Projector Recommendation

[douger963]

I just came across this idea of building a golf simulator, when I found the OptiShot. Now I'm trying to cost everything out.

I'm realizing a projector could be a significant investment. I'm not looking for top of the line HD. I just really want a decent projector that will do the job. I can upgrade to a better projector later on. Any recommendations?

I'll be building the simulator in a small garage, with a screen of about 6 x 8.5. I can't wait to golf inside since it's dumping in Seattle right now.

Thanks,

Doug

[psace]

Anything over 800 x 600 will work well for optishot. Check out ebay and projectorcentral.com for reviews and projector stats. Lumens are very important and you want a minimum of 2000. You need to know how far from the screen the projector will be to get the size of image you want. Vertical keystone correction will help square the image. You shouldn't have to spend more than $500.00, tops.

[syhlif32]

I have a ViewSonic PJD6531W which I got from Amazon forgot how much, but below $800.
The specs sheet says 1280 X 800 but when I put it on my laptop's HDMI it rapports back a native resolution of 1440 X 900!
Left it there because the picture quality is great.

I have a 11' wide picture in 16 X 10 format which is great even for movies. So I am sure you can go with 1024 -768 (720)for a 8.5' wide screen and still have a very good picture.
Lumen might be more important than resolution?
I can only compare to an old 800X600 projector with low lumen. It's picture always looked "washed out" unless the room was completely dark.
Some friend have a real old projector with a resolution of 800 X 575 but great for watching movies even in a moderate light from the windows!

Bjarne

[bubba22]

Projector choice like everything depends on your expectations and budget. Get the best one within your budget. Pay attention to the native resolution, lumens (higher the better although really depends on your lighting in the room and the quality of the projector ie lower lumen in a better projector is probably ok) as well as aspect ratio. I started with a lower resolution/lumen projector and upgraded to a 720p/3000 lumen wich is very good. All the talk with rdh on his 1080p may have me upgrading soon however. It never ends .

[akyyyy]

with a projector does the room have to be dark, or a ordinary lit room is find?

[syhlif32]

Darker is better!
My projector is 3000 lumen that is clear enough even in a sunlit room but in Ecomode it is getting hard to see. Not sure about the lumen in Ecomode?

Bjarne

[ZMax]

with a projector does the room have to be dark, or a ordinary lit room is find?

The area around the screen should be dark and you don't want light shining directly at the screen.

[rdh]

I just saw an ad for the vivitek 1080p projector that I paid $1,124 for in October...it's now $799! That's a pretty impressive price drop, and yes I'm bitter!

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...?EdpNo=4852433

[bubba22]

And that's Canadian prices. Pretty good deal. You should get some money back rdh .

[rdh]

Unfortunately they only have a 30 day price guarantee policy. $300 would have been a nice new driver...grr.

[rdh]

Actually...$300 plus the HST. Double grr...