Projector Screen Questions

[Jason L]

I got a very nice gift certificate to Carl's Place this christmas and am looking to get my projector screen setup finalized.
I'd like to poke you veteran sim builders here to see what you did for your screen.
I took an unsued 15ft trampoline frame and have converted it for use around my simulator.  The frame does 180 degrees, and I'm looking to add a bit of an extension to get to about 210 degrees total.
What I'm curious about is how much screen height did you actually go with for your project?  Floor to ceiling seems a bit excessive, but I'm not sure how much height I need to make sure my view angle from the cockpit will work OK.  I know the length I'll need for material, but that was question one.
Secondly, what material did you use?  They are pushing me to their premium screen which is like twice the price but seems like it would only benefit if I were doing a golf simulator.  My projectors are 1080p, and I might eventually switch to 4k a few years down the road.  Ambient lighting is limited and will be fully controlled once I enclose this in its own room.
Finally did you fix it firmly, or did you use bungee type cords with their rivets to secure it to your structure?

So, in summary:
1.  What did you do for view height?  Floor to ceiling seems excessive.
2. What material did you use?
3. How did you attach it?  Permanent, bungee cords, other?


Thanks in advance!

[blueskydriver]

Hey Jason,

Mine is 9'x39', the 9' is perfect and my radius is 7'8" from the center of TQ measured to the screen.

Go with the cheaper screen as it looks fine in controlled light rooms, plus you can screen paint it later, if need be.

Lastly, absolutely go with the black border on the screen, the rings at every 6" and buy the bungees from him (they're exactly what is needed).

John

[RayS]

I went the DIY route but got some very good results.

For the frame, I first calculated the radius (Circular screen)

...Then built a 6 foot router arm with a pivot point on one end and a router on the other.

...Then cut 4 round frames. Inside diameter is 5'11 inches, outside diameter is 6'1 inches.

...Then routed a groove into all 4 rounder frame guides to hold the formica sheets. (4'x8' formica sheets (x2)

...then cut/added vertical frame supports

...Then slid the formica sheets through the grooves to make 2 semi-circular screen sections, creating a 210-degree circular screen.

Once assembled, both sections got a few coats of 18% grey screen paint. 

Using vertical supports floor to ceiling, both sections were mounted and aligned.

All told, the cost was around $400 with the most expensive part being the screen paint at $220.

The DIY route allows me a 210-degree wrap-around view, with a 4-foot vertical viewing area.

This has sometimes given me motion sickness in rough weather or pronounced ground ops.

[FSAddon_boss]

I went the DIY route but got some very good results.

For the frame, I first calculated the radius (Circular screen)

...Then built a 6 foot router arm with a pivot point on one end and a router on the other.

...Then cut 4 round frames. Inside diameter is 5'11 inches, outside diameter is 6'1 inches.

...Then routed a groove into all 4 rounder frame guides to hold the formica sheets. (4'x8' formica sheets (x2)

...then cut/added vertical frame supports

...Then slid the formica sheets through the grooves to make 2 semi-circular screen sections, creating a 210-degree circular screen.

Once assembled, both sections got a few coats of 18% grey screen paint. 

Using vertical supports floor to ceiling, both sections were mounted and aligned.

All told, the cost was around $400 with the most expensive part being the screen paint at $220.

The DIY route allows me a 210-degree wrap-around view, with a 4-foot vertical viewing area.

This has sometimes given me motion sickness in rough weather or pronounced ground ops.

Pictures, please, pretty please !!??