The Quick Verdict
Get the BenQ LK936ST 4K HDR Short Throw Laser Projector. It sits closer to the screen for the same image, BenQ names a golf mode for it, and BenQ publishes an input-lag figure. LG publishes neither of those last two for the ProBeam BU53RG. The LG is worth it if your impact screen is 4:3, since LG states a 4:3 mode and BenQ lists no selectable modes at all. The LG also lists $1,099.01 lower. Check price at The Indoor Golf Shop →
What They Have in Common
The two share a lot. Each uses a laser light source, lists a 3840x2160 resolution in a 16:9 native shape, and has optical zoom and lens shift. Both makers file their model as short throw. Neither maker states which standard its lumen figure was measured to.
Where They Differ
Throw and image size
Image width = throw distance ÷ throw ratio. The BenQ's throw ratio runs 0.81–0.89:1, so from 10 ft back it puts up an image 11.2 ft to 12.3 ft wide. The LG runs 0.94–1.14:1, which gives 8.8 ft to 10.6 ft wide from the same 10 ft.
Working backward for a 10 ft wide image, the BenQ sits 8.1 ft–8.9 ft from the screen and the LG sits 9.4 ft–11.4 ft. LG labels the BU53RG short throw, but those figures mean it mounts further back than the BenQ and needs a deeper room. Before you pick, measure the distance from where the lens would hang to the screen.
My read is that this is the difference between a projector up over the hitting area and one hanging further back, closer to where you stand.
Screen shapes
Impact screens are often 4:3 or square. LG lists 4:3 among the BU53RG's stated modes, along with 16:10, 16:6, 16:9 and 21:9. Square 1:1 isn't among them. BenQ lists no selectable aspect modes for the LK936ST. That isn't the same as saying it only does 16:9. BenQ just doesn't say.
Brightness, lag and golf mode
The BenQ lists 5,100 lumens and the LG lists 5,000 lumens. Neither maker states the standard behind its figure, so I won't call either one brighter.
BenQ publishes 16.7 ms of input lag at 1080p 60Hz. LG doesn't publish a lag figure for the BU53RG, so there's no gap to state.
Golf mode follows the same pattern. BenQ names one, and LG doesn't say either way. The LG lists its 4K as pixel-shift, while BenQ doesn't say how its 4K is produced.
Lens, build, warranty and price
- Zoom: 1.1 on the BenQ, 1.2 on the LG.
- Lens shift: The BenQ runs vertical -60% to +60% and horizontal -23% to +23%. The LG runs vertical ±50% and horizontal ±20%.
- Keystone: BenQ lists 3D keystone at ±40 degrees vertical, horizontal and rotation. LG lists no digital keystone correction, but it does list edge adjustment and warping at 4, 9, 15 and 25 points, plus horizontal and vertical image rotation.
- Laser life: Rated at 20,000 hours for the BenQ and 15,000 hours for the LG.
- Weight and size: The BenQ weighs 15.4 lbs, 6 lbs lighter than the LG's 21.4 lbs. It measures 16.4 x 6.5 x 13.8 in, against 14.6 W x 6.1 H x 11.4 D in for the LG.
- Warranty: LG lists "3 Year Limited / Up to 15,000 hours." BenQ publishes no warranty term for this model.
- Price: The BenQ (2021) lists at $4,899 and the LG (2023) lists at $3,799.99, a $1,099.01 gap at list.
Who Should Buy Which
Get the BenQ LK936ST if:
- The projector has to hang closer to the screen, since it needs less distance for the same image width.
- You want a published input-lag figure in hand, 16.7 ms at 1080p 60Hz.
- A golf mode named by the maker matters to you.
- Someone is lifting it overhead and 6 lbs less counts.
- You want the higher rated laser life of the two, at 20,000 hours.
Get the LG ProBeam BU53RG if:
- Your impact screen is 4:3, a mode LG states for it.
- The room is deep enough for it to sit further back. Measure lens position to screen against those 9.4 ft–11.4 ft figures for a 10 ft wide image.
- You want the edge adjustment and warping points LG lists for lining up corners.
- You'd rather have a stated warranty term up front.
- The $3,799.99 list price is the one that works.
The Bottom Line
In a sim bay, mounting distance comes first, and the BenQ needs less of it for the same image. Add a published lag figure and a golf mode BenQ names outright, and it's the one I'd hang. The LG ProBeam BU53RG earns a look for a 4:3 screen in a room deep enough to put it further back, and it lists $1,099.01 lower. If I had to bet, the tape measure settles this one before the price does.