BenQ TH671ST
A short-throw 1080p DLP with 3,000 lumens, 8ms input lag, and a 3-year warranty for $949. Here is where it belongs in your sim build and where the lamp tradeoff starts to sting.
"The BenQ TH671ST is the projector you buy when the launch monitor, enclosure, mat, and PC already ate your budget and you need something that actually works without spending another $2,000. It delivers a sharp 1080p image at up to 120 inches with short-throw placement and input lag that does not interfere with your timing. The lamp will need replacing eventually, and 1080p is not 4K. But at $949, it is the only projector under $1,000 that belongs in a serious simulator build. Buy it for a first-time budget build. Skip it for a premium room where the image should match the rest of the equipment."
The scorecard
Ratings as tested, out of 10.
| Spec | As tested | Caddie's note |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 8.0 | |
| Accuracy | 7.0 | |
| Value | 10.0 | |
| Ease of use | 9.0 | |
| Software | 5.0 | |
| Price | $949 | |
| Brand | BenQ |
what it does well —
- Cheapest viable golf simulator projector at $949 — nothing else under $1,000 worth buying for sim use
- Short throw ratio (0.69-0.83) projects a 100-inch image from 5 feet away — minimal body shadows during swings
- 8ms input lag at 1080p/120Hz is imperceptible for sim play — faster than most laser projectors at their native resolution
- 3,000 ANSI lumens is bright enough for any room with controlled lighting
- 3-year warranty is longer than most projectors at any price point, including many laser models
- 3D-capable via DLP Link — a niche feature that matters if you have 3D content
what to know going in —
- Lamp-based light source (3,500-7,000 hours) means you will replace the bulb every 2-7 years at $100-150 per swap
- 1080p only — no 4K, no HDR, no pixel shifting of any kind
- Single HDMI 1.4a input with no ARC or eARC — plan on an HDMI switcher or AVR
- 3,000 lumens is not enough for rooms with uncontrolled ambient light or open garage doors
- No motorized zoom, no Auto Screen Fit, no smart features — manual setup only
- No dust sealing (IP rating) — garage builders need to keep it clean
Is the BenQ TH671ST worth it? Yes, at $949 it is the only golf simulator projector under $1,000 worth buying. You get a short-throw DLP with 3,000 ANSI lumens, 8ms input lag at 1080p/120Hz, and a 3-year warranty. The tradeoffs are a lamp-based light source that needs replacing every 3,500-7,000 hours and 1080p resolution instead of 4K. If your sim budget is tight and your room has controlled light, this is the projector that makes sense.
The Verdict
The BenQ TH671ST is the best golf simulator projector under $1,000 because it is the only one under $1,000 that actually belongs in a simulator build.
BenQ released the TH671ST in 2017 — before GSPro existed, before the SkyTrak+, before the current sim boom turned launch monitors into a consumer category. It is still in production. It still uses a lamp instead of a laser. It still delivers 1080p instead of 4K. Those are the tradeoffs, and they are honest ones at this price.
At $949 with a 3-year warranty and a short-throw ratio that puts a 100-inch image five feet from the screen, it is the cheapest projector in the BenQ lineup that you would actually put in front of a swing bay. The lamp is a tradeoff. The price is the reason you buy it.
Buy this if the rest of your build cost more than you expected and you need a projector that delivers without blowing the budget. Skip it if you are building a premium sim with a 4K launch monitor and you want the image to match.
