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Many dream of having a life-size golf simulator setup in their home, so they can play their favourite golf courses or practice on the range day or night, rain or shine, any time of the year.
But many don’t give much thought to the projector, which projects the ball flight and simulation onto the screen. Projectors that are low-quality, produce a dark image, or are a hassle to set up can ruin the experience.
Without a good projector, you won’t be able to realize the full potential of your simulator.
In this article, we’ll review and compare our picks for the best golf simulator projectors across a range of different budgets. We’ll also provide a buying guide that will help you narrow down the projector that will suit you best.
Note: Golfstead has tested and/or conducted in-depth research into all of the products featured in this guide. Our editorial process for these rankings takes into account a mix of many factors which may include performance, reliability, usability, value for money, cost, and the general consensus from other users of the product. The list that follows may be reassessed or updated over time.
Our Top Picks For Golf Simulator Projectors
Based on our own testing, research, and experience, the following are our top picks for the best golf simulator projectors:
- Optoma GT2000HDR Laser Short Throw Projector
- BenQ MW632ST WXGA Short Throw Projector
- Panasonic PT-VZ580U WUXGA Projector
- BenQ LK936ST 4K Laser Short Throw Projector
- LG ProBeam BU53RG 4K Laser Short Throw Projector
- Optoma ZH450ST Laser Short Throw Projector
- Panasonic PT-VMZ51U WUXGA Laser Projector
- BenQ TK700STi 4K Short Throw Projector
1. Optoma GT2000HDR Laser Short Throw Projector
Why is the Optoma GT2000HDR our top pick? Because it’s priced well for a laser short throw projector, it’s compact, it’s energy-efficient, and its short throw capabilities mean you can mount it from a short distance away.
With golf simulators, a bright, high-quality image is important, and you get exactly that with the GT2000HDR. Many golf simulator owners have used it with excellent results, and in fact, it’s one of the most common projectors used for golf simulators.
The GT2000HDR replaces previous discontinued models like the GT1080HDR, providing a more compact design by up to 34% and a much higher contrast ratio. The lumens are a little lower, but the laser light source more than makes up for it.
Features
The GT2000HDR projector uses Digital Light Processing (DLP) and HDR10 technologies for richer, truer colours. The 3500 lumens of the projector produce a bright, sharp image even if there is some ambient lighting in the room.
The 0.5:1 throw ratio effectively means you can produce a 100″ image with the projector just 1.1 meters away from the screen.
One of the greatest strengths of the GT2000HDR is its fast response time (4ms), which translates to minimal lag between your shot and the result on the screen. In addition, the projector uses up to 45% less power than Optoma’s previous lamp-based projectors.
Other features include:
- a high contrast ratio of 300,000:1
- horizontal & vertical keystone correction of ±30 degrees
- a digital zoom
- a 16:9 native aspect ratio
- USB and HDMI support
- an integrated speaker
- Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) support
- Auto Power Off which automatically turns the projector off if not in use
- a laser lifespan of 30,000 hours
It’s not just great for golf though. You can also connect it to gaming consoles or media players, with plenty of connectivity for things like Amazon Fire TV Stick HD, Google Chromecast, and Apple TV.
The projector supports HDMI connectivity, which allows you to easily hook up your laptop, computer, or other device that is running the simulation software to the projector. The projector also supports 4:3 aspect ratios which are common with golf simulator screens.
Because the GT2000HDR is a short-throw projector, it can be mounted on the floor or ceiling without creating shadows. People just love the value for money you get with it. You can view customer reviews here.
2. BenQ MW632ST WXGA Short Throw Projector
The BenQ MW632ST is an excellent choice if you’re on a really tight budget. BenQ is one of the best projector brands out there today.
This model can only project up to 1280×1800 resolution and is just barely considered a short throw projector, but a lot of golf simulator owners have had great success with it.
Technologies & Specs
The MW632ST has a throw ratio of 0.9:1. This effectively means that you can get an 87-inch image with the projector placed 1.36m away.
