iPad... Mevo+.... Projector... Getting confused and hoping someone can help.

[704Golf]

I have a 12' x 9' screen and Mevo+ should be here this month. I am now researching the PC vs. iPad question. Yes, PC has better graphics and better for online play, but at this point I see my setup more for range sessions using the Flightscope and E6 software (may trial Awesome Golf too). Do I need to spend $1,000+ on a PC, screen & keyboard combo AND have to buy additional software, or can I go the iPad route and use the software that comes with the Mevo?

My biggest question is how best to fill the screen with the iPad? I am leaning to the BenQ TH671ST projector, but worry that I am going to end up with an image projected from the iPad that fills 2/3 of my screen. If there is no way to fix that, then I may lean more to the PC route. I prefer the portability of the iPad and other things I can use it for, but it must first off all work for the SIM.

Also, with iPad I read that all the modern versions (Pro, Air, or basic) can work, but does the Pro (for example) process the shot data quicker so there is less delay between hitting the ball and seeing it on the screen? I've watched the GSV videos comparing graphics on an iPhone, but that just shows hole flyovers - I'd like to know if there are other differences.

Thanks in advance for replying. I am planning to tell my build out story here soon. It's a good one!

[Alex.Morgan]

Hi there

you wont see much difference in a newer gen iPad over the iPad pro in relation to delay. Its almost instant on Mevo+ compared to say a Skytrak.

I ran with iPad Pro, Mevo+ and e6 plus the FS golf apps for about 6 months. Then trialled Creative Golf 3D as it doesn't need a super spec gaming laptop to run. I ended up purchasing the base package as played all the free e6 courses multiple times. I personally prefer the gameplay on CG3D but thats just my preference.

I would run with the iPad and e6 to start with a go from there, Awesome golf works on PC or iPad so worth a 14 day trial too.

Just remember iPad will always output in 4:3 ratio

[704Golf]

Thanks for that information, Alex. My screen is 12' x 9', so the iPad ratio will work well. I just want to make sure the image fills the screen. We have a basic iPad in the house, so i'll test everything on that and see how it goes.

[JC88]

I use an iPad 8(WiFi only) with no issues with my mevo plus using E6 golf. It’s actually a pretty smooth set up because I use an old Gen 3 Apple TV hooked up to the projector and just Airplay(screen mirror) the iPad. I actually bought the iPad 8 because it has the latest GPUs from Apple. Just less cores active than the top of the line iPad Pro, which doesn’t matter because the workload doesn’t even come close to leveraging those extra cores.

One thing that bothered me was the lost internet connection error message when the iPad 8 connects to the mevo plus. So I Bluetooth tethered my phone to the iPad 8 and that error message went away. I download everything using home WiFi, the only data usage is for updating mevo plus firmware and getting rid of the error message. I think you don’t need to do this if your iPad has cellular data, but I wasn’t going to pay $30/month just to have it for a dedicated golf simulator device.

One key item. Make sure your Apple TV is also connect to your mevo plus WiFi network. It will ask if you want to troubleshoot because there is no internet connection. Just say connect anyways. Then screen mirror on your iPad and you are all set.

If you want sound, I also put an optic audio converter box for the Apple TV to 3.5mm plug so that can play through my speakers. The screen mirror for Airplay also mirrors sound.

Hope that helps!

[bernhardtra]

How is it possible to connect your AppleTV to your Mevo Plus Wifi network? Is that possible with any kind of Wifi Dongle or Fire TV as well?
How is the delay broadcasting it from the Ipad to the Beamer or TV?
Thanks for your answer!
Bernhard

[brymerica]

I have an ipad air 4th gen and it outputs in 16:10 via USB-C to HDMI. I have a 4:3 ratio impact screen, but it works fine as the top of the screen is blank. I thought it would bother me but it doesn't one bit. The best part is that since I have 16:10 output, I can position the projector closer so it can also run 16:9 and use it for TV/movies/video games. Lots of discussions here on ipad vs. PC - I'm in the ipad camp (no annual fee, reasonable graphics, no difference on range, etc) but the trade-off is not as good grapics on E6 courses. Regarding ipad air vs pro -- the air 4th gen is the newest and probably faster than prior pro models. Works great, no lag, has plenty of computing power to run everything and then some. I like the USB-C port also - can output to HDMI, use wired ethernet (as the wireless is used for mevo+), and charge all at the same time. Here is my build :

https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/golf-simulator-forum/simulator-builds/324559-sim-build-project-summary-and-photos