Building my dream garage simulator! Details and specs - Foresight GC3

[Albatross85]

Hey all,

 

After about 2 months of research, I am beginning my build out of my dream golf simulator to play year round. (Midwest here) I will be using this thread to document the setup and whatever issues I encounter. 

 

I am lucky enough to have a 40x40 heated/cooled detached garage with 12 foot ceilings to build this setup. Currently i have a travel trailer taking up 1/2 the garage but I am moving it tomorrow to RV storage 1 mile from my home. I have a buddy coming over Saturday and we will hopefully get everything completely built out in one day! 

 

Here is a spreadsheet of all the items I purchased and my exact specs. I chose not to go with the Sim-in-a-box from FS because it was going to be just over 16k after taxes and shipping and while the setup is easy, the components are pretty basic for the price. I was able to upgrade the projector, hitting mat, and enclosure size, as well as get a high end gaming laptop, and a 4k Television all for less than the Sim-in-a-box pricing. 

 

I will update this thread with more pictures and details as we build it this weekend. 

[Ty_Webb]

Nice - looking forward to seeing pictures. I don't have this much space at the moment, so watching from a jealous standpoint. I'd need to build out to do it, which is muchos denarii.

[Albatross85]

7 minutes ago, Ty_Webb said:

Nice - looking forward to seeing pictures. I don't have this much space at the moment, so watching from a jealous standpoint. I'd need to build out to do it, which is muchos denarii.

I'll be sure to post a bunch of pics this weekend.

 

My son is turning 8 in a couple weeks and already has plans to have a gaming birthday party on the 12 foot screen. I'm sure the Xbox will make its way out there permanently! 

[8602081]

TV prices are dropping..

 

You can get a 65inch 4k for $499..

 

[Albatross85]

30 minutes ago, 8602081 said:

TV prices are dropping..

 

You can get a 65inch 4k for $499..

 

Thanks. I tend to do alot of research on purchases. I'm happy with the model i chose, and the couch will only be like 10 feet from the TV so i think 55" will be plenty big for my purposes. 

[Krt22]

Very cool, what do you plan to do with the rest of the space? 

[JAM01]

Looks good, especially the forethought to have a club and ball Washer. Im retooling from a net and tv, to a Carls screen. Delivery is in a few days, but I grabbed a clearance screen. 
 

I also put up some golf themed decorations. 

[Albatross85]

1 hour ago, Krt22 said:

Very cool, what do you plan to do with the rest of the space? 

I park my truck in there and my mower and side by side. The other 1/2 is definitely spoken for unfortunately. 

[Albatross85]

4 minutes ago, JAM01 said:

Looks good, especially the forethought to have a club and ball Washer. Im retooling from a net and tv, to a Carls screen. Delivery is in a few days, but I grabbed a clearance screen. 
 

I also put up some golf themed decorations. 

Nice! I grabbed some sweet Augusta and Tiger banners off eBay as well to spice it up. What did you get for decoration?

[Krt22]

9 minutes ago, Albatross85 said:

I park my truck in there and my mower and side by side. The other 1/2 is definitely spoken for unfortunately. 

Ahh gotcha, still lots of space though, very jealous. I've reconfigured my hitting area 3 times now, thinking of doing it once more by kicking one car out of the garage to expand it width wise a bit and add a screen/projector.

[JAM01]

1 hour ago, Albatross85 said:

Nice! I grabbed some sweet Augusta and Tiger banners off eBay as well to spice it up. What did you get for decoration?

Pin flags - Masters, Open, US Open, PGA Championship 

[Albatross85]

Got the major components built yesterday. The screen and mat and projector hung. Still have to hang the tv and wire everything but I’m able to hit balls now. The GC3 will be here on Tuesday!

 

I used an old memory foam topper cut into strips to fill all the corners and protect ricochets from the inside poles. Worked perfectly and saved a few hundred bucks over ordering the Carls foam with the screen. 

