Golf Simulator under $5K -- need help

[ForeLeft]

Hi Everyone,

I just recently joined this forum and have found it to be really useful as I am trying to build my golf simulator in my garage.

One of the goals I had set was to see if I could do it under $5K, but still have a decent simulator which will help me improve my game and at the same time also allow me to play online golf, though that is a secondary goal.

Given the budget constraints, I can easily rule out GC2, ES16, etc. What I am left with is SkyTrak. I have read lots of reviews about it, ranging from really good to really bad. I have decided to roll with it and see it for myself.

Here are couple of builds that I have done with the various components and their prices:

Build I
Item	Cost	Link
SkyTrak	$1,995	https://shop.skygolf.com/p-1692-skyt...h-monitor.aspx
Net Return Pro golf package	$999	http://www.thenetreturn.com/collecti...o-golf-package
Net Return Pro Screen	$249	http://www.thenetreturn.com/collecti...imulatorscreen
ASUS ROG G751JT-DB73 Laptop	$1,399	http://store.asus.com/us/item/201506AM270000028/A18486
Simulation Software	$1,000	Waiting to see what comes for Skytrak
BenQ HT 1085ST	$899	http://www.amazon.com/BenQ-HT1085ST-...=BenQ+HT1085ST
Miscelleneous	$500
Total	$7,041
Build II
Item	Cost	Link
SkyTrak	$1,995	https://shop.skygolf.com/p-1692-skytrak-launch-monitor.aspx
Net Return Pro golf package	$999	http://www.thenetreturn.com/collecti...o-golf-package
ASUS ROG G751JT-CH71	$1,199	http://store.asus.com/us/item/201412AM130000005/A18486
Simulation Software	$1,000	Waiting to see what comes for Skytrak
Viso 58" 4K LED LCD TV	$779	http://www.costco.com/Vizio-58%22-Cl...100237603.html
Miscelleneous	$500
Total	$6,472

I would love to get feedback from the community who have done this before. $5K is a soft target, so I am willing to spend little bit more as long as it is something that will prove its value in the long term.

Look forward to getting some good advice and hope to get this all ordered pretty soon.

[AUfanHKY]

My recent build with dollars rounded...

SkyTrak w/ improvement package....$2200
12x9 Impact screen with protective netting...$1500
BenQ projector....$600
iPad Air...$400
EZ Tee Poly hitting mat...$360
Misc hdmi cables etc...$100

Approx. total $5160

[ForeLeft]

Which projector model and impact screen did you get?

I am looking to go the PC route, so I can play using TGC when it comes about, so that is adding to my cost...

[AUfanHKY]

BenQ MW632ST projector and I bought my impact screen from the par2pro website.

[Gamble Gamble]

You would get a much better computer if you went with a gaming computer or small form factor pc.

The Asus ROG has a 960M or 970M gpu which is significantly less power than a 970. You will be better off getting a non M card if you are going to run TGC (if ST ever gets it)

ibuypower dot com is good for gaming pcs
cyberpowerpc dot com is great for small form factor pcs - I built a beast there for 1k - i7 core, 16gb ram, gtx 980

You may be better suited running a cable from one end of the garage to the other and using a net from west coast netting, a theater curtain from rosebrand or both.

Before getting ahead f yourself, find out how loud it is in the garage, you may need to sound dampen, which the curtain will help do. My G30 driver sounded like a howitzer in there before I redid the floors and added some dampening material.

Welcome to the forum!

[Gamble Gamble]

Where did you get that? I haven't pulled the trigger on the computer yet but that sounds like a steal.

I just tried to do it through hp and they won't allow a 980ti in the customizer....

[ForeLeft]

Gamble: follow the instructions in the link here: http://slickdeals.net/f/8452625-hp-e...5-39-taxes?v=1

use this HP link: http://store.hp.com/us/en/ConfigureV...cCjBzkopRKlA8g

And use HPDESKTOPS code.

[Gamble Gamble]

Thanks to ForeLeft and 46&2 for the heads up. Such a sick deal.

I went full boat and it was only 1300 for a 1800 ibuypower pc

[Mazenblue]

There are a lot options out there. I have a Benq 620st for about 500.00 it works great for me. You can build a EMT cage for about 150.00. Netting for around $80.00 Screen from Carls or West Coast netting around 300.00 I think I had about $3800 in my first build. I now have two hitting bays at two different houses. The SkyTrak is a great start. Seth has said he will take care of the issues we have had with it. The advice and support on this forum is fantastic.

