The new 5,000-lumen AK800ST and flagship 6,000-lumen AK900ST golf simulator projectors combine true 4K resolution with AI-powered image enhancement, automated screen fitting and curved-screen support.
For years, golf simulator designers and installers had to make conventional business projectors work in spaces for which they were never specifically designed.
We considered brightness, resolution, throw distance and mounting location, then worked around the projector’s limitations. It might have produced an acceptable image, but it was rarely designed with an impact screen, a custom aspect ratio or a golfer standing between the projector and screen in mind.
BenQ has helped change that.
The new BenQ AK800ST and AK900ST demonstrate how far purpose-built golf simulator projectors have evolved. They combine increased brightness, true 4K resolution, short-throw optics and automated setup features designed around the realities of a golf simulator room.
The AK800ST introduces 5,000-lumen brightness and automated curved-screen fitting in a relatively compact platform. The AK900ST goes even further, combining 6,000 lumens, Smart Warping and extensive optical lens shift to become BenQ’s new flagship golf simulator projector.
Building on the AH700ST and AK700ST
We have been impressed with BenQ’s existing AH700ST and AK700ST projectors.
The AH700ST combines 4,000 ANSI lumens, 1080p resolution and a laser light source in a compact short-throw projector. The AK700ST builds on that platform with true 4K UHD resolution while maintaining the same 4,000-lumen brightness.
These projectors introduced several valuable golf-specific features, including automatic screen fitting and motorized focus. These capabilities are particularly useful in golf simulators because impact screens are often custom-sized and do not always match a conventional 16:9 image.
The AK800ST and AK900ST take this concept considerably further.
AK800ST: More Brightness and Automated Curved-Screen Fitting
The new AK800ST increases brightness to 5,000 ANSI lumens while delivering true 4K UHD resolution and a flexible 0.69–0.83 short-throw ratio.
That additional brightness matters. Golf simulator rooms are not always completely dark, and larger impact screens require more light to produce a vivid image. A brighter projector helps preserve colour, contrast and detail when room lighting is required for the launch monitor, hitting area or surrounding space.
The AK800ST also incorporates BenQ’s new AI Sim Sense technology, which uses dedicated image processing to enhance contrast, improve fine details and reduce unwanted image noise.
Its Auto Golf Screen Fit 2.0 goes beyond fitting conventional flat impact screens. BenQ specifically includes its new Smart Warping technology, allowing the projector to detect the geometry of a curved impact screen and automatically adjust the image to fit it.
This is an important development. Curved screens have traditionally required more complicated manual warping and geometry adjustments. Bringing automated curved-screen fitting into the AK800ST makes this capability available without requiring customers to move all the way to BenQ’s largest premium model.
One-touch motorized autofocus and automatic ambient-light adjustment further simplify setup. The projector can analyze the light currently falling on the screen and adjust colour and saturation to maintain a more consistent image.
These are meaningful conveniences in a golf simulator—not simply technology added for the sake of having another feature.
AK900ST: BenQ’s New Flagship
The AK900ST appears to assume the position of BenQ’s new flagship golf simulator projector. BenQ describes it as “The World’s Most Advanced Golf Simulator Projector,” and its specifications support that positioning.
It delivers 6,000 ANSI lumens, making it the brightest projector in BenQ’s current golf simulator lineup. It combines that brightness with true 4K UHD resolution, AI Sim Sense image processing, motorized autofocus and Auto Golf Screen Fit 2.0 with Smart Warping for flat or curved impact screens.
Like the AK800ST, it can analyze golf simulator content to enhance colour, contrast, fine detail and overall image clarity. It can also account for the room’s ambient lighting and automatically adjust the image accordingly.
What further separates the AK900ST from the AK800ST is its optical installation flexibility. It provides vertical lens shift of ±60% and horizontal lens shift of ±23%.
Both new projectors can fit an image to a curved screen, but the AK900ST’s lens shift allows the projected image to be repositioned optically without relying as heavily on digital correction. This provides greater flexibility when the ideal projector position conflicts with a ceiling-mounted launch monitor, lighting, structural framing or the golfer’s swing area.
That combination of 6,000-lumen brightness, Smart Warping and extensive lens shift should make the AK900ST particularly well suited to large residential simulators, commercial facilities, curved screens and more complex installations.
