Golf Simulator Projectors: Which BenQ Projector Is Right for You?

What Makes a Good Golf Simulator Projector?

Before comparing individual models, it's important to understand three factors that influence projector performance.

1. Throw Ratio: Does It Fit Your Room?

Throw ratio determines how far a projector needs to sit from the screen to produce an image of a particular width.

This is particularly important when designing a golf simulator because your projector needs to fill the impact screen without interfering with your swing or creating unwanted shadows.

A short-throw projector can produce a large image from a relatively short distance, making it useful in rooms where mounting space is limited.

However, different projectors have different throw ratios. A projector that works perfectly in one garage or basement may not be suitable for another room.

Before choosing a model, consider your available room depth, screen width, ceiling height, and mounting position.

Our advice: Determine your room dimensions and desired screen size before purchasing your projector. This will help you narrow down your options and avoid installation problems later.

2. Resolution: Full HD vs. 4K

Resolution determines the amount of detail your projector can display.

Full HD 1080p projectors can provide an excellent golf simulation experience without requiring the additional investment associated with 4K projection.

For golfers who primarily want to practise, play virtual courses, and enjoy golf year-round, Full HD can be a sensible choice.

4K UHD offers substantially more image detail, producing a sharper picture that can be particularly appealing on larger screens.

If you're building a premium simulator or planning to use your room for movies and other entertainment, 4K may be worth the additional investment.

However, you don't necessarily need 4K to build a great simulator. Your screen, lighting, projector placement, and overall setup all contribute to the final experience.

3. Brightness: How Much Do You Need?

Projector brightness is measured in ANSI lumens.

Generally, higher brightness helps maintain a visible image in rooms with ambient light. This can be useful in garages, multipurpose rooms, or simulator spaces where you don't always want to turn off every light.

A dedicated room that can be darkened may have different requirements from a space with windows or overhead lighting.

Our four projectors range from 3,000 to 5,100 ANSI lumens, giving you options depending on your desired performance and budget.

Remember that brightness isn't the only consideration. Screen material, image size, and room lighting also influence the final picture.

Comparing the Four BenQ Projectors We Carry

Here's a quick comparison of our four models.

Specifications are based on BenQ's published documentation. Confirm model-specific installation requirements before purchasing.

Each projector serves a different purpose. Let's look at which one might be right for you.

1. BenQ TH671ST: An Affordable Way to Get Started

Best for: Golfers who want a quality Full HD experience while keeping their overall simulator budget under control.

Building a golf simulator involves several expenses, including your launch monitor, impact screen, enclosure, hitting mat, computer, and projector.

If you're trying to balance these costs, the BenQ TH671ST is an excellent model to consider.

It delivers Full HD 1080p resolution and 3,000 ANSI lumens of brightness. Its short-throw lens also makes it suitable for many home simulator installations.

For golfers who primarily want to play virtual golf and practise throughout the year, Full HD can deliver an enjoyable experience without the additional expense of a 4K projector.

The TH671ST uses a traditional lamp light source. Depending on usage, lamp replacement may eventually be necessary, so this is worth considering when comparing long-term ownership costs.

Why choose the TH671ST?

• Full HD resolution for an enjoyable golf simulation experience.
• 3,000 ANSI lumens of brightness.
• Short-throw projection for many home simulator configurations.
• A budget-conscious option that leaves more room in your budget for other equipment.

Our recommendation: If you're building your first golf simulator and want to prioritize value, start by considering the TH671ST. It's a practical option when its projection distance and installation requirements suit your room.

2. BenQ AH700ST: Full HD Performance with Laser Technology

Best for: Golfers who want Full HD resolution, higher brightness than the TH671ST, and the convenience of a laser light source.

The BenQ AH700ST is a compelling option for golfers who want to move beyond an entry-level projector without paying for 4K resolution.

It delivers Full HD 1080p resolution and 4,000 ANSI lumens of brightness, giving it a brightness advantage over the TH671ST.

Its laser light source is rated for approximately 20,000 hours of operation, helping eliminate the routine lamp replacements associated with traditional lamp-based projectors.

The AH700ST also includes golf-specific features designed to simplify the setup process, including automatic screen-fitting capabilities.

Its 0.69–0.83 throw ratio makes it suitable for many of the same room configurations as the TH671ST and AK700ST.

The key distinction is that the AH700ST combines Full HD resolution with laser technology and additional brightness.

Why choose the AH700ST?

• Full HD 1080p resolution.
• 4,000 ANSI lumens of brightness.
• A long-life laser light source.
• Golf-specific features designed to simplify installation.
• A useful balance of performance and practicality for home simulators.

Our recommendation: If you don't need 4K but want more brightness and a laser light source, the AH700ST is an excellent option to consider.

For many golfers, it could provide the right balance between performance and overall cost.

3. BenQ AK700ST: Step Up to 4K Golf Simulation

Best for: Golfers who want sharper visuals and a premium home simulator experience.

If image detail is a priority, the BenQ AK700ST is worth serious consideration.

It combines 4K UHD resolution with 4,000 ANSI lumens of brightness and a laser light source.

Compared with the TH671ST and AH700ST, the AK700ST offers a significant step up in resolution.

The additional detail can be particularly appealing when displaying large virtual golf courses on an impact screen, helping create a more immersive experience.

The AK700ST also offers golf-specific features, including automatic screen-fitting capabilities, and supports image warping for compatible curved-screen configurations.

Its laser light source is rated for approximately 20,000 hours of operation.

