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**jerry3** · 02-07-2022, 07:19 AM

gamecox23 congrats on the new home and your baby! Garages make great sim rooms, so I think you'll be pleased, especially if you do it right the first time. Fortunately a lot of users have gone through it in the garage and probably have some really good ideas.

Launch Pro is a great idea, GC3 might be a slightly better idea depending on your financial situation. I'd go ahead and avoid the skytrak and mevo+ if you can, they're good but not on the same level at all.

Par2Pro stealth setup is a great idea, but can be done for a lot less money if you do it yourself.

-Buy a motorized retractable system https://www.metechs.com/store/index....index&cPath=18

-Buy a high quality screen from forum member: https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum...creen-material

-Attach velcro to both the motorized tube, and to the screen and then you have yourself a retractable screen. You can also put velcro on you're floor and the bottom of your screen to tension the bottom of the screen. Alternatively you could sew a pocket and tension using something like padded emt, chain, etc.

-For side protection you could do something with curtains on tracks or you could again go with the retractable method.

I'd strongly recommend you create you're own fiberbuilt mat setup, you can do it just as nice for a lot less money and it will be much easier and lighter to move...

-Buy fiberbuilt insert https://fiberbuiltgolf.com/collectio...-holes-12-x-35
-Buy heavy duty excercise mat https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FYTLS2K...M7FYDZ900Q4M27
-Buy carpet or turf of choice to put on top, I recommend foss grizzly grass but as a budget friendly option, it's available at a ton of places
-Cut carpet to size of you're mat
-Put fiberbuilt strip where you would like it to go on carpet and cut using razor (keep the carpet piece)
-Put carpet on the mats, use the cutout to mark where the fiberbuilt insert will go, and then cut mat
-Adhere carpet to the mat, I also recommend adhering the cutout to the bottom of the fiberbuilt strip

Done now you have an affordable modular system that is easy to move and is just as good as from fiberbuilt imo. It's what I've been using for years and love it!

I'd recommend desktop, a little more of a pain to move, but imo it's worth it.

Projector really depends on budget and what you're finished screen size will be and a few other factors. I'm partial to the optima 1080 hdr or 1090hdr, short throw high lumens and good image. I put mine directly over my hitting strip.

Lighting, can't really go wrong with anything

Temperature control: Highly recommend a mini split, I think almost every garage sim golf that has one will tell you it's probably the best thing you can buy for the sim room. Save on everything else and get it imo. You can save and buy a diy option from mr. cool, I did and love it. Great at heating and cooling, it will be a minimal hit to your electric bill. https://iwae.com/shop/12k-btu-22-see...d-ha20868.html

Any questions feel free to shoot me a message, I've got a lot of opinions

**kperry** · 02-07-2022, 05:48 PM

Congrats on the new house and baby! My sister is trying to buy a place in Charlotte now and finding the same issues as you with the market.

It sounds like you have the LM figured out and I do not have experience with retractable screens so I can't really comment there.

Laptop: I bought this one a little over a year ago when it was on sale for $900. It's been great! Unfortunately, it's out of stock now but may be worth checking back on when you move in. I run TGC on it and enjoy the portability now that I started trying to recreate a course from Lidar. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lenovo-Y5...5GUS/921861606

Projector: I am by no means an expert here, but that Samsung projector says it only goes up to 100". And typically on the larger end of a projector range the brightness isn't great.

Temp control: I can give you some good feedback here as I live in Charlotte, NC and my sim is also in the garage. The winter is not bad at all. If I'm hitting by myself, I typically will start off in a hoodie or something and after a few swings be comfortable in short sleeves. I wouldn't say there is really a need for heat here unless you don't want to wear a light jacket or pullover. On the other hand, summer is really hot. I don't mind getting a little sweaty in the garage but you pretty much have to plan for taking a shower after. I have considered a mini-split, may go that way in the future, but for now it's not unbearable. My brother-in-law has one of those portable AC units he uses when one of his rental properties goes out, I may try that in the summer to see if it would work.

Good luck on the rest of the house and sim build!

**gamecox23** · 02-07-2022, 06:01 PM

Originally posted by jerry3 View Post

gamecox23 congrats on the new home and your baby! Garages make great sim rooms, so I think you'll be pleased, especially if you do it right the first time. Fortunately a lot of users have gone through it in the garage and probably have some really good ideas.