It produces 3200 lumens, which is very good given its price. You can add a bit more light to your room and the image will stay bright.
Other features include:
- a contrast ratio of 13000:1 and a pixel fill factor for clear text and images
- a vertical keystone function that aligns the image when the projector is placed off-center
- a 1.5A USB Type-A output that you can use to charge various devices
- HDMI and MHL connectivity
- built-in 10W speakers
- full DLPR 3D support, which you can take advantage of with 3D glasses and a device that can produce 3D content such as a blu-ray player
Users of the MW632ST love the light weight, portability, and crisp and bright image that you can see from any vantage point.
3. Panasonic PT-VZ580U WUXGA Projector
Short throw projectors aren’t the only answer for golf simulators — standard throw works really well too if you mount it on the ceiling and have enough room depth.
The PT-VZ580U is from Panasonic, which generally makes excellent projectors. It can put out a very impressive 5000 lumens at a 1920×1200 WUXGA resolution, and it’s more affordable than a comparable short throw projector would be.
The PT-VZ580U also has a very good average rating, with many people using it successfully in their golf simulator setup.
Features
The Panasonic PT-VZ580U has a throw ratio of 1.09-1.77:1. This will normally mean that you’ll need to mount the projector 10-20 feet from the screen.
The very high lumens rating of 5000 means that you get bright, clear images in practically any indoor or semi-indoor environment. With a 16000:1 contrast ratio and 3LCD image generation technology, you get a lot of detail even in dark areas of the image.
Other features include:
- HDMI, VGA, and even RCA inputs
- a lens shift function that prevents image distortion from a given distance away
- corner, vertical and horizontal keystone correction for image adjustment at different angles
- quiet operation at just 29 dB
- Daylight View Basic proprietary technology which helps create a sharper image with finer details
- an ECO management function for power saving
- a lamp life of over 7000 hours
This projector has been included in many of The Indoor Golf Shop’s simulator packages such as the SIG10. Customers love the brightness, colours, and the fact that it’s straightforward to use.
4. BenQ LK936ST 4K Laser Short Throw Projector
Looking for the best of the best? Want to display your beautiful 4K input on the big screen with dazzling brightness and rich colours? You can’t do much better than the LK936ST.
This projector by BenQ is special. It’s the first laser projector designed with golf simulation in mind, and it’s also one of the only projectors with a dedicated golf mode.
BenQ dedicated themselves to developing this premium golf simulator projector, which is part of their BlueCore Laser DLP lineup, in response to the dramatically increased demand resulting from the recent pandemic.
Technologies & Specs
There are many reasons why the BenQ LK936ST is ideal for golf simulation. First off, it has a throw ratio of 0.8:1; this ratio is not as low as other projectors featured on this page, but it’s still well within the range of being short throw and thus can easily be set up so as to not cast shadows.
The LK936ST also has an exclusive Golf Mode. This mode corrects purple fringing and colour aberration while accurately reproducing the lush greens and vivid blues of a golf course.
Where the LK936ST really shines is in the image quality. At 4K UHD resolution (3840×2160), the projector can produce an image of 8.3 million pixels, and with a contrast ratio of 3,000,000:1 and 92% Rec. 709 colour coverage, it brings simulated golf courses to life with vibrant, exquisite detail.
The LK936ST has a DLP (Digital Light Processing) chip that can operate at peak performance for over 100,000 hours, producing the best true-to-life image quality possible.
The very high 5100 lumens rating of the LK936ST can maintain bright images even with a considerable amount of ambient lighting in the room.
Digital shrink, lens shift, 3D keystone correction, corner fit, and other precise adjustment tools allow for very flexible installation so you can find the setup that’s perfect for you.
Because the LK936ST is a laser projector with an IP5X laser engine, there is no need to deal with the hassles that come with LCD lamps. It has a dustproof design and is guaranteed for 20,000 hours of maintenance-free operation.
