Simulator Build Tips/Crash Course

[TGrant14]

Good morning GSF,

I am recently starting to get my wheels turning about building a garage simulator. We have a 3 car garage and I want to turn our last bay into a sim area. I would love any input from people who have constructed simulators and any advice you can give is great. From the enclosure down to software, I am all ears. Please comment what you did, and how you would have done it differently! I am also looking to buy pieces to put it together, so if anyone has anything for sale, comment below! Thanks in advance and hit 'em straight!

[chrisward3]

I did mine in 1 bay of a 3-car garage. The bay that it is in is roughly 12'x20'x12'. I have it set up for left and right folks (EyeXO), which means that I do stretch a couple feet into the adjacent bay (still enough to park the car), so at least 14' wide would be ideal for a L-R setup, with enough room for TV, screens, monitors.

I went with the 9x12x5' enclosure package from Carl's Place which came with the EyeXO and TGC2019. Ive had no issues with any of the pieces, and really enjoy the quantity and quality of courses available through TGC2019.

My biggest piece of advice is do your research and buy once-cry once!

[TGrant14]

I love that. My space is huge, just not trying to break the bank. What did you use for flooring/mats? Did you have to buy a PC? Is there a monitor to stay away from?

[Needsmoreeagles]

1. Screen Size
2. Projector Location/ Selection 1080HD or 4k
3. Dedicated Gaming CPU
4. Sim Software (TGC Here)
5. Launch Monitor
6. Pre Packed or DIY cage - You will save 30%+ DIY - Search the thread and you will see many builders include where they bought items.
7. Divot Action, GungHo's, Fiber built hitting strip mat. Do not skimp here it is very important to not injure yourself.

Gungho has some great info on his site.

Stay away from 1 price for all kits because they will charge a hefty markup and underdeliver on value for what you can piece together.

Go bigger on the screen!

I'm all in for under $6,000. Biggest tickets are Gaming CPU, Launch Monitor, Projector, SIM Software

Extra TV for watching sports because it is the best to watch a game/ tournament and play a round!

https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/golf-simulator-forum/simulator-builds/319456-garage-build-1-just-waiting-on-skytrak

[GullLakeMi]

You didn't mention where you are located. Heat or AC might be nice. Also, garage floors typically have a slope. Assess for any impact on full swing position and putting. I did a custom DIY where goal was functionality and not aesthetics. Fun project. I've upgraded to GCQuad. Data is amazing and can be frustrating (when my lack of talent won't produce the #'s I want) at same time. Lots of threads on the different components. Do your research.

[TGrant14]

I am in NC. Weather is pretty decent year round. Can be hot in summer but not terribly cold in the winter. Do you guys have any insight on a good monitor to start with? I've been looking at Mevo+, GC2, or maybe BPL. I also have seen some Flightscope Xi and old X3's for sale within the forum. Don't have a super tight budget, but also don't really want to drop 10k+ on my first build.

[Timmy5under]

I was advised to go as big as you can in your space and I'm glad I did.

[mjgolf123]

Based on your launch monitors, are you looking at floor mounted exclusively? Also, you need to determine what you want to measure. If you want lots of data (club and ball) that's going to cost more. A lot of people say they don't care about club data, but IMO it's the fastest way to improve because it show you where your swing deficiencies are. The LM is the heart of a sim, so this is where I would spend my money. A low end LM may not give you the data you want, and you will likely have to upgrade later. Personally I chose an EyeXO (bought refurbed from Uneekor) and G S P R O and the experience has been very good.

[Brettster]

TGrant14 - Congrats on making the decision... you will not turn back...

All of my building specs, materials, projector, flooring/mats, screen are documented on my Sim Shed Build post up here at:

https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/golf-simulator-forum/simulator-builds/348365-golf-sim-shed-build-finally

My space is 16'x12' (so smaller than yours) and caused specific requirements for LM (many Radar units have length requirements for the LM to read the ball.

This comes down to your budget... if you want to get started I would recommend the Garmin Approach R10 ($599) as the cheapest unit. It will give you 'good enough' numbers to let you play - but you will be giving up putting, which you can enter manually on some Sim Software (E6). If you've got the money and want to go big to start - I would say wait until some of the newer units hit the market (in a month or two), that would be things like the ProTee Overhead units (3 different varieties - starting around $5,000), or the Uneekor EyeXO. If you want a ground unit - that is portable (allowing you transport to course) then there is a new Uneekor Mini coming out, and you have the Bushnell Launch Pro ($3,500 starting), and Foresight Units ($2,000 for used GC2 starting). (there are many details and videos of all of these LMs up here, including the new ones that are coming out.

Good luck...
-Brett

[chrisward3]

I love that. My space is huge, just not trying to break the bank. What did you use for flooring/mats? Did you have to buy a PC? Is there a monitor to stay away from?

I grabbed a roll of Grey Turf across the entire simulator, which was enough to deaden a ball after impacting the screen (didnt go with any mats or padding underneath that), and went with Fibrebuilt stance and hitting mats (and added a Holy Grail strip as well).

I picked up an Alienware laptop to run the software (personal choice as I also do a lot of photo editing, and my macbook pro is 11+ years old at this point...so the alienware will pull double-duty once that craps out).

I went with EyeXO for the amount of data it tracks (without paying upgrade/subscription fees like Foresight or TM), and that it does left and right hitters. Pretty solid package for the price, when a comparable GC Quad/Hawk or TM4 is 2x the price (or more). Ive been very happy with the setup so far, and how i've been able to work on my game.