Build Summary & Review After 18 Months

[GoldenSim]

That room looks great GoldenSim . I'm building about the exact same size room, except the ceiling will be between 11.5' and 12' high. How much of the vertical lens shift are you using on your projector? I'm looking at the same projector and hoping that if its mounted that high the lens shift can move it down to fill the screen.
Thanks for any help you can give!

Thanks jmort73 - It's tough for me to calculate how much extra shift there would be, but if you use the Projector Central site, it should give you the info you need. I keyed in the dimensions I have (screen 14' wide, projector set to widest angle, and therefore 15' 3" from screen, and ceiling mount) and it says you have up to 3' 1" extra shift available. Which would suggest, if I understand it correctly, that it can handle 3' 1" above the top of your screen.

You can check it here: https://www.projectorcentral.com/Pan...ulator-pro.htm and put your own data in. Or see my attached screenshot.

I hope that helps

[Jeremy Halenda]

Awesome sim dude. Building a shed in my backyard now 24 X 16 X 10+ should be fun. Why did you use dbgolf's screen as a backup? I just bought a screen from db and supposedly the material is equivalent to Carl's premium.
Jer

[Shep12]

What are the specs for the racing sim? I have never looked into this and am curious about the set up. Thanks

[GoldenSim]

Awesome sim dude. Building a shed in my backyard now 24 X 16 X 10+ should be fun. Why did you use dbgolf's screen as a backup? I just bought a screen from db and supposedly the material is equivalent to Carl's premium.
Jer

Thanks Jeremy for the props. Your shed size sounds very similar to the space I have and should be ideal. I'd ordered the Par 2 Pro screen when the deal with dbgolf became available (there was a long lead time when I was waiting), so I decided to go ahead with the order so that I have a screen ready when this one needs it (seemingly a long time away as the Par 2 Pro screen is lasting REALLY well), at a cheap price, and also so that I had some more protection behind the existing screen (along with the mattress). In hindsight, it was not really necessary, but it was a good deal and I'm sure I'll be pleased I bought it at some point in the future!

[GoldenSim]

What are the specs for the racing sim? I have never looked into this and am curious about the set up. Thanks

Hi - I'm not sure what specs you're wanting? I use the same screen as I do for the golf sim. Racing software is loaded on the same computer and so uses the same projector setup etc. For the racing seat I used Logitech wheel and pedal setups, a seat from Princess Auto (which I think is only in Canada?) and then custom built the frame from PVC pipe and various connectors. There are lots of plans online for custom build seats, or you can buy one ready made. Does that help? Let me know if there's something in particular that I've missed.

[Pickled]

Wow, looks outstanding!

I'm planning a build of my own and really like the idea of the carpet tiles vs. fabric. Are they just stuck to the drywall or did you have plywood on the walls where the tiles go?

I also like how you attached the turf to the back wall to make a ramp. Did you staple it to the floor before you started the curve?

Finally, your screen boarders look fantastic and that's one of my biggest concerns. How did you make the wedges on the sides and on top.

I see your a fellow Canuck any reason why you didn't go with Rymar grass? Love Golden BC. I spent a lot of time at Kicking Horse 20 years ago. Love the town and the resort.

Thanks for sharing!!

[Stetson]

Commented on wrong post

[GoldenSim]

Wow, looks outstanding!

I'm planning a build of my own and really like the idea of the carpet tiles vs. fabric. Are they just stuck to the drywall or did you have plywood on the walls where the tiles go?

I also like how you attached the turf to the back wall to make a ramp. Did you staple it to the floor before you started the curve?

Finally, your screen boarders look fantastic and that's one of my biggest concerns. How did you make the wedges on the sides and on top.

I see your a fellow Canuck any reason why you didn't go with Rymar grass? Love Golden BC. I spent a lot of time at Kicking Horse 20 years ago. Love the town and the resort.

Thanks for sharing!!

Thanks for the props Pickled !

The whole room was a custom build, so I put OSB on the walls where the carpet tiles were going to go (much easier than drywalling!) and then I stapled the tiles to the OSB.

The turf "ramp" is just sitting there. The turf is carpet taped around the outside perimeter and around the hitting area, but other than that it is just held in place by its own weight and therefore it is just sitting against the back wall.

The screen borders were made with pine tongue and groove wood material cut to size and then wrapped in a foam material, similar to what you would use for seating, and then finally wrapped with a black faux leather material and stapled on the back. They were put together pretty much the same way you'd make a seat: wood for the base, wrapped in foam and then covered and stapled. It's good to have two people - one for stretching the fabric and one for stapling.