Quick Specs
| Spec | BenQ TH671ST |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p (1920×1080) DLP |
| Brightness | 3,000 ANSI lumens |
| Contrast | 10,000:1 (native) |
| Throw Ratio | 0.69-0.83 (short throw) |
| Image Size | 80-120 inches diagonal |
| Light Source | Lamp (240W) — 3,500 hours normal, 7,000 hours SmartEco |
| Input Lag | 8ms (1080p/120Hz), 16ms (1080p/60Hz) |
| Lamp Cost | $100-150 replacement |
| Zoom | 1.2x manual |
| Keystone | Vertical ±30°, Horizontal ±30° |
| 3D | DLP Link, 144Hz |
| HDMI | 1x HDMI 1.4a |
| Audio | 10W mono speaker |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Weight | 5.2 lbs |
| Release Date | November 2017 |
| Street Price | $949 |
What Makes It Work for Golf Sim
Short Throw, Minimal Shadow
The 0.69-0.83 throw ratio means the projector sits about 5 feet from the screen to produce a 100-inch diagonal image. That is close enough that your body shadow mostly disappears when you address the ball. With a standard throw projector sitting 10-12 feet back, you cast a shadow across the screen every time you stand over a shot. With the TH671ST mounted overhead or on a shelf 5 feet from the screen, that problem goes away. For a premium short-throw option with more brightness, see our BenQ AK700ST guide.
The 1.2x manual zoom gives some flexibility if your mount position is off by a few inches. It is not motorized like the AK700ST, but it works. Plan on 30-45 minutes for installation the first time.
Input Lag: Faster Than Most Laser Projectors
At 1080p/120Hz, the TH671ST delivers 8ms input lag. At 1080p/60Hz, it is 16ms. Both are well below the threshold where most players feel a delay between their swing and the on-screen result. GSPro runs comfortably at 1080p/120Hz on a mid-range gaming PC.
For comparison, the AK700ST delivers 33.4ms at 4K/60Hz. The TH671ST’s sub-16ms lag beats most laser projectors at their native resolution. If low input lag matters to you, the lamp-based TH671ST is actually faster than its laser siblings. Check our best golf simulator projector guide for full comparisons.
3,000 Lumens in a Dark Room: Plenty
In a room with controlled lighting — blackout curtains, covered windows, or a basement — 3,000 ANSI lumens delivers a punchy image on an impact screen up to 120 inches. Colors are accurate. Black levels are what you expect from a DLP at this price. Fine for a sim. Not great for a home theater.
Push it into a garage with the door open, and the image washes out. The AK700ST’s 4,000 lumens or the Optoma ZK521ST-B’s 5,000 lumens handle ambient light better. But for a controlled room, the TH671ST’s brightness is adequate. The 10,000:1 native contrast ratio gives reasonable depth in dark scenes without looking flat.
What You Are Trading Off
The Lamp
The TH671ST uses a 240W lamp rated for 3,500 hours at full brightness and 7,000 hours in SmartEco mode. For a daily sim user hitting two hours per day, that is about 5 years before the lamp starts to dim. Replacement bulbs run $100 to $150 and take about 5 minutes to swap. The lamp door is on the side — you do not need to unmount the projector to change it.
That is the tradeoff for the $949 price. Laser projectors last 20,000 hours with no replacement. They also cost $2,000 to $3,000. The math works in the TH671ST’s favor for at least the first 10 years of ownership. If you plan to keep a sim room running for 15+ years, the laser projector’s no-maintenance advantage starts to justify the higher upfront cost.
1080p on a 100-Inch Screen
On a 100-inch screen viewed from 8-10 feet away, 1080p is clear and sharp. The GSPro interface is crisp. Course graphics look good — bunker textures, fairway contours, tree shapes all render clearly. The difference between 1080p and native 4K is visible in side-by-side comparison but not obvious in normal use. Most people building their first sim will not notice the difference because they have not seen the 4K version yet.
The practical reality: a 1080p image on a quality impact screen with proper lighting is a satisfying experience. Upgrade to 4K on your second build.
Single HDMI and No Smart Features
The TH671ST has one HDMI 1.4a input. No ARC, no eARC, no Android TV, no built-in streaming apps. It is a dumb display — turn it on, feed it HDMI, it shows what you send. For a simulator build, this is fine. The single input is a limitation if you want to switch between a PC and a streaming device. Plan on an HDMI switcher or AV receiver with passthrough.
The 10W speaker is usable for system sounds but not for sim play. You will want external speakers or headphones regardless.
Who Should Buy This
The budget builder. You started pricing your sim at $3,000, then realized you need a launch monitor, enclosure, mat, screen, PC, and projector. The total climbed past $5,000. The TH671ST keeps the projector line item under $1,000.
