For a smaller impact screen – the low cost of a lamp projector is attractive. The BenQ TH671ST is a 3000-lumen short throw 1080p projector and with its exclusive SmartEco mode has a lamp is rated up to 15,000 hours. But bigger impact screens need a brighter projector – and if you need 4000 lumens or more, the higher initial cost of the laser projector is often a better choice. Why? Higher brightness lamps tend to have shorter lamp life and are expensive to replace. Plus – many manufacturers are phasing them out. In 2020, nearly 75% of high brightness projectors used lasers. For golf simulators, there are several advantages that BenQ laser projectors have over the traditional 5000-lumen lamp projectors. Here are a few to keep in mind:
20,000-hour lamp life – assuming a street price of $350 for 5000-lumen replacement lamps, the BenQ laser can save as much as $1400 over the life of the projector
Instant On & Off – A laser projector is ready to go in a couple of seconds after you turn it on
Higher color accuracy – lasers provide higher color accuracy - more on that below
Stays Brighter Longer – high brightness lamps start losing their brightness after a few hundred hours – and once they reach 50% brightness – need replacing. A laser projector loses brightness at a much slower rate – helping your simulator look bright for years.