THE SHOWDOWN

Quick Verdict
(What You Should Know First)

If your setup requires short projection distance (under ~6 ft):
👉 Optoma UHZ35ST is the only one that fits

If your setup allows full room depth (~10–12 ft):
👉 Both projectors are viable

The difference is not power.
It’s placement constraints vs placement freedom.

If you're still figuring out your full setup, the Golf Simulator Projector Guide walks through placement, sizing, and buying decisions step-by-step.

The Comparison Products

XGIMI HORIZON 20 Pro

• Standard throw projector

• Designed for flexible placement

• Supports rear and ceiling mounting

• Wider usable distance range

Optoma UHZ35ST

• Short throw laser projector

• Designed for close-range projection

• Fixed projection distance range

• Requires precise mounting distance

This isn’t a “which is better” decision.

It’s:

Fixed Geometry vs Flexible Geometry

Optoma UHZ35ST = Fixed Distance System

You’re:

Mounting within a narrow distance window

Designing placement around the projector

Solving for limited room depth

XGIMI Horizon 20 Pro = Flexible Distance System

You’re:

Using available room depth

Choosing mounting position freely

Designing the room first

👉 That’s the actual fork in the road.

The Real Difference
(Most People Miss This)

When to Choose Optoma UHZ35ST

Best for: Short-distance setups

Choose this if you:

• Have limited room depth

• Need a large image within ~4–6 ft

• Want to reduce shadow length near the screen

• Are building inside a garage or tight space

Why it works:

Short throw projection reduces required distance, allowing a full-size image in smaller spaces.

When to Choose XGIMI Horizon 20 Pro

Best for: Full-depth flexible setups

Choose this if you:

• Have 10–12+ ft of room depth

• Prefer mounting behind or above the hitting area

• Want flexibility in placement

• Are building a dual-use room (sim + movies)

Why it works:

Standard throw projection allows more mounting positions and greater distance from the impact zone.

HEAD-TO-HEAD CATEGORY BREAKDOWN

Performance Comparison
(What Actually Matters)

Image Quality

Both projectors output 4K-class images.

Differences depend on:

calibration

lighting

screen material

👉 No functional limitation for simulator use on either.

Input Lag

Both projectors:

Operate below 30ms

Fall within low-latency range

👉 Difference is not significant in simulator use.

Brightness

Optoma uses ANSI lumens

XGIMI uses ISO lumens

👉 These are different measurement systems
👉 Direct numeric comparison is not accurate

Both fall into high-brightness class suitable for simulators.

If you’re unsure how brightness actually impacts your setup, What Lumens Do You Need for a Golf Simulator? breaks it down for real-world conditions.

Projection & Setup Reality (Critical Section)

Short Throw (Optoma UHZ35ST)

Advantages:

• Requires less room depth

• Reduces shadow length near screen

• Enables large image in tight spaces

Tradeoffs:

• Closer to impact zone

• Higher exposure to ball strikes or deflection

• Narrow mounting distance window

• Steeper projection angle

Standard Throw (XGIMI Horizon 20 Pro)

Advantages:

• Increased distance from impact zone

• Wider mounting options

• Flatter projection angle

• Better separation from player

Tradeoffs:

• Longer shadow potential

• Requires more room depth

• Placement must account for player position relative to projector

Throw distance is everything here—What Throw Ratio Do You Need for a Golf Projector? will help you match projector placement to your room.

Optoma Setup

• Must match throw distance precisely

• Less forgiving placement

• Requires accurate mounting alignment

👉 Less flexibility, more constraint

XGIMI Setup

• More flexible placement options

• Can be mounted farther back

• Easier to reposition if needed

👉 More flexibility, fewer constraints

If you’re working in a tight space, Best Projector Placement for Small Golf Simulator Rooms will help you avoid common layout mistakes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing based only on resolution
Ignoring throw distance requirements
Not measuring room depth before buying
Placing projector in swing or ball path
Assuming brightness numbers are directly comparable
Relying on digital keystone instead of proper alignment

Setup Differences (Where People Mess Up)

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Optoma UHZ35ST if:

• Your room depth is limited

• You need a large image at short distance

• You are solving for space constraints

Choose XGIMI Horizon 20 Pro if:

• You have sufficient room depth

• You want flexible mounting positions

• You prefer distance between projector and hitting area

• You are building a multi-use room

THE SHOWDOWN

Optoma UHZ35ST

XGIMI H 20 Pro

✓ Reduced Shadows
✓ Tight Spaces
✓ Short Throw

✓ Flexible Placement
✓ Multi-Purpose
✓ Rear Mounting

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between short throw and standard throw projectors?

Short throw projectors create large images at close distances (around 4–6 ft), while standard throw projectors require more distance (around 10–12 ft for similar image sizes). This directly affects where the projector can be mounted.

Is input lag different between these two projectors?

Both projectors operate in low-latency ranges below 30ms, which is considered good for golf simulators. The difference between them is small and typically not noticeable during normal use.

Can both projectors be used for a golf simulator?

Yes. Both projectors meet the basic requirements for simulator use, including resolution, brightness class, and input responsiveness. The deciding factor is room layout and placement.

Why does throw distance matter for a golf simulator?

Throw distance determines where the projector must be placed to create the correct image size. This impacts mounting position, swing clearance, and overall room layout.

Does a short throw projector eliminate shadows completely?

No. Short throw projectors reduce shadow length but do not eliminate shadows entirely. Player position and lighting still affect shadow visibility.

Is a standard throw projector safer from ball impact?

In many setups, yes. Because it is mounted farther from the hitting area, there is more physical separation between the projector and the ball path.

Are brightness ratings directly comparable between these two models?

No. Optoma uses ANSI lumens while XGIMI uses ISO lumens. These are different measurement standards, so the numbers should not be directly compared.

Which projector is better for a multi-purpose room?

A standard throw projector is typically easier to integrate into a multi-purpose room because it allows more flexible placement and can be positioned farther from the screen.

Final Verdict

Both projectors:

Meet core performance requirements

Deliver low input lag

Provide high brightness output

The decision comes down to:

👉 Required projection distance
👉 Available room depth
👉 Preferred mounting position

To compare real options that fit these setups, check Best Projectors for Golf Simulators and Best Projectors Under $1,000 for top picks.