The projector is the part of a golf simulator you look at on every shot. Pick the wrong one and you get a dim picture, shadows on the screen, or a projector hanging right where you swing. Pick the right one and the course looks real from tee to green.
This guide compares the four BenQ golf simulator projectors most home builders choose between: the AK700ST, LK936ST, LU935ST and LU960ST2. You will see how far each one sits from the screen, how bright it is, and which rooms each one fits best.
Brightness: 4,000 ANSI lumens
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 by 2160), 16:9
Throw ratio: 0.69 to 0.83 with 1.2x zoom
Setup help: Auto Screen Fit and Quick Focus
Best for: Dedicated simulator rooms and garages you can make fairly dark, where you want a sharp 4K picture at the lowest price of the four
Brightness: 5,100 ANSI lumens with HDR
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 by 2160), 16:9
Throw ratio: 0.81 to 0.89 with 1.1x zoom
Setup help: vertical and horizontal lens shift, keystone and Corner Fit
Best for: Premium home studios that double as a home theater, and rooms with some ambient light
Brightness: 5,500 ANSI lumens
Resolution: WUXGA (1920 by 1200), 16:10
Throw ratio: 0.81 to 0.89 with 1.1x zoom
Setup help: vertical and horizontal lens shift, keystone and Corner Fit
Best for: Bright garages and multipurpose rooms, and taller 16:10 impact screens
Brightness: 5,200 ANSI lumens
Resolution: WUXGA (1920 by 1200), 16:10
Throw ratio: 0.5
Setup help: vertical and horizontal lens shift and keystone
Best for: Short rooms where the projector has to sit close to the screen, teaching bays and commercial spaces
Throw ratio tells you how far the projector sits from the screen compared with the width of the image. Multiply your image width by the throw ratio to get the distance from the lens to the screen.
Throw distance = image width x throw ratio
Here is what that looks like for two common impact screen widths:
10 ft wide image
AK700ST: about 6.9 to 8.3 ft from the screen
LK936ST and LU935ST: about 8.1 to 8.9 ft
LU960ST2: about 5 ft
12 ft wide image
AK700ST: about 8.3 to 10 ft from the screen
LK936ST and LU935ST: about 9.7 to 10.7 ft
LU960ST2: about 6 ft
In most home simulators the golfer stands about 9 to 11 ft from the screen. A projector that sits closer to the screen than you do is mounted in front of you, out of your swing path and less likely to cast your shadow on the image. Always confirm the exact distance with your screen size before you mount anything.
The AK700ST and LK936ST are 4K, which gives the sharpest detail on greens, trees and on screen shot data. The LU935ST and LU960ST2 are WUXGA (1920 by 1200). WUXGA has fewer pixels, but its 16:10 shape gives you a taller image that fills more of a tall impact screen.
A simple rule: match the projector to your screen. A 16:9 screen pairs naturally with the 4K models. A taller screen, or one close to 16:10, pairs naturally with the WUXGA models.
Brightness matters most when you cannot make the room dark. A finished basement with no windows can look great at 4,000 lumens. A garage with windows, or a room you also use during the day, benefits from the 5,000 plus lumens of the LK936ST, LU935ST or LU960ST2. Bigger screens also need more brightness to look as vivid as smaller ones.
For most home rooms, yes. A short throw projector sits in front of the golfer instead of behind, which keeps it out of the swing path and helps avoid shadows on the screen.
Yes, within limits. The LK936ST, LU935ST and LU960ST2 have lens shift, which moves the image without tilting the projector. The AK700ST relies on keystone and Auto Screen Fit, so it is easiest to mount close to centered.
Yes. The projector connects to your simulator PC or tablet, not to the launch monitor, so any of the four works with Uneekor, TruGolf, FlightScope and other systems.
No lamps to replace. BenQ rates the laser light source at about 20,000 hours in normal mode.
Send us your screen size, the distance from the screen to the back wall, and your ceiling height. We will tell you which BenQ fits and where to mount it. Call or text (619) 927-6193 or book a free 30 minute consult. Every BenQ projector ships free and is covered by our price match guarantee.
{"one"=>"Select 2 or 3 items to compare", "other"=>"{{ count }} of 3 items selected"}
