BenQ AH500ST | 4000lm Short Throw 1080P Laser Golf Projector
Ultra-Short Throw 1080P.
38,000-Hour Laser.
Your room is tight. You want a 1080P projector that fills a 120-inch screen from 4.4 feet away — not 7. You want a laser that runs longer than any other projector in BenQ's golf simulator lineup, with zero maintenance for years. The BenQ AH500ST is the value-tier ultra-short throw laser projector — 0.499 fixed throw, 4,000 ANSI lumens, Golf Mode color calibration, and an IP5X-sealed laser engine rated for 38,000 hours in Eco mode. The longest laser life in the BenQ golf lineup, in the projector built for compact bays, basements, garages, and classroom installations where ceiling depth is the constraint.
Built by BenQ — the world's #1 projector brand for four years running, trusted in homes, boardrooms, classrooms, simulation bays, and commercial installations worldwide. Dedicated golf-simulator projector line since 2021.
Three Things The AH500ST 1080P Ultra Short Throw Projector Does Differently.
What makes BenQ's value 1080P UST laser projector the right pick for tight rooms, long-life installations, and value-conscious sim builders.
0.499 Ultra-Short Throw
Fills a 120" screen from 4.4 feet. Filling a 100" screen takes just 3.6 feet. For tight bays, basements, and converted rooms, the AH500ST removes the throw distance constraint that other 1080P projectors can't.
38,000-Hour Eco Laser
The longest Eco-mode laser life in the BenQ golf simulator lineup. 20,000 hours in Normal mode. IP5X sealed. Instant-on. No bulbs to replace, no filters to clean, no maintenance schedule.
Golf Mode + Quick Focus
Purpose-tuned Golf Mode picture preset for course color accuracy. Quick Focus on the remote for fast initial setup. Screen Fill hotkey to switch instantly between 16:9, 16:10, 4:3, and 1:1 ratios.
You Probably Recognize Yourself In One Of These.
Three buyers we see for the AH500ST — ultra-short throw, longest-laser-life, and value pricing serve different needs.
Your Room Is Tight
Compact sim bay, basement, or converted garage
- You don't have 5–7 feet of throw distance for a standard projector
- You want a large screen — 100–120" — without sacrificing image size
- You don't need 4K, but you want sharp 1080P at maximum screen size
Why this fits: 0.499 fixed throw fills a 120" screen from 4.4 feet — places where standard projectors can't reach.
You Want A Projector That Runs For Years
Long-life laser buyer
- You're installing once and want zero-maintenance reliability
- You value 38,000-hour Eco laser life — the longest in the BenQ golf line
- You'd rather invest in laser longevity than in a flagship-tier feature set
Why this fits: 38,000-hour Eco laser life (longest in the lineup). IP5X sealed, instant-on, no filter cleaning.
Compact Sim Bay, Real Value
Budget-conscious UST buyer
- You want laser reliability and Golf Mode at sub-$2,000 pricing
- You don't need IP6X sealing or Blending Ready commercial features
- You want the longest possible projector lifespan for your dollar
Why this fits: $1,999 entry to laser UST projection — fewer commercial features than the LH830ST, but identical throw and longer Eco laser life.
BenQ AH500ST Key Specifications & Performance Data
35dB Normal / 32dB Eco · 250W typical power · 5.1 kg (11.2 lbs) · 360° installation · LAN + RS-232 control
What You're Actually Getting.
0.499 Ultra-Short Throw — Maximum Screen, Minimum Space
The AH500ST's 0.499 fixed throw ratio positions the projector directly beneath or above the screen — filling a 100" display from just 3.6 feet, a 120" from 4.4 feet. The short-throw design keeps the projector safely behind the golfer, out of the swing path and free of shadow interference. The 112% offset lifts the image cleanly without requiring excessive tilt. Screen Fill switches instantly between 16:9, 16:10, 4:3, and 1:1 via a remote hotkey — no menu navigation required.
38,000-Hour Eco Laser — Longest In The Lineup
The IP5X dustproof sealed laser engine is rated to 20,000 hours in Normal mode and 38,000 hours in Eco mode — the longest Eco-mode laser life in the BenQ golf simulator lineup. At a typical two-hour daily session in Eco mode, 38,000 hours is over 52 years of operation. No lamp replacements, no brightness degradation, no warm-up time. The sealed design requires no filter cleaning. It starts instantly and maintains consistent output from session one to session ten thousand.
Golf Mode + Quick Focus + Hotkey Aspect Switching
Golf Mode calibrates color specifically for simulation software — optimizing fairway greens, sky blues, and course textures so the simulator looks natural and immersive. Quick Focus initiates from a single button press on the remote, bringing the image to sharp focus with minimal manual adjustment. Screen ratio, alignment, and aspect switching are all handled from dedicated remote hotkeys — setup adjustments that typically require menu navigation are done from wherever you're standing.
