You expect bright, sharp images with a laser projector and most models deliver. You feel like you’re watching movies in a cinema instead of comfortably curled up on your couch. While this is great, don’t you want more from your home theater projector? What about gaming, especially golf? Imagine playing your golfing games on the “big screen”.
You need more than bright, immersive images to enjoy playing a few simulated holes on a laser projector. Input lag and refresh rates are crucial. Gamers won’t have any complaints about the Optoma UHD55 (>>> Find current price on Amazon). Its low latency and quick refresh rate keep your fast-paced games flowing smoothly frame-by-frame. If any ambient light is a concern the Optoma GT1090HDR can handle both day and night viewing, while the Optoma UHD50X boasts a flexible installation.
Finding the right laser projector for gaming is harder than you might think. There are a lot of factors to consider, especially if it’s your first time buying one. Whether you want a projector for movies, gaming, or both, the good news is you don’t need to spend $5,000 or more. The five projectors reviewed here are under $3,000.
All of these models can handle movies and games, but the best projector for a golf simulator is the Optoma GT1090HDR.
Best Projector for Golf Simulator – Top picks for 2023
| Optoma GT1090HDR | BenQ TH690ST | Optoma UHD55 | Optoma UHD50X | BenQ TH685P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |
|
| Resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 | 3840x2160 | 1920x1080 |
| Contrast Ratio | 300,000:1 | 500,000:1 | 1,200,000:1 | 500,000:1 | 10,000:1 |
| Brightness (Lumens) | 4,200 ANSI | 2,300 ANSI | 3,600 ANSI | 3,400 ANSI | 3,500 ANSI |
| Throw Distance | 1.3' - 10.9' | 1.8' - 10.0' | 3.9' - 26.6' | 4.0' - 26.6' | 3.2' - 24.6' |
| Screen size | 36" - 301" | 30" - 200" | 34" - 302" | 34" - 303" | 30" - 300" |
| Input lag | 16ms | 8.3ms | 4ms | 25ms | 8.3ms |
| Price | Find on Amazon Bhphotovideo.com | Find on Amazon Bhphotovideo.com | Find on Amazon ProjectorScreen.com Bhphotovideo.com | Find on Amazon ProjectorScreen.com | Find on Amazon Bhphotovideo.com |
Lumens
Just because a projector has a laser light doesn’t necessarily imply it can handle bright light. The lumens rating can still be low on home laser projectors. Anything over 2000 lumens works great in darker rooms but can’t provide enough light for golf simulators. You’ll have problems seeing the course. If you want to use the projector during the day, or with the lights on, look for 3000+ lumens.
Best Choice for Brightness: Optoma GT1090HDR
Lag Time
You can’t eliminate lag time, but it is important to keep it to a minimum. There is a big difference between “now” and a few seconds later”. It can mean the difference between beating a level or missing a shot. Lag time is the difference between you taking an action, and when it’s shown on the screen. Latency is measured in milliseconds and anything under 60ms is considered acceptable for most games, though lower, around 8 -10ms is best.
Best Choice for Lag Time: Optoma UHD55
Resolution
Resolution refers to the number of pixels that make up the image. The more pixels, the sharper and clearer the image. Laser projectors have at least a 1920 x 1080p resolution, commonly known as HD. Projectors with 1080p resolution are classified as home theater projectors.
You can also find higher-priced 4K laser projectors with 3840 x 2160 resolution. You will pay more for 4K, but if image quality is key it’s well worth it.
Best Choice for Resolution: Optoma UHD50X
Throw Ratio
How far the projector needs to be from the screen is the throw ratio. Short throw projectors are easier to set up, and you don’t need a lot of space. If you’re worried about space or casting a shadow on the screen, look for a short-throw projector that needs less than 4 feet to cast at least 100” images.
Best Throw Ratio: Optoma GT1090HDR
Optoma GT1090HDR
With a 4,200 lumens laser light, you get bright images with the lights on. You won’t have any problems seeing where to aim your next shot. Add in HDR10 and HLG technologies, and you get bright whites and deep blacks. Full HD resolution ensures crisp images, and you also have a 4K input. With a 300,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, colors are bright and vivid.
Input lag for golf simulators is in the acceptable range. You won’t notice any lag time with most games. You’ll also love how easy the GT1090HDR is to set up. 1.3x zoom and vertical keystone correction make it easy to align images. You also only need 4’-4” of space for 120” images. Slightly over 3” and images are 100”.
