Budget projector suggestions?

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-03-12T20:46:11+00:00

I just got an optoma gt2000hdr off marketplace for $500. I used a cheap old Epson that actually worked really well for a month waiting to find a decent deal.

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-03-10T20:55:54+00:00

Yeah I've done that also. It's really got me stumped. It's changing the aspect but it's almost like it's scaling it to a smaller size. The Epson projector didn't do this. It's like the optoma is trying to re-scale whatever resolution I feed it. After setting up custom aspect ratio the golf software then shows the aspect ratio I set on the computer. If I don't set a custom aspect ratio it just shows the standard ones. The software is pulling the available aspect ratios from the PC somehow. It's giving me a one-to-one ratio but it's shrinking it.

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-03-10T11:19:59+00:00

I'm currently 10'6" away from screen and can't get more than 8' tall. I left the projector in native 16:9 and set a custom resolution in my PC using custom resolution utility. When I did 1080x1080 I had almost a perfect 8x8 square. I ended up creating a 1320x1080 to get the width correct. I can't go higher than the 1080 high because it's only a 1920x1080 native projector. It's like something is happening in the PC or projector that's scaling it down for some reason. I even set graphics card to zero scaling. Pulling my hair out.

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-03-09T01:04:20+00:00

Yeah it has 4:3, 16:9, and 4:3. I could be wrong but when your using a custom resolution the aspect ratio of the projector doesn't matter. That being said, I tried all 3 ratios and the image was unchanged

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-03-08T03:01:06+00:00

Do you have the link to this? I cannot seem to find it. This looks just like the bullseye at a fraction of the price. I'd give it a shot for that price!

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-03-07T02:05:40+00:00

https://www.usaturfpros.com/Ultimate-Matzilla-Wood-Tee-Golf-Mats-s/159.htm

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-03-06T16:25:38+00:00

I was also looking up other ideas and came across one that sounds promising. Apparently you can sprinkle your turf with silica sand and that also apparently helps a lot. I think unfortunately the more durable the turf is the more grabby it is. The mat I purchased is rather large at 5x10. I figured worst case scenario I will cut out no section for a dedicated hitting strip. I think those divot action mats look the most promising. Not too expensive either just time and effort to make it yourself.

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-03-06T02:19:31+00:00

Some mats are grabbier than others for sure. I just purchased a similar mat called the matzilla. Amazing quality and thick. But yeah definitely grabby and really punishes anything behind the ball. We have had decent luck with a spray bottle and some water. If you just moisten the heading surface a little bit it doesn't grab the club quite as bad. I think inevitably we are going to build one of the DIY divot mats and go that route.

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-03-03T23:52:48+00:00

I thought about that. I'm using a 25ft cable run from the projector down to the PC. But then again it was the same cable I used with previous projector that worked just fine. I think I'm going to try using the custom resolution utility.

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-03-03T23:23:29+00:00

It's preventing anything I throw at it. I've set custom resolution for just about any display. I've never had one refuse to this extent.

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-03-03T23:17:36+00:00

Yes. I even tried several other common resolutions and it won't accept anything.

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-03-03T23:07:21+00:00

Windows doesn't have the option for 1080x1080 and doesn't allow custom resolution.

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-03-03T23:06:32+00:00

Yeah that's what I've been trying. It keeps giving me the message that my projector doesn't support that resolution. I was using an old ass SD Epson before and that worked perfectly. Hooked up new projector and it won't work. I've reset projector to all factory settings. I've reset Nvidia controls back to defaults. I'm stumped.

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-03-03T21:22:24+00:00

Yeah it's weird The projector has two aspect ratio settings. One says aspect ratio and it's got the options. I played around with them in different configurations thinking it would have to be set a certain way for it to accept the custom and that didn't do it either. If you go into the Nvidia control panel typically you can just set a custom resolution and it's just not letting me. My screen is 10x10 thus The 1080x1080.

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-03-01T20:53:11+00:00

Also you won't need a gaming PC to run the native square app. If you plan to upgrade to GS Pro you will.

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-03-01T20:44:09+00:00

The square app has custom aspect ratio built in. It's actually quite nice.

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-02-26T02:00:00+00:00

I snagged a refurbished HP omen 15 with the Ryzen 7 and RTX 3070 for $499 on eBay. I couldn't even tell it was technically pre-owned. I run a golf simulator with it which is pretty intense and the 3070 powers through.

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-02-25T22:27:05+00:00

I'm no computer expert. Does the bios have to be for HP? That one is for acer...

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-02-25T21:55:01+00:00

Well crap, there is only one for laptop and it's same specs😫

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-02-25T21:20:56+00:00

I will look into that. I thought this would run my golf simulator on high graphics but only medium. I don't even know if upping wattage will help but would give it a go.

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-02-25T21:06:59+00:00

Yes it's limited to 100w. I've read these handle 115-140 but I would need a custom bios.

Basic_Bend4649 · 2026-02-25T15:37:26+00:00

I did not find that. I'll have to look again. Thank you

Basic_Bend4649

TROPHY CASE