Short throw vs ultra short throw - does input lag matter for golf sim?
Building my first sim and trying to figure out the projector situation. I keep seeing recommendations for ultra short throw projectors but they're significantly more expensive.
My understanding is that UST projectors have higher input lag. But for golf, does that even matter? It's not like we're playing Call of Duty where every millisecond counts.
Current options I'm considering:
- BenQ LH820ST (short throw, ~16ms input lag) - $1,500
- Optoma GT2100HDR (UST, ~33ms input lag) - $2,200
- VAVA 4K (UST, ~50ms input lag) - $2,800
The VAVA looks amazing but I don't want to spend the extra money if it's going to feel laggy. Anyone notice input lag on their golf sim?
4 Replies
For golf sim, input lag barely matters. Even at 50ms, by the time you look up at the screen, the ball is already in flight.
It's not like a video game where you're reacting to things on screen in real-time. You hit the ball and then watch what happens. Even 100ms lag would be fine.
I'd prioritize brightness and throw ratio over input lag for golf applications.
I have the Optoma GT2100HDR and honestly couldn't tell you if there's any lag. When I hit, the ball appears on screen and it feels natural.
The bigger advantage of UST is the mounting. You can put it on a shelf below the screen and forget about it. No ceiling mount needed, no cables running across the room.
The BenQ is probably the most popular golf sim projector for a reason. Good balance of price, brightness, and throw ratio.
That said, if you have the budget for the VAVA, the image quality is noticeably better. 4K resolution makes a difference especially on larger screens.
One thing to consider - UST projectors can have issues with screen material. Some cheaper screens have too much texture and UST projectors pick up on that more than regular throw.
Make sure whatever screen you get is rated for UST if you go that route.