BenQ TK700ST vs TK710STi vs AK700ST: Understanding Different Projectors for Golf Simulators

The BenQ TK700ST, TK710STi, and AK700ST are three short-throw 4K projectors that sit in a specific niche: bright enough for large-screen display in controlled lighting, with throw ratios short enough to project from behind a golfer without casting shadows on the screen. All three are used in golf simulator setups worldwide. The differences between them come down to light source type, brightness output, throw ratio, and a set of golf-specific features exclusive to the AK700ST.

This post explains what those differences mean in practice so you can decide which model suits your setup.

Why Short-Throw Matters for Golf Simulator Projection

In a golf simulator enclosure, the projector typically mounts on a stand behind the golfer and projects over their shoulder onto the impact screen. A standard long-throw projector would need to sit far enough back that it would land at head height behind the golfer, casting a shadow across the image. Short-throw projectors solve this by filling a large screen from a short distance.

The TK700ST has a throw ratio of 0.9 to 1.08:1, which means it fills a 100-inch screen from approximately 7.5 to 9 feet away. The TK710STi and AK700ST share a shorter throw ratio of 0.69 to 0.83:1, filling the same 100-inch screen from around 5 to 6.5 feet. In a compact enclosure or a room with limited depth, the shorter throw ratio of the two laser models gives noticeably more flexibility in where the projector can sit relative to the screen.

TK700ST: Specs and Practical Use

The TK700ST is a 3000-lumen, 4K UHD short-throw projector with a lamp light source. BenQ rates the lamp at up to 15,000 hours in SmartEco mode, which at standard simulator usage of around 1,000 hours per year gives a usable lifespan of over a decade before a lamp replacement is needed.

For a room with controlled lighting and no ambient light sources, 3000 lumens produces a clear, sharp image at simulator-standard screen sizes (90 to 120 inches). The TK700ST does not include golf-specific colour profiles, dust sealing, or auto-alignment features. It is a gaming and entertainment projector that works well in a simulator context without being purpose-built for one.

Input lag at 4K 60Hz is 16.67ms, which is fast enough that there is no perceptible delay between swing detection and ball flight in any current simulator software. The unit also supports 1080p at higher frame rates for general entertainment use.

TK710STi: What the Laser Light Source Changes

The TK710STi replaces the lamp with a laser light source. The practical differences from the TK700ST are:

Zero lamp maintenance. A lamp projector dims gradually over its rated lifespan and requires a bulb replacement when output drops below an acceptable level. A laser projector maintains consistent brightness across its 20,000-hour rated lifespan with no replacements required.

Shorter throw ratio. The TK710STi shares the 0.69 to 0.83:1 throw ratio with the AK700ST rather than the longer throw of the TK700ST. In a compact installation, this makes a meaningful difference to how close the projector can sit to the screen while still filling the frame completely.

Built-in smart TV. The TK710STi includes an Android TV dongle with Netflix, Chromecast, and AirPlay built in. This is not relevant to simulator software, but it does make the unit functional as a general-purpose large-screen display in a dedicated golf room when the simulator is not in use.

240Hz at 1080p. The TK710STi supports 240Hz refresh at 1080p, which does not affect simulator performance (simulator software does not run at 240fps) but handles high-frame-rate content without motion artefacts.

Brightness increases from 3,000 to 3,200 lumens, a marginal improvement.

AK700ST: Purpose-Built for Golf Simulator Use

The AK700ST is BenQ's only projector marketed and engineered specifically for golf simulator installations. It shares the laser light source and 0.69 to 0.83:1 throw ratio with the TK710STi but steps up to 4,000 lumens and adds three features that are exclusive to this model across the BenQ range.

Golf Mode is a BenQ colour profile calibrated for golf course visuals. It adjusts colour temperature and saturation to render fairway greens, rough, sand, and sky more accurately than a standard cinema or gaming profile. In E6 Connect, TGC 2019, or Awesome Golf on a screen larger than 100 inches, the difference in course colour rendering is visible. Whether it matters to you depends on how critically you view the image.

IP5X dust protection seals the optical engine against airborne particles. A simulator enclosure that includes artificial turf sheds fibres during use. Over years of operation, dust infiltration is a real factor in projector lifespan. The IP5X rating on the AK700ST addresses this directly and is one of the primary reasons BenQ built a golf-specific variant rather than just recommending the TK710STi.

Auto Screen Fit uses built-in sensors to automatically detect the screen edges and adjust the image to fit at the touch of a button. The TK710STi requires manual keystone correction. For a fixed simulator screen in a permanent position, manual keystone correction is a one-time setup task and then stays stable. For a portable setup or any situation where the projector is repositioned regularly, Auto Screen Fit removes the recalibration step each time.

The AK700ST also supports 4:3 aspect ratio output alongside 16:9 and 16:10. Most simulator enclosures use 16:9 screens, but some commercial and larger custom setups use 4:3 for a wider field of view relative to screen height. The TK700ST and TK710STi do not support 4:3 natively.

Specification Comparison

Spec	TK700ST	TK710STi	AK700ST
Brightness	3,000 lumens	3,200 lumens	4,000 lumens
Light source	Lamp	Laser	Laser
Light source life	Up to 15,000 hrs (SmartEco)	20,000 hrs	20,000 hrs
Throw ratio	0.9 to 1.08:1	0.69 to 0.83:1	0.69 to 0.83:1
Resolution	4K UHD	4K UHD	4K UHD
Golf Mode	No	No	Yes
IP5X dust protection	No	No	Yes
Auto Screen Fit	No	No	Yes
Aspect ratio support	16:9	16:9	16:9, 16:10, 4:3
Smart TV built-in	No	Yes (Android TV)	No

Which Projector Suits Your Setup

Fully darkened room, occasional use: The TK700ST performs well in a controlled-light environment. 3,000 lumens is sufficient for a dark room, and the lamp light source is not a concern at moderate usage. If the projector will run for a few hours per week, the lamp lifespan will outlast most simulator software generations. This is the right choice when brightness and zero-maintenance are not requirements.

Permanent installation, daily use: The TK710STi is the practical step up from the TK700ST for any setup where the projector runs regularly. The laser light source removes the lamp degradation and replacement variable, and the shorter throw ratio gives more flexibility in enclosure positioning. It is also the better choice for anyone who wants to use the screen as a general display when not playing.

Commercial setting or room with ambient light: The AK700ST is the correct choice for a simulator that will run in a venue, shared room, or space where overhead lights cannot be fully dimmed. 4,000 lumens keeps the image punchy in conditions where the TK710STi's 3,200-lumen output would wash out. The IP5X sealing and Golf Mode are both relevant in a commercial context where the projector runs for many hours and course visual quality matters to guests.

Portable or frequently relocated setup: The Auto Screen Fit on the AK700ST saves meaningful time if the projector is moved between sessions. Both the TK700ST and TK710STi need manual keystone correction each time the projector position changes.

BenQ Golf Simulator Projectors at Cero Golf

All three projectors are available in the Cero Golf Anywhere Golf Bundle range. The TK700ST comes with the Par Bundle, the TK710STi with the Birdie Bundle, and the AK700ST with the Eagle Bundle, each on a projector stand sized for the enclosure you choose.

For projector questions specific to a custom installation or commercial space, the Cero Golf team can advise on projection options based on room dimensions, screen size, and ambient lighting conditions.

Browse the full bundle range here or get a quote for a custom installation at cerogolf.com/get-a-quote.