Pros
- Bright laser light
- Easy and flexible installation
- Acceptable input lag
- Plenty of inputs, including 4K
- High contrast ratio
Cons
- There can be a rainbow effect
- The built-in speakers do not produce cinema-quality audio
Full review of the GT1090HDR
BenQ TH690ST
Boosting an 8.3-second lag, the BenQ TH690ST will keep up with your golf simulator. If you don’t mind dropping from 4K resolution down to full HD, you can enjoy smoother gameplay with an input lag of around 4ms. Best of all, you can take advantage of the dedicated gaming mode. It allows you to adjust the display according to the amount of light in the room.
Its short throw distance, around 5 feet, makes installation a breeze, especially when you add in 2D keystone correction. When you’re ready to take a break from gaming, the DCI-P3 color coverage technology gives you an immersive viewing experience whether it’s movie night or the latest live sporting event.
Pros
- Low input lag
- Brilliant colors
- Dedicated gaming mode
- Short throw distance
Cons
- Image clarity can decrease in gaming mode
- Limited adjustment controls can make it difficult to center images on the screen
Optoma UHD55
The Optoma UHD55 offers something for gamers and movie lovers. You get 8.3 million onscreen pixels for an immersive true 4K viewing experience. Gamers can keep the 4K resolution, the input lag is only around 15ms. If you take advantage of the enhanced gaming mode, you get a lag time of 4ms with a 240 Hz refresh rate. It’s fast enough to keep almost any competitive gamer happy. However, you do drop down to full HD in gaming mode.
With a 3600 lumens rating, you get bright images regardless of the amount of daylight in the room. Three color setting options ensure onscreen images are vibrant. Add in dynamic black technology, along with HDR10 and HLG compatibility and you get cinema-quality images in the comfort of your home. Smart features and a built-in media player ensure the projector is a breeze to operate. Our detailed review of the UHD55.
Pros
- Low input lag
- Rich blacks with vibrant colors
- Alexa voice compatible
- Built-in media player
Cons
- The longer throw distance makes it difficult to use the projector in smaller spaces
- You lose some image clarity in the enhanced gaming mode
Optoma UHD50X
The Optoma UHD50X is an affordable line laser projector with something for everyone. You get a 16ms latency lag and bright images with a 3,400 lumens light source. The refresh rate at 240Hz is a little slow for some fast-paced games and some live-action sports.
When it comes to image quality, the projector jumps to the forefront. There are laser projectors with higher lumens ratings, but it’s hard to beat true 4K resolution. With HDR and HLG compatibility, you get amazingly bright whites and rich blacks. The projector also boasts a 500,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. For our full review of the UHD50X, follow this link: https://hometheaterabc.com/optoma-uhd50x-review/
Pros
- High contrast ratio
- Bright laser light
- 8-segmented color wheel
- Flexible installation
- Low latency
Cons
- Turning on the enhanced gaming mode reduces image resolution from 4K to HD
- The remote easily breaks and doesn’t always connect with the projector
BenQ TH685P
The BenQ TH685P is designed for gaming and movies. Connect your golf simulator and enjoy an 8.3ms latency speed with a 120Hz refresh rate. You can keep up with competitive players while still enjoying crisp, vivid onscreen images. For longer gameplay, LumiExpert technology prevents issues with eye strain. Five-watt internal speakers let you hear the action as you play.
While it is a 1080p projector, it is compatible with 4K content. You get immersive images with stunning colors. Whites are crisp, without yellowing, and blacks are rich and deep. A 3500 lumens light source ensures images are bright even during the day.
Pros
- Comes with a 4K input
- Built-in 5-watt speakers
- Low input lag
- Bright, vivid images
Cons
- The projector does not have a monitor-out or VGA port
- Audio quality is lacking without connecting external speakers
Conclusion
For gamers, the most important feature is the lag time. Others want a projector that’s also designed for home movie night. While the Optoma UHD55 is almost everything an avid gamer can want from an affordable laser projector, it does have a few downsides (>>> Check current price on ProjectorScreen). Images aren’t as bright and clear as those you get from other projectors.
The Optoma UHD50X does produce crisp, clear pictures. However, if you want the best projector for golf simulators and makes non-gamers happy, look at the Optoma GT1090HDR. The short-throw projector produces amazingly bright images in almost any lighting. It also has an input lag that will keep you happily playing your golf simulator for hours.