The BenQ LK936ST is state-of-the-art and is packed with an impressive amount of technologies and features. More of them include (but are not limited to):
- 1.1x zoom capability
- 360-degree installation
- 4K image upscaling technology
- HDBaseT connectivity
- S/PDIF support for 5.1 surround
- HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort support
- support for continuous 24/7 operation
Basically, if you have 4K input and can afford the high price tag, this projector should be at the top of your consideration list. But we know it’s a steep ask, which is why it takes the #4 spot on our list.
5. LG ProBeam BU53RG 4K Laser Short Throw Projector
The LG ProBeam BU53RG is another 4K laser projector that has been designed with golf simulator use in mind.
This projector is virtually identical to its popular predecessor, the ProBeam BU53PST, but adds LG’s webOS 6.0 Smart Signage platform. It’s very reasonably priced for what you get: 5000 lumens, 4K UHD output, low input lag, short throw capabilities, and lens shift and point warping, amongst other things.
LG is one of the most reputable electronics companies in the world, and with the BU53RG, you can be assured you’ll get a cutting-edge experience similar to the BenQ LK936ST above.
Features
The LG BU53RG has a throw ratio of 0.94-1.14:1. Thanks to a zoom of 1.2, you can either have a slight short throw setup or position the projector farther back in a standard throw setup depending on what works best for you.
An H ±20%, V ±50% lens shift allows you to get a perfect image when the projector is in an offset position. In addition, a 12-point warping feature can correct for any screen distortion.
The very high lumens rating of 5000 means that you get bright, clear images in practically any indoor or semi-indoor environment. This is bolstered by a 3,000,000:1 contrast ratio and 8.3 million pixels for stunning detail and colour.
The BU53RG is known to be a compact and space-efficient projector, with 16.7 liters of volume, so it’s very easy to integrate it into a variety of existing setups.
Other features include:
- a laser light source that lasts up to 20,000 hours (i.e. eight hours of use a day for seven years)
- 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution
- two USB 2.0 connections
- two HDMI connections
- plug-and-play functionality
- a built-in web browser
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
This projector has size dimensions of 14.6″ x 6.1″ x 11.4″ and weighs 21.4 lbs.
If the price of the BenQ LK936ST above is a little too much for you, the LG ProBeam BU53RG is a fantastic alternative option. In fact, it will be the first choice for many golf simulator users since it’s at an outstanding cost value.
6. Optoma ZH450ST Laser Short Throw Projector
If we had to recommend another golf simulator projector built by Optoma, the ZH450ST would be it.
The ZH450ST is very similar to the GT2000HDR with a compact design, energy efficiency, short throw capability, and laser light source, but it’s more powerful, outputting an impressive 4200 lumens — enough to where you don’t need to struggle to get a bright image with light in the room.
In addition, this projector has a much higher dynamic contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1 for richer colours and more impressive visuals overall.
Technologies & Specs
The ZH450ST has a throw ratio of 0.5:1, which is more than enough for almost all close-range golf simulator setups. An image of 152 inches can be produced from just 5.5 feet away.
It has a high 4200 lumens and an impressive 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio for vivid, colourful images. The compact 11cm x 27cm x 22cm size is made possible by an external power source which uses 45% less power than a typical lamp-based projector.
This laser projector, which uses DuraCore technology, can produce full 1080p (1920 x 1080) images, with 4:3, 16:9 and 16:10 aspect ratio compatibility. Other features include:
- horizontal & vertical digital keystone correction of ±30 degrees
- HDR and HLG compatibility
- 360-degree projection
- 3D capability
- 24-7 operation
- a 15 watt built-in speaker
- automatic power-off when not in use
- a laser lifespan of up to 30,000 hours
Customers of the ZH450ST love the ease of use, exceptionally bright image, and light weight. The mounting options for this unit are flexible and minimal maintenance is required.
7. Panasonic PT-VMZ51U WUXGA Laser Projector
Panasonic’s PT-VMZ51U projector is similar to the PT-VZ580U reviewed above, but with a few major advantages, namely a much higher contrast ratio, more lumens, and a laser light source (instead of a lamp) that delivers consistent brightness and colour accuracy.
