Engadget HD Review: Sanus VMDD26 articulating wall mount
We have to say that this mount is very impressive, but it has a price to match. It has so much flexibility we'd be surprised if it didn't satisfy even the most demanding owner. The only place this mount won't allow you to put the TV is flush against the wall, as the closest we could get it was 4 1/4 inches -- more on that later. It's well built and includes just about every bit of hardware required to mount your HDTV including; misc bolts for the the HDTV, wood lag bolts for the wall, Allen key for assembly, wire ties, wire tie mounts, and spacers. There's no question that this thing is heavy duty and up to the task of holding up to the specified 175lbs, 63-inch HDTV; especially when you consider the mount itself weighs 61lbs.
Assembly is more complicated than just about any other mount we've used, but at least the directions were comprehensive and easy to follow. Like most mounts, it includes a wall plate to simplify installation, but figuring out how to assemble the multiple pieces on the back of your HDTV isn't as easy. Finally, you'll have to get your friend to help you hang it on the wall plate -- assuming you can't lift 250lbs by yourself that is.
Once you finally get this thing mounted, you can really see this mount shine as it seems to make any big screen flat panel HDTV float in the air. The movement is super smooth and effortless and among other things, this makes the job of wiring very easy as you can move the set out of the way to run wires. This flexibility combined with the included wire management makes it really easy to achieve a clean install. We did learn a few lessons along the way we'd like share; like don't mount your power and connections centered behind the TV where they'll get in the way of the mount's arms, instead place them under the mount where there is plenty of room.
Pros: Very flexible, solid construction, included wire management.
Cons: Price, difficult installation/assembly, minimum distance from the wall.
Conclusion
In the end, the flexibility of this mount is hard to beat and includes everything you need for a professional install, but we can certainly see where some would shy away from the MSRP of $619.99 -- luckily it can be found online for far less.
Assembly is more complicated than just about any other mount we've used, but at least the directions were comprehensive and easy to follow. Like most mounts, it includes a wall plate to simplify installation, but figuring out how to assemble the multiple pieces on the back of your HDTV isn't as easy. Finally, you'll have to get your friend to help you hang it on the wall plate -- assuming you can't lift 250lbs by yourself that is.
Once you finally get this thing mounted, you can really see this mount shine as it seems to make any big screen flat panel HDTV float in the air. The movement is super smooth and effortless and among other things, this makes the job of wiring very easy as you can move the set out of the way to run wires. This flexibility combined with the included wire management makes it really easy to achieve a clean install. We did learn a few lessons along the way we'd like share; like don't mount your power and connections centered behind the TV where they'll get in the way of the mount's arms, instead place them under the mount where there is plenty of room.
Pros: Very flexible, solid construction, included wire management.
Cons: Price, difficult installation/assembly, minimum distance from the wall.
Conclusion
In the end, the flexibility of this mount is hard to beat and includes everything you need for a professional install, but we can certainly see where some would shy away from the MSRP of $619.99 -- luckily it can be found online for far less.
Filed under: Reviews
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Marshall @ Oct 17th 2007 9:56AM
The wall mounts at monoprice are much less and, while the tilting one I ordered had a few shortcomings, in the end it worked just fine and was a steal for the $$. Their top of the line will support 175lbs, tilts +/- 15 degrees and swivels +/- 60 degrees, all for ~$100. If you're in the market for a wall mount and are on a budget, I'd start at monoprice.
I'll have a review of the model I bought up soon.
Marshall
------------
The Real HT Info Podcast
andyg8180 @ Oct 17th 2007 2:30PM
I own this in Silver... I gotta say, i love it... You can find it online a hell of a lot cheaper than i the B&M stores...
Best thing is, i can sit at any angle and swivel to where ever im facing... When i have people over, i push it right back up on the wall... There is no grinding or metal rubbing when extending the arm...
Word of advice... Make sure you know how you are going to run the wires... And make sure you have enough slack on the cables so that you can extend the plasma... A common mistake is running the cables with the plasma not extended...
STUDS STUDS STUDS... make sure you hit the studs dead on... I have a 42" plasy and that sucker isnt going anywhere...
MrSatyre @ Oct 17th 2007 3:55PM
Plasmas don't have sweet spots. Measure one and see.
Mike @ Dec 22nd 2007 3:18PM
I'm installing one of these this weekend. The unit is awesome just to behold. That which is awesome is the ability to hold 175 lbs out from the wall by 26". Think "cantilever leverage". Units like the ones at monoprice are good if they'll do what you need but in terms of mechanical requirements are babies to what what this unit needs to do. Our installation is in a corner where the 141 lb plasma needs to be held out away from the wall to turn it at a good angle toward where people are. The articulation is a requirement, not just something nice. For wall parallel installations it'd be nice, but if the seating area's aren't at least approximately straight across, for large sets (ours is 58") something like this one is a necessity. The vendor who's name sounds like a major Brazillian river has a very good "delivered" price, and if one has prime, it comes in two days despite weighing 61 lbs.