The Quick Verdict
Get the BenQ AH500ST 1080P Short Throw Laser Golf Simulator Projector. It has a 1920x1080 native resolution, a square 1:1 mode its maker actually lists, a published input-lag figure and a published warranty. The Optoma ZW350ST lists at $1,349 against the BenQ's $1,999, a $650 gap at list. It's also 4.59 lbs lighter. That makes it worth it for a 4:3 or 16:9 screen where the extra pixels aren't the priority. For a square screen, the BenQ is the only one of the two whose maker names that mode. Check price at The Indoor Golf Shop →
What They Have in Common
These are two short-throw laser projectors with fixed lenses, and each maker names a golf picture mode. Each lists a 1x optical zoom, so the lens doesn't change the image size. Neither lists lens shift, though Optoma notes a 115% offset. Both makers list 4:3 among their screen modes, and neither model has a named successor.
Where They Differ
Throw and image size
Image width is throw distance divided by throw ratio. The BenQ's fixed throw ratio is 0.499:1, so from 10 ft back it gives an image 20.0 ft wide. The Optoma's is 0.521:1, which gives 19.2 ft wide from the same 10 ft.
Here's the more useful way to read it. For a 10 ft wide image, the BenQ sits 5.0 ft from the screen and the Optoma sits 5.2 ft. Those figures are close. A throw ratio around 0.5 is the difference between hanging the projector over the hitting area and hanging it behind you. Neither has zoom, so where you mount it sets the width. Measure from where the lens will sit to the screen before you pick. From the same spot, the BenQ gives the wider image.
Screen shapes
Impact screens are often 4:3 or square. BenQ lists 16:9, 16:10, 4:3 and 1:1. Optoma lists 4:3 and 16:9, so 1:1 isn't among its stated modes. That doesn't mean it can't fill a square screen. It only means Optoma doesn't say it can. On a 4:3 screen, both makers list the mode.
Brightness, lag and resolution
The BenQ lists 4,000 lumens and the Optoma lists 3,600 lumens. Neither maker states which standard it measured to, so I wouldn't read anything into the two numbers side by side.
BenQ publishes 33.4 ms of input lag at 1080p 60Hz. Optoma doesn't publish an input-lag figure for the ZW350ST, so there's nothing to compare. Native resolution is 1920x1080 on the BenQ and 1280x800 (WXGA) on the Optoma.
Setup, size and warranty
BenQ lists 2D keystone of ±30 degrees vertical and ±30 degrees horizontal. Optoma lists ±15° each way.
Rated laser life is 20,000 hours for the BenQ and 30,000 hours for the Optoma. The Optoma weighs 6.61 lbs and measures 10.79 W x 4.49 H x 8.50 D inches. The BenQ weighs 11.2 lbs and measures 12.60 x 5.14 x 10.04 inches.
BenQ's warranty is "3 years parts and labor from purchase date (original retail purchaser), US." Optoma doesn't publish a warranty term for this model. The BenQ is a 2024 release and the Optoma is from 2023.
Who Should Buy Which
Get the BenQ AH500ST if:
- Your impact screen is square. It's the one whose maker lists a 1:1 mode.
- You want an input-lag number on paper: 33.4 ms at 1080p 60Hz.
- You want 1920x1080 native rather than 1280x800.
- A published warranty term matters: 3 years parts and labor, US.
- You want the wider keystone range, ±30 degrees each way against ±15°.
Get the Optoma ZW350ST if:
- Your screen is 4:3 or 16:9, both modes Optoma lists, and the $1,349 list price is the deciding spec.
- Weight overhead matters: 6.61 lbs against 11.2 lbs.
- The longer rated laser life counts for more: 30,000 hours against 20,000.
- You want the smaller body, at 10.79 x 4.49 x 8.50 inches.
The Bottom Line
The BenQ is the default. On throw, the two are nearly the same, since image width is throw distance divided by throw ratio: 20.0 ft wide against 19.2 ft wide from 10 ft back. The BenQ adds a stated 1:1 mode, 1920x1080 native, a published lag figure and a published warranty. The Optoma ZW350ST lists $650 less and weighs less, which makes it a fair trade on a 4:3 screen. My read is that the stated square mode and the extra pixels are worth the gap at list.