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- True 4K UHD Laser: 3840 x 2160, 8.3 million pixels
- 5,000 ANSI Lumens: Bright enough for rooms that are not fully dark
- Short Throw (0.69-0.83:1): Fills a 10 ft x 7.5 ft 4:3 screen from about 9 to 11 ft
- Auto Screen Fit 2.0: Built-in camera aligns the picture, Smart Warping for curved screens
- Golf Mode 2.0: Golf, Bright Golf and HDR Golf picture modes
- IP5X Sealed Engine: No filters to clean, no bulbs to replace
BenQ AK800ST 4K Laser Golf Simulator Projector
The BenQ AK800ST is a true 4K UHD short throw laser projector built for golf simulators. At $3,999, it puts out 5,000 ANSI lumens, and its 0.69-0.83:1 lens fills a 10 ft x 7.5 ft 4:3 impact screen from about 9 to 11 ft away.
Not sure this is the right projector for your setup? Our Find My Projector tool matches the projectors we carry to your room size, budget, screen, and ambient light.
- Auto Screen Fit 2.0 with a built-in camera
- Golf Mode 2.0 and three HDMI 2.1 inputs
- IP5X sealed laser engine: no filters or bulbs to replace
- Pre-order now. BenQ expects first stock in mid November.
BenQ AK800ST Review: Our Take
Buy the AK800ST if you want a true 4K laser projector with 5,000 ANSI lumens, Auto Screen Fit 2.0 and 4.8 ms input lag at 1080p 240Hz for a bright sim room, for $3,999.
It fits golf simulator rooms with ambient light, a 10 ft wide 4:3 impact screen and 9 to 11 ft between the lens and the screen, and builders who want the picture aligned by the projector's own camera.
- 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) picture at 5,000 ANSI lumens, with a 3,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
- Laser light source rated 20,000 hours in Normal mode and 30,000 hours in ECO: no bulbs or filters.
- Input lag of 4.8 ms at 1080p 240Hz, 9.7 ms at 1080p 120Hz and 18.1 ms at 4K 60Hz.
- Auto Screen Fit 2.0 uses a built-in camera to align the picture; Screen Fill outputs 4:3, 16:9, 16:10, 3:2, 5:4 or 1:1 without stretching.
- Three HDMI 2.1 inputs with HDCP 2.3, and a 10W speaker built in.
- Pre-order: BenQ expects first stock in mid November.
- The 0.69 to 0.83:1 lens needs about 9 to 11 ft of distance for a 10 ft wide 4:3 screen; a shorter room wants the 0.496:1 LK830ST.
- At 5.9 kg (13 lb) it is a ceiling-mount projector, and the BenQ CM00G3 mount is sold separately.
- Costs $1,100 more than the AK700ST for 1,000 more lumens and the camera-based Auto Screen Fit 2.0.
- HDMI-3 takes a 4K 120Hz signal only by downscaling it to 1080p 120Hz.
Key numbers: 5,000 ANSI lumens, 4K UHD, 0.69 to 0.83:1 throw ratio, 3,000,000:1 contrast, 20,000-hour laser, 3 x HDMI 2.1, 4.8 ms lag at 1080p 240Hz, 34 dB typical noise, 5.9 kg.
Why Golfers Choose the AK800ST
True 4K UHD
3840 x 2160 resolution with 8.3 million addressable pixels, per BenQ. Course detail and data overlays stay sharp across a full impact screen.
5,000 ANSI Lumens
Laser light source rated for 20,000 hours in Normal mode and 30,000 hours in Eco mode.
Motorized Zoom
0.69-0.83:1 throw with 1.2x motorized zoom you adjust from the remote, so the projector never has to move.
Auto Screen Fit 2.0
A built-in camera detects your screen shape and size and aligns the picture. Smart Warping adds control points for curved screens.
Golf Mode 2.0
Golf, Bright Golf and HDR Golf picture modes with 97% Rec. 709 color coverage and 3,000,000:1 contrast.
IP5X Sealed Engine
The laser engine is sealed against dust. No filters to clean and no bulbs to replace.
AK800ST Throw Distance and Placement
Here is the math for a 4:3 impact screen 10 ft wide x 7 ft 6 in tall.
- The AK800ST's 16:9 picture must be 7 ft 6 in tall to cover the screen.
- That makes the full picture 13 ft 4 in wide.
- Distance = throw ratio x width: 0.69 x 13.33 ft = 9.2 ft, and 0.83 x 13.33 ft = 11.1 ft.
- Use the 1.2x zoom to land in that range, then set Screen Fill to 4:3.
Is the AK800ST Right for Your Build?
Six setups this projector fits best.
4K Sim Room Builder
You want a true 4K picture and a laser rated for 20,000 hours, with nothing to replace.
