Garden shed simulator build

[adilgolf]

I have been planning a simulator build inside a metal garden shed for the past 3 or 4 months. (regional Australia)
This forum has definitely been an invaluable source of knowledge.
After weeks and weeks of wait, the garden shed is finally starting to be built, so i thought i'd share the progress with everyone hoping others would learn from my mistakes.

Shed is 6m x 6m, height is 3m to 3.5m at highest point. I realised too late that 6m outer dimensions means 5.5m only useful space inside, not a deal breaker, but there won't be much spare room to add anything beside the simulator bay...
In hindsight, 6m x 8m, or 5m x 8m would have been a better size... too late to change it now.

I already ordered pretty much everything that needs to go inside, things like a custom sized impact screen can take a long time to make, so whoever is planning a build, make a shopping list early on so that everything is ready when you need it...

Impact screen will cover one whole wall (18"x10" or 5.5mx3m, and hopefully should work ok with my Optoma gt1090 projector that has a 16:9 aspect ratio...

Some photos of the progress so far, main framing was completed today, the rest of the outer skin + roof should take another day of work, hopefully tomorrow if it doesn't rain, otherwise, might have to wait a few more days...

Will post more photos as we go.

Cheers

[Alex.Morgan]

Looks great! keep us updated on the progress.

What launch monitor are you going for?

[adilgolf]

Hi Alex
Really like your youtube channel
I have a skytrak but i bought a Uneekor eyexo for this build.
Might sell the skytrak if the uneekor unit works well.
Cheers

[Alex.Morgan]

Thank you very kind

I would go for a Uneekor if i had a more permanent space, it looks superb!
This sim is going to be awesome!

[adilgolf]

Despite a cold rainy miserable day, the builders made some significant progress today and the outer structure is now about 90% complete

It's hard to see on the photos without a visual reference, but this thing is big height wise, especially the 3.5m side !

[webs007]

Id be interested in buying the Skytrak off you........is it good, are the hits pretty accurate ? software play ?

[adilgolf]

Hi,
I messaged you
Thank you

[adilgolf]

I am trying to setup my optoma 1090 projector.

I used the calculations from projectorcentral and from the optoma website to determine the throw distance, but it was way off, image only filled about 70% of the screen.

After 2 or 3 frustrating tries, i ended up with the projector almost 1.5meters (5 feet) behind the predicted position from the calculators... initial position was 2.7m from the screen, and final position is now at around 4.15m...

Because of the eyexo sitting between projector and screen, i had no choice but to have the projector slightly below the eyexo level then I tilted it upward to keep the image on the screen, this also means i had to use keystone correction to rectify the image; is this why the throw distance is that much further from the screen ?

It is a bit annoying as the projector is now behind the impact area which puts it more at risk of getting wacked by a club.
I still have to finish mounting the actual screen to make a few real tests and see if this also causes shadowing problems with the head of the golfer getting in the way of the image..

Did anyone else have trouble with the calculator from projectorcentral ? or does my projector simply have a faulty lens ?

[Dax]

Did you play around with the zoom lens at 2.7 meters? The screen calculator picture you shared does not show the zoom slider and I know this projector has a 1.3x zoom feature. A long shot from me, but something you did not mention in your post.

[adilgolf]

I cannot see a zoom slider.
All there is is a focus slider, it doesn't change the size of the projected image, only the focusing...
There is a digital zoom option, but again, it doesn't change the overall projection, but it allows to zoom within the same projected scene...
There might be more than 1 version of this projector, mine seems to have a fixed lens.
The lowest part of the projector is now at exactly 2.5 meter from where the finished flooring will be, i will have to try with clubs once everything is in place and see if it's safe to have it there, otherwise, i might need to try a different projector or move things around...

[Dax]

Page 10 of the English owners manual shows a zoom lever as item 6?

Again I don’t have this projector, but from what I have read about it, it has a 1.3x zoom? Maybe this is the digital zoom, but the manual seems to suggest otherwise.

[adilgolf]

Yes, i saw that, it says 'WUXGA model'.

Page 20 of the same manual says:
Note: 1080p Short Throw model does not support the zoom and lens shift function functions

There seems to be 2 very distinct models. A short throw 1080p and a WUXGA...

The standard 1090 has a fixed lens, i haven't come across the WUXGA model.