Although it represents a greater investment than a Full HD projector, the AK700ST is an attractive option for golfers building a dedicated simulator room and prioritizing image quality.

Why choose the AK700ST?

• 4K UHD resolution for sharper, more detailed visuals.
• 4,000 ANSI lumens of brightness.
• A long-life laser light source.
• Golf-specific setup features.
• A compelling balance of premium image quality and brightness.

Our recommendation: If you're investing in a premium home simulator and want 4K resolution, the AK700ST is an excellent place to start.

It provides a substantial visual upgrade over Full HD without necessarily requiring the additional investment associated with the LK936ST.

4. BenQ LK936ST: A Premium 4K Projector

Best for: High-end simulator installations where brightness, image quality, and mounting flexibility are priorities.

For golfers looking to build a premium simulator, the BenQ LK936ST is the highest-performance option in our four-projector lineup.

It delivers 4K UHD resolution, 5,100 ANSI lumens of brightness, and a laser light source.

Compared with the AK700ST, the LK936ST offers greater rated brightness and additional installation flexibility through its lens-shift capabilities.

Lens shift allows the projected image to be repositioned without relying entirely on digital image correction. This can be particularly useful when the ideal mounting location is difficult to achieve.

The LK936ST is worth considering for dedicated simulator rooms, premium residential installations, and other projects where brightness and precise projector positioning are important.

However, there's an important consideration when planning your installation: the LK936ST has a different throw ratio from the other three models.

Its 0.81–0.89 throw ratio generally requires more distance from the screen to produce an image of the same width as a projector with a 0.69–0.83 throw ratio.

That means the LK936ST isn't automatically the best choice for every room, even if your budget allows for it.

Why choose the LK936ST?

• 4K UHD resolution.
• 5,100 ANSI lumens of brightness.
• A long-life laser light source.
• Lens-shift capabilities for greater installation flexibility.
• A premium option for demanding simulator installations.

Our recommendation: If you're building a high-end golf simulator and want 4K visuals, higher brightness, and additional flexibility when positioning the projector, the LK936ST deserves serious consideration.

Just make sure your room can accommodate its projection distance before making your decision.

Which Projector Is Right for Your Space and Budget?

Choosing between these four projectors becomes much easier when you start with your priorities.

If You Want to Keep Costs Down

Consider the BenQ TH671ST.

It delivers Full HD resolution and lets you allocate more of your budget toward other important components, such as your launch monitor, impact screen, and hitting surface.

It's a sensible starting point for golfers who want a dedicated home simulator without prioritizing premium projection features.

If You Want Full HD with a Laser Light Source

Consider the BenQ AH700ST.

With 4,000 ANSI lumens and a laser light source, it offers a step up from the TH671ST in brightness and long-term light-source convenience.

It's a great option if you're happy with Full HD and want a projector designed specifically with golf simulation in mind.

If You Want Premium 4K Without Going All the Way to the Top

Consider the BenQ AK700ST.

Its 4K resolution, 4,000 ANSI lumens, and laser light source make it a compelling choice for golfers who want a high-quality visual experience.

For many dedicated home simulator builds, this will be an attractive balance of features and performance.

If You Want a High-End 4K Installation

Consider the BenQ LK936ST.

Its 5,100 ANSI lumens, 4K resolution, and lens-shift capabilities make it an excellent choice for premium installations.

However, confirm the required projection distance and mounting position before deciding.

Our Quick Recommendations

These recommendations are a starting point. The ideal projector depends on your actual room dimensions, screen size, lighting, and mounting options.

Three Common Projector Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Buying Before Measuring Your Room

A projector might have excellent specifications but still be unsuitable for your room.

Before purchasing, measure your room and screen, determine the available mounting positions, and calculate the required projection distance.

Remember to account for your swing clearance, launch monitor placement, and potential shadows.

Mistake #2: Assuming You Need 4K

4K can provide a sharper, more detailed picture, but it isn't essential for everyone.

A Full HD projector can still deliver a great golf simulation experience.

If you're working with a limited budget, you may be better off investing in a quality launch monitor, impact screen, and hitting mat rather than stretching your budget to afford 4K.

However, if you're building a premium simulator and entertainment room, 4K may be a worthwhile investment.

Mistake #3: Choosing Based on Brightness Alone

Higher brightness doesn't automatically make a projector the right choice for your room.

Throw ratio, resolution, light source, screen size, and mounting flexibility all influence the final result.

The goal is to choose a projector that works with your room and the rest of your simulator equipment—not simply the one with the highest specifications.

Let Hideaway Golf Simulators Help You Find the Right Projector

At Hideaway Golf Simulators, we believe golf should fit your space and budget.

As a Canadian golf simulator company based in Nova Scotia, we help customers explore equipment options for a wide range of residential and commercial projects.

Whether you're building a garage simulator, converting a basement, creating a dedicated golf room, or designing a premium entertainment space, we can help you determine which projector makes the most sense.

We look at the complete setup, including your room dimensions, impact screen, launch monitor, projector placement, and overall budget.

Our goal is to help you choose equipment that works together and delivers the experience you're looking for.

You don't need the most expensive projector to build a great golf simulator. You need the right projector for your space.

Ready to Build Your Golf Simulator?

Explore the BenQ projectors available through Hideaway Golf Simulators or contact us to discuss your project.

We'll help you compare the options, determine what works best for your room, and build a golf simulator that lets you enjoy the game year-round.

Hideaway Golf Simulators — We make golf fit any space or budget.