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Golf is a fantastic hobby. However, being able to play depends largely on the weather. Technology to the rescue! Nowadays, you don’t need bright sunshine to hit a good nine seconds, thanks to golf simulators. Immersive and convenient simulators allow you to virtually play the best courses in the world, from the comfort of your home. However, to get the most out of your simulated experience, you’ll need a great projector, and that’s where this list of the best projectors for golf simulators comes in.
How we choose the best projectors for golf simulators
To arrive at this selection of the best golf simulator projectors, we analyzed various projectors across the spectrum and all prices. We compare features and specifications and compare them with comments and analysis from several well-respected reviewers, as well as general consensus and reviews from users and online retailers.
The best projectors for golf simulators: Reviews and recommendations
Experienced professionals You will already know that the best golf simulator projectors are actually just general purpose projectors. However, there are a few things you should remember when purchasing one. for your sim space. Aside from budget (which is always a consideration no matter the hobby), brightness and distance are the key factors to consider. In short, you want a bright projector with a short throw, one that sits relatively close to the screen. There are also other things to consider, such as the aspect ratio, which relates to the size of the screen (the standard is 16:9). However, regardless of your requirements, you are sure to find a winner here.
Best Overall: BenQ TK700STi 4K Gaming Projector
Specifications
- Glow: 3000 lumens
- Screen resolution: 4k
- Connectivity: USB, HDMI, 3.5mm jack
Advantages
- 4K resolution
- Great picture
- Affordable price
Cons
Our pick for best overall golf simulator projector is the BenQ TK700STi 4K Gaming Projector. Although it is primarily aimed at players, it is also incredibly popular with golfers looking to practice their swing in a home environment. It’s not hard to see why, given the 3000 lumen brightness level (get it?). Although it could be brighter (4000 lumens is a good benchmark), it will still perform admirably in a dark space. This short throw projector also features 4K resolution at 60 Hz (1080p at 240 Hz), giving you a clear and crisp representation of the virtual street on screen. And, since it’s aimed at gamers, it has a sharp contrast of 10,000:1 plus a low latency of 4.16 ms, resulting in an overall image quality that you will definitely love.
And the best thing is that it all comes in an eminently affordable package. If you’ve considered spending a lot of money on a high-quality golf simulator, you may be worried about feeling the financial strain, but know that the TK700STi will perform without forcing you to dig deeper into your pockets than is comfortable.
Best value: Optoma EH200ST Full 3D 1080p 300 lumens DLP short throw projector
Specifications
- Glow: 3000 lumens
- Screen resolution: 1080p
- Connectivity: HDMI, MHL
Advantages
- Excellent shine
- Supports multiple aspect ratios
- Incredible price
Cons
Optoma’s EH200ST projector consistently appears on lists of the best projectors for golf simulators, and for good reason: it’s an incredibly well-equipped projector at a world-class price. That’s why it is our choice for the best quality-price ratio.
As a basic projector, you can’t go wrong with the EH200ST. With 3,000 lumens of brightness, a 20,000:1 contrast ratio, and DLP technology to ensure sharp, colorful images, this projector will help you up your game. It also has a 0.49:1 throw ratio, meaning you can achieve a 100-inch image with the projector placed 3.5 feet from the simulator screen. There’s even a built-in speaker.
Best budget: BenQ TH671ST Full HD 1080p Projector
Specifications
- Glow: 3000 lumens
- Screen resolution: 1080p
- Connectivity: HDMI, VGA
Advantages
- Native 16:9 aspect ratio
- quite bright
- Affordable
Cons
- The dark ones are not very good in bright conditions.
The BenQ TH671ST is a great entry-level projector if you’re working on a budget. While it won’t deliver its best performance in a bright room, given the 3000 lumen rating (essentially the minimum brightness spec for golf simulators), it will more than impress in a dark room.
In addition to the brightness, this projector offers a clear image with a resolution of 1080p and a native aspect ratio of 16:9. It also features BenQ’s LumiExpert technology to automatically adjust the brightness if you need it. While lag may not be the most concerning thing with a golf simulator, it still features an ultra-smooth 16.67ms input lag, something your kids can appreciate if you let them play on it. Overall, it’s a great budget projector.
