About to purchase full setup, want feedback

[jlcowper]

Hello everyone,

I have been researching all the posts and trying to get as much information as possible and I think it is time to get some feedback.

Usage: 60% practice, 40% SIM (Son wants to play too),
Size 9' X 11' (4:3 expected)
Projector short throw - I was debating if I should go 1080 or 720 ( + or - $200) I got a blackout cloth to put right behind the west coast netting pr-20. I heard that makes it a lot better, but is it worth the extra $200 to get the extra res on an 11' screen or does it not make any difference?
Mat - Seems like a good mat from the feedback.
Ipad vs. computer - I was thinking of going with an Ipad mini 4 but if someone can tell me I can get a base computer for about the same price that will respond faster I would consider it. Any experience with this? I already got the apple tv for the air connect.

Maybe in a few years I will get the TGC sim for expected $1k

Am I missing anything? Should I make a change to something based on your experience?

Thank you in advance.

Justin

SkyTrak	$2,125	https://shop.skygolf.com/p-2114-skytrak-tee-off-package.aspx
Optoma - 1080p DLP Projector - Black	$699	http://www.amazon.com/Optoma-GT1080-1080p-Gaming-Projector/dp/B00M9D4CAK/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1453922158&sr =1-2&keywords=short+throw+projector&refinements=p_n_c ondition-type%3A2224371011%2Cp_72%3A1248879011%2Cp_36%3A400 00-80000%2Cp_n_feature_browse-bin%3A3541424011
Mat	$129	http://www.allturfmats.com/Matzilla-Golf-Mat-p/mt6060.htm
Screen	$260	http://www.westcoastnetting.com/netting-products/sports/golf-barrier/impact/pr-20-w.html
Ipad mini 4	$399	http://www.apple.com/ipad-mini-4/
Projector mount	$50	http://www.amazon.com/Projector-Gear-Projector-Ceiling-OPTOMA-GT1080/dp/B00WLJSB68/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1453932510&sr =1-6&keywords=Optoma+GT1080+mount&refinements=p_n_con dition-type%3A2224371011%2Cp_36%3A-6000
Blackout cloth	$60	http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Carl-s-Blackout-Cloth-4-3-110x150-inch-Projector-Screen-Material-White-/231608112909?hash=item35eceb570d:g:LTwAAMXQVhFR-r9h
EMT 1" Poles and connectors	$50	1 Inch EMT pipe Frame

[m3w]

You won't be playing any real sims on the iPad. WGT is the only sim that will work on it. But it's not really a sim. TGC or PerfectGolf need a PC - and a pretty good one at that. I have an older laptop that runs PerfectGolf just fine. You can probably get a used one for under $500 that'll work. But TGC will need more graphics power than that.

[Brettster]

Nice to know PG runs just fine on an older laptop - what exactly are the specs on it? I got it up and running on my PC, the same I use for TGC and it looks fantastic.

[m3w]

HP ENVY dv6-7250ca
Processor: 3630QM
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M

[aja]

Don't skimp on the projector. Go 1080. The difference will be apparent. 9 x 11 is a pretty big screen to spread those pixels on. Not sure that the pr20 is as good as par2pro's HQ screen.

[goodmatt78]

Don't get the Optoma GT1080 projector. It is a crappy washed out image. Get the BenQ HT1085ST. Throw distance is very similar but the picture quality and brightness is much better on the BenQ. I wasn't happy with the Optoma and bought the BenQ to compare and then returned the Optoma. I asked my wife which picture looked better and she called me an idiot for even asking. :-)

[pwade3]

I have a "Optoma GT760A 3D 720p HD gaming projetor". I am using it on a PR100 screen though and the picture quality I think is good, but I don't have anything to compare. Would I notice a big difference moving to a 1085ST?

[Mickey]

I have the benq and par2pro hq screen. Amazing picture quality. Watched the NFC game with friends last weekend on the screen - perfect.

[ForeLeft]

I just went thru this whole process past 2 weeks. Thanks to lot of people here (especially fortysixandtwo), I was able to get this done pretty quickly and within my limited budget. Here's what I got:

- SkyTrak Hole in one package -- Currently $200 off, so you get Play & improve pkg for free
- Supertec impact screen (108 x 108) - http://shop.virtual-golf-simulator.c...-x-96-1800.htm (this guy will also sell you a skytrak and you can avoid paying tax if you are in different state). I went cheap on the screen as I thought I can buy 4 of these for the less than the price of the HQ screen.
- BenQ HT1085ST -- get it from jet.com. If you haven't purchased from jet.com before, you get 15% off.
- Cimarron golf net & frame - https://jet.com/product/Cimarron-Spo...ef1c5dc0627e5b
- HP PC via slick deals (http://slickdeals.net/forums/showpos...55&postcount=2) - great deal on a really good computer, if you need one.
- Real feel golf mat 5 x 5and ball tray - expensive, but worth it. you can use usgolftv code for 15% off

[pacificagolfer]

Congrats...share some pics once it's setup.

