What size and shape would be best

[Albie999]

OK, so thinking of doing a better simulator build, that my cobbled together one, following the build on gunghogolf website, but trying to work out exactly what size and shape I should build. My garage is 10ft wide, 20ft long and 8ft high, I can easily swing a driver in my current setup. I was thinking of going with an enclosure of 8ft high, but not sure on the width, I was thinking of a square 8x8ft, but then my projector aspect ratio can be either 16:9 or 4:3.

My projector is not an expensive one, but it def does the job for what I need. It is a POWERFUL SV228 (https://www.gearbest.com/projectors/pp_372075.html), also already have an archery net, which I will re-use

For all you people who have built one, what is the advice/recommendation on building my new sim

My current cobbled together sim is : https://photos.app.goo.gl/BGt3yXjCxyw7YvGK8

[3on3putt]

If you have 10 feet of width, why not go 10 feet with the screen? (Or as close to 10 feet as you can get after allowing for the connections on the sides).

As a square screen user, I can tell you that it's not ideal. You could project in 4:3 to get an image size of 10x7.5 (or 9.5 by 7.1. if you need to allow for some space on the sides).

[Albie999]

I kinda need to keep a bit of space to one side for storage, although could look at reworking lol. Presume a 16:9 aspect would be very narrow on that width, due to the height ratio?

Why do you find a 4:3 not ideal?

[3on3putt]

I kinda need to keep a bit of space to one side for storage, although could look at reworking lol. Presume a 16:9 aspect would be very narrow on that width, due to the height ratio?

Why do you find a 4:3 not ideal?

I didn't say 4:3 is not ideal. I actually recommended you go 4:3 given your dimensions. What I said was having a square screen is not ideal (because of native resolutions). Mine is 9x9, so I'm in the same boat, and if I were to make improvements to my sim then figuring out a way to go more rectangular would be the first thing I would want to do.

With 20 feet of length, can you put the storage behind the screen? That's what I do. I left a few feet of space behind my screen for a little storage. Mostly stuff I rarely need like camping gear that I might get out once a year or Christmas decorations or whatever. Just need to unhook a couple of the tarp clips from the screen in order to get back there, so it's still easily accessible. That way you could maximize your width without losing storage space.

[COgolfengineer]

I totally agree with 3on3's comments about having the screen take the full 10ft width & try to put storage behind the screen.

The screen could even be vertically retractable like what Par2Pro sells, or you can put the screen on a curtain track and have it retract like a curtain. The curtain style retractable screen isn't as nice as Par2Pro's, but it's much cheaper. I currently do the curtain style retractable because I also have storage behind the screen but plan on upgrading to Par2Pro's retractable screen soon.

[Albie999]

Thanks guys appreciate the help, unfortunately, the garage is also used to store motorbikes, push bikes, which are kinda stored at the front of the garage, so when I say 20ft, it is more like 14ft is left for me lol ..... 3on3 .. i see what you mean now about the square screen .... 8ft is the maximum height I got (touching the roof beams), so might even have to go slightly shorter in height (7.1ft), and then maybe a 9ft wide ... as, that seems to get closer to the 4:3 aspect you mentioned ... although might also go with 9x8, and just accept a bit of bordering .... aarrgghhh, so much to think of, before committing and buying the stuff

Also, will need to re-measure my archery netting ..... cannot remember exactly what width I bought now

[David DeWitt]

I highly recommend the curtain approach. Just moved my screen to my garage which is similar dimensions ( just higher ceiling) and the curtain approach is perfect. I already had the EMT I needed. Just got foot pads to mount and zip ties and I was good.. Now my garage can be easily passed through.