Like the PT-VZ580U, the PT-VMZ51U isn’t quite a short throw projector, but it can work extremely well when mounted on the ceiling some distance away from the screen.
If you have a preference for Panasonic projectors or want a non-4K laser projector that doesn’t cost as much as something like the BenQ LK936ST, this is what you should look at.
Technologies & Specs
The Panasonic PT-VMZ51U has a throw ratio of 1.09-1.77:1, which will usually necessitate mounting the projector at least 10 feet from the impact screen.
A very high 5200 lumens combined with a massive 3,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio means you get bright, vivid, rich, colourful and crisp images in practically any covered environment.
The 3LCD projector contains a SOLID SHINE laser light source that delivers up to 20,000 hours of deep imaging performance. You’d have to use the projector eight hours a day for seven years straight in order to get to that point!
Other features include:
- RCA, VGA and HDMI inputs
- remote control
- 1920×1200 WUXGA resolution (16:10 aspect ratio)
- lens shift
- vertical, horizontal and corner keystone correction
- 26-36 dB quiet operation
- an ECO management function for power saving
- a Direct Power Off function
- 4K input signal support
The PT-VMZ51U is also relatively light, portable and compact, weighing just 14.3 lbs.
You will pay a premium for the laser technology of this projector, but we think it’s worth the superior image quality, fast startup, and low maintenance. Compared to the old VMZ50U model, it’s brighter, quieter, and more power-efficient.
8. BenQ TK700STi 4K Short Throw Projector
We understand that some people might want a 4K projector but don’t have the budget for a laser model like the BenQ LK936ST or LG ProBeam BU53RG.
Fortunately, there are non-laser 4K options with short throw capabilities that are ideal for golf simulator setups. BenQ’s TK700STi model is one of the best.
This is a gaming-style short throw projector (marked as also suitable for golf simulation) that can output at 4K UHD resolution with an ultra-low 16ms input lag.
Technologies & Specs
The TK700STi has a throw ratio of 0.90:1 – 1.08:1, with the lower bound being just in the short throw range. At a 1.1x zoom setting, to achieve a 100″ image, you’ll need to have the projector 7’1″ away from the screen.
The lumens rating of 3000 isn’t terribly high, but combined with a 10000:1 contrast ratio, 8.3 million distinct pixels, and HDR10 enhancement, it’s enough to get a great golf simulator experience in low ambient lighting conditions.
The native resolution of the TK700STi is 3840 x 2160. More features include:
- three different game modes
- dual HDMI 2.0 universal connectivity
- a 16:9 native aspect ratio
- 2D keystone adjustment
- 4000-15,000 hours of lamp life depending on the power mode
- support for mirroring through Apple AirPlay and Google Chromecast
Although this projector is considered short throw, it’s not ultra short-throw, so you should plan accordingly. Many consider it to be the best short throw 4K HDR projector you can get for under $2000.
Buying Guide
Investing in a good projector for your golf simulator is an important step. Make the wrong move, and you could up dealing with constant issues and inconveniences, if you don’t decide to return the projector and get another one altogether.
Because of this, it’s important to consider all the factors that will affect your experience and match it with what your goals are.
Here are the most important factors you need to consider when figuring out which projector will best meet your needs:
1. Throw Distance & Throw Ratio
How far away from the simulator screen do you plan to put your projector?
Throw distance is the distance from the projector to the screen. What’s the maximum throw distance that is realistic for your space?
Ideal throw ratios for golf simulator setups are in the range of 0.3:1 to 1:1.
Whether you’re using the SkyTrak or another golf simulator, if you don’t use a short throw projector that can product a large image from a short distance away, you’ll normally have to deal with your shadow appearing on the screen.
To determine what throw ratios will work for you, do the following:
- Establish where you would ideally have the projector and measure the distance from that point to the screen.
- Divide this number by the width (not diagonal) of your screen.