The turf decision came from various chats and feedback on this forum. The guys at STI were extremely helpful, quick to respond and it was a competitive price. Nothing against Rymar, but I've been really happy with the look, putting surface and longevity of the STI NP50.

Haha - Golden's a great little town. And you're right, we have a great resort.... getting dumped on right now! If you ever get a chance to come here in the summer, the golf course is equally amazing! Where are you based?

Good luck with the build!

[Pickled]

I'm aware it's all custom. It's all bad ass too!

We are in the process of building a new home, started the footings today so I don't expect to be until December 2021. I spent the last 9 months designing my theater so I'm looking forward to working on the simulator. I will likely have the entire basement drywalled and then I will lay some osb over that. For the small area of drywall that I would save, it's not really worth it in the grand scheme of things. I like the idea of stapling the carpet tiles to the osb, so much easier and I can trim the edge like you did for a nice finished look.

Thanks for the details on the turf ramp. I actually have a Rymar & STI dealer 5 minutes down the road and I had a look at their show room and the different turf. Solid and heavy so I can see how that worked so well for you.

Did you use the pine T&G because that's what you used for your ceiling in the gym area? I would imagine that plywood, structurally framed osb might work just as well. Thanks for the explanation. I have wrapped some acoustic panels in the past and a bench seat once so that will help. How does it mount to the walls ceiling? Is it fastened to anything? Looks perfect!

Golden is great even better when you're getting dumped on. I have never been out that way in the summer but I have played a golf twice in Western Canada and there's nothing like it. I prefer the winter if I'm heading out your way though. I'm in Oakville, Ontario just down the street from Glen Abbey where I played most of my rounds this summer and fall. With temps still in the double digits, we still have a bit of season left here. There's a lot of courses around but nothing quite as scenic as Golden.

Question, what the iPad mount on the wall do? I have never played in a simulator and I see little arrows in one of the photos. Does that connect to your computer and allow you to adjust your aiming point? My plan was to do 2 screens 1 to mirror the screen/watch tv and the other for Uneekor analytics. A slave iPad for adjustments is fantastic.

Thanks again for the ideas I will be sure to steal a few and give you credit for it!

[Stetson]

Why will you have it drywalled and then put the OSB over the drywall? I know you said it wouldn't be much of a cost savings but I was thinking more about the wiring and how much easier it would be if done prior to putting a wall up. Are you going to have the contractor run the electrical, speaker wire, internet, hdmi, etc for the space prior to putting up drywall?

[Pickled]

Hi Stetson,

I'm still a long ways away from having my house completed so things my change. Not doing the drywall really won't save me any money. It will save me 15 sheets at the very most and it the grand scheme of my build its miniscule. I really want to build the simulator myself, I think it would be a fun process. It will be easier to work from a clean slate (drywalled) then trying to make sure the drywall lines up with where my OSB/carpet panels end. I can put a piece of trim a the end of the carpet tiles like GoldenSim has done.

In regards to electrical and wiring, speakers etc. I will have full plans on where everything will be. The OSB will be on the ceiling and the sides where the carpet tiles are so I won't have any wiring to worry about.

I will put electrical where my computer will go and where the tv(s) or camera's will go on the walls. I have a guy who is doing all my home automation so he will run all the low voltage stuff (speaker wire/HDMI etc) but my electrician will be told where to place the power.

[GoldenSim]

Pickled - that sounds like a great project. As with many projects like this, whilst completion and living in the house / using the sim are amazing, hopefully the journey to get there is equally rewarding!

You're 100% right about the T&G. I had some left over from the ceiling and used it because it was stable, but light for mounting. As you say, I'm sure ply or OSB could work just as well. I mounted mine with heavy duty velcro onto the metal angle mounts that hold the screen bungees. I then added a couple of screws with washers as added support, but that was more an overbuild than necessary.

With Glen Abbey as your local track, I can see why traveling to golf is not critical!! I had a lovely couple of weeks in Ontario a few years ago and managed to play some of the best courses but Glen Abbey remains on the list of "one day I'll get to play"!

The iPad is bluetooth connected to the computer and uses an app called Air Keyboard. A couple of GSF members have developed tools within the app to connect to both FSX and TGC to allow you to control all aspects of game play from the iPad screen. It's a nice alternative to using the keyboard, and user friendly for guests who do not know all the keys. I'm not sure if anyone has developed a setup for Uneekor, but it could easily be done.