[ForeLeft]

BenQ 620st looks pretty good. Looks like it has a newer model MW632ST, which is under $600 at Amazon. It says it has a throw ratio of 0.9. So how far do you keep it from the screen and how do you secure it, so it doesn't come in the way?

Yeah, I hope SkyTrak gets it act together. They have a really good product and I have been watching it since they sent email to skygolf members for 25% off. Keeping my fingers crossed that they announce TGC integration next week...

[Mazenblue]

My projectors are mounted at 11'6 from the screen. I used some cheap bracket from Amazon on both installs. My screen is 12X10. I have both a Carl's screen and one from West Coast Netting. West Coast was a little cheaper and you can order custom order it to your specifications.

[fortysixandtwo]

As far as destop PC's, if you don't feel like building one and just want something put together, here's a desktop PC build for around 1135. It has an i7 6700 and a GeForce gtx980ti card. It's an HP Envy 750se. I bought the same PC right before Christmas but added a ssd 256gb drive and I'm getting 60fps with TGC easy. You could probably just get a gtx 970 card with a slight performance decrease and save some money as well.

I'm biased but I would look for a used gc2 as the first piece to add. You can get other things like impact screen, projector as budget allows. A gc2 hit into a net with a android/ipad app will give you a lot of info, while you figure out the sim area..

The benq 1085st, price was 749.99 a couple weeks ago at amazon and bh photo. I ended up getting one and sold my benq 720p locally for 400.00. The 720p benq is a great alternative...

I'm also in the garage,
I used a cimarron corner kit with and the 10x10x10 black netting for sides,back, top of my cage. I picked up the 1" tubing at Lowes to put it together.

Real feel mat 5x5 CCE, usgolftv was a coupon code for 15% off

My monitor is an Acer 23" touchscreen, works great with protee and foresight software, with TGC you still have to use keyboard for a lot of play options but I'm sure updates are coming.

I went with an impact screen sold on ebay. I think it's 108x96. Already hemmed with straps for under 200 bucks...

good luck!

It's a work in progress, but my son is enjoying it...



Here's the pc specs below

http://slickdeals.net/f/8452625-hp-e...5-39-taxes?v=1

[ForeLeft]

This looks awesome. I also have a son (13 yrs), who loves golf. I am planning to surprise him with this - he is going to be so excited, can't wait to see that

I just ordered the HP Envy 750se. Came to about 1250 before tax (I added the extra Blue-ray). Amazing deal!

I may end up copying your setup. Still on the fence about GC2 though. Even a used one will go about 3500 - 4000 and they are so hard to find. SkyTrak is half of that.

[bigredhusker]

I am in your exact same situaton. I'm starting with my enclosure build.. and see what happens in the next 6-8 weeks with all this hype around the es16 skytrak etc.. got to be some stuff coming out soon.. hate to pull trigger on the launch, sim, etc.. and know something will change as soon as I do.

[Gamble Gamble]

I think he safe plays are ST or GC2. at least with ST if you are on these boards you know what the issues are. I was really turned off from the ES after contacting their sales rep. It sounds like they have a very long way to go.

To give you an anaology of how I felt after that conversation with the sales rep, it seems like ES thinks the 16 is going to be a Kate Upton, but it sounds like it is actually a Sarah Jessica Parker, but without any make up or special lighting.

[ForeLeft]

Yeah, I felt the same after learning about ES16 pricing. I got a quote, as everyone else, for $4K + $300 software. They waive 300 if ordered by 1/29. On top of that they said TGC will cost around $1500. I think they lost a lot of users by pricing it so much higher than SkyTrak. Maybe they are going after GC2 users.

[Mazenblue]

Gamble, perfect, I'm still laughing!

[Gamble Gamble]

Here is a build that works, apply the 5% off and you are at 1265 Cyberpowerpc is better if you are going for small form factor computers. They are the ones that are the same size as an Xbox one.

[Gamble Gamble]

Disregard this, read Forelefts comment above

[ForeLeft]

Here it is finally. Version 1.0. Still has a few bugs that I need to fix, but I was ready to start enjoying it. Just came back after hitting wedges for an hour. Loving it

[ForeLeft]

What can I say - Seahawks!!! (lol). Yup, I am in the beautiful but rainy pacific northwest, so this indoor golf sim is perfect 8 months of the year

[drewtaylor21]

Go Hawks! Nice set up ForeLeft!

[ForeLeft]

drewtaylor21 thanks!