For example, if your screen is 10 feet wide and your projector will be 4 feet away from the screen, the optimal throw ratio would be 0.4:1. If the projector has no zoom capability, you’ll need to position it at this distance or closer without the picture expanding beyond the edges of the screen.
In this article, we mainly review short throw projectors because they tend to be the best fit for most people’s spaces. If you’re going to use a projector floor mount in front of you, for example, only a short throw projector will work.
If you plan to mount your projector on the ceiling, both short throw and standard throw projectors can work. Standard throw projectors can also be placed on a cart behind and to the left or right of the golfer, but four corner correction will be needed to make the image look right.
If you have sufficient room behind you, you should seriously consider a standard throw (greater than 1:1) projector; since you’re not paying for short throw capabilities, you will get better value for your money.
Note that having the projector above you or slightly behind the ball will minimize the chances of shadows.
2. Lumens
Another important factor is the lumens output of a projector. This is a measure of light output and determines the brightness of the image.
In general, the brighter you plan to set the ambient lighting in your room, the more lumens you’ll need to retain a bright image.
If you plan to keep your room dark, we recommend a projector with no less than 2000 lumens. It would be wise to invest in a projector that produces 3000+ lumens, so you can be sure that you’ll have a bright and clear image at all times.
But even with a 3000 lumens projector, you may find that the image on the screen just isn’t bright and vibrant enough to look good. In this case, it’s probably worth going up to 4000 or even 5000+ lumens.
It’s up to you to find an acceptable balance between having enough ambient lighting to see things around you and having a bright image.
3. Resolution & Aspect Ratio
You need to consider the resolution and aspect ratios of both your computer and projector. Here are some of the most common projector resolutions:
| Resolution | Aspect Ratio | Image Shape | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XGA | 1024 x 768 | 4:3 | Nearly square | Lowest |
| WXGA | 1280 x 800 | 16:10 | Wider | Higher |
| SXGA | 1280 x 1024 | 5:4 | Nearly square | Higher |
| HDTV | 1920 x 1080 | 16:9 | Widest | Higher |
| WUXGA | 1920 x 1200 | 16:10 | Wider | Higher |
| 4K UHD | 3840 x 2160 | 16:9 | Widest | Highest |
The 16:9 4K UHD and 1080p projectors obviously produce the best picture, and they can be used for other purposes like a home theater.
However, it’s important to note that a projector can’t project a higher resolution than what your computer can produce. This means that if your computer isn’t operating at at least 1920 x 1080 resolution, you’ll never see 1080p on the projector screen.
It’s also worth considering the aspect ratio of your computer. If there is a mismatch between the aspect ratios of your computer and projector, you may experience issues like squished or distorted pictures.
1080p resolution isn’t necessary for golf simulators, let alone 4K, but it really makes a big difference. What resolution is acceptable for you?
4. Mount Type & Connectivity
Firstly, will you mount your projector on the ceiling or on the floor? Mounting it on the ceiling comes with benefits, but it can be a pain to set up and it requires more room depth.
There are special floor mounts available for people who want to keep their projector on the floor. These have space limits, so if you plan to use one, make sure that your projector can fit inside.
In addition, when mounting on the floor, take note of the location of the I/O ports — if they’re on the side, you won’t be able to hide the cables.
Secondly, make sure that your projector has HDMI connectivity. Almost all of them do, but old models may not. This is required for getting the simulation onto the big screen.
You can get the best ceiling projector mounts here and floor mount here.
5. Laser Vs. Lamp
Setting aside LED projectors which we don’t recommend for golf simulators, there are two main types of projectors: lamp and laser.
Lamp projectors are the tried-and-true projector type that has been around for decades. They use a bulb to light the image on the screen, but because this bulb can get very hot, fans need to run to cool it down.
Laser projectors use a laser light source to project an image onto the screen. They are generally superior to lamp projectors in that they produce a brighter image with better contrast and colours, start up quicker, are low-maintenance, produce less noise, and have a much longer useful life.
Of course, the clear advantages of a laser projector come at a higher cost. However, most people believe that in the long run, a laser projector is actually cheaper than a lamp projector because it doesn’t require bulb replacements or have other maintenance-related costs.
