The best budget projector for golf simulators is the Optoma EH200ST Golf Simulator Projector. It offers satisfactory lumens for great resolution and clear images. Despite not being the brightest projector on the market, its good performance within its price range makes it a compelling and cost-effective option for enhancing golf simulator experiences without breaking the bank.
A friend sought my advice on a budget-friendly projector for his new golf simulator. I use the Panasonic PT-VZ580U 5000-Lumen projector with my simulator setup. While it’s very functional and offers exceptional pictures and brightness, it was above his budget, but he still wanted something that would serve him well.
Wanting to help, I researched and tested some of the most affordable and functional projectors for golf simulators. After extensive research, I opted for the Optoma EH200ST Golf Simulator Projector. This projector is cheap, supports multiple aspect ratios, and offers good picture quality. It was a great short-throw projector; although I wish it was brighter and the speakers were better, it was still quite functional for the price range.
In the rest of this article, I’ll review the features of the Optoma EH200ST Golf Simulator Projector, share its performance during my test, outline some of the benefits associated with this projector, and discuss some major drawbacks I encountered while trying it out. Let’s get into it.
| Image | Product | Detail | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Optoma EH200ST Golf Simulator Projector |
| Buy Now For $979 |
 | Panasonic PT-VZ580U 5000-Lumen |
| Buy Now For $1,399.99 |
 | BenQ TK700STI golf simulator projector |
| Buy Now For $1,299 |
Specification:
The Optoma EH200ST Golf Simulator Projector has gained widespread popularity among golfers as a leading short-throw simulator, offering a combination of high-quality imaging and affordability. Here’s a look at some of its standout specifications:
Optoma EH200ST Golf Simulator Projector
$979
- It’s budget-friendly, making it accessible.
- Offers various aspect ratios for flexible viewing.
- Delivers consistently sharp images, perfect for my golf simulator.
- A lightweight and user-friendly design simplifies setup.
| Resolution | 1080p (1920×1080) resolution |
| Lumens | 3000 ANSI lumens |
| Contrast Ratio | 20,000:1 |
| Price | $979 |
| Light Source | LCD Lamp |
Setting up
This projector was easy to set up and came with a helpful instruction manual. I also turned to informative YouTube videos for additional guidance in configuring it for my garage space.
All I had to do was access the location where I wanted to use the projector, in this case, short throw, and then determine the display size. I then selected the suitable throw distance, installed it on the ceiling, connected the power and input sources, adjusted the image, and made it ready.
Features
The Optoma EH200ST Golf Simulator Projector offers vibrant and bright colors with its 3000 ANSI lumens, making images vivid. Specifically designed for limited space environments, it excels in short-throw projection, requiring minimal distances to project large, sharp 1080p (1920×1080) resolution images without downscaling from HD quality.
Additionally, it offers the convenience of transforming into a smart display by connecting your smartphone or tablet using a single cable through MHL. The built-in speakers are easy to set up and reproduce the Rec. 709 color gamut.
Noteworthy features include an auto-power-off function, which automatically turns off the projector after a designated period of inactivity, and an impressive high contrast ratio of 20,000:1. These features collectively contribute to an enhanced viewing experience for golf simulation.
Performance
I was impressed with the Optoma EH200ST Golf Simulator Projector’s versatility, offering various aspect ratios and consistently delivering well-defined images. It has proven reliable, although I did encounter the need to replace the lamp on the third day, likely due to a defective unit.
The picture quality is exceptional, but the built-in speaker needs to be improved. I had to use a soundbar. It aligns perfectly with my preferences, with a short throw distance of about 4 to 3 feet. I used it on my Carls Premium Golf Impact Screen, and the picture quality was impressive.
Being lightweight and user-friendly, it provides good luminosity, even though it may not match the brightness of some more expensive alternatives, and is less suitable for outdoor use. However, its ultra-short throw capability meets my needs for a golf simulator setup.
Mounted between my hitting mat and the screen, this projector excels at a very short distance.
In summary, the Optoma EH200ST stands as a solid and functional short-throw projector, particularly if you are on a budget. If you are new to projectors and looking to save money while getting something useful, I recommend this projector.
Pros and cons
While the Optoma EH200ST Golf Simulator Projector stands out for its affordability, there are both positive aspects and areas where improvements could be made. Let’s explore the pros and cons of this projector:
What I liked:
- It’s budget-friendly, making it accessible.
- Offers various aspect ratios for flexible viewing.
- Delivers consistently sharp images, perfect for my golf simulator.
- A lightweight and user-friendly design simplifies setup.
What I didn’t like:
- The speaker quality could be better; I prefer using external audio.
- It could use more brightness.
Comparison with other alternatives
This projector offers decent performance at an affordable price, which makes it a good choice for beginner golfers. But its brightness could be better. There are other alternatives, like the Panasonic PT-VZ580U 5000-Lumen and the BenQ 4K TK700STI Golf simulator projector, which, although pricier, offers better performance in brightness and outstanding 4K resolution. Let’s compare the features of the other alternatives side by side to see how they differ and what each has to offer.
| Projector | Optoma EH200ST Golf Simulator Projector | Panasonic PT-VZ580U 5000-Lumen | BenQ TK700STI golf simulator projector |
| Resolution | 1080p (1920×1080) resolution | (1920×1200) | 4K UHD native resolution |
| Lumens | 3000 ANSI lumens | 5,000 Lumens | 3,000 Lumens |
| Contrast Ratio | 20,000:1 | 16,001:1 | 16,001:1 |
| Price | $979 | $1,399.99 | $1,299 |
| Light Source | LCD Lamp | Lamp | Lamp |
Final thoughts
In conclusion, the Optoma EH200ST Golf Simulator Projector offers a cost-effective solution for enhancing golf simulation experiences, particularly if you are budget-conscious. While it has some drawbacks, its performance, ease of use, and affordability make it a solid option.
It is a great choice if you are a beginner or average golfer looking to elevate your simulation experience.
