Is this type of build logical?

[nickfisher47]

Like many of you before me, I'm just about losing my mind trying to figure out the logistics of a sim. I have relatively big garage space where I can fit a lot in there, but I have landed basically on this:
> Carl's DIY screen, 13x7.7, w/5 foot roof exten
> I'll likely be hitting from 10 feet away, and I'm anti floor projector, so trying to figure out a ceiling mount.

I'm leaning towards the Optoma GT1090HDR Short Throw, which has a throw distance of 6'4".

So essentially that'd be a projector a little less than 8' high (in order to throw image beneath the roof), and it'd be about 1'4" back from the roof extension.

I don't think i'd hit it, but it feels like that'd be very low and very distracting...am I crazy?

1) someone have a better projector for my needs?
2) should I go higher with the Carl's screen (maybe 8.5 feet or so?)...I'd assume if I do 13 x 8.5 the 16:9 would look not right. The DIY width cap is 13'...i dont want to go up to the pro pricing.

Hope this all makes sense.

[Th3m1lkm0n5t3r]

I'm in the process of building a very similar setup (same projector/enclosure). I ordered everything, but it's not due to come until the end of the month - so take my guidance with a grain of salt.

For the projector to fill a 177" screen there is a 6'5" throw, but it also has a 13" vertical offset. If you were to mount the projector at 6'5" distance, at the same height as the enclosure, you'd have to use the vertical keystone to get the full picture on the screen (not a huge deal, but it sounds like you don't like the projector that low). If you mounted the projector any higher, it'd cut off the top of the picture.

What I did is order the same enclosure, but with 100" screen height (comes to 109" total height for the enclosure), I kept the same width (additional cost was negligible). This way I can set the projector at its natural height and not have to bother with the keystone. It will leave a blank space, a little bit taller than a foot at the top of my screen, but my projector will be approximately 8'4" off the ground. As a bonus, I will now have a taller enclosure that should hopefully help prevent me from destroying my drywall.

[3on3putt]

nickfisher47 How high is your ceiling?

[COgolfengineer]

nickfisher47 I can't quite imagine the exact space. Can you post a picture and annotate the measurements? That'll help me and other people give better suggestions for you. Thanks!

[nickfisher47]

The below is a rough image of what i'm looking to do.
The red box is a not to scale screen. 156x100, per Th3m1lkm0n5t3r 's great suggestions. I also am shooting for a 4' enclosure rather than 5' b/c we dont want the black screen being too tall over the stairwell on the right.

My ceilings are 12 ft, so if the top of the impact screen is 100, so i'd have about a 44" drop on the projector, i'll likely use a 1.5" NPT for that distance. Again, the suggestions from The Milk Monster up there are really helfpul, and I think in order for me to feel like my projector isn't right in my face, I'd rather have it a bit higher up even if it means I'm leaving some screen space blank.

Also, you can see i'm going to get some estimates on raising the garage door rails, as the one on this half and the other half of the garage will likely impede driver swings.

[COgolfengineer]

Got it, makes more sense now. Thanks for the picture!

I agree with your thoughts that the short throw projector might be too low and some risk in hitting it, either with a ball or club. What about using a standard throw projector? It could be mounted higher and probably about 15' or so from the screen (I think mine is actually 17'). If you're hitting 10' from the screen, you're much less likely to hit the projector with the club or ball if it's behind you and also higher up. You might need more lumens than a short throw projector though. My projector is an Epson that I just had and it's only 2000 lumens. It's bright enough if I keep the garage lights down, but I would prefer to have at least 3000 lumens.

It seems short throw projectors are typically recommended for golf sims, but I would prefer to have the projector behind the golfer. I have seen some people use a short throw and build a case around it so at least it won't get damaged if a ball hits it. But you certainly don't want the club to hit it!