Launch Pro is a great idea, GC3 might be a slightly better idea depending on your financial situation. I'd go ahead and avoid the skytrak and mevo+ if you can, they're good but not on the same level at all.

Par2Pro stealth setup is a great idea, but can be done for a lot less money if you do it yourself.

-Buy a motorized retractable system https://www.metechs.com/store/index....x&cPath=18

-Buy a high quality screen from forum member: https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum...creen-material

-Attach velcro to both the motorized tube, and to the screen and then you have yourself a retractable screen. You can also put velcro on you're floor and the bottom of your screen to tension the bottom of the screen. Alternatively you could sew a pocket and tension using something like padded emt, chain, etc.

-For side protection you could do something with curtains on tracks or you could again go with the retractable method.

I'd strongly recommend you create you're own fiberbuilt mat setup, you can do it just as nice for a lot less money and it will be much easier and lighter to move...

-Buy fiberbuilt insert https://fiberbuiltgolf.com/collectio...-holes-12-x-35
-Buy heavy duty excercise mat https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FYTLS2K...M7FYDZ900Q4M27
-Buy carpet or turf of choice to put on top, I recommend foss grizzly grass but as a budget friendly option, it's available at a ton of places
-Cut carpet to size of you're mat
-Put fiberbuilt strip where you would like it to go on carpet and cut using razor (keep the carpet piece)
-Put carpet on the mats, use the cutout to mark where the fiberbuilt insert will go, and then cut mat
-Adhere carpet to the mat, I also recommend adhering the cutout to the bottom of the fiberbuilt strip

Done now you have an affordable modular system that is easy to move and is just as good as from fiberbuilt imo. It's what I've been using for years and love it!

I'd recommend desktop, a little more of a pain to move, but imo it's worth it.

Projector really depends on budget and what you're finished screen size will be and a few other factors. I'm partial to the optima 1080 hdr or 1090hdr, short throw high lumens and good image. I put mine directly over my hitting strip.

Lighting, can't really go wrong with anything

Temperature control: Highly recommend a mini split, I think almost every garage sim golf that has one will tell you it's probably the best thing you can buy for the sim room. Save on everything else and get it imo. You can save and buy a diy option from mr. cool, I did and love it. Great at heating and cooling, it will be a minimal hit to your electric bill. https://iwae.com/shop/12k-btu-22-see...d-ha20868.html

Any questions feel free to shoot me a message, I've got a lot of opinions

Wow. Thank you, amazing advice! From research it seems there isn't much difference between the Launch Pro and GC3, aside from software.. I am hopeful I can get that Launch Pro at almost half off, which would make it a no brainer - would take years of software to catch up to the GC3 cost. If I cannot, I still may lean that way - as you said they are a completely different level from the Skytrak etc...

I was thinking about making my own mat like you mentioned, especially after watching a GungHo setup on YouTube.. It looks like you can drive on that setup (not the fiber insert, but the rest of the mat), which would be great - then I don’t really need to move it! Also like the idea of building my own retractable screens - should save some $! Not sure how I feel about sewing to attach it, but will research.

Thanks for the feedback on the mini split.. Guessing I'll need to get an electrician out for a dedicated outlet outside to run that Mr. Cool unit? Anything else electric wise I need to think of when I have them come out? Wish I could add this stuff with the builder, but unfortunately with the way things are right now with supply chain, they won't let me make any changes to anything except flooring and stuff like that.. Also if I add this temp control, then a desktop would make sense and I wouldn't need to move it.

I'm debating back and forth if I want to have the setup against the garage door (which would require a side mount garage door opener), or just a 10 foot wide against my back wall. I'm thinking I'll have more storage options if I put it against the garage door rather than the back wall, but that is another added expense for the garage door opener. Looks like if I do back wall I'll have to overlap with the door to the inside which is not ideal - but I won't know that until I get in the house and can measure everything - I'm going just off the high level floor plan dimensions. Any thoughts or feedback from that perspective? Seems bigger will be better and I want to do it the right way for maximum usage.

