On October 1, 2026, BenQ announced U.S. pricing for two 4K laser projectors aimed at the golf simulator market, the AK900ST and the AK800ST, at $5,999 and $3,999 respectively. Both will go on sale later this month through BenQ.com and authorized resellers. The two models first appeared in Europe on August 31, and they mark the first time BenQ has brought AI image processing into its projector lineup.
The Difference in One Sentence
The AK900ST targets large rooms and commercial hitting bays: 6,000 ANSI lumens, four-way motorized lens shift, and a larger, heavier chassis. The AK800ST targets home simulator rooms that double as theaters: 5,000 ANSI lumens, a wider throw range, and a lighter body. The two share most of their image engine and automated setup features, and the $2,000 gap buys brightness, optical hardware, and size.
The BenQ AK800ST: 5,000 ANSI lumens and a 0.69–0.83 throw ratio in a 13 lb (5.9 kg) body, aimed at home simulator rooms with 8.5–9.5 ft ceilings.
AK800ST: Wide Throw Range, Light Body
The AK800ST pairs a 0.69–0.83 ultra-short throw ratio with a 1.2x manual zoom, the widest throw range in its price bracket, so a room with a ceiling between 8.5 and 9.5 feet (roughly 2.6–2.9 m) can still fill a full impact screen. Note that this model offers no lens shift, so its factory projection offset is fixed at 102.5% and the mounting position has to be fairly precise. At 5.9 kg with a typical power draw of 285 W and a built-in 10 W speaker, it is the easier of the two to hang and cable.
AK900ST: 6,000 Lumens and Four-Way Lens Shift
The AK900ST lists a 0.81–0.89 throw ratio with a 1.1x zoom and an F1.83–1.86 aperture, and adds ±60% vertical and ±23% horizontal motorized lens shift, plus 3D keystone correction of ±30° for vertical, horizontal, and rotation. For a commercial bay where the hitting position is fixed and the ceiling mount point is dictated by the room, that is the decisive feature. The projector weighs 22.5 lb (10.2 kg), and BenQ recommends ceilings above 9.5 ft. Audio steps up to a 10 W speaker plus a 10 W woofer, with a typical draw of 348 W.
The BenQ AK900ST: 6,000 ANSI lumens with ±60% vertical and ±23% horizontal lens shift, in a 22.5 lb (10.2 kg) body.
The AK900ST shares its optics with the LK936ST, a projector BenQ already sells. Against that model, the AK900ST adds 900 lumens (6,000 versus 5,100), moves Rec.709 coverage from 92% to 97%, upgrades HDMI 2.0b to HDMI 2.1, cuts listed 4K/60 Hz input lag from 33.4 ms to 18.1 ms, and drops typical fan noise from 40 dB to 34 dB. It also gains weight, from 7 kg to 10.2 kg, which matters for anyone reusing a ceiling mount rated for the older unit.
BenQ's First AI Projectors: AI Sim Sense
These are the first BenQ projectors to carry on-board AI image processing. The AI Sim Sense system runs on an integrated APU and analyzes the entire simulation environment, from course content to ambient lighting and the state of the impact screen, then adjusts color, contrast, and clarity in real time. BenQ says the result is more natural turf, sand, and water tones and a more accurate read of terrain. The company adds that AI is only the first step for this product line, and that it will keep advancing AI-driven automation and adaptive display technologies.
Auto Screen Fit 2.0: Curved Screens Included
A built-in camera detects the shape and size of the screen, whether flat or curved, and then handles geometry correction and autofocus, while an ambient light sensor adapts light output to the room. The Screen Fill feature adds 5:4 and 3:2 to the existing 1:1, 4:3, 16:9, and 16:10 options, for six aspect ratios in total, so square and 4:3 simulator enclosures can be filled edge to edge. Scene Memory stores multiple presets, letting users switch between golf, movie, gaming, and sports setups with one button.
From the Back Nine to Movie Night
BenQ cites a survey of 500 U.S. respondents showing that about two-thirds of simulator owners also use the same room for movies, sports, or gaming. Both models are therefore prepared for more than golf: 97% Rec.709 coverage with HDR10 support, a Cinematic Mode with native 24p film playback, and automatic low latency when a game console is connected, with lag of 9.7 ms at 1080p/120 Hz and 4.8 ms at 1080p/240 Hz. Connectivity includes three HDMI 2.1 inputs (HDMI 2 supports eARC for 7.1-channel audio return), two USB-A ports, LAN, and RS232, plus dual-source picture-in-picture for watching tutorials alongside the simulation.
Pricing and Availability
The AK900ST is priced at $5,999 and the AK800ST at $3,999, with sales starting this month at BenQ.com and through authorized resellers. For reference, BenQ's current AK700ST (4,000 lumens) and LK936ST (5,100 lumens) list at roughly $2,899 and $4,899, so the new pair each moves one step up in brightness and connectivity on the same lens families.
Specifications
| Spec | AK900ST | AK800ST |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. price | $5,999 | $3,999 |
| Brightness | 6,000 ANSI lumens | 5,000 ANSI lumens |
| Resolution | 4K UHD 3840×2160 | 4K UHD 3840×2160 |
| Display system | DLP, laser light source | DLP, laser light source |
| Light source life | 20,000 hrs normal / 30,000 hrs Eco | 20,000 hrs normal / 30,000 hrs Eco |
| Contrast | 3,000,000:1 (FOFO) | 3,000,000:1 (FOFO) |
| Color / HDR | 97% Rec.709, HDR10 | 97% Rec.709, HDR10 |
| Throw ratio | 0.81–0.89 | 0.69–0.83 |
| Zoom | 1.1x (F1.83–1.86) | 1.2x |
| Lens shift | ±60% vertical / ±23% horizontal | None (102.5% offset) |
| Keystone | 3D, ±30° vertical / horizontal / rotation | 3D, ±30° vertical / horizontal / rotation |
| Input lag | 18.1 ms (4K/60) · 9.7 ms (1080p/120) · 4.8 ms (1080p/240) | 18.1 ms (4K/60) · 9.7 ms (1080p/120) · 4.8 ms (1080p/240) |
| Inputs | 3× HDMI 2.1 (eARC on HDMI 2), 2× USB-A, LAN, RS232 | 3× HDMI 2.1 (eARC on HDMI 2), 2× USB-A, LAN, RS232 |
| Audio | 10 W speaker + 10 W woofer | 10 W speaker |
| Aspect ratios | 16:9 / 16:10 / 3:2 / 4:3 / 5:4 / 1:1 | 16:9 / 16:10 / 3:2 / 4:3 / 5:4 / 1:1 |
| Typical power | 348 W | 285 W |
| Noise | 34 dB (29 dB Eco) | 34 dB (29 dB Eco) |
| Dimensions | 521 × 166.3 × 350.6 mm | 15.3 × 5.5 × 11.9 in |
| Weight | 10.2 kg (22.5 lb) | 5.9 kg (13.0 lb) |
Specifications from the BenQ U.S. specification pages, checked in early October 2026, and the BenQ announcement of October 1.