15W Speaker + HDR10 + Game Mode
A 15W built-in speaker handles casual listening for movies and sports without external audio. Cinema Mode and HDR10 deliver solid 1080P home cinema quality on a large impact screen. HLG provides broadcast-accurate color for live sports. Game Mode delivers 16.7ms input lag at 1080p/120Hz for console gaming. The 3.5mm audio output connects to soundbars or AV receivers for a more complete home theater experience. Switch between Golf, Cinema, and Game modes directly from the remote.
What Ships With The AH500ST
Projector body, remote, and power. Fixed lens is built-in. The AH500ST is the BenQ entry-tier UST laser projector — fewer commercial features than the LH830ST, but ultra-short throw at the lowest price and the longest Eco laser life in the lineup.
- BenQ AH500ST 1080P UST laser projector
- Remote control with battery (RCE018)
- Power cord (3.0m)
- Lens cover
- Quick start guide + warranty card
- Built-in 15W speaker
Important — fixed lens, no zoom: the AH500ST uses a fixed 0.499 throw lens with no optical zoom. Placement must be calculated precisely before mounting. Color gamut is 83% Rec.709 — lower than the LH830ST (93%) and AH700ST (95%). If color accuracy is your top priority, those models are worth considering. Optional: wireless USB dongle, ceiling mount bracket (sold separately).
BenQ AH500ST Throw Distance By Screen Size.
Throw distances for the AH500ST 1080P ultra short throw laser projector. The fixed 0.499 throw ratio means image size and distance are tightly linked — no zoom available.
| Screen size | Throw distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 100" | ~3.6 ft (1.1 m) | Compact bay |
| 120" | ~4.4 ft (1.3 m) | Standard simulator bay |
| 133" | ~4.8 ft (1.5 m) | Popular large-format size |
| 150" | ~5.4 ft (1.6 m) | Large bay |
Based on 0.499 fixed throw ratio × screen width (16:9). Fixed lens — no zoom. Multiply your screen width in feet by 0.499 to get required throw distance. Call (833) 796-4777 to confirm fit before ordering.
BenQ AH500ST vs LH830ST vs AH700ST.
How the value AH500ST compares to the commercial-grade LH830ST (also $1,999) and the smart-setup AH700ST 1080P short throw.
| Capability | AH500ST | LH830ST | AH700ST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080P FHD | 1080P FHD | 1080P FHD |
| Brightness | 4,000 ANSI | 4,000 ANSI | 4,000 ANSI |
| Throw ratio | 0.499 (fixed UST) | 0.496 (fixed UST) | 0.69–0.83 (zoom) |
| Color gamut | 83% Rec.709 | 93% Rec.709 | 95% Rec.709 |
| Auto Screen Fit | — | — | ✓ |
| Laser life (Eco) | 38,000 hrs (longest) | 30,000 hrs | 20,000 hrs |
| IP rating | IP5X | IP6X (highest) | IP5X |
| Blending Ready | — | ✓ | — |
| eARC Dolby Atmos | — | — | 7.1 channel |
| Speaker | 15W | 15W | 10W |
| Price | $1,999 | $1,999 | $2,299 |
Picking between AH500ST, LH830ST, and AH700ST?
The AH500ST is the right choice if you want ultra-short throw and the longest possible Eco laser life at $1,999. The LH830ST ($1,999) trades 8,000 hours of Eco laser life for higher 93% Rec.709 color, IP6X commercial sealing, and Blending Ready multi-projector support — same price, different priorities. The AH700ST ($2,299) gives up ultra-short throw for Auto Screen Fit one-button setup, 95% Rec.709 color, and eARC 7.1 Dolby Atmos. Call (833) 796-4777 if you'd like help deciding.
BenQ AH500ST — Frequently Asked Questions
The questions you'd ask us on the phone, answered here too.
Is the AH500ST compatible with all golf simulator software?+
The throw ratio is fixed — how do I know if it fits my room?+
How does it compare to the LH830ST at the same price?+
Does the laser ever need replacing?+
Can I use it for home theater and gaming?+
What's the warranty?+
Is financing available?+
Talk to a real person before you buy.
Authorized dealer · 3-year warranty · (833) 796-4777
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See the BenQ Buyer's Guide →BenQ AH700ST 1080P + Auto Screen Fit ($2,299) · BenQ LH830ST 1080P UST + IP6X ($1,999) · BenQ LW830ST WXGA UST ($1,599) · BenQ TK710STi 4K + Android TV ($2,199) · See all projectors