BenQ AK700ST vs Optoma ZK521ST Golf Sim Projector Shootout

If you’re looking at a golf simulator projector, you’ll quickly find that nearly every brand advertises certain projectors as suitable for golf simulator. But how do these models compare to a projector designed specifically for golf simulators? Optoma’s new ZK521ST 4K short throw projector is marketed as a “business & education” projector that also has a “B” version marketed for golf simulations with the same specifications. How do these two models stack up against the highly popular BenQ’s AK700ST purpose-built golf simulation projector? We’ll fairly compare the differences between them using the following criteria:

• Color Accuracy & Realism

• Ease of Setup

• Dolby Audio Support

Both projectors use 4K UHD resolution DLP chips, are rated for 24/7 use, and have sealed laser engines that eliminate having to constantly clean filters. The Optoma is rated at 5000 ISO lumens of brightness (the more liberal standard) while the BenQ is rated at 4000 ANSI lumens (the more conservative measurement). So, what separates the BenQ AK700ST from the Optoma ZK521ST and ZK521ST-B?

When it comes to golf simulator projectors, it’s the color accuracy of the projector that makes the image look real. Brighter images with bad colors break the illusion that you’re really playing a golf course.  While most conference room projectors like the Optoma ZK521ST are optimized for brightness and sacrifice color accuracy, the BenQ AK700ST is designed for color accuracy first.  Here are the key differences.

All TV’s and home theater projectors use the industry standard Rec. 709 color specifications as an indicator to consumers for color accuracy. The BenQ AK700ST is rated at 95% Rec. 709 accuracy – and it’s detailed on the specification sheet. Like other conference room projectors that are marketed for golf simulation, Optoma doesn’t provide Rec.709 color accuracy specifications on the ZK521ST or ZK521ST-B like they do on their color accurate home theater models. 

In 2022, BenQ created the world's first “Golf Mode” for their golf simulation projectors. BenQ color engineers were able to adjust the color map away from highly saturated reds and yellows to create more realistic organic colors for different shades of grass, water hazards, and those difficult to render bunkers for maximum realism.  When matched with platforms like TrackMan Studio and GSPro, BenQ golf mode delivers immersive images like this one from Golf Simulator Video’s YouTube channel review on the AK700ST.

Figure 1- BenQ's Golf mode uses advanced color science to deliver amazing realism like in this YouTube video review

Based on the specification sheet, the main difference between the ZK521ST and ZK521ST-B is that the “B” version includes Optoma’s version of golf mode.  This is one of the first Optoma models with golf mode built in, and the company says it makes “brighter blue skies” as well as other benefits.  From the first review of the projector on YouTube, the skies – and grass does appear brighter, but perhaps less realistic.

Figure 2- The Optoma ZK521ST golf mode in this reviewer’s video clip appears to make greens and blues brighter, but maybe less realistic.

After building the golf sim enclosure, setting up the projector to properly fill the screen is the most complicated part of creating a golf simulator.  How do these units compare when it comes to how easy they are to set up? We’ll look at all the elements that goes into a successful setup.

The BenQ AK700ST has a 3D simulation planning tool that will enable you to calculate the projector mounting location based on your screen size and shape so you can make sure the projector doesn’t generate a shadow on the screen from people standing in front of the image. Optoma only has a traditional online calculator, which only calculates mounting distance.

Figure 3 - The BenQ Golf Simulator Planner enables you to layout your space to ensure a shadow-free setup

The next big difference is the lens on each projector. The BenQ AK700ST has an advanced motorized zoom lens that makes mounting the projector a breeze. For example, for a 9-foot-high impact screen, you can mount the projector anywhere between 11.1 and 13.4 feet from the screen, enough space to ensure you can connect your projector mount to a beam.  You can adjust the zoom with a simple tap on the remote anywhere in this area and you’ll be able to properly fill your screen.  

Like many lower cost conference room and classroom projectors, the Optoma ZK521ST and ZK521ST-B comes with a fixed lens. This means that to properly mount the unit on the same 9-foot-high impact screen, your projector lens needs to be exactly 12.64 feet from the impact screen.  If you mount it closer than that to avoid a player making a shadow, you cannot fill your screen and will need to remount the projector.  While a fixed lens projector is less expensive than one with a zoom lens – it can turn a simple miscalculation into hours of extra work drilling holes in your ceiling.

Once you have the projector distance, the BenQ AK700ST has “Auto Screen Fit” technology with motorized zoom and focus that uses an integrated camera to determine your screen size and shape, how far the projector is away from the screen, and correct for any mounting errors (such as mounting the projector off-center). Then with a press of the button, the projector will run an AI algorithm to determine the best fit for your screen and in seconds will customize the image for your screen using the motorized zoom lens. Here is a good video by Golfers Authority that explains how it works. It will even adjust the picture on the screen, so the image doesn’t look squished or stretched. This system works on the most popular aspect ratios including 1:1 square screen popular in garages. 

The Optoma ZK521ST uses a different approach. First, the lens is fixed, meaning that the projector must be mounted exactly in the correct location to properly fill the screen. Second, the projector comes with an app that uses your phone to adjust the image on the screen, but it doesn’t support 1:1 aspect ratio according to the June 2026 specification sheet, and the projector has 50% less keystone and corner correction of the BenQ AK700ST.  While the app is an improvement from other brands, it’s still a manual process and highly dependent on you mounting the projector in the right spot.

According to a national market research firm, nearly 2 out of 3 golf simulator customers want to watch movies and play games on their simulator screen. These large screens are a natural for family entertainment and are rapidly replacing traditional dedicated home theaters. The BenQ AK700ST is the only projector that supports eARC Dolby Atmos 7.1 audio. With a single cable, you can setup a wireless surround sound system in minutes with almost any soundbar available at your local electronics retailer – transforming the playing area into an immersive entertainment space. The Optoma ZK521ST and ZK521ST-B only have a standard 3.5mm stereo out port.

While the Optoma ZK521ST is the cheaper projector of the two, the BenQ AK700ST is purpose built for color accuracy, easy installation, impact screen aspect ratio flexibility, and immersive audio. The BenQ AK700ST has a full 3-year warranty, while the Optoma ZK521ST and ZK521ST-B have 12,000-hour warranty limitations on the laser. Here’s a table of how these two projectors stack up.

BenQ has trained staff to help you find the perfect golf simulator projector – within your room size and budget. To help you make the best decision, you can reach out to one of our experts to set up anything from a chat to a complete online demo, to help you find the right projector for your needs.