Building a simulator in basement- I need some advice

[Joe M]

I’m in the process of finishing my basement and have the basement roughed out. I set aside a room for a golf simulator. It is not ideal but I think will work since I am 5’9”. The room is 14 feet wide and 16 feet deep. The height of the ceiling is 8’8”. I was able to replace one of the engineered floor joists with a steel I beam and that gave me a tray ceiling with a height of 9’3”. The tray ceiling is 32” by 10 feet long. I have to tee up 7 feet from the screen to be able to use the tray ceiling. Unfortunately a main girder is behind me so I cannot move back any further. I keep getting differing opinions regarding where and what projector to use. I was originally advised to use a epson ceiling mount projector at approximately 13 feet back. I was told by someone else that I would cast a shadow and hat would not work. I was going to use a wall mounted bracket which would have given me more height closer to the 8’8” ceiling. Someone else recommended a short throw projector at 5’-6” but I’m concerned with the short throw projector being hit with a club. I plan on using the sky track simulator and an premium impact screen from Carl’s . I believe they have one that is 8’high and 11’ wide. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Also, I’m planning on dedicating a new computer and would like recommendations for a reasonably priced computer and software. Thanks

[SkeetShooter]

What's your budget and expectations for the computer? 1080p Skytrak experience with TGC2019 will be just fine. Some people have expectations to game in 4K and honestly, its probably not worth it. In order to get that level of performance, you are talking about stepping up to a GPU around a 2080, 2080 Super, or 2080TI (Well over $1K just for the GPU) an Nvidia 1660Ti computer would be just perfect for 1080p gaming, however AMD just releasted a new 5600XT for supposedly less that the cost of the 1660Ti that supposedly shows a 15% performance improvement over the 1660Ti... Question is, what kind of availability is there right now. Also last thing from a computer perspective. Are you comfortable building your own computer or do you plan to just Buy?

I think one other observation... I would agree that likely you will cast a shadow if you are mounted behind you. I have mine at 18 feet back and roughly 11feet high and I hit from a very similar spot as you... I don't cast a shadow, as I only display on my top 2/3 of my screen. If I went for floor to ceiling (or close to it) I would definitely have a shadow. Short Throw is likely your best bet. If its a dedicated space, a floor mounted one in a protective box/ramp would be ideal.

[mikewohlwend]

I am using a Optima GT1080DARBEE and have it mounted about 8 feet from my screen. Which is right about my hitting area. I am using a 9x12 screen and it works just fine.

[mikemcd22]

If the projector is mounted directly above where you make contact with the ball, or at least very close to it, you should not have a problem. The arc of the swing (unless you are an extremely upright player) will be outside the location of the projector. I'm using the same shorthrow as mikewohlwend and it's mounted at around 6.5' while I hit at around 7.5'. Hope this helps.

[Joe M]

Thanks. It was recommended that I use a Optoma eh 460 st projector but that is $500 more than what you guys are using. It states that it has 4200 lumens vs 3000 lumens with the darned. I’m not sure if it will make that much more of a difference? Any advice?