Edited January 24, 2022 by Albatross85

[Retsof2021]

This is awesome. Thanks for posting. We are moving this year and planning to have a basement with a simulator room. I’ve been doing research and my build is almost identical.  I was hoping to come in at 12K but that will be tough with an unlocked GC3.  I won’t be getting a TV and will be hoping my MacBook Pro or iPad Pro can handle it. Looking forward to watching your progress! Congrats!

[DS12312]

17 minutes ago, Retsof2021 said:

This is awesome. Thanks for posting. We are moving this year and planning to have a basement with a simulator room. I’ve been doing research and my build is almost identical.  I was hoping to come in at 12K but that will be tough with an unlocked GC3.  I won’t be getting a TV and will be hoping my MacBook Pro or iPad Pro can handle it. Looking forward to watching your progress! Congrats!

Just a heads up that FSX Pro app will work on the iPad with GC3, but their sim software and/or GS Pro will need a decent gaming PC...some have tried running parallels on a MacBook Pro (or Air I forget) with mixed success

[Retsof2021]

8 minutes ago, DS12312 said:

Just a heads up that FSX Pro app will work on the iPad with GC3, but their sim software and/or GS Pro will need a decent gaming PC...some have tried running parallels on a MacBook Pro (or Air I forget) with mixed success

Thanks for the heads up.  I'll do additional research and also look at cheap gaming laptop options.  

 

@Albatross85 Curious how you decided on the hitting mat.  I have it narrowed down to Fiberbuilt and Truestrike.  Both seem like great options.

 

 

[Albatross85]

5 minutes ago, Retsof2021 said:

Thanks for the heads up.  I'll do additional research and also look at cheap gaming laptop options.  

 

@Albatross85 Curious how you decided on the hitting mat.  I have it narrowed down to Fiberbuilt and Truestrike.  Both seem like great options.

 

 

I did a lot of research. The final decision came down to the fact that you will definitely wear out a truestrike and need to replace it. (also heard it will start to curve into a half circle type shape after a while.) The FB is warrantied for like 80,000 shots but not only that the hitting strip is actually 4 separate puzzle pieces that are secured from the bottom, so if you wear one out you will be able to swap them around, essentially getting 320,000 shots. I dont think you can wear out a FB. 

[Rory4Pres]

I second the fiberbuilt.  Great Mat.

[wilton]

Lookin good!  Thanks for posting this I’m looking into options as well so it’s extremely helpful!!

 

what is the measurement of your enclosure depth?

Edited January 24, 2022 by wilton

[Albatross85]

2 minutes ago, wilton said:

Lookin good!  Thanks for posting this I’m looking into options as well so it’s extremely helpful!!

 

what is the measurement of your enclosure depth?

5 foot deep sides on all the Carls DIY kits. Mine is 12 wide x 9 tall x 5 deep

[Albatross85]

My original plan was to use the 12x6 turf and then my 9x4 fiber built so that put me roughly 8 feet from the screen. I discovered that was too close for a couple reasons. The ball bounce back off the screen was too hot for my liking as well as it cast a shadow on the screen from the projector. 
 

I solved this by picking up a 12x8 section of 1” tall Pet/Play turf from Home Depot. I cut a 12x2 section to move me out another two feet. The turf is also 1” tall where my putting turf is .75” so it turned out awesome. Like i have two cuts! Fairway and rough. This now puts me 10feet away which i think is perfect. Any further and I would be able to flop shots up to quick and hit my ceiling. I can’t flop them quick enough from 10 feet. Yet! 
 

I’m using the remaining 12x6 of the turf as a rug for the couch area that will sit behind the hitting platform. The turf was supposed to be $225 for that piece but it was the last of the roll so HD gave me $60 off to take the whole piece. 

[Retsof2021]

23 hours ago, Albatross85 said:

I did a lot of research. The final decision came down to the fact that you will definitely wear out a truestrike and need to replace it. (also heard it will start to curve into a half circle type shape after a while.) The FB is warrantied for like 80,000 shots but not only that the hitting strip is actually 4 separate puzzle pieces that are secured from the bottom, so if you wear one out you will be able to swap them around, essentially getting 320,000 shots. I dont think you can wear out a FB. 

