Comparison
TK700STi vs UHZ35ST
A side-by-side look at how the BenQ TK700STi and Optoma UHZ35ST compare on specs, accuracy, room requirements, and price. No hype — just the parts of the decision a buyer actually weighs.
Bottom line
At B&H's $1,499 clearance the laser Optoma UHZ35ST is the better sim buy — 30,000-hour engine, faster input lag, no bulb to replace. At Optoma's $2,199 list the BenQ TK700STi wins instead, because $700 buys a lot of lamps.
Both of these are closeout stock now, and what you pay decides this more than the specs do. The TK700STi lists at $1,499. The UHZ35ST's list is $2,199, but B&H is clearing it at $1,499 in stock while flagging it discontinued, and Newegg has run out. If you find the Optoma at $1,499 the two are the same money and the light engine decides. If the only stock you can find is at $2,199 — which is what Indoor Golf Outlet now charges — the BenQ is the better buy, because a $700 premium does not pay for itself against a $150–$300 lamp.
On the merits, both are true 4K short-throw projectors suited to a sim enclosure, and the difference that matters over ownership is the light engine.
The TK700STi is lamp-based. It is a long-time community favorite budget 4K DLP with HDR and gaming-friendly timing, some builders prefer its color rendering, and its 0.9–1.08 zoom range gives you placement latitude the Optoma does not have. But a lamp is a consumable — expect to buy one at $150–$300 across a projector's life. Availability is the other caveat: BenQ discontinued the TK700STi in April 2025, so what is left is closeout and dealer stock, and the laser TK710STi has taken its place in BenQ's line for new builds.
The UHZ35ST is laser: a 30,000-hour engine that is effectively set-and-forget, with no lamp to swap. It also posts 4.4 ms input lag, the fastest 4K in its class, includes a "Golf Sim" picture preset, and uses a fixed 0.50 throw, which means placement has to be measured rather than zoomed in. At the same money, the lamp you never buy puts it roughly $150–$300 ahead over five years.
The TK700STi is the pick if the Optoma clearance is gone by the time you shop, if you need the zoom range to make your mount work, or if you specifically prefer its color. At price parity, laser longevity and lower input lag give the edge to the UHZ35ST for most sim builds. Check the live price on both before deciding — this one has moved twice in two months, and the cheaper unit is finite stock either way.
Which to pick, by buyer
- Most sim builds, and anyone who wants set-and-forget — if you can still get it at $1,499
- Optoma UHZ35ST. 4K laser, a 30,000-hour engine, no lamp swaps, and at B&H's clearance price the same $1,499 as the BenQ. Confirm the price before you buy: list is $2,199 and the clearance stock is finite.
- Shopping after the Optoma clearance sells out
- BenQ TK700STi. At $1,499 against the UHZ35ST's $2,199 list, the $700 gap outweighs the $150–$300 lamp you will eventually buy.
- Care most about input lag for gaming too
- Optoma UHZ35ST. Its 4.4 ms is the fastest 4K in its class; the TK700STi is gaming-friendly but lamp-based.
- Need the zoom range for your mount, or found the TK700STi discounted
- BenQ TK700STi. Still a solid true-4K short-throw pick, and its 0.9–1.08 zoom tolerates a mount position the Optoma's fixed 0.50 throw will not. But it is discontinued stock — budget $150–$300 for a lamp and confirm the seller is the retailer, not a marketplace third party.
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Specifications
The numbers, lined up.
Image
| Spec | TK700STi | UHZ35ST |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | True 4K (3840×2160) | True 4K (3840×2160) |
| Lumens | 3,000 | 3,500 ANSI |
| HDR | HDR10 | HDR10 |
| Picture Mode | — | Golf Sim preset |
- ResolutionTK700STiTrue 4K (3840×2160)UHZ35STTrue 4K (3840×2160)
- LumensTK700STi3,000UHZ35ST3,500 ANSI
- HDRTK700STiHDR10UHZ35STHDR10
- Picture ModeTK700STi—UHZ35STGolf Sim preset
Hardware
| Spec | TK700STi | UHZ35ST |
|---|---|---|
| Light Source | Lamp (4,000–15,000 hours) | Laser (30,000 hours) |
| Throw Ratio | 0.9–1.08 (short-throw) | 0.50 (fixed) |
| Fan Noise | — | ~30 dB |
- Light SourceTK700STiLamp (4,000–15,000 hours)UHZ35STLaser (30,000 hours)
- Throw RatioTK700STi0.9–1.08 (short-throw)UHZ35ST0.50 (fixed)
- Fan NoiseTK700STi—UHZ35ST~30 dB
Performance
| Spec | TK700STi | UHZ35ST |
|---|---|---|
| Input Lag | 16ms at 4K (lower at 1080p/240Hz) | 4.4ms (fastest 4K in class) |
- Input LagTK700STi16ms at 4K (lower at 1080p/240Hz)UHZ35ST4.4ms (fastest 4K in class)
Who each one is better for
Honest persona fit, side by side.
Better for TK700STi
- Recreational Player
True 4K with HDR makes virtual courses look genuinely good, and the lamp economy keeps total spend reasonable.
- Cost-Effective Buyer
The cheapest path into 4K sim. Lamp life is the tradeoff; if you want laser longevity, step up to the TK710STi for ~$700 more.
Better for UHZ35ST
- Performance Seeker
Fastest 4K input lag in the segment (4.4ms) with a 30k-hour laser; brightness and longevity both at the top of the mid tier.
- Space-Constrained
0.50 fixed throw fits tight rooms; same throw geometry as the GT2100HDR and AH500ST but in 4K.
Both fit
- Family Setup
Also worth a look
More comparisons with the TK700STi and UHZ35ST.
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