Thank you again for the thoughtful response, this is all exciting but overwhelming at the same time! Was hopeful for under $10k budget, we'll see if I can keep it that way

**Clubrepair** · 02-07-2022, 07:13 PM

https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum...xtremely-happy

I just posted my build and it sounds like you are looking to do something similar to mine. Jerry3 has a ton of the information listed that I spent a ton of time researching. Where were you when I needed you, Jerry3!?!?!?!

**Clubrepair** · 02-07-2022, 08:21 PM

I did install the garage door opener by myself and it was quite easy. If you are handy, you'll have no problem.

**jerry3** · 02-08-2022, 01:04 AM

Originally posted by gamecox23 View Post

:

You're welcome, happy to try and help.

You're correct that there isn't much of difference between the launch pro and GC3, sounds like you know your stuff. But here is a little article for some more information just in case...

Bushnell Launch Pro versus GC3

https://mygolfspy.com/foresight-gc3-and-bushnell-launch-pro-launch-monitors/#:~:text=The%20%24799%20Bushnell%20Launch%20Pro,badge%20on%20the%20unit%20itself).

We have broken down the differences of the Foresight GC3 and Bushnell Launch Pro to help you make a better, more informed purchase.

You can go with a license electrician to run the electric for the mini split and or the the outlet that would be required for the jackshaft garage door opener. Not sure if an electrician from the builder will be in your house for any reason, but if so I'd talk to the electrician and see if you can arrange for him to do your small project for cash on the side. Many times they'll take you up on the offer and it will be much cheaper than through a company.

If not get a quote to put to run electrical for the mini split on it's own 20 amp breaker, I'd also consider putting a few extra outlets in the garage if you're going to hire it out. If the price is too high, no worries you can do it yourself fairly easily. I had no prior electrical experience besides changing out bad light fixtures and it was pretty easy even for me...

I just watched youtube videos and followed the advice from the electricians at my local Lowe's. I told them what I was doing, they told me what I'd need and it was pretty simple.

I didn't need to run any more outlets, but if you do just tap into whatever existing outlet you have in your garage and do something like this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRducG5V4Uc

I don't really like the idea of driving over any mat or turf, because it's going to leave indentations and also it will likely drag in dirt and grim that will likely eventually find its way onto your screen. It really only takes 5-10 minutes to setup and take down some mats and roll up some turf. Just my 2 cents.

Do you have a floor plan you can share, it would be easier to suggest where your screen should be if the layout of the garage and house were better understood.

I know what you mean when you say it's overwhelming, but it's not as hard as it seems. Take your time with one project at time so that you don't rush it and potentially do something that you're less than happy with. All of this is definitely doable for less than 10k.

**jerry3** · 02-08-2022, 01:08 AM

Originally posted by Clubrepair View Post

https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum...xtremely-happy

I just posted my build and it sounds like you are looking to do something similar to mine. Jerry3 has a ton of the information listed that I spent a ton of time researching. Where were you when I needed you, Jerry3!?!?!?!

I've been kind of tuned out of the forum for a while now since I don't use TGC, but I try to check in every now and then to hopefully share some knowledge and see some great setups!

**gamecox23** · 02-08-2022, 02:19 AM

Originally posted by jerry3 View Post

You're welcome, happy to try and help.

You're correct that there isn't much of difference between the launch pro and GC3, sounds like you know your stuff. But here is a little article for some more information just in case...

Bushnell Launch Pro versus GC3

https://mygolfspy.com/foresight-gc3-and-bushnell-launch-pro-launch-monitors/#:~:text=The%20%24799%20Bushnell%20Launch%20Pro,badge%20on%20the%20unit%20itself).

We have broken down the differences of the Foresight GC3 and Bushnell Launch Pro to help you make a better, more informed purchase.

You can go with a license electrician to run the electric for the mini split and or the the outlet that would be required for the jackshaft garage door opener. Not sure if an electrician from the builder will be in your house for any reason, but if so I'd talk to the electrician and see if you can arrange for him to do your small project for cash on the side. Many times they'll take you up on the offer and it will be much cheaper than through a company.

If not get a quote to put to run electrical for the mini split on it's own 20 amp breaker, I'd also consider putting a few extra outlets in the garage if you're going to hire it out. If the price is too high, no worries you can do it yourself fairly easily. I had no prior electrical experience besides changing out bad light fixtures and it was pretty easy even for me...

