Optoma ZK521ST-B 4K UHD Short Throw Laser Golf Simulator Projector
$2,699 $3,999
Ships in 1 to 3 Business Days
Complete the Projector Install
Choose Your Mounting Solution
Most projector installs need three things. Add what you don't already have.
RoS Ceiling Projector Mount
$79.99
RoS 25' HDMI Cable
$29
Golf Simulator Install Package
From $500
“Rain or Shine really knows their stuff. They found the right sim bundle for my space and spent hours working through my questions.”
Brian A. · Colorado
Purpose-Built For Sim
GOLF SIM SHORT THROW LENS, FACTORY-TUNED
The ZK521ST-B is one of the few projectors Optoma engineered specifically for golf simulators. The Golf Sim Short Throw Lens minimizes shadows from your club and ball during the swing, and the dedicated Golf Sim Color Mode tunes the picture for blue skies, deep shadows, and natural grass tones the moment you power it on. No calibration day required.
5,000 Lumens of Laser
BRIGHT ENOUGH FOR ROOMS WITH WINDOWS
5,000 ANSI lumens of DuraCore laser projection handles ambient light, windows, and bright sim rooms that would wash out a 3,500-lumen projector. Pair with a high-contrast gray impact screen if your room has serious ambient light, or run it in a controlled-dark room for cinema-grade output.
True 4K UHD
3840 x 2160 RESOLUTION, NOT PIXEL-SHIFTED
True 4K UHD (3840x2160), four times the pixel count of 1080p on the same screen. Course renders show distinct tree lines, individual blades of grass, and razor-sharp ball-flight tracking. Sim-data overlays render cleanly at any text size. This is the visual fidelity tier where 4K stops being marketing and starts being noticeable.
30,000-Hour Laser Life
MAINTENANCE-FREE FOR THE LIFE OF YOUR SIM
DuraCore laser engine rated for 30,000 hours in Eco mode, that's 4 hours of sim use every single day for over 20 years before any drop in brightness. No bulb to swap, no warm-up cycle, no maintenance cost. Mercury-free and built with 50%+ recycled metal.
Smart Fit Auto Alignment
PROJECTOR ALIGNS ITSELF VIA YOUR PHONE
Smart Fit uses your smartphone camera to auto-align the projection to your screen, no manual keystone math required. Smart Move detects obstacles and auto-repositions the image around them. Combined with ±15° H/V keystone, four-corner adjustment, and 104-125% vertical lens shift, the install math gets done for you.
Easier Install Than You Think
PURPOSE-BUILT PROJECTORS ARE EASIER, NOT HARDER
Most home sim owners install the Optoma ZK521ST-B themselves in 30-60 minutes. Mount it, run one HDMI cable to your gaming PC, plug in power, then let Smart Fit handle the alignment. If you've installed a TV mount before, this is easier. If you'd rather not DIY, our SimSquad team walks you through the install on a call.
From Our SimSquad
WHY WE RECOMMEND THE ZK521ST-B
We spec the ZK521ST-B into 12-foot-deep sim rooms running 130 to 150-inch screens more than any other 4K short-throw in our lineup. The 5,000-lumen headroom means we can drop it into basements with walkout doors, garages with windows, or any room where a 3,500-lumen projector would wash out by mid-afternoon. Combined with Optoma's Golf Sim Color Mode firing on the first power-up, it's the projector we ship when the customer's brief is 'install it once, forget about it for 20 years.'
What is the Optoma ZK521ST-B?
The Optoma ZK521ST-B is a true 4K UHD short-throw laser projector built specifically for indoor golf simulators. 5,000 ANSI lumens, DuraCore laser engine with 30,000-hour life, 0.79:1 short throw, and Optoma's Golf Sim Short Throw Lens and Golf Sim Color Mode. The flagship short-throw pick in Optoma's golf-purpose-built lineup, sitting one tier above the ZK431ST-B with more lumens and the wider-window throw ratio.
Why Choose the Optoma ZK521ST-B?
Choose the ZK521ST-B when you want a projector that was built for sim use out of the box, not adapted for it. Optoma's Golf Sim Color Mode is tuned for the green/blue/shadow palette of sim courses, the Golf Sim Short Throw Lens cuts club and ball shadows during the swing, and the 5,000-lumen DuraCore laser handles real-world rooms with windows and ambient light. If your room is darker and your budget is tighter, the ZK431ST-B is a great step down (4,100 lumens, shorter 0.496:1 throw for very tight rooms). If you want the brightest, most flexible 4K sim projector in the Optoma lineup, this is it.
Not sure if the Optoma ZK521ST-B fits your specific room? SimSquad will spec it based on your ceiling height, throw distance, and screen size before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Optoma ZK521ST-B has a 0.79:1 short-throw ratio. Specific throw distance depends on your target screen size and ceiling height. SimSquad will spec the right projector based on your specific room dimensions before you buy.
The Optoma ZK521ST-B delivers 5,000 ANSI lumens, the brightest of any sim-purpose-built short-throw 4K projector in the Optoma lineup. Plenty for controlled indoor rooms, rooms with windows, larger 150-inch+ screens, or rooms with ambient light. If you're unsure, talk to SimSquad.