Awesome insight.  Thanks for putting this thread together.  Progress looks great.  I've now added a gaming PC so getting hard to get it under 12K.  Here is my current build.  Beginning to think the only way I get it under 12K is switching to a BLP with the Gold sub or GSPro.  Assuming I can use FSX Pro for club data and sim with GSPro.  Keep the great posts coming!

 

Item	Cost
Foresight GC3	7583
Carls Place Enclosure	1844
Fiberbuilt Hitting Mat	1349
BenQ LU710	1699
PC	1100
Projector Mount	25
Gym Mat under Hitting Area	125
Extra Green Carpet
LED Light Strips	15
Carry Backpack	35
Total	13775

 

Item	Cost
BLP	3210
Carls Place Enclosure	1844
Fiberbuilt Hitting Mat	1349
BenQ LU710	1699
PC	1100
Projector Mount	25
Laptop Cart
Gym Mat under Hitting Area	125
Extra Green Carpet
LED Light Strips	15
GSPro	250
Carry Backpack	35
Total	9617

 

[Albatross85]

1 minute ago, Retsof2021 said:

Awesome insight.  Thanks for putting this thread together.  Progress looks great.  I've now added a gaming PC so getting hard to get it under 12K.  Here is my current build.  Beginning to think the only way I get it under 12K is switching to a BLP with the Gold sub or GSPro.  Assuming I can use FSX Pro for club data and sim with GSPro.  Keep the great posts coming!

 

 

Item	Cost
Foresight GC3	7583
Carls Place Enclosure	1844
Fiberbuilt Hitting Mat	1349
BenQ LU710	1699
PC	1100
Projector Mount	25
Gym Mat under Hitting Area	125
Extra Green Carpet
LED Light Strips	15
Carry Backpack	35
Total	13775

 

 

Item	Cost
BLP	3210
Carls Place Enclosure	1844
Fiberbuilt Hitting Mat	1349
BenQ LU710	1699
PC	1100
Projector Mount	25
Laptop Cart
Gym Mat under Hitting Area	125
Extra Green Carpet
LED Light Strips	15
GSPro	250
Carry Backpack	35
Total	9617

 

Why is your enclosure so expensive?  I also think you could have significant savings on the projector you chose since you arent going 4k. You can find great 1080 projectors for 1k or less.

 

I also saved money by using 1.5" foam insulation board for my platform instead of gym mats. They were $54 for a 12x8ft section. 

[Retsof2021]

15 minutes ago, Albatross85 said:

Why is your enclosure so expensive?  I also think you could have significant savings on the projector you chose since you arent going 4k. You can find great 1080 projectors for 1k or less.

 

I chose the 12 x 9 as well but I included the EMT and padding.  Could save money there but figured couple hundred bucks was worth it.  What is your all in cost for the enclosure after EMT and padding?  Looks like 1,234 Enclosure + 335 EMT cost?  Did you find that worth it?  I'm not super handy so didnt want to try to shortcut that part. 

 

I also thought about saving on the projector.  This room will be used for movies as well so continuing my research but being conservative in that estimate.  Will be curious to see how you like the TK700.  Didn't realize you could get a 4K one for that price point. 

[Albatross85]

33 minutes ago, Retsof2021 said:

I chose the 12 x 9 as well but I included the EMT and padding.  Could save money there but figured couple hundred bucks was worth it.  What is your all in cost for the enclosure after EMT and padding?  Looks like 1,234 Enclosure + 335 EMT cost?  Did you find that worth it?  I'm not super handy so didnt want to try to shortcut that part. 

 

I also thought about saving on the projector.  This room will be used for movies as well so continuing my research but being conservative in that estimate.  Will be curious to see how you like the TK700.  Didn't realize you could get a 4K one for that price point. 