Enjoy the build and good luck!

[Pickled]

GoldenSim the project is incredibly overwhelming and exciting at the same time. I spend 2 weeks getting hyperfocused on something (currently Sim) and then set it aside to work on something else. Then I get pulled back into different things as we go. So far so good.

Glen Abbey is nice and always in pristine condition but to be honest there's a lot of other tracks in Ontario that are even better. I played GA about 10 times this season just because I can almost walk there. If your ever in the area and looking for a playing partner, shoot me a message and we can go play a round.

iPad/air keyboard app. Perfect! thanks for that. I will look at the other development tools when the time comes.

I talked with par2pro today and I have another question for you and I notice you mentioned it at the beginning of the thread.

The recommend a 9'4" x 15' screen but the issue is there are no short throw projectors that will work with that unless I move to 16:9 aspect ratio and then I loose 11" of screen height. Don't want to do that. So I'm looking at regular projectors and the one you used and a couple others. My issue is my Uneekor will be on the ceiling as well.

Can you tell me a couple approx measurements?

Is the middle of your mat 11' to screen?

Would your shadow be more of an issue if you moved your projector back? Obviously right?

My measurements will be fairly close and I for sure don't want a shadow.

Thanks

[Jnc10]

what about 16:10?

[GoldenSim]

Pickled I hear ya! I had the same experience, and found that the gaps between working on the Sim helped me to re-focus on priorities and decide on what was most important to me in the room. As long as the core elements are right, the finer tweaks can happen over time!

On my only trip out your way I was lucky enough to play Cobble Beach multiple times, and then we played Georgian Bay, Eagle's Nest, Devil's Pulpit and Devil's Paintbrush and then wrapped up the trip with a round at The National. It was a pretty special trip thanks to the contacts of a good friend of mine! This year was meant to be Bandon Dunes, which has now been postponed until next November.... If ever I make it back out to Ontario I'd love to take you up on your offer, it's always nice having some local knowledge on the tee next to you! The same applies if you're ever here and want to play Golden.

I did wonder whether the ceiling mount for Uneekor was causing people issues with projector distances.

My mat IS centered 11' from the screen. So the front is 9' and the back is 13' from the screen. I don't have shadow issues, but if I stand 1' in front of the mat (almost the same concept as moving the projector back, I do get the top of my head appearing as a shadow).

I'm sure you've accounted for it, but have you calculated in the borders to the screen? That makes the projection size smaller, which gives some more breathing room front to back on the projection.

In case you have not found them yet, I found these two sites (as recommended by other GSF users) very useful:

http://www.reviewtranslations.com/projection_calculator_en.html

https://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator-pro.cfm

I hope that helps?

[Pickled]

Jnc10 I thought I could find a short throw that would work but there isn't. I will definitely go 16:10 I just have to mount my projector behind the strike mat. No big deal.

GoldenSim Sounds like a great trip. All those courses are fantastic. I will take you up if I head your way to. Thanks for the link to the sites, I have spent many hours on projector central researching theater projectors. I went on last night and found a couple great Panasonic's that will work for my application so thanks. I also didn't account for the boarders so I would imagine that's 6" of the height and 10" of the width. Pretty safe guess? That does make a difference in the calculations.

That's for the spec's, that confirms that I will be just fine. In my plans, my mat will be centred at 11'6" so my setup will be fairly similar. As long as I can't see my melon when I'm golfing, that's fine by me.

Thanks again you have been a great help!

[GoldenSim]

Pickled - yes, I think that is a good calculation for the borders. And the other thing that I found when I started testing, is that when i was doing the calculations I was calculating it based on 6' 2" height... obviously when you address the ball you are (typically) shorter than full height, so then if you turn to face the screen, the chance of seeing your shadow is minimized further. It sounds like this will all work as you want! Good luck!

[Pickled]

You're absolutely right. Thanks!

[devildog1205]

Did you put padding/foam underneath the carpet tiles on the walls and ceiling?

[GoldenSim]

devildog1205 - no, the tiles are mounted straight to the plywood. As mentioned, there is minimal benefit in terms of reduced bounce back as my tiles are such thin pile. If you wanted more protection, you could either buy “plusher” (is that a word?!) tiles, or mount some padding underneath. Personally I’m happy with mine as it takes a wild shot to be that far off target that it hits the tiles!