FOREference
UHZ35ST

Product image: Optoma via Rain or Shine Golf

Short-throw projector · 4K UHD

Optoma UHZ35ST

Optoma · DLP · 16:9 native

The short answer

The Optoma UHZ35ST is a 4K UHD laser projector rated at 3,500 ANSI lumens with a fixed 0.496:1 throw ratio. To fill a 10.5 × 8 ft (4:3) impact screen from its native 16:9 frame, the lens sits about 6′ 11″ from the screen, and that screen would see roughly 31 foot-lamberts — good in a dim room. Listed at $2,199 from Rain or Shine Golf.

Brightness
3,500 lm
Resolution
4K UHD
Throw ratio
0.496:1
Light source
Laser
Price seen
$2,199

Good fit if

  • You want to ceiling-mount it close to the screen, out of the golfer's shadow
  • You want a 4K UHD image for a large screen viewed up close
  • You want a laser light source with no lamp changes

Look elsewhere if

  • You need zoom flexibility — the throw ratio is fixed
  • You run a square screen — a 16:9 frame puts only 56% of its light on a 1:1 screen
  • Your garage door stays open in daylight — look at 5,000+ lumens
  • You want the lowest-cost route to a sharp image — 1080p laser models cost less
$2,199Rain or Shine Golf listed price · seen 30 Sep 2026
View at Rain or Shine GolfCheck price on Amazon

Every link opens the product page for this exact model. We may earn a commission; it never changes what we publish. Disclosure

Throw distance for simulator screens

Simulator screens are usually 4:3 or square, while most projectors are 16:9 or 16:10. To fill a squarer screen, the projector's full frame is set so its height matches the screen height; the extra width is masked in software. That means the throw distance depends on the projector's native frame width, not the screen width.

ScreenFull 16:9 frame widthLens-to-screen distance
10.5 × 8 ft (4:3)14.0 ft6′ 11″
12 × 9 ft (4:3)16.0 ft7′ 11″
8 × 8 ft (1:1)14.2 ft7′ 1″
12 × 7.5 ft (16:10)13.3 ft6′ 7″
14 × 7.9 ft (16:9)14.0 ft6′ 11″
FOREference calculationDistance = throw ratio × full frame width. Frame width = screen height × 16:9 when the screen is squarer than the projector. Try your own screen.

How bright will it look?

Brightness on the screen is what the golfer sees. We convert the rated lumens into foot-lamberts (fL) for each screen, counting only the share of the frame that lands on the screen, and assuming a screen gain of 1.0. Real results are lower in eco modes and as the light source ages.

ScreenFrame on screenBrightnessWhat that means
10.5 × 8 ft (4:3)75%31 fLgood in a dim room
12 × 9 ft (4:3)75%24 fLbest in a dark room
8 × 8 ft (1:1)56%31 fLgood in a dim room
12 × 7.5 ft (16:10)90%35 fLgood in a dim room
14 × 7.9 ft (16:9)100%32 fLgood in a dim room
FOREference calculationfL = rated lumens × share of frame on screen × gain ÷ screen area (sq ft). Cinema reference is roughly 14–16 fL in a dark room.

Resolution and aspect ratio on a sim screen

The seller lists 4K UHD (3840 × 2160) with a native 16:9 frame. On a squarer screen part of the frame is unused, so the effective resolution drops.

ScreenPixels on the screenShare of native frame
10.5 × 8 ft (4:3)2,880 × 2,16075%
12 × 9 ft (4:3)2,880 × 2,16075%
8 × 8 ft (1:1)2,160 × 2,16056%
12 × 7.5 ft (16:10)3,456 × 2,16090%
14 × 7.9 ft (16:9)3,840 × 2,160100%
Practical noteSellers list this model as 4K UHD. Many DLP projectors in this class create 4K UHD by shifting pixels on a lower-resolution chip; check the manufacturer's specification if native 4K matters to you.

Light source and running

A laser light source needs no lamp changes and holds brightness more evenly over its life.

Ownership figureValue
Rated light-source life30,000 h
At 2 hours a dayabout 41 years
At 4 hours a day (heavy use)about 21 years
Input lag4.4 ms (1080p 240 Hz); 16 ms (4K 60 Hz)
FOREference calculationYears = rated hours ÷ (hours per day × 365). Brightness falls gradually before the rated life is reached.