How Do They Compare With the LK936ST?
The BenQ LK936ST has long been BenQ’s flagship golf simulator projector and remains an excellent professional installation product.
Its 5,100-lumen output, 4K resolution, optical lens shift and commercial connectivity have made it a benchmark for premium residential and commercial simulator projects.
The two new models now divide and expand upon those capabilities.
The AK800ST offers nearly the same brightness as the LK936ST in a more compact platform, while adding AI image processing, motorized autofocus and automated flat- or curved-screen fitting.
The AK900ST goes further. It exceeds the LK936ST’s brightness, retains its extensive optical lens-shift capability and adds BenQ’s latest AI processing and automated installation technology. That combination makes the AK900ST the clear new flagship of BenQ’s golf simulator projector lineup.
The LK936ST may still be preferred in certain professional installations where HDBaseT, DisplayPort or established commercial control connections are important. For premium golf simulator image performance and automated setup, however, the AK900ST now occupies the top position.
How BenQ’s two new projectors fit within its golf simulator lineup. The AK800ST introduces 5,000-lumen brightness and automated curved-screen fitting in a compact platform. The flagship AK900ST combines 6,000 lumens, the same Smart Warping technology and extensive optical lens shift.
Why Purpose-Built Golf Projectors Matter
A golf simulator projector has a more demanding job than many customers realize.
It must produce a bright image across a large fabric screen, display fine course details, avoid casting distracting shadows and fit an image onto a screen that may not have a standard video aspect ratio. It must also coexist with a golfer, launch monitor, lighting and other equipment inside a relatively confined room.
Brightness is important, but brightness alone does not solve all these challenges.
Throw ratio, mounting flexibility, image geometry, resolution, colour reproduction and the relationship between the projector and room all matter.
BenQ’s approach recognizes that the projector should be designed as part of the complete golf simulator environment.
Instead of expecting designers and installers to adapt a conventional business projector, BenQ is developing projectors around actual golf simulator requirements.
Smaller, Brighter and More Capable
One of the most impressive developments is how much capability BenQ is fitting into these projectors.
The AH700ST and AK700ST demonstrated that automatic screen fitting, motorized focus, short-throw optics and laser illumination could be incorporated into a relatively compact platform.
The AK800ST now adds substantially more brightness, advanced image processing and curved-screen fitting to that concept.
The AK900ST brings together the best characteristics of the compact AK Series and the installation flexibility of the LK936ST, then increases brightness to 6,000 lumens.
This is a significant improvement from the days when simulator designers had to adapt projectors developed primarily for boardrooms and classrooms.
Our Initial Impression
Based on the specifications and features BenQ has announced, the AK800ST and AK900ST appear to be significant additions to its golf simulator lineup.
The AK800ST should be a compelling option for customers who want 4K resolution, higher brightness and advanced automatic setup without moving into the largest projector chassis.
The AK900ST is the more complete premium solution. Its 6,000-lumen output, lens shift, Smart Warping and AI image processing establish it as BenQ’s new flagship golf simulator projector.
As someone who comes from the professional AV industry, I have been impressed with BenQ’s commitment to this market. Instead of repackaging conventional business projectors, BenQ continues to develop smaller, brighter and more capable projectors around the specific demands of indoor golf.
That is good news for simulator designers, installers and, most importantly, golfers.
We look forward to seeing the AK800ST and AK900ST become available in Canada and evaluating how they perform in real golf simulator installations.
Canadian availability, pricing and final regional specifications are to be confirmed.
Planning a Golf Simulator?
The projector should be selected based on your screen size, room dimensions, ambient light and mounting conditions—not brightness or resolution alone.
SimCaddy combines professional AV design experience with specialized golf simulator knowledge to help Canadian customers select and properly position every component of their simulator.
Contact SimCaddy to discuss your golf simulator project.
About the Author
Tom Murray is the founder of SimCaddy, a Certified Technology Specialist (CTS), and a passionate golfer with a keen interest in golf technology and game improvement. Combining professional audiovisual design principles with real-world simulator experience, Tom helps golfers navigate the complexities of launch monitors, projection systems, simulator software, gaming PCs, and room design. Through SimCaddy, Tom focuses on helping golfers understand what is possible and creating simulator experiences that deliver lasting value.
Share:
“Are Golf Simulators Noisy?”