Best Ceiling Mount: Panasonic PT-VZ580U 5000 Lumens WUXGA 3LCD Projector
Specifications
- Glow: 5000 lumens
- Screen resolution: WUXGA
- Connectivity: Wireless
Advantages
- LCD screen
- WUXGA resolution 1900 x 1280
- Easy installation
Cons
This 2017 Panasonic ceiling mount projector may be getting long in the tooth, but it is still recommended due to its fantastic brightness. Designed primarily as a conference room projector, it has 5,000 lumens of brightness, so it looks sharp and bright even in a bright room. If your golf simulation space is positive, this is one to consider.
The PT-VZ580U is a ceiling mount projector, making it ideal for those who want to save space in their golf simulation room by raising the projector off the floor. Installation is very simple, so don’t worry if you are not very handy. It’s also quiet, allowing you to focus on what’s important: your golf game.
Best Standard Release: ViewSonic PX748-4K UHD Projector
Specifications
- Glow: 4000 lumens
- Screen resolution: 4k
- Connectivity: USB, Ethernet, HDMI
Advantages
- Excellent shine
- 4K resolution
- 1.3x optical zoom
Cons
- Will not work in small rooms
The best golf simulator projectors we’ve seen so far have been short throw projectors, making them appropriate for smaller rooms. However, if your golf simulation room is larger, you will need a projector to mount further back. The ViewSonic PX748-4K projector is designed to be used in standard shooting situations and excels at it.
It’s quite bright, for example. With its 4000 lumen rating, you won’t miss any of the picture, even with the lights on. It’s also 4K with SuperColor technology under the hood, giving you a vibrant and sharp image. It even has a short lag rate of just 4.2ms, meaning it can double as a gaming projector if you ever get tired of using the virtual links. If your room (and budget) allows, remember this as your best golf simulator projector.
Things to consider when choosing the best projectors for golf simulators
Aside from budget, the biggest contributing factor in choosing the best golf simulator you choose is your golf simulation room. Everything else depends on this.
First, if your room is small (and it probably is), you’ll want a short throw projector. The range is the distance between the lens and the screen; Short throw projectors can be comfortably placed within three to eight feet of the screen, while long throw projectors will be further away and will usually be mounted on the ceiling.
Next, you’ll want to think about the aspect ratio, which will determine the shape of your screen. Finally, there is the shine. If your room is dark enough, 3000 lumens It will be OK. Of course, brighter is always better. Additional factors such as color accuracy can also contribute to your enjoyment.
Frequent questions
Q: What should I look for in a golf simulator projector?
Ideally, a bright projector (at least 3000 lumens) with good resolution and high color accuracy. Remember that it will depend on the image projected to represent the street; The clearer and more precise the image, the better your experience will be.
Q: Where is the best place to place a golf simulator projector?
Place the projector on the ground, away from swinging sticks. You’ll want to position it so that it fills the screen, of course, and doesn’t cast shadows on players. If you have the space, mounting it on the ceiling can be an effective option.
Q: How many lumens do I need for a golf simulator projector?
Generally speaking, you want a projector that has 3,000 lumens or more. With 3000 lumens, you will be able to see the image well in the dark. If your simulation room tends toward the bright side, you’ll want to opt for a projector with higher lumens, such as 4,000 or 5,000.
Q: What is the best resolution for a golf simulator projector?
Generally speaking, 1080p or WUXGA (1920×1200) are the minimum standards. These are also profitable. You can go higher, to 4K and beyond, and while higher resolutions are generally better, the impact screen (what you hit Golf ball cons) will also affect the clarity of the image.
Final Thoughts on the Best Golf Simulator Projectors
When purchasing the best golf simulator, we recommend opting for brightness rather than resolution. As long as your projector runs at 1080p, you’re good to go. While gaming projectors are nice and all, they are designed for fast-moving, highly detailed images. Golf simulators show the fairway, and as long as you can make out things in the distance, like sand traps, you’ll be fine. That said, good color balance is key. If you’re going to splurge in one area, make it bright. With good blackout curtains, a brightness of 3000 lumens will be fine, but if you can increase it to 4000 or even 5000, you’ll be good to go even in bright light. Remember, your golf simulator’s projector is the key to having fun playing golf, regardless of the outdoor conditions. Enjoy.
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