Rooms That Are Not Fully Dark
5,000 lumens, plus an Ambient Light Enhancer that adjusts color and saturation to room light.
Curved Screen Owners
Auto Screen Fit 2.0 aligns the picture first, then Smart Warping adds control points to calibrate a curved screen.
Stepping Up from the AK700ST
You want 1,000 more lumens without moving the mount. Both use a 0.69-0.83:1 lens.
Sim Room by Day, Theater by Night
Golf Scene Memory saves up to five display profiles, so switching from golf to a movie takes one button. Cinema, Game and Sports modes are built in.
Gamers
BenQ lists input lag of 4.8 ms at 1080p 240Hz, 9.7 ms at 1080p 120Hz, 18.6 ms at 1080p 60Hz and 18.1 ms at 4K 60Hz.
Paired with 3,000,000:1 contrast, so fairways, sand and sky keep their color and depth on a big screen.
AK800ST Key Specifications
BenQ LK936ST vs AK800ST vs AK900ST
Three of BenQ's 4K laser short throw golf projectors, side by side. Specs are from BenQ's US spec pages, checked October 7, 2026. Distances are for a 10 ft x 7 ft 6 in 4:3 impact screen.
| Feature | LK936ST | AK800ST | AK900ST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,899 | $3,999 | $5,999 |
| Resolution | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) |
| Brightness | 5,100 ANSI lumens | 5,000 ANSI lumens | 6,000 ANSI lumens |
| Throw Ratio | 0.81-0.89:1 | 0.69-0.83:1 | 0.81-0.89:1 |
| Distance (4:3 Screen) | 10.8-11.9 ft | 9.2-11.1 ft | 10.8-11.9 ft |
| Zoom | 1.1x | 1.2x, motorized | 1.1x, motorized |
| Lens Shift | V +/-60%, H +/-23% | None | V +/-60%, H +/-23% |
| Rec. 709 Coverage | 92% | 97% | 97% |
| Contrast | 3,000,000:1 | 3,000,000:1 | 3,000,000:1 |
| Laser Life | 20,000 hrs | 20,000 hrs (30,000 Eco) | 20,000 hrs (30,000 Eco) |
| Camera Auto Screen Fit | No | Auto Screen Fit 2.0 | Auto Screen Fit 2.0 |
| AI Picture Processing | No | Yes, plus Ambient Light Enhancer | Yes, plus Ambient Light Enhancer |
| HDR | HDR, HLG | HDR10, HLG | HDR10, HLG |
| Lowest Input Lag | 16.7 ms | 4.8 ms (1080p 240Hz) | 4.8 ms (1080p 240Hz) |
| HDBaseT Input | Yes | No | No |
| Best For | Lens shift and long cable runs | Shortest throw, centered mount | Brightest, rooms with ambient light |
LK936ST ($4,899) | AK800ST ($3,999) | AK900ST ($5,999) | AK700ST ($2,899) | LK830ST ($2,499) | All BenQ Projectors
Which One for Which Room
Shorter Room: AK800ST
The shortest throw of the three, 9.2 to 11.1 ft for a 10 ft x 7.5 ft 4:3 screen. It has no lens shift, so plan the mount centered on the screen.
Bright Room: AK900ST
6,000 ANSI lumens, the brightest of the three: 20% more than the AK800ST and 18% more than the LK936ST.
Off-Center Mount: LK936ST or AK900ST
Both have optical lens shift, vertical +/-60% and horizontal +/-23%, so the picture moves without moving the projector.
Curved Screen: AK800ST or AK900ST
Auto Screen Fit 2.0 uses a built-in camera to fit the picture to your screen, and Smart Warping adds control points for a curved screen.
Long Cable Run: LK936ST
The only one of the three with an HDBaseT input, which carries 4K from the PC over one cable.
Gaming Between Rounds: AK800ST or AK900ST
BenQ lists 4.8 ms input lag at 1080p 240Hz, against 16.7 ms for the LK936ST.
Get the Most Out of Your AK800ST
Six tips for a sharp, full-screen picture from day one.
Run Auto Screen Fit 2.0
Once it is mounted, the camera finds the screen and aligns the picture, and one-touch motorized autofocus sharpens it.
Set Screen Fill to 4:3
Pick the 4:3 output for a 4:3 impact screen. BenQ's Screen Fill projects without stretching or black bars.
Pick a Golf Mode
Golf, Bright Golf and HDR Golf are built in. Bright Golf is the one to try in a room with some light.
Curved Screen? Warp Last
After the first alignment, Smart Warping adds control points so you can fine-tune a curved screen.
Save Your Profiles
Golf Scene Memory stores up to five profiles: picture mode, screen fill, zoom, focus, geometry, audio and input.