I just watched youtube videos and followed the advice from the electricians at my local Lowe's. I told them what I was doing, they told me what I'd need and it was pretty simple.

I didn't need to run any more outlets, but if you do just tap into whatever existing outlet you have in your garage and do something like this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRducG5V4Uc

I don't really like the idea of driving over any mat or turf, because it's going to leave indentations and also it will likely drag in dirt and grim that will likely eventually find its way onto your screen. It really only takes 5-10 minutes to setup and take down some mats and roll up some turf. Just my 2 cents.

Do you have a floor plan you can share, it would be easier to suggest where your screen should be if the layout of the garage and house were better understood.

I know what you mean when you say it's overwhelming, but it's not as hard as it seems. Take your time with one project at time so that you don't rush it and potentially do something that you're less than happy with. All of this is definitely doable for less than 10k.

Thanks - I definitely know how to out in an outlet but nothing with a dedicated line, that’s what I figured the Mr Cool would require. I have a friend who is an electrician and will be installing my Tesla charger anyway so will have him take a look when he’s there. Attached a pic of the floor plan, but it’s not very detailed - appreciate any feedback there. I didn’t think about the dirt from the car, good point there.

**jerry3** · 02-08-2022, 03:15 AM

Originally posted by gamecox23 View Post

Thanks - I definitely know how to out in an outlet but nothing with a dedicated line, that’s what I figured the Mr Cool would require. I have a friend who is an electrician and will be installing my Tesla charger anyway so will have him take a look when he’s there. Attached a pic of the floor plan, but it’s not very detailed - appreciate any feedback there. I didn’t think about the dirt from the car, good point there.

Ok floor plan helps, I've attached what I think I would do if I were you.

Also I recommend you keep a broom and squeegee in the garage to sweep or squeegee just for any possible messes.

**gamecox23** · 02-08-2022, 03:22 PM

Originally posted by jerry3 View Post

Ok floor plan helps, I've attached what I think I would do if I were you.

Also I recommend you keep a broom and squeegee in the garage to sweep or squeegee just for any possible messes.

Thanks! Looks exactly like what I was hoping to do, will use this diagram in my planning. I really appreciate all your help & feedback!

**aramirez024** · 02-16-2022, 10:11 PM

I like that set up he built for you. Mine is similar, but I hit away from the garage door with Mevo+. I currently have a 12' screen but am going to get a 16' one and go basically wall to wall. Next move is to raise the garage door rails so we can play with the door open. If your garage is anything like mine (20' x 20') it starts to feel small quickly.

Attached Files

**MadMax2021** · 02-22-2022, 06:24 AM

Thanks Jerry3 and others. Jerry3's recommended setup is similar to what I have in mind in our new house after I set up the wall mount garage door opener to open up the ceiling for driver use. The garage is a similar size too (21 by 21).

I have a few questions.

(1) For Jerry3: Why tear down the turf/exercise mats each time? So long as you don't drive over the hitting strip, shouldn't it be OK?

(2) What are the pros and cons for the side of curtains vs. putting black cloth on a vertical rod similar to the screen? Is it that curtains are simpler mechanically?

(3) For retractable, MeTech looks sold out, is Sportscreen just as good? I was thinking of Sportscreen handcranks since there is seemingly less that can go wrong.

(4) With a retractable setup, how do you protect the garage ceiling do you put permanent protection on the ceiling or do you do something retractable there too?

(5) With respect to noise, is having the screen one foot from the outside door a lot quieter than hitting in towards the house or are these two situations about the same for people inside? In my current set up, I can't hit driver so it isn't as loud as I imagine it would be in a garage.

Finally, I have one tip: if you don't want to put a gaming computer in your garage and already have one, install ethernet near where you are playing. You can then use a KVM switch to direct connect over ethernet back to your gaming computer and connect it to your projector (or TV). In my case, I'm planning to have a projector screen and also a wall mounted smaller TV on the side.

**jerry3** · 02-24-2022, 02:22 AM

@kirkemg

**jerry3** · 02-24-2022, 02:23 AM

you can go as big or small as you want, i went with a bigger setup

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