Yes. The Optoma ZK521ST-B has dual HDMI 2.0 inputs and works with every simulator software platform we ship, including GSPro, E6 Connect, and TGC 2019. Software compatibility is handled by your gaming PC.
Optoma designed the lens specifically to minimize shadows from the club and ball during a swing, by aligning the projection geometry with the hitting area. Most projectors aren't built for sim use, the ZK521ST-B is one of the few that are. Combined with Golf Sim Color Mode (factory-tuned for course palettes) this is a projector engineered for the application.
The Optoma ZK521ST-B works with universal projector mounts including our RoS Ceiling Projector Mount. For low-ceiling rooms where ceiling mounting isn't practical, our SwingShield Floor Enclosure is sized for projectors of this footprint.
Optoma's DuraCore laser engine is rated for 30,000 hours of life in Eco mode. At 4 hours of sim use per day every single day, that's over 20 years before any drop in brightness. No bulb swaps, no warm-up cycle, no maintenance.
The manufacturer's standard projector warranty applies. Specific terms vary by region. Reach out to SimSquad for warranty details or extended-coverage options on the Optoma ZK521ST-B.
| Display Technology | DLP |
| Light Source | DuraCore Laser |
| Light Source Life | Up to 30,000 hours (Eco mode) |
| Native Resolution | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) |
| Brightness | 5,000 ANSI lumens |
| Contrast Ratio | 300,000:1 (2,000,000:1 dynamic) |
| Throw Ratio | 0.79:1 (short throw) |
| Lens Shift | Vertical 104% - 125% |
| Keystone Correction | ±15° H / V, plus four-corner adjustment |
| Input Lag | 16.7 ms at 4K/60Hz, 8.6 ms at 1080p/120Hz |
| Color Modes | Golf Sim Color Mode + standard presets |
| Inputs | 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x VGA, 1x RJ45, 1x RS232 |
| Outputs | 2x USB-A 2.0, 1x 3.5mm audio, 1x 12V trigger |
| Speaker | 1x 15W built-in |
| Operation | 24/7 + 360-degree orientation |
| Noise Level | 29 dB(A) |
| Dimensions | 8.5 x 10.8 x 4.5 in (with feet) |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs |
| Hardware | Optoma ZK521ST-B projector |
| Accessories | Power cable, remote, manufacturer documentation |
| Mount | Sold separately, see our RoS Ceiling Mount or SwingShield Floor Enclosure |
| Optoma ZK521ST-B $$$ |
Optoma ZK431ST-B $$ |
Optoma UHZ35ST 4K Laser $$ |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Brightness | 5,000 ANSI lumens | 4,100 ANSI lumens | 3,500 ANSI lumens |
| Light Source | DuraCore Laser, 30K hours | DuraCore Laser, 30K hours | Laser, 30K hours |
| Throw Ratio | 0.79:1 short throw | 0.496:1 ultra-short throw | 0.5:1 short throw |
| Built For Sim | Golf Sim Lens + Golf Sim Color Mode | Golf Sim Lens + Golf Sim Color Mode | — |
| Input Lag (4K/60) | 16.7 ms | 16.7 ms | 4 ms |
| Auto-Alignment | Smart Fit + Smart Move | Smart Fit + Smart Move | Manual |
| Sim-Specialist Support | Yes | — | — |
| You’re Here | · | · |
Free Shipping
Free standard shipping on all orders within the continental US. No minimum order, no surprises at checkout.
Hassle-Free Returns
Not the right fit? We offer a 30-day return window on accessories in original, unopened condition. Contact us to start a return.
Secure Packaging
Every accessory ships in protective packaging with full materials. Arrives ready to use, right out of the box.
Real Human Support
Questions about your order, shipping timeline, or return? Our team is here. Reach out anytime.
Why Buy From Rain or Shine Golf?
Simulator Specialists
We sell golf simulators exclusively. No TVs, no fitness equipment, no distractions. Every product we carry has been evaluated by our team. We know what works and what doesn't.
Free Expert Consultation
Our SimSquad team helps you find exactly what fits your space and budget before you buy. Talk to SimSquad →
Trusted Since 2016
We've been building out home simulators since 2016. Thousands of setups. We've seen what works, what doesn't, and what's overpriced. We're here to help you make the right call.
Price Match Guarantee
Found it cheaper somewhere else? Let us know. We'll match any authorized retailer's price on the same product. No haggling required.
Free Fast Shipping
Free standard shipping on everything. No minimums. Most accessories ship within 1–2 business days from US-based warehouses.
Real Golfer Tested
Our team are golfers and simulator owners. We test the products we sell and give honest feedback on the site, on YouTube, and in every consultation call.
Our Commitment to You
We Stick With You After the Sale
We're not just here for the transaction. Our team stays with you through setup, installation, and every swing after — because a great simulator room doesn't end at checkout.
-
SimSquad SupportAvailable Mon–Fri 9AM–7PM EST via phone, chat, and email
-
Nationwide Install ProgramWe'll physically set up your simulator anywhere in the US
-
Authorized DealerFull manufacturer warranty on every product we sell
-
Price Match GuaranteeFind it cheaper at any authorized dealer — we'll match it