[ForeLeft]

Sure. If all goes smoothly I should have it setup before next weekend -- right before Super Bowl

[Dav45Jac]

Question for you Foreleft. I see that you went with the 108x108 screen and the BenQ1085ST. What is the actual image size your projecting? I want to go with the same projector and have about the same screen size as you, on projector central it shows that I can get the height, but the width would be 30 inches out each side. So I'm curious what size image your projecting and how you got it to fit the 108x108 screen size, thanks in advance.

[Cinderellaboy]

I'll also echo the mat comments,you get what you pay for. You don't want to spend all this cash and do all this research and end up w a crappy mat. I made that mistake with a $150 monster may. Ended up buying the 4x5 real feel CCE and it's the best mat I have ever hit off of. Difference is night and day, will make you much happier.


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[Stiggity]

I did the same thing. Got a monster mat and then got a CCE hitting strip. Cut out a hole in the monster mat and put in the strip. Agree the CCE is the way to go

[goodmatt78]

I love my CCE. I also think 4X5 or 5X5 is quite large for a small room. 3X5 is perfect in my room and may save you some $$$$.

[hks8888]

I have a stance mat (3'x4') with a separate hitting mat. My issue is that my stance mat keeps moving around after I hit balls. I guess it is not heavy (or steady) enough because I have it directly on the carpet floor.
Has anyone seen this kind of problem on CCE or Monster mat? I am thinking of buying a new hitting mat on which I can stand and hit. Any suggestions, please?

[dsailer]

Had the same problem. I just use 2" velcro strips - works well. The carpet underneath is cheap low cut stuff from Ollies outlet

[hks8888]

Thanks for your tip!

[goodmatt78]

4 screws near the corners....through the carpet into floor. You'll never see them.

[luv2golf]

What if your carpet is on slab? Don't really want to be using tapcons through carpet into concrete.........

[fortysixandtwo]

I put some 2" wide velcro strip around 4 ft in length and applied the hook end on the front section of my cce mat and it lays on carpet. It does not move now. I got the velcro at Lowe's

[hks8888]

Thank for your tip!

[jerry3]

ForeLeft that's an excellent deal on your pc, however that psu really isn't sufficient to power a 980ti

[ForeLeft]

ForeLeft that's an excellent deal on your pc, however that psu really isn't sufficient to power a 980ti

I am relying on HP to have done their testing, else they are going to get lots of returns. I have 30 day return policy to test it out.

Also see here: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...ti,4164-7.html. Looks like even in stress conditions, GTX 980ti only needs about 250W of power.

[jerry3]

I got to talk to a very smart tech support guy from HP this morning about this and he said their 980ti is a special design where it consumes less power, in other words they weakened it a little. Not a huge deal, just not going to get the same performance of a regular 980ti.

Also I've seen test showing around 250W for the card itself under load, but most setups (not just the card) push over 500 watts. The manufacture recommends a psu of 650 watts and so does every tech review site I've seen, or pc creation websites.

However since HP says they have a special card, I'm guessing it will be ok. I would still consider changing the psu in the future though as after the 1 year warranty it could go out and cause you some issues.

I'd like to see what your benchmarks look like once you get the pc, if you have a chance you should post them. Either way it's a killer deal and it would be hard to build a pc for that amount, so to get it from a major manufacture and a warranty is pretty cool.

[ForeLeft]

Yes, I am sure HP is doing things to make it work with 500W power supply. Will run tests once I get the PC - expected ship date is Feb 6, so should get it by Feb 12 or so.

[fortysixandtwo]

it's the nvidia reference card, probably no over clocking..

[jlcowper]

Thank you all for the advice. I upgraded to the BenQ HT1085ST and decided to do the CCE golf strip and cut it in. I like that idea since I normally practice with sticks and this will give me the lines without needing sticks. I tried to get the Supertec impact screen, but I just couldn't get a hold of anyone in a timely fashion. West coast netting has a 4 week backlog (Ouch). I got basically the same net from Carl's on Ebay at the same price. Still going to go with the Ipad and maybe someday when I will get another simulator I will get a PC for it.

Again thank you for the help everyone