6. Budget
Of course, your budget is very important when shopping for a golf simulator projector. Not everyone can or wants to put down $1500+, and fortunately, there are options that cost well below this amount.
With that said, you should realize that the less you spend, the less you’ll usually get — this could be in the form of less lumens, less resolution, a worse picture, or a higher throw ratio.
One of the biggest influencers of cost when it comes to projectors is the throw ratio: the lower the throw ratio, the higher the cost. But technologies and features that contribute to the image quality can also have a major effect on cost, as you see with the BenQ LK936ST and LG ProBeam BU53RG.
In this guide, we’ve tried to include quality projectors over a range of budgets that golfers might have. But the great thing is that you don’t have to drop the full cost of it at once.
Our recommended golf simulator source here provides easy financing options that allow you to pay for projectors over the course of a year or longer. Don’t forget about this option.
Conclusion
Golf simulators have become a lot more accessible and affordable over the past decade, and this means more golfers and businesses than ever before have been able to have their own setup.
A quality golf simulator projector that produces a bright, clear image on your screen can make for a greatly enhanced experience. Finding a projector that can meet your needs is certainly possible with some research.
Each of the projector options reviewed above offer excellent value for the cost. We’ve given you the information you need to make a decision; now it’s up to you to go the rest of the way.
If you also need help choosing a golf simulator, you can start by checking out this article. Full golf simulator packages often come with projectors that support 1080p resolution.
We highly recommend reading customer reviews of projectors to obtain useful insights as to how they actually perform. This will help you a lot in the decision-making process.
Thanks for reading this guide. What kind of projector are you considering for your golf simulator? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
hi my simulator screen 14ft wide x 9ft heigh
roughly how far back from the screen can i mount the projector
i was thinking of the optoma eh200st
thanks david
Hi David,
With a screen that is 14 feet wide, you can have the EH200ST as far back as about 6.86 ft. This is the ideal distance. The image will get larger or smaller as you move the projector farther away or closer to the screen. If your ideal throw distance (between the lens and screen) is less than 6.86 feet, you should look at projectors with a throw ratio of less than 0.49.
Basically, with the best projectors for golf simulators, if you can position it roughly seven feet from the screen, you’re good to go. Ceiling and floor mounts (linked in the article) can be easily installed at this distance.
Hope this helps!
Hey Paul – enjoying the articles and wanted to reach out for some essential advice. I have a sim build for a small room (1/2 our double garage) where I have a finished screen width of 2360mm and will be projecting at 4:3.2 ratio (supported by the nVidia Quadro RTX Max Q graphics card and my Dell 7550 workstation).
I have images drawn and dimensioned showing plan, front view, and sectional side view with golfer position, and the centreline of the ball is 210mm offset from screen centreline. I can provide these pics for you if you require.
Questions:
1) As I understand it, I would ceiling mount a 0.5:1 projector 1180mm back from the screen (to the lens) to get the projection width of 2360mm yes?
2) I would need to use keystoning to reposition the image on the screen (unless I purchase a projector with horizontal offset capability)?
3) At the supported ratio of 4:3.2 I would have a projection height of 1888mm and projection width of 1992mm — so with a screen that’s 2360mm wide I’d have 182mm of lost screen space each side yes?
4) With a 1080p projector (1920×1080) the max # of pixels for height is 1080 over the 1888 projection height. So, ideally I would need to set a custom resolution of 1350×1080 to fill the screen yes?
5) Will the 210mm offset from centreline of the screen to centreline of the ball require a projector with horizontal offset capability or can this be dealt with in the SkyTrak and TGC2019 software setup?
6) Is a projector mount with adjustable distance from ceiling and tilt the way to go for ease of install and flexibility?
7) Is the Optoma1080HDR or EH412ST the best projector (in this price range) for this set up or do you recommend something else?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Hi John,
Shop Indoor Golf (one of our top recommended online sim stores) helped me to get this answer out to you. They carry many projector models, and I’d really appreciate it if your future sim component purchases can be through them if possible. You can reach out to them through email or phone support here to discuss your situation in more detail.
