New build

[Fsebg1720]

First post on here. Started Dec’20, recently completed. Many ideas gained through this forum so many thanks.
Here’s to many happy hours and maybe even a better handicap long term?!!

[cgdavis_2]

Looks great! How far away from the screen are you hitting?

[Fsebg1720]

8 to 9 feet, any further back and I’d be in danger of hitting the beer fridge!

[cgdavis_2]

Ha! Couldn’t have that happen!

what’s you projector?

[Fsebg1720]

The optoma HZ40st, again first time ever buying one, but figured the longevity of the laser and the spec outweighed the extra cost. Couldn’t find many laser short throws at that price. From posts on here by others, I believe this is the European version of the gt1090hdr.

[Fsebg1720]

Cgdavis_2, you UK based or state side? If the former and are looking for raw material, strongly recommend Phil at Hybridme. I got the new s3 type material. Minimal bounce back and very quiet. The raw material works well with angle length + tarp clip set up.

[cgdavis_2]

I’m stateside, but thanks for the recommendation.

[Fsebg1720]

Well it’s just over a year since I ‘finished’ (is it ever really finished?! Always seems to adding things!). Can honestly say it’s been amazing! Played lots of rounds on tgc 2019, had jpotas, who I highly recommend, design my own course, lots of friends been round and even had my 5yr old son start swinging a club! Plus I added a fold away driving seat so he and I could enjoy the various driving simulators!
As mentioned above, continuously making alterations, so thought I’d share a few pics.
Added in some neon flex led lights, the four leaf clover to hopefully bring me sim luck when competing in the weekly competitions!
Changed sides as to where my clubs were, as I kept having to step over the skytrak. Used some left over timber from the raising of the rafters, cut down bag tubes and some pool cue clips to make a stand myself! Also hung my acoustic guitars for when I want to chill out and not disturb the wife and kids with my attempts at playing!
Added in an inflatable camping armchair, so when watching the football (soccer to those of you stateside!) I can sit comfortably. Although when having friends round to play golf I’ve been thinking of getting some more bar stools to replace the armchair. Yes inflatable but have literally only used the air pump once in the best part of a year.
One issue I had was that originally I didn’t fix the bottom of the screen. My screen is very good quality from Hybridme here in the uk (again strongly recommend Phil, who was very supportive in talking me through various aspects of my design, even for the projector positioning, even though I was purchasing it from another company). Issue was a little crumpling mainly because I have excess material folded underneath and behind. Eventually I added a spare angle length on the floor and attached the screen with more tarp clips, as per the sides and top. This clearly needed protecting from potential ricochets, so I bought a length of Astro turf and rolled it up in front. This then led to another issue, like all my diy! The Astro turf was now crumpling! So I have recently bought 12 1.5m noodles, gaffer taped them together in two sets and rolled them up in the Astro turf to support it. It now looks much neater.

My next upgrade may well be a surround sound system of some kind. Currently have a Bluetooth speaker at the back of sim linked to the project via a Bluetooth transmitter. It’s loud enough for golf and even the football and Netflix, but I have the urge to make the audio in there even better. Would love wireless, and even looked at the Sony ht a9, which looks amazing but very expensive. Not even sure if it would connect to the project via transmitter etc. Thought about sound bar but worried that having above and behind the cloth baffling it may become a target for my 60 degree wedge. Also looked at satellite speakers etc but would prefer to steer clear of extra wires. Any suggestions would be most welcomed.

Anyway, hope you like the additions, happy golfing!

[Fsebg1720]

Appears I can’t upload pics?!🙄

[Brettster]

Fsebg1720 - I hope you can get it? It is a little strange, you choose Insert Image, then Upload to Server (select your image), then 'Send to Server', then just Enter and it will drop in at Full Size, then I usually change size to Medium, by clicking Medium, and then save the post... You can add as many as you want, but better if it's 3-5 per post.

[Fsebg1720]

[Brettster]

Very nice Fsebg1720 - congrats! Like the music touch too... and the neon! Where did you find that?

[Godfather]

What size TV? I am adding one, but don’t want to go too big.

[Fsebg1720]

Thanks for the comments, the neon light I made myself. Didn’t want to mess around with cutting and soldering so just tried a design that would work with continuous length of neon led. Had already made another of my football teams badge, so just add the four leaf clover light to one of the spare connectors on the original power cable. Mounted the neon strip to metal grid with white zip ties.
Have a 42inch tv on the side wall, linked to an old all in one pc, that I just play sports through when playing golf. Which was really cool last week, playing the Augusta course whilst watching the masters!
Decided to upgrade sound system to av receiver and 5.1 system. Middle front speaker mounted above screen behind baffle sheet and inside a protective grill which I’ve then surround with foam padding for any loose 60 degree wedges. Makes a huge difference, especially when using the sim for movies.
Also removed the inflatable armchair, and replaced with two more barstools this week.
These recent additions have now caused me a problem if I don’t know what to do next!

[Brettster]

Neon is great! Expect you've done that before a few times... good work. I'm also hoping to hang a TV, and am in process of installing 5.1 sound... with this unit: https://tinyurl.com/Vizio51SurroundBar

I'll be hanging middle bar (with 3 speakers behind all the cloth baffles) above and behind my screen, see the baffles and cloth - in my sim at this post:

https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/golf-simulator-forum/simulator-builds/348365-golf-sim-shed-build-finally?p=365387#post365387

Along with the subwoofer (and 2 attached rear satellite speakers) at the back of the room.

[Fsebg1720]

[Fsebg1720]

Meant to add that the pool noodles were to form, had a few thinned shots come back at me, so added to layers of the leftover insulation I used when we converted the garage. Works a treat!

[jasonreg]

What size TV? I am adding one, but don’t want to go too big.

Is that even a thing?

[Brettster]

oh yes it is jasonreg - I too don't want too big, my whole sim is 16'x12' and I have limited electricity/amp draw available which I'm already using up with a 5.1 sound system, so want to stay light on TV too - found a 40"-42" TCL I believe, low electrical draw, and might be just what I need.