Reserve Your AK800ST 4K Golf Projector
Available for pre-order. Free shipping within the contiguous 48 states. Financing available through Affirm.
Pre-Order - $3,999Learn More About Golf Simulator Projectors
Guides to choosing, placing and setting up a golf simulator projector.
How to Set Up a BenQ Golf Simulator Projector: Mounting, Auto Screen Fit and 4:3 Screens
Find the mounting spot with the projector running, set the height from the lens offset, run Auto Screen Fit, and fill a 4:3 screen with Screen Fill.
4K vs 1080p: Do You Really Need 4K?
When the jump to 4K matters for golf simulators and when 1080p is plenty: based on screen size and viewing distance.
BenQ vs Optoma: Which Projector Fits Your Simulator?
A head-to-head look at the two leading golf simulator projector brands across price, image quality, and throw ratio.
Best Golf Simulator Projectors in 2026
BenQ and Optoma models compared side by side: resolution, lumens, throw ratio, and price to help you pick the right one.
Laser vs Lamp vs LED: Which Light Source Is Best?
Compare projector light sources on brightness, lifespan, color accuracy, and cost to find the right fit for your sim room.
Projector Setup Guide: Distance, Mounting & Image Size
Step-by-step instructions for throw distance, ceiling mount placement, keystone correction, and dialing in image size.
Best Projectors Under $2,000
Eight projectors under $2,000 ranked for golf simulator use: covering lumens, throw ratio, resolution, and input lag.
Best Projectors Under $1,000
Budget-friendly projectors that still deliver a great golf simulator experience. Our top two picks compared on key specs.
True 4K vs Pixel-Shift 4K Projectors
What golf sim owners need to know about native 4K vs pixel-shifting technology and when the difference actually matters.
The Ultimate Guide to Golf Simulator Projectors
Everything you need to know about choosing, setting up, and optimizing a projector for your golf simulator.
Your Purchase is in Good Hands
Contiguous 48 States
1-888-871-6110
From the moment you first contact us, we offer the very best advice and service to find the right projector for your room and budget. We help you build the sim room you have been planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
BenQ rates the AK800ST at 5,000 ANSI lumens, 1,000 more than the AK700ST. Its Ambient Light Enhancer uses the projector's camera to read room light and adjust color and saturation. For the best contrast, keep direct light off the impact screen.
On a 10 ft x 7 ft 6 in 4:3 impact screen, the AK800ST sits about 9 ft 2 in to 11 ft 1 in from the screen. Its 16:9 picture must be 7 ft 6 in tall, so the full picture is 13 ft 4 in wide, and 0.69 to 0.83 x 13.33 ft gives that range.
Both are true 4K short throw laser projectors with the same 0.69-0.83:1 lens, so they mount in the same spot. The AK800ST ($3,999) adds 1,000 lumens (5,000 vs 4,000), three HDMI 2.1 inputs and Auto Screen Fit 2.0 with a built-in camera. The AK700ST ($2,899) costs $1,100 less.
The AK900ST is the step up: 6,000 lumens, a 0.81-0.89:1 lens with 1.1x zoom, and lens shift of plus or minus 60% vertical and 23% horizontal.
The AK800ST is smaller and lighter (15.3 in wide and 13.0 lb vs 20.5 in and 22.5 lb) and sits about 9 to 11 ft from a 4:3 screen instead of about 11 to 12 ft.
Yes. Auto Screen Fit 2.0 aligns the picture, then Smart Warping adds control points step by step so you can calibrate a curved screen.
4K is the resolution we recommend for a new sim room. A 4K UHD picture has 3840 x 2160 pixels, four times the 1920 x 1080 of 1080p, so text, flags and course detail stay sharp on a 10 ft wide screen.
Yes. The AK800ST is a display: your simulator PC connects over HDMI. It works with GSPro, E6 Connect, TGC 2019 and Awesome Golf (each sold separately) and other PC simulator software.
BenQ lists the CM00G3 universal ceiling mount as the optional mount for the AK800ST. We also carry Carl's Place universal projector mounts, rated to 50 lb, with drop options for taller rooms.
We are taking pre-orders now, and BenQ expects first stock in mid November. Shipping is free within the contiguous 48 states, and we email tracking as soon as your projector ships.
Yes. Top Shelf Golf offers financing through Affirm with flexible monthly payment options. Select Affirm at checkout to check your rate. It takes seconds and won't affect your credit score. 0% APR options may be available depending on eligibility.
Yes. The AK800ST is covered by BenQ's limited warranty, and BenQ packs a warranty card in the box. Top Shelf Golf is an authorized BenQ dealer, so your warranty is fully backed. See our return policy for return details.
Comparing 4K golf projectors? Browse all BenQ golf simulator projectors or call us at 1-888-871-6110 for a recommendation based on your room.