For a space of that size, you would probably have to go with a Bronze Package and the home version of that package. You can find that here.
As for the rest of your questions, I think you’re overthinking a little bit. With those space restrictions, you would have a very hard time getting any projector to fit the screen, and if you’re going to offset the projector, the Optoma wouldn’t be your best choice; you would need to get the Optoma GT1090HDR in order to be able to offset the projector. Since you only want to offset it eight inches, you might be able to get away with it, but you would probably still lose some of the picture.
As far as aspect ratios go, I don’t know of a projector that projects in 4:3.2 aspect ratio, I also don’t know of any that have custom aspect ratios. Typically, you will only be able to fill about 80% of a screen that size. If you back the projector up to about 7-8 feet, you might get a little more, but from 3’10”, you certainly will not fill the screen with any aspect ratio.
You would probably need a 4K projector to project with a graphics card that powerful. That is a super high-end graphics card that neither myself nor anyone I know has ever used. I did try to use an RTX2660 at one point, but it didn’t work with the basic projector.
TGC would work with SkyTrak, and you can change the offset within TGC.
I hope this helped. It might not be what you want to hear, but if you have further questions, get in touch here. In any case, when you choose a projector, you’ll be able to experiment with the positioning and settings to find something that works well for you.
Thanks!
I was considering this Epson for a 10 ft high screen.. not sure how wide as of yet, possibly 16 ft.
Any thoughts on this one?
Epson BrightLink 735Fi 1080p 3LCD Interactive Laser Display
MFG.PART: V11H997520
I don’t know much about that particular model, but it looks pretty good. Ultra short throw, is it? Given that it projects at 16:9, if your screen width is 16 ft, you’ll have bars on the top and bottom. If your screen width is something like 18 feet, you’ll have thin bars on the sides. So, that’s something to take into account when deciding on a screen width. It does look like it’s meant for academic (learning) applications, so it might be better for you to look at a more general-purpose projector or even something like the BenQ LU935ST, which is suitable for golf simulation and is still under $4000.
Hi, please can you help. I’ve got a screen that is 4.3m wide x 3m In height. I really want a 4K picture if possible but really unsure what projector I need, I’m so confused with all the throw ratios etc. Please could you give me some makes and models as to what you would recommend. Thank you
Hi Marcus. Firstly, your screen dimensions don’t conform to the common 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratios. Since you want a 4K image, you’d be well-served having a screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio — for example, 5.3m wide by 3m high. This way, the image will be able to fill nearly 100% of the screen. If you’re not able to do this, no worries, but there will be bars on the top and bottom.
As for 4K projectors, the one I would recommend above all else for golf simulators right now is the BenQ LK936ST. It produces 5100 lumens and has an exclusive Golf Mode. You can also use it for movies.
As for throw ratios and how they work, it is discussed in the buying guide so I suggest you read over that. The BenQ LK936ST has a throw ratio of 0.8, and so with a 4.3m screen width, the projector should be placed around 3.2m (or less) to the screen for best results. Mounting the projector on the ceiling would probably be easiest for dialing in the perfect throw distance. As a rule of thumb, multiple the width of your screen by the throw ratio (in this case, 0.8) to get the optimal distance the projector should be placed from the screen.
If you buy from the above link, you can get in touch with Shop Indoor Golf’s customer support and they’ll help get you set up. Good luck!
Hi,
I need some help/advice please.
I am trying to setup an indoor golf simulator and need helping finding the correct projector.
The screen is 173” W x 111” H. The projector will be placed at 19ft from the screen and the screen is curved.
I am using a fully setup gaming laptop with the latest specs that runs the E6 Connect golf software.
I purchased the Optoma HD39HDR which would work great if the screen was flat but it does not have the Geometric correction capabilities.
My budget is $2000 but able to stretch it a little more if needed.
Do you have any recommendations for a projector that would meet the above requirements?
