SimSpace or GolfBays SimBox: which enclosure?

Two very similar bays

An enclosure is the frame and fabric that surround the impact screen and catch the shots that miss it. SimSpace and the GolfBays SimBox are built the same way: an aluminium frame that pushes together without tools, a black fabric surround and an impact screen at the back. Six of their seven sizes are the same. The differences are in the screen choice, the odd sizes at each end of the range, and how they're sold. If a term is new, the glossary explains it.

Sizes

Both ranges share 2.6, 3.0, 3.6 and 4.0m-wide bays that are 2.5m high and 1.5m deep, plus 3 × 3 × 3m and 4 × 3 × 3m walk-in bays. SimSpace calls these SIM 1 to SIM 6. Each range then has one size the other doesn't:

• SimSpace SIM 0: 3.3m wide, 2.5m high and only 1m deep, with side netting included.
• GolfBays SimBox: 3.8m wide, 2.8m high and 1.5m deep, a taller bay for rooms that have a little more height but not the 3.1m that the walk-in bays need.

Which enclosure size do I need? gives the room each SimSpace size needs.

Screens

This is the biggest difference. A standard SimSpace bay comes with SimSpace's white Platinum screen, a three-layer screen with a foam centre. The SimSpace UltraMAX is the same bay with a grey high-contrast screen for rooms with light you can't shut out.

With the SimBox, you choose the screen: the GolfBays Lite, the PRO+ or the Close-Knit Baffle. GolfBays scores the PRO+ 10 out of 10 for durability and 9 for picture, so the SimBox is the way to get it in an enclosure. Which impact screen should I choose? compares every screen.

Surround and side protection

SimSpace bays have black velour side and ceiling panels and foam padding on the frame. The SimBox has a black velvet surround. Side nets are an extra for both: Premium Side Nets for SimBox, or SimSpace Side Netting for the standalone SimSpace bays (SIM 0 comes with side netting; for our room packages it's an add-on). How do I stop balls escaping? covers both.

Building it

SimSpace says its bays take no longer than 45 minutes; GolfBays says the SimBox clicks together in under an hour. A SimSpace screen fixes to inner velcro strips, starting at one corner, with bungee toggles round the poles to take out the slack. Both need 30cm clear behind the screen; SimSpace also asks for 8cm each side of the frame.

Where to stand

The makers differ here. GolfBays says to hit from about 2.5m in a 2.5m-high bay, so wedges stay on the screen, and up to 3m in a 3m-high bay. SimSpace says to stand 10 to 12 feet back, about 3.0 to 3.7m, to keep bounce-back down. We plan rooms with the ball about 2.5m from the screen, which is what our 4.2m minimum length is built on.

Room size

GolfBays recommends at least 3m wide, 2.8m high and 4.5m deep for the SimBox. We design every simulator room, whichever enclosure, from 3.0m wide, 2.7m high and 4.2m long, with a ceiling of 3m or more ideal. Radar launch monitors need more length: 5.2m for a FlightScope Mevo Gen2.

How they're sold

Every complete room package we sell is built on a SimSpace bay, with the launch monitor, projector and mat chosen to fit it, and all seven sizes are available in each package. The SimBox is sold as an enclosure on its own, so you add the launch monitor, projector and mat yourself. For a replacement screen later, SimSpace bays take the UltraMAX grey replacement and the SimBox takes the GolfBays screens cut for it. GolfBays says a SimBox screen can't be rotated to spread the wear.