The specifications page on the optomausa website says:
Throw ratio 0.5:1
Projection distance 15.75" - 130.31"
Zoom type Fixed

The image gallery shows the exact same model that i have and it is nothing like the WUXGA one in the manual, no zoom lever anywhere

Will have a look on ebay and the various sellers see if they have the zoom version though it might not be a short throw and hence nit suitable for our needs

Cheers

[adilgolf]

After 2 months of work, the simulator is almost finished.
This took so long as i could only work on this on weekends or the very occasional day off...
Started by sealing the floors, adding a second layer insulation (rockwool) and plywood lining to all walls and ceiling, main reason is soundproofing and better temperature control




Next step was to build secondary walls carrying homemade uphostered panels (Vant panels style). Each panel is 120 x 60 x 6 cms and weighs about 5kgs.
Screwed all panels to the walls first from the back, then the walls could be moved to their final positions
Ran 6 horizontal timber beams along the top parallel to the screen and attached more panels for ceiling protection.




Next job was to do all the wiring and attach all the electronics, lights, computer...
All the cables were run through the main shed beams to keep things as neat as possible.
Took a few tries to get the projector in the right position, but was ok in the end.
Sonos soundbar hung from the center beam provides quite an impressive sound that fills the whole room.
SpectroLed 500 light above the hitting area + 1 led spotlight on each side. The side lights proved to be un-necessary as the spectroled provides ample light. Barn doors help keep the light away from the screen...
Started carpeting the walls



Entire shed floor was then covered in EVA gym tiles (40mm thick)

Once wall carpeting was completed, all electrical connections done, hanged impact screen (Par2Pro SQ) using slotted angle iron, zipties and bungees. Shock cord was run through the bottom pocket of the screen to keep it under tension and help stop balls going underneath.
The screen goes all the way down to the concrete through a slot that was cut into the EVA tiles.
Didn't really take photos of this step but it was very straight forward. Luckily the screen width was an exact match to the shed, so I didn't need to add any trim.
Small strip of black carpet was used to hide the bungees above the screen (about 10-15cms gap between screen and ceiling panels)
Screen sits about 30cms from the back wall


Turf purchased at a local hardware store (bunnings - Tuff Turf 1.8m x 12mm Multi Tuff Synthetic Turf) was installed in 2 rows of 1.8m, then the remaining 1.8 furthest from the screen was carpeted using a grey carpet, same one used on the walls (Ideal DIY Topdeck Grey Velour Marine Carpet)

a 90cmx50cm '3D layer' impact mat was then recessed into the floor (bought on ebay)



Lastly a split aircon was installed

Comptuer used is Alienware Aurora R12

HDMI splitter to use the projector with both computer and Amazon Fire TV, also controls audio output to Sonos soundbar via fiber-optic cable.

The hard part now is getting the kids out of there as they love watching movies on the big screen...

Thank you to everyone on this forum who helped directly or indirectly.

Cheers

[Alex.Morgan]

Wow! Superb work, thanks for posting. I've been following your build from the start. Enjoy!

[adilgolf]

Thanks Alex, very kind

[slipdog]

Looks awesome! Very jealous.

[allman89]

Looks amazing!

[Brent628]

Nicely done.

[JNewman1909]

Great result, I have been following this build as I am about to embark on the same journey. Did you source your EYEXO from Australia or OS?

[adilgolf]

Bought it directly from Uneekor, $12K US including Succeed software.
Quote for the above from golfsim australia was $17,556 for eyexo + $2,849 for Succed sw totaling $20,405 AU or about $15K US (inc GST) at current exchange rate/

To be honest, i didn't know about golfsim australia at the time, otherwise i would have bought everything from them. Their impact screen material also looks very similar to the par2pro SQ that i bought, but it is cheaper and there is less waiting time... Saves you the hassle of organizing shipping and dealing with customs and so on...

Might be worth talking to them, they have been super quick to answer my emails when i contacted them.

Good luck with your build

[JNewman1909]

Yeah have been talking to them... even had a hit in their demo. Just trying to work out the most cost effective way as there looks to be a considerable markup.

I assume installation was as easy as it looks on youtube etc?

[adilgolf]

Yes, installation is easy. Uneekor will provide a usb drive with everything that is needed, instructions are clear and pretty straightforward. you just follow the steps and install things one at a time in the order they specify and it's good to go. Everything is in the box, including cables, screws...
Send me an email if you need help with the setup.
Cheers

[MadMax]

G'day mate, this is fantastic setup, !! QQ do you have a slight incline(ramp) in front of the screen or is that just a seam in the carpet ?

[adilgolf]

Just a seam, Bunnings turf comes is rolls that are 1.8m wide...
Kept everything flat as i later added a putting cup near the screen, easier to putt that way.
Cheers

[TorchRedRob]

Wow. Very nicely done. I really like the grey/black scheme.