FOREference
AW30ST

Product image: BenQ via Shop Indoor Golf

Short-throw projector · WXGA

BenQ AW30ST

BenQ · DLP · 16:10 native

The short answer

The BenQ AW30ST is a WXGA led projector rated at 3,200 ANSI lumens with a 0.72–0.87:1 throw ratio. To fill a 10.5 × 8 ft (4:3) impact screen from its native 16:10 frame, the lens sits about 9′ 1″ from the screen, and that screen would see roughly 32 foot-lamberts — good in a dim room. Listed at $1,199 from Shop Indoor Golf.

Brightness
3,200 lm
Resolution
WXGA
Throw ratio
0.72–0.87:1
Light source
Led
Price seen
$1,199

Good fit if

  • You want to ceiling-mount it close to the screen, out of the golfer's shadow
  • You run a 4:3 or square screen and want more of the chip used (16:10 native)

Look elsewhere if

  • You can't darken the room — it is rated under 3,500 lumens
  • You want high resolution — WXGA is 1280 × 800
  • Your garage door stays open in daylight — look at 5,000+ lumens
$1,199Shop Indoor Golf listed price · seen 30 Sep 2026
View at Shop Indoor Golf

Every link opens the product page for this exact model. We may earn a commission; it never changes what we publish. Disclosure

Throw distance for simulator screens

Simulator screens are usually 4:3 or square, while most projectors are 16:9 or 16:10. To fill a squarer screen, the projector's full frame is set so its height matches the screen height; the extra width is masked in software. That means the throw distance depends on the projector's native frame width, not the screen width.

ScreenFull 16:10 frame widthLens-to-screen distance
10.5 × 8 ft (4:3)12.6 ft9′ 1″ – 11′
12 × 9 ft (4:3)14.4 ft10′ 4″ – 12′ 6″
8 × 8 ft (1:1)12.8 ft9′ 3″ – 11′ 2″
12 × 7.5 ft (16:10)12.0 ft8′ 8″ – 10′ 5″
14 × 7.9 ft (16:9)14.0 ft10′ 1″ – 12′ 2″
FOREference calculationDistance = throw ratio × full frame width. Frame width = screen height × 16:10 when the screen is squarer than the projector. Try your own screen.

How bright will it look?

Brightness on the screen is what the golfer sees. We convert the rated lumens into foot-lamberts (fL) for each screen, counting only the share of the frame that lands on the screen, and assuming a screen gain of 1.0. Real results are lower in eco modes and as the light source ages.

ScreenFrame on screenBrightnessWhat that means
10.5 × 8 ft (4:3)83%32 fLgood in a dim room
12 × 9 ft (4:3)83%25 fLbest in a dark room
8 × 8 ft (1:1)62%31 fLgood in a dim room
12 × 7.5 ft (16:10)100%36 fLgood in a dim room
14 × 7.9 ft (16:9)90%26 fLbest in a dark room
FOREference calculationfL = rated lumens × share of frame on screen × gain ÷ screen area (sq ft). Cinema reference is roughly 14–16 fL in a dark room.

Resolution and aspect ratio on a sim screen

The seller lists WXGA (1280 × 800) with a native 16:10 frame. On a squarer screen part of the frame is unused, so the effective resolution drops.

ScreenPixels on the screenShare of native frame
10.5 × 8 ft (4:3)1,067 × 80083%
12 × 9 ft (4:3)1,067 × 80083%
8 × 8 ft (1:1)800 × 80062%
12 × 7.5 ft (16:10)1,280 × 800100%
14 × 7.9 ft (16:9)1,280 × 72090%

Light source and running

An LED light source needs no lamp changes.

Ownership figureValue
Rated light-source life20,000 h (normal mode; 30,000 h in ECO)
At 2 hours a dayabout 27 years
At 4 hours a day (heavy use)about 14 years
Input lag33.4 ms (1080p 60 Hz)
FOREference calculationYears = rated hours ÷ (hours per day × 365). Brightness falls gradually before the rated life is reached.

Fit check: BenQ AW30ST

Planning checks from the published specification and our screen calculations.

✓ Required? Check firsti Good to know
  • ✓MountingMount sold separately. Short-throw models usually ceiling-mount just in front of the golfer so the swing does not cast a shadow; floor enclosures are an alternative. See projector mounts.
  • ✓Throw distanceAbout 9′ 1″ lens-to-screen for a 10.5 × 8 ft 4:3 screen.
  • ?Screen shapeNative 16:10; on a 4:3 screen 83% of the frame is used.
  • ?Image alignmentkeystone: 2D auto, ±30° vertical and horizontal
  • iCablingPlan an HDMI run from the PC or phone/tablet to the projector; long runs may need an active or fibre HDMI cable.

Specifications

Each figure is labelled with where it comes from. Numbered references link to the source list below.

Manufacturer storeRetailer listingFOREference calculationNot verified

Published specifications

Brightness3,200 ANSI lumens[S2]Manufacturer store
ResolutionWXGA (1280 × 800)[S2]Manufacturer store
Native aspect ratio16:10[S2]Manufacturer store
Display technologyDLP[S2]Manufacturer store
Light sourceLED[S2]Manufacturer store
Light-source lifeUp to 20,000 hours (normal mode; 30,000 h in ECO)[S2]Manufacturer store
Throw ratio0.72–0.87:1[S2]Manufacturer store
Zoom1.2×[S2]Manufacturer store
Keystone2D auto, ±30° vertical and horizontal[S2]Manufacturer store
Input lag33.4 ms (1080p 60 Hz)[S2]Manufacturer store
Contrast20,000:1[S2]Manufacturer store
Weight5.84 lb[S2]Manufacturer store

FOREference calculations

Throw distance, 10.5 × 8 ft 4:3 screen9′ 1″FOREference calculation
Brightness on that screen32 fLFOREference calculation

Limitations to weigh

  • Mount, cables and screen are not included.

Alternatives worth comparing

Optoma GT2000HDR3,500 lm, 1080p, throw 0.496; same price
BenQ LW600ST+3,200 lm, WXGA, throw 0.72–0.87; same price
Panasonic PT-VZ580U5,000 lm, WUXGA; $201 more
EIKI EK-308U6,000 lm, WUXGA, throw 1.07–1.75; $626 more

Where to buy

Our link opens this exact product page. Prices and stock change; check before you order.

$1,199Shop Indoor Golf listed price · seen 30 Sep 2026
View at Shop Indoor Golf

Every link opens the product page for this exact model. We may earn a commission; it never changes what we publish. Disclosure

Questions buyers ask

How far from the screen does the BenQ AW30ST go?
With a 0.72–0.87:1 throw ratio, about 9′ 1″ for a 10.5 × 8 ft (4:3) screen. Distance = throw ratio × the full frame width.
Is the BenQ AW30ST bright enough for a golf simulator?
Rated at 3,200 ANSI lumens, it gives roughly 32 fL on a 10.5 × 8 ft screen — good in a dim room.
Will the BenQ AW30ST fill a 4:3 golf screen?
Yes, by matching the screen height and masking the sides. Its native 16:10 frame means about 83% of the image is used on a 4:3 screen.
Laser or lamp: which does the BenQ AW30ST use?
Led, rated up to 20,000 hours.

Sources and verification

  1. Shop Indoor Golf — BenQ AW30ST Golf Simulator Projector — product page Retrieved 30 Sep 2026
  2. BenQ — AW30ST specifications Retrieved 30 Sep 2026

FOREference has not tested this product hands-on. This reference is compiled from the sources above; our calculations are labelled and show their working. Last verified 30 Sep 2026. How we work