Fit check: Optoma UHZ35ST

Planning checks from the published specification and our screen calculations.

✓ Required? Check firsti Good to know
  • ✓MountingMount sold separately. Short-throw models usually ceiling-mount just in front of the golfer so the swing does not cast a shadow; floor enclosures are an alternative. See projector mounts.
  • ✓Throw distanceAbout 6′ 11″ lens-to-screen for a 10.5 × 8 ft 4:3 screen.
  • ?Screen shapeNative 16:9; on a 4:3 screen 75% of the frame is used.
  • ?Image alignmentkeystone: ±15° H/V
  • iCablingPlan an HDMI run from the PC or phone/tablet to the projector; long runs may need an active or fibre HDMI cable.

Specifications

Each figure is labelled with where it comes from. Numbered references link to the source list below.

Manufacturer storeRetailer listingFOREference calculationNot verified

Published specifications

Brightness3,500 ANSI lumens[S1]Retailer listing
Resolution4K UHD (3840 × 2160)[S1]Retailer listing
Native aspect ratio16:9[S1]Retailer listing
Display technologyDLP[S1]Retailer listing
Light sourceLaser[S1]Retailer listing
Light-source lifeUp to 30,000 hours[S1]Retailer listing
Throw ratio0.496:1[S1]Retailer listing
ZoomFixed[S1]Retailer listing
Keystone±15° H/V[S1]Retailer listing
Input lag4.4 ms (1080p 240 Hz); 16 ms (4K 60 Hz)[S1]Retailer listing
Contrast500,000:1[S1]Retailer listing
HDRHDR10 and HLG[S1]Retailer listing
Image size range36–300 in diagonal[S1]Retailer listing

FOREference calculations

Throw distance, 10.5 × 8 ft 4:3 screen6′ 11″FOREference calculation
Brightness on that screen31 fLFOREference calculation

Limitations to weigh

  • Fixed throw ratio — the projector position is set by the screen size.
  • Mount, cables and screen are not included.

Alternatives worth comparing

BenQ TK710STi3,200 lm, 4K UHD, throw 0.9–1.08; same price
Optoma 4K400STx4,000 lm, 4K UHD, throw 0.5; $90 more
EIKI EK-308U6,000 lm, WUXGA, throw 1.07–1.75; $374 less
Panasonic PT-VZ580U5,000 lm, WUXGA; $799 less

Where to buy

2 specialist sellers list this exact product. Prices were observed on 30 Sep 2026; confirm the current price, stock and included items before ordering.

SellerListed priceType
Rain or Shine Golf$2,199Specialist retailer
Golf Bays$2,199Specialist retailer
$2,199Rain or Shine Golf listed price · seen 30 Sep 2026
View at Rain or Shine GolfCheck price on Amazon

Every link opens the product page for this exact model. We may earn a commission; it never changes what we publish. Disclosure

Questions buyers ask

How far from the screen does the Optoma UHZ35ST go?
With a 0.496:1 throw ratio, about 6′ 11″ for a 10.5 × 8 ft (4:3) screen. Distance = throw ratio × the full frame width.
Is the Optoma UHZ35ST bright enough for a golf simulator?
Rated at 3,500 ANSI lumens, it gives roughly 31 fL on a 10.5 × 8 ft screen — good in a dim room.
Will the Optoma UHZ35ST fill a 4:3 golf screen?
Yes, by matching the screen height and masking the sides. Its native 16:9 frame means about 75% of the image is used on a 4:3 screen.
Laser or lamp: which does the Optoma UHZ35ST use?
Laser, rated up to 30,000 hours.

Sources and verification

  1. Rain or Shine Golf — Optoma UHZ35ST 4K Short Throw — product page and specifications Retrieved 30 Sep 2026
  2. Golf Bays — Optoma UHZ35ST Golf Simulator Projector — product page Retrieved 30 Sep 2026

FOREference has not tested this product hands-on. This reference is compiled from the sources above; our calculations are labelled and show their working. Last verified 30 Sep 2026. How we work