What to look for when buying the Best Projector for Golf Simulator?

There is simply no point in purchasing a second-rate projector. The whole point of purchasing a short throw projector for golf simulator systems is to provide you with a realistic virtual   short throw projector for golf simulator  environment in which to play and train in. Resolution is therefore very important. Understanding projector resolutions is relatively straightforward. Resolution refers to the number of pixels that your projector hardware utilises to produce a projected image. Unsurprisingly, the greater the number of pixels, the better the resolution will be.

Projector Resolution & Aspect Ratio
Lumens and Brightness
Mounting Options
Projector Resolution & Aspect Ratio

When shopping around for a short throw projector, you will undoubtedly encounter something called the ‘throw ratio’ when assessing key specs and features. A short throw projector is the best option for those looking to build a simulator in a tight space as they provide impressive displays, even when the projector is placed relatively near to the display screen. The throw ratio refers to how much clearance between a projector and a display screen is required. The Throw ratio is calculated as Throw Distance / Image width.

Resolution and aspect ratio should always be considered at the same time. While resolution specifies the amount of pixels that make up an image and overall image quality, aspect ratio determines the shape of the image. More specifically, aspect ratio specifies the height and weight of a projected image.

There are three main resolution and aspect ratios you will encounter when shopping for projectors for your golf simulator. One of the most common is 4:3, which will apply in the case of SVGA, SXGA and XGA display modes. With this aspect ratio, the projected image will appear as a square shape. This aspect ratio and resolution is fairly limited. It offers the lowest overall resolutions of around 1024 by 768 pixels, while the square shape can restrict your simulator setup. However, projectors with this specification are without doubt the cheapest option.

Another commonly encountered aspect ratio and resolution combination is 16:10. This will apply when dealing with WXGA and WUXGA display modes. You can expect a relatively high resolution here of 1280 by 800 pixels. This not only provides a more expansive and rectangular projection, it also delivers much sharper images than what you can expect from SXGA and XGA display modes. Projector devices offering this aspect ratio and resolution are considerably more expensive, however.

The best option for golf simulator systems is a projector offering an aspect ratio of 16:9 with a 1080p resolution. With this aspect ratio and resolution, you can enjoy rectangular projections and much sharper image clarity with maximum resolutions of 1920 by 1080 pixels. This aspect ratio is far better suited to immersive home theater and home golf simulator installations. Although home theater projectors with this spec are the most desirable option, they are understandably the most expensive.

Lumens & Brightness
Overall brightness is another key aspect of a good golf simulator short throw projector. The light output of your projector will ultimately decide how bright your hardware is and dramatically affect the quality of a projected image. When selecting a projector, you should focus on the lumens rating.

The greater the lumens rating, the brighter the projected the image will be. If you are going to use your projector in a room that is exposed to secondary sources of light, a greater lumens rating is important. The resulting brightness will ensure your projected image is still clear and vivid when projected onto a display screen.

Mounting Options
Another important thing you should not overlook when shopping for a golf simulator projector is how it will be mounted. If you are confident the place you have chosen for your simulator can be a permanent home for your hardware, you should think about ceiling mounts.

These projector mounts are fixed to the ceiling and keep the projector hardware out of your path to free up floor space. However, these are not always practical.

A floor enclosure is therefore a good alternative. These floor projector mounts provide a sturdy case for a projector that is to be placed on the ground. When shopping for floor mounts, make sure they are discreet in appearance and will not distract your attention from your training.