The EMT was $220 for 12x9 so spending 290 and not having to cut and sand it yourself isn't a bad deal. I definitely wouldnt pay $320 for the foam. There are lots of other options and whatever you choose gets stuffed behind a velcro strip anyways. I used a memory foam topper but Im sure any material could work. I would grab plumbing foam insulation and cut it up before giving out $320 but thats me. 12 foot wide is really big when hitting into the sim. The only bar i really think would need to come into play is the bar at the top of the screen. The sides are impossible to hit unless its a hosel rocket. 

[DS12312]

4 hours ago, Retsof2021 said:

Awesome insight.  Thanks for putting this thread together.  Progress looks great.  I've now added a gaming PC so getting hard to get it under 12K.  Here is my current build.  Beginning to think the only way I get it under 12K is switching to a BLP with the Gold sub or GSPro.  Assuming I can use FSX Pro for club data and sim with GSPro.  Keep the great posts coming!

 

 

Item	Cost
Foresight GC3	7583
Carls Place Enclosure	1844
Fiberbuilt Hitting Mat	1349
BenQ LU710	1699
PC	1100
Projector Mount	25
Gym Mat under Hitting Area	125
Extra Green Carpet
LED Light Strips	15
Carry Backpack	35
Total	13775

 

 

Item	Cost
BLP	3210
Carls Place Enclosure	1844
Fiberbuilt Hitting Mat	1349
BenQ LU710	1699
PC	1100
Projector Mount	25
Laptop Cart
Gym Mat under Hitting Area	125
Extra Green Carpet
LED Light Strips	15
GSPro	250
Carry Backpack	35
Total	9617

 

Gold sub unlocks all available club data

Edited January 25, 2022 by DS12312

[Retsof2021]

41 minutes ago, DS12312 said:

Gold sub unlocks all available club data

Edit:  Looks like this is only if you have an unlocked quad or GC2 with HMT without needing a super PC.

 

Looks like I misspoke, I saw in the thread below that you could get club data without FSX Software.  Looks like it's FS Performance App and not FSX Pro like I mentioned. Have not confirmed this personally however.  I guess my thinking is if this is true I could use GSPro for simulation and FS Performance for club data without spending the 750 annually or 4K unlocked software.  

 

 

 

Edited January 25, 2022 by Retsof2021

[Retsof2021]

3 hours ago, Albatross85 said:

The EMT was $220 for 12x9 so spending 290 and not having to cut and sand it yourself isn't a bad deal. I definitely wouldnt pay $320 for the foam. There are lots of other options and whatever you choose gets stuffed behind a velcro strip anyways. I used a memory foam topper but Im sure any material could work. I would grab plumbing foam insulation and cut it up before giving out $320 but thats me. 12 foot wide is really big when hitting into the sim. The only bar i really think would need to come into play is the bar at the top of the screen. The sides are impossible to hit unless its a hosel rocket. 

Great thoughts... thanks for clarifying!  Will be dropping those for now.  

[rochestergolfer36]

44 minutes ago, Retsof2021 said:

Great thoughts... thanks for clarifying!  Will be dropping those for now.  

 

Could you look at Carl's clearance screens to reduce cost? Also if you really wanted to reduce hitting mat you could get a Fiberbuilt hitting strip and use another mat for stance area.  I do this with a truestrike hitting strip. 

[Retsof2021]

5 hours ago, rochestergolfer36 said:

 

Could you look at Carl's clearance screens to reduce cost? Also if you really wanted to reduce hitting mat you could get a Fiberbuilt hitting strip and use another mat for stance area.  I do this with a truestrike hitting strip

Will look into it for sure. Biggest priority for my sim is a quality mat to avoid pain. Does the hitting strip offer the same forgiveness on the joints?

[rochestergolfer36]

3 hours ago, Retsof2021 said:

Will look into it for sure. Biggest priority for my sim is a quality mat to avoid pain. Does the hitting strip offer the same forgiveness on the joints?

 

Not sure on fiberbuilt as I haven't used that before, just have seen others do that.  I went the same route just with Truestrike and stance mats on both sides (1 of kids is a lefty) which works great.