Please and thank you
Hi Chris,
I’m not the foremost expert when it comes to projecting on curved screens, but I’ll give it a shot. With the screen dimensions you gave me, I would recommend going flat if possible. Curved screens are ideal for ultra-wide aspect ratios where you would normally experience pincushion distortion on the edges of the screen. Your aspect ratio is closer to 16:10 which doesn’t really warrant going curved, and more than that, curved screens are much more of a hassle and don’t really have an advantage once the novelty wears off.
But if you still want to go curved, what I would suggest doing is contacting the brand of a projector you’re interested in and asking them if the model has various correction features that will allow for a good projection on a curved screen. It’s difficult to say which is the best projector that would meet your requirements. Some solutions for achieving it including using an anamorphic lens or synchronizing multiple projectors. Beyond that, you can just try setting up your projector and tinkering with the settings until you get an image you’re satisfied with.
In short, I don’t think it’s worth bothering trying to pull this off with the budget that you gave. I hope this helps, and good luck.
Paul, I am looking at getting a new projector for my setup. I am currently using a Optoma GT750 (not good enough). My screen is 144 inches wide by 96 inches high and my ceiling mount is 132 inches from the screen. If I am looking at getting a laser projector is there anything better for the price than the Panasonic PT-VMZ50 or is that the best option for me? I like the Benq LK953ST but the price is a little higher than I want to spend. Thank you very much
Hi Mike. The BenQ LK953ST is a 4K projector, so if your source (e.g. computer monitor) can’t produce that resolution, it’s a waste of money. The BenQ LU951ST and LU935ST projectors have a native WUXGA (1920×1200) resolution and are significantly cheaper, but still more expensive than the Panasonic model because of the shorter throw ratio and other features. The Panasonic PT-VMZ50U is priced very well — many other WUXGA laser projectors cost significantly more. But ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on what you’re looking for including resolution and lumens rating. If you give me more details, I can make a better recommendation. Otherwise, the Panasonic PT-VMZ50 should work very well, and its throw ratio nicely accommodates how far you have the projector mount from the screen.
By the way, if possible, I suggest adjusting your screen width to match the aspect ratio of the source (e.g. of your computer) so that the image gets a good fit with minimal space around the edges.
Hello,
I have a screen of 10 feet wide and 8 feet high.
I have up to 15 feet long in front of the screen.
Can you please propose to me a projecteur with a throw ratio?
Low budget
Thxs
Hi. Any projector with a throw ratio less than 1.5 will do. The ideal throw ratio will depend on how far you’d prefer to have the projector from the screen, but standard throw projectors will work in your case and they tend to be less expensive than short throw projectors. If you can find a position for the projector that doesn’t cause shadows, you’re in good shape.
What exactly is your “low budget”? What resolution and lumens are you looking for? Without knowing more details, I would suggest something like the BenQ MW632ST or, if it’s within your budget, the Panasonic PT-VZ580U — both models are featured here. Hope this helps.
My room is 15 x 30 length
I was looking at the BenQ 936ST but would like to know comparable projectors
I plan to have the screen 9H x 12 W
also looking for best 2 or 3 ply screen
I have not bought anythng to date
Neil,
What are you looking for in the projector in terms of features and budget? Do you want it to have 4K output? Laser, lumens, throw ratio? LG has some great 4K short throw projectors like the ProBeam BU53RG 4K which is also featured here.
The first two screens in our impact screen guide have triple-layer builds, so I would take a look at those.
With a short throw projector, aren’t you worried about hitting the projector with the golf ball?
If the projector is floor mounted, this isn’t an issue because it should be protected by a shield enclosure. If it’s ceiling-mounted, it’s really not something to be worried about unless you’re prone to hitting sky balls with the driver. If your ballstriking is poor enough that it’s a concern to you, I recommend staying away from ultra short-throw projectors and getting a unit with a throw ratio close to 1:1, so the projector wouldn’t be too far in front of you if mounted on the ceiling. There are also projector shield cages that you can install for extra peace of mind.