sim build. If anyone has any questions let me know.

[bubs3141]

Awesome job. Very nicely done. What is that computer monitor you have there. That looks cool. I want to get something like that. Can you give me more info?

[Mike80]

In the last picture, that is an iPad on a stand. It has the AirKeyboard app where I created the TGC mapped buttons. This allows you to play TGC and be able to zoom or aim easily using the iPad. There is another post with details about the TGC Touch Screen using AirKeyboard. Here is the link to the post on how to set this up.

https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/golf-simulator-brands-and-types/the-golf-club/58143-tgc-remote-keyboard-screen

[wbond]

Welcome back. Just an FYI, I think you created the iPad keyboard layout and I think they are looking to get a version that works with tgc 2019 if it was you that created it. Apparently the key strokes don’t match or something.

btw looks great. Moving the tracks up does save a ton of room.

[Mike80]

Thanks! Yeah I setup the iPad keyboard. When I get the Alpha TGC I plan to create a new iPad Keyboard with new buttons to match TGC 2019. If you have a document with all the new keyboard short cuts, send it over to me.

[Tbraden32]

How did you attach your screen- I cannot see in the pictures. Looks awesome!!

[Mike80]

I have two strips of angle iron on the left, top and right side. The reason for two strips is because I have the netting bungee corded to the angle iron. Then have the screen bungee corded to the other strip of angle iron. This way the netting and screen don't share the same holes and the netting is about 1.5 inches behind the screen. The screen has grommets every 12 inches on left, top and right side. The bottom of screen has a folded loop sewed where I have a steel cable stretched tight using cable tensioners. The hardest trick to this setup is I have a row of studs higher than sim ceiling where the top angle iron is mounted. This allows me to have bungees stretched up higher to the angle iron and screen. Otherwise if I had angle iron at the height of sim ceiling, I wouldn't have the room for creating tension on top with the bungees.

The padding below the turf are 25" x 25" interlocking padded tiles. I then use double sided carpet tape to stick and hold the turf down tight to the padded flooring.

[delta1274]

Awesome build. It looks great. Enjoy!

[Mxwoodman]

wow very nice

[longstix]

What a great looking build and a great space!!! Well done

[Tbraden32]

Mike- thanks for the info! What PJ did you go with and what are your mounting distances? I’m thinking of the exact same screen setup dimensions.

[Mike80]

Tbraden32 I have the BenQ HT1085ST projector. It is mounted 10 ft high and 10 ft from screen. This projector is a couple years old. Looks like the new model that replaced this one is the BenQ HT2150ST. This one is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/BenQ-HT2150ST...dp_ob_title_ce

These both have short throw ratio at .69 - .83. These will throw a very large screen at a shorter distance than other short throw projectors. When buying a short throw projector, pay attention to this ratio. You could easily buy another short throw projector and would need more than 10 feet distance from screen to fill a 15 ft wide screen.

[Ironstrokes]

Damn, that looks amazing! Really liking the touch on how the floors look too, the contrast of the metallic look to the green of the sim turf is great. How much did that run you to do that? You do it yourself?

[Mike80]

Ironstrokes Thanks. The floor turned out awesome! My dad and I did the epoxy floor ourselves. I got the epoxy kit from https://www.epoxyplus.com/ - This is high end epoxy. Not the cheaper stuff you get from hardware store. It is very durable and will last a long time!

It cost about $1500 total for about 800 sq.ft. I used two colors (Titanium and Pearl White). Day 1 you roll the black primer. Day 2 you mix the epoxy in buckets then pour out on floor. You use a squeegee to mix and swirl the colors and cover the floor. Then you use a roller and roll the epoxy covering the entire floor. You have to wear spikes strapped to bottom of your shoes so you can walk on epoxy when spreading it out on floor. Day 3 you roll the clear coat.

[gene438]

Welcome back Mike80 ..... great job on the simulator.....you're back just in time for TGC 2019!!!!!

[Godfather]

Looks really nice

[bs531]

That looks great! I am in the planning stage of building a new garage so I can have a dedicated sim space like this one. Anything you wish you did differently or other advice you could offer? Very well done, enjoy!

[Mike80]

bs531 There isn't anything I would do different. If you are going to build a similar setup. Another tip I would recommend is using thin carpet for the sides and ceiling. I first padded the walls and ceiling with 25" x 25" interlocking padded tiles. Then put up the carpet using 1 inch staples with an air compressor staple gun. I left excess carpet on the screen end. This allowed me to fold it in creating a nice seal so balls couldn't escape. I also left more carpet on ceiling to hang down. This created a nice seal on top so no balls could escape. Securing the side edges and top was my biggest concern on what to do. The carpet really made that part easy. Good luck on your sim build!

[Fhacker]

Mike80. Welcome back. Great u plan to update iPad keyboard. I use it all the time (aeroburner version) I think. I think u gave him the basic format and he modified if I remember correctly. But he doesn't seem to be around anymore. I haven't seen a summary of keyboard shortcuts. Maybe Protee can provide one.
Beautiful build by the way. Very jealous

[Trickle007]

Looks awesome. Nicely done with plenty of room to accommodate a 4 some.