The garage tester. You are building your first sim and not sure if you will use it enough to justify a $2,000+ projector. Buy the TH671ST. If you use the sim every day for a year, you have proven the concept. Upgrade to a 4K laser later and move the TH671ST to the guest room.
The multi-room gamer. The 8ms lag at 120Hz makes this a good gaming projector for non-sim use. If your sim room doubles as a gaming room, the TH671ST serves both roles.
Who Should Skip It
The premium builder. If your launch monitor budget starts with a 4 (GC3, R50, Eye Mini), do not cheap out on the projector. Get the AK700ST or TK710STi. The image quality difference will bother you.
The bright room builder. If your sim is in a garage without blackout curtains, 3,000 lumens will not be enough. Look at the Optoma ZK521ST-B (5,000 lumens, $2,199) or the BenQ AK700ST (4,000 lumens, $2,899).
The set-it-and-forget-it buyer. If you would rather not deal with lamp replacements, the laser projectors at $2,000+ are the better long-term play. You pay more upfront and never think about it again.
How It Compares
| Model | Price | Resolution | Brightness | Throw | Light Source | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TH671ST | $949 | 1080p | 3,000 lm | 0.69-0.83 | Lamp | Budget first-time builds |
| AH700ST | $2,299 | 1080p | 4,000 lm | 0.69-0.83 | Laser | Better brightness, lamp-free, 2.4x the price |
| TK710STi | $2,199 | 4K (pixel shift) | 3,200 lm | 0.69-0.83 | Laser | Entry-level 4K, Android TV, $1,250 more |
| AK700ST | $2,899 | 4K UHD | 4,000 lm | 0.69-0.83 | Laser | Best overall sim projector, Auto Screen Fit |
| Optoma ZK521ST-B | $2,199 | 4K (pixel shift) | 5,000 lm | 0.77-0.85 | Laser | Brightest option, IP6X dust-resistant |
The TH671ST stands alone in one category: it is the only projector on this list under $1,000. Every other option costs at least 2.3x more.
See the full BenQ projector lineup comparison for how all six models stack up, or the best golf simulator projector guide for a cross-brand comparison including Optoma and ViewSonic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BenQ TH671ST good for a golf simulator?
The short throw ratio, sub-16ms input lag, and 3,000-lumen brightness make it a strong match for home golf simulation. It is the most-recommended budget projector on sim forums. The tradeoffs are the lamp-based light source (replaceable every 3-7 years) and 1080p resolution.
BenQ TH671ST vs Optoma ZK521ST-B: Which is better?
The TH671ST wins on price ($949 vs $2,199). The Optoma wins on brightness (5,000 vs 3,000 lumens), resolution (4K pixel shift vs 1080p), and light source (laser vs lamp). The Optoma is the better projector. The TH671ST is the better value for budget builds.
How long before the lamp needs replacing?
Three thousand five hundred hours at full brightness, 7,000 in SmartEco. A daily sim user hitting two hours per day gets about 7 years from SmartEco. Replacement lamps cost $100 to $150 and take about 5 minutes to swap. The lamp door is on the side — you do not need to unmount the projector to change it.
Does the TH671ST support GSPro and E6 Connect?
Indirectly, yes. The projector displays whatever your PC outputs. If your PC runs GSPro or E6 Connect, the TH671ST shows it. The limitation is 1080p resolution if you want native 4K rendering from GSPro.
Can the TH671ST work in a garage?
Yes, with caveats. The 3,000 lumens are fine for a garage with blackout curtains. The projector has no IP dust rating, so garage dust will accumulate on the lens and internal optics faster than in a basement. Plan on cleaning the filter and lens every few months. If your garage has significant dust, the IP5X-rated AH700ST ($2,299) is a better choice despite the higher price.
Prices are approximate as of July 2026. The TH671ST is available at $949 from Amazon, B&H Photo, and ProjectorCentral. Lamp replacements run $100-150. We may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page — but our review is independent and based on research and verified specs.
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