Guides · Projectors, screens and TVs
BenQ TK700STi vs. TK710STi: Which Projector Fits a Golf Simulator Better?
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Both are 4K short-throw projectors, but the TK710STi is easier to place in many golf rooms. The TK700STi uses a lamp, is rated at 3,000 ANSI lumens, and has a 0.90-1.08 throw ratio. The newer TK710STi uses a laser, is rated at 3,200 ANSI lumens, and shortens the throw ratio to 0.69-0.83. If both can create the image size you want, room geometry is the more important difference.
Draw the Projector Position Before Comparing Picture Quality
Throw ratio tells you how far the lens sits from the screen for a given image width. In a simulator, that number matters because the projector has to stay out of the club path and avoid placing the golfer in the beam.
For a 12-foot-wide image, the TK700STi works out to roughly 10.8 to 13.0 feet of throw. The TK710STi is roughly 8.3 to 10.0 feet. That difference can move the projector from behind the golfer to a cleaner position closer to the screen.
The TK710STi Replaces the Lamp With a Laser
BenQ rates the TK700STi lamp for 4,000 hours in Normal mode and up to 15,000 hours in LampSave mode. The TK710STi uses a laser light source rated at 20,000 hours.
For a simulator that runs several evenings a week, the laser mainly removes a maintenance decision. You are less likely to be thinking about lamp age, replacement cost, or whether a dimming lamp should finally be changed.
The Brightness Difference Is Small
The TK700STi is rated at 3,000 ANSI lumens and the TK710STi at 3,200. That is not a big enough gap to ignore ambient light.
If daylight or bright fixtures are washing out the impact screen, control the room lighting first. Two hundred extra lumens will not fix a screen that is being hit by direct light.
Both Give You a 4K, 16:9 Image
Both projectors are native 4K UHD with a 16:9 aspect ratio, so either can produce a sharp widescreen simulator image and work well for movies or games when the room is used for more than golf.
If your impact screen is closer to 4:3 or 1:1, the image plan becomes more important than the 4K label. You may choose to leave part of the screen unused instead of distorting the picture.
The Older TK700STi Can Still Be the Right Projector
If you already own a TK700STi and the lens lands in a safe place, there is no reason to replace it just because the TK710STi exists. The older model can still produce an excellent simulator image in a room with enough throw distance.
For a new build, the TK710STi is easier to design around because it can sit closer to the screen and uses a laser light source. For an existing build, measure before upgrading.