Garage simulator build

[domino]

Starting my garage sim upgrade. I've been using this setup for the past 4 years with optishot and net return pro. Works great but lacks useable ball data. Purchased a gc2 without the hmt, new desktop, fsx software, benQ projector, supertex screen 8x14 and a sportscreen motorized drop down screen that I am planning to attach the supertex with Velcro on top of the existing sportScreen. I can't see that anyone has tried this but I'm hopeful it will work. All suggestions are welcome, thanks to all the members who have posted their experiences.

[awisnia]

Really cool!!! Just make sure you don't back through the screen

Is that a GC Quad? Really jealous now.

[domino]

Jerry,

I would be happy to walk you through my build. Just send me a private message with your questions. I don't think anyone else wants to read about the specifics of my build. As far as attaching your impact screen, just have a piece of velcro sewn to the top of your screen. You can then simply use a piece of adhesive backed velcro and stick it to the metal roller. This is how the Sportscreen material is hung. Sportscreen will send you the velcro if you ask.

Yes, I'm embarrassed to say that is a GC Quad. I bought a new GC2 in December and foresight traded it in at the purchase price for the GCQ. The GCQ and new FSX software are very impressive so far.

[DFDubb]

Optishot to Quad. That's quite the leap. Congrats.

[OnInTwo]

I'm $6,000 into my set-up, and just found out yesterday (the day my net-system finally arrived after waiting a month for it to be built) that WGT is the only system that I can play actual courses w/o a gaming computer. This stuff is so expensive, but hopefully worth it. The garage set-up looks pretty good, brother.

[domino]

I'm getting a bit of interest in the specifics of my build. Here are some details:

https://www.thesportscreen.com/

If you go to the sportscreen website noted above, you can order any configuration you want to span your garage door width. I just ordered the standard 16 foot system with motorized screen for $500. The sportscreen comes with an excellent black screen designed to take hockey pucks that attaches to the metal roller with velcro. It acts as a great backing for the impact screen. I mimicked the attachment with my white impact screen right on top of the black sportscreen. Each velcro strip is 2 inches wide so there is plenty of room on the roller for 2 or 3 screens. The motorized roller has no problem lifting the extra screen. I checked with the owners of the sportscreen and the assured me there wouldn't be an issue. Both screens are 9 feet in height, however, I only need 8 feet of height, so the screen has a foot wrapped around the roller in it's fully deployed position. Thus, the velcro doesn't have any force on it.

I ordered the white impact screen from Chip at spectrum golf http://shop.virtual-golf-simulator.c...Screens_c5.htm. I included the drawing used to order the screen. I paid $315 for a 9x14 screen with velcro sewn at the top, hemmed edges and a sleeve at the bottom with straps. I used the plastic rod from the middle of the sportscreen to weigh down the bottom of the impact screen. Works well.

The side netting is retractable and not connected to the roller. It simply slides on the metal 80/20 T slot aluminum track that I mounted to the garage tracks. You can see the detail photos in my thread. You can purchase 80/20 series 15 aluminum on amazon or go directly to the 80/20 website https://www.8020.net/ The overhead netting is permanent but doesn't interfere with the garage door as it is hung lower than the garage door in it's open position. I ordered the netting from west coast netting http://www.westcoastnetting.com/nett...er/impact.html. I used the 3/8 inch netting for the sides and the archery netting for the ceiling.

[FishMan83]

Domino - what were your dimensions for the overhead netting? 16' by 6'? Trying to figure how far back to come with that netting. I assume the Projector is lower than the netting? - Thanks for all your help

[mikeingp]

That's a great setup! I've been looking for a way to have a roll up impact screen in my garage. Couple of questions if you don't mind;

- Do you find that the screen hangs ok with just the rod at the bottom or do you have to use the straps to tension it?

- How's the bounce back & noise?

Anything you might do different in regards to the screen / net?

Thanks,

[domino]

I've only been using the setup for a month. My only other experience is my net return pro and a friend with a very fancy setup from foresight including a foresight screen attached with bungies around the entire screen to a rigid frame. My screen is the supertex screen which projects better than his very expensive "mesh" screen. His has less noise and bounce back. The bounce back on my set up is easily changed by letting the bottom of the screen touch the ground. If it hangs above the ground, the bounce back is excessive for my 10 foot distance. A driver can rebound back to the golfer with minimal force but distracting none the less. I prefer to sacrifice the image quality by letting the bottom of the screen touch the floor. You can see the last picture I posted to get an idea of the waves with the screen touching the floor, I still think it looks pretty good. As far as sound of the ball hitting the screen, it's significantly less than than sound of the club hitting the ball.
The sportscreen comes with 2 horizontal rods, a plastic rod for the middle and a metal rod for the bottom. I just used the plastic rod to weigh down the bottom of my white projection screen and used the much heavier metal rod for the bottom of the sportscreen which backs my projection screen. The plastic rod isn't rigid and bows down in the middle and compromises the image quality. I think I'l try a rigid piece of conduit or pipe in it. That should make it hang without waves and would be good enough to project a movie. (I have actually projected a movie in it's current configuration and it looks pretty good.) I am currently experimenting with some tarp clips from home depot attached to the projection screen. If you go with tarp clips you could skip sewing in the straps. As it is, the straps I had sewn in work well to secure the bottom of the projection screen to the lower metal rod in the sportscreen.
Sorry for the long winded answer, I'm still figuring it out.

