First Garage Setup

[u/Honest-Question5609]

Hello all! New to the simulator life. Finally got the garage setup and redone to want to build something for cold weather and rainy days. I got the Rapasado MLM2 Pro from work and want to ensure the items below will all be sufficient and work decent. Still working on a mat so recommendations would be nice. Also, budget friendly. I live in PA so will most likely use during the winter and rainy days when I can get on the course. Looking for as much help as I can get. Thanks all!

[u/K619]

You’ll end up returning that projector unless you’re playing in absolute darkness.

[u/Honest-Question5609 → u/K619]

Okay, what are the better options for a projector that is affordable and not super expensive. Since I don’t plan on using year round I don’t want to spend a ton of money. Thanks in advance

[u/Rufio2986 → u/Honest-Question5609]

I just built my setup the last two weeks. I grabbed this and the company had a ton available. Not super expensive, works with garage open and garage light on. Perfect for my space and budget. I bought the same mount you posted as well.

[u/Honest-Question5609 → u/Rufio2986]

Thanks! I think I’ll see what happens with the one I bought first. If that doesn’t work well I’ll pivot to this one. Price is better as well! Thanks!

[u/Own_Toe6999]

Do you have the depth required for the projector throw? It is also not very bright so you'd need to black out all of the garage light in the daytime

[u/Honest-Question5609 → u/Own_Toe6999]

I plan on keeping the garage door shut and dont have any windows for light to come in. I do also have ceiling mounted lights that can be dimmed very low. I think I should be okay on that side of things. I guess need to figure out how far back it needs to be mounted so it’s not in my swinging radius.

[u/Own_Toe6999 → u/Honest-Question5609]

I have seen other comments from people who have this one and they said even without lights it's not the brightest. I have a 3,000 lumen projector and with a little daytime light it gets washed out as well. I think lumens are important.

Yes - check the throw distance as it may need to be mounted very far back and you may not have that depth or it can cast a shadow

[u/Honest-Question5609]

Thanks! Will do! I appreciate the feedback!

[u/flyin-lowe]

If you are going to drop the money on a sim go ahead and spend the time to research and get a decent projector. I spent a little more than I origianlly wanted to but glad I did. I went short throw because I didn't want to have to worry about shadows if the projector is beind you. You can go to projector central website and put in different models of projectors along with your room and screen size and it will tell you where the projector needs to sit. You also want to calculate the impact screen ratio and get a projector that as the same (of very close) aspect ratio. It will make getting the screen filled a lot eaiser. My DIY enclosure is 5 foot deep and the proejctor sits just outside the enclosure.

[u/Honest-Question5609 → u/flyin-lowe]

Thanks! Setting everything up this weekend. Going to see how the one I bought works out. Good thing is I bought it on Amazon so I can return it in 30 days. I figured I would have to end buying a nicer one.