[Captargo]

Hi Domino
Your setup looks great and would work very well in my garage.
If possible, would appreciate some help and details on your setup.
Will send you some questions on PM
thanks

[BattleshipBG]

Any update on how the setup has been working for you?

[Sramp17]

Maybe anyone can answer this....how are the 80/20 tubes attached to the ceiling?

This looks to be the setup I am going to do. I'll probably honestly almost copy it if I can, should keep the wife happy that it can be put away at anytime. I will just be short a GCQuad, only a GC2 for me *sigh* lol

[Jay Smith]

Hey guys here is my Optishot setup. Still needs some tweaking.

https://youtu.be/zE9i1KmuYcI

[FishMan83]

I really like this design and you have posted most of details. Thank you for that. A few questions, if you don't mind.

1) What do you do with your side netting when not in use and using the garage to store cars?
2) Is the side netting connect to the permanent top netting to eliminate any ball gaps?
3) What Projector are you using?
4) Any updates on bounce back?

[Captargo]

Build with sportscreen is work in progress for me but so far:
side netting will be able to be bundled and pulled toward the wall out of the way
side netting is connected to the top netting so no gaps
projector is optima gt1080
from limited testing bounce back when ball hits the screen is very minimal
only concern and still trying to figure it out is padding/protecting a direct hit on the sportscreen roller bar. A direct hit looks like it might come rocketing back
two ideas I have seen from other posts/replies is connecting the top netting to the sportscreen with Velcro below the roller bar and another where a "valence" was built out of wood, foam and vinyl and it is positioned in front of the rollerbar
unfortunately both of these ideas will not work in my current setup so I am still searching/looking for a solution

[domino]

I really like this design and you have posted most of details. Thank you for that. A few questions, if you don't mind.

1) What do you do with your side netting when not in use and using the garage to store cars? Netting mounted on 80/20 T slot framing attached with carabiners to 80/20 tool hooks (plastic piece made to slide in the slot of the T slot frame part 2099)
2) Is the side netting connect to the permanent top netting to eliminate any ball gaps? You can easily slide out the side netting if needed. I just keep it in place and retract it towards the garage door when not in use. Takes up minimal space and doesn't interfere with cars.
3) What Projector are you using? BenQ HT 2050
4) Any updates on bounce back? I purchased a screen off this forum from dbgolf72. Excellent upgrade to my prior supertex screen. It is heavy enough to just let it hang from the roller. No tension required. I am using the prior supertex screen and sportscreen backing behind my current viewing screen. No bounce back now. I think the screen will hold up much better as well without tension. I purchased some tarp clips from home depot which can be used to tighten the screen by using velcro attached to the underlying sportscreen if a better picture is desired.

[FishMan83]

Thanks for the update. Does the new screen from dbgolf72 use the same design (dimensions and velcro) as the supertex?
Are all three screens on the sportscreen roller?
Are the hitting point and projector both 9ft from the screen?
Ordering my sportscreen this weekend, to get going on this.

[domino]

The screen from dbgolf72 was finished at GA stage (he will drop it off for you if you like.) It is basically the same as the supertex but I only had velcro sewn to the top to attach to the roller. I have tarp clips to attach to the sides if I want to tighten the screen. You can just hem the bottom and top if desired. I put a sleeve in the bottom thinking I was going to weight it down with the plastic rod that comes with the sportscreen. It wasn't helpful and now it just hangs freely. Allowing it to hang decreases bounceback, sound and I suspect longevity of the screen. My supertex was showing wear after 1 month, the dbgolf screen shows no wear after 6 months.
Yes, all three screens are currently on the roller.
My hitting mat is under the projector, so you can hit anywhere from 8-11 feet from the screen.

[Captargo]

A couple of questions on your setup if possible
do you pad or protect the roller bar on the sportscreen from a direct hit?
what do you do where the ceiling netting meets the front of the roller bar - is there a gap where balls can get behind the screen or have elinibated that gap?