The Original MantelMount Model# TM1A Pull Down TV Mount Above The Fireplace - Refurbished

We are extremely happy with this mount. Ours was professionally installed and the crew said it was a bit of a learning curve (mostly because they tried to skip reading the instructions and initially relied on their prior expertise...) . Now it works like a charm. It's level, balanced, very easy to pull up and down, and the watching experience is very good. I regret not having it installed sooner.We run into one issue during the installation. The vertical brackets for the TV attachment were too short to be placed less than 1" from the bottom of the TV on our 60" Sharp. I called the customer service and got an immediate callback from a very nice lady, who talked me through the problem and explained that the the 1" requirement is not necessary to be followed if the pull handle fits our installation and the TV is spaced accordingly above the mantel.I also emailed MantelMount later that night asking if there are any precautions against leaving TV in a lowered position for extended periods of time. They answered promptly and advised me that the only potential problem could be the pressure on gas pistons, but they offered to replace them if such problem occurs.

Very well made and works very well. Instructions are very clear. Now for why I didnt make it 5 stars. The price is very high. Good product but there are other out there for less heavy TV's at a fraction of the cost. they would make good use of some screw operated adjustments to get the center of gravity adjustment just right and the same for at least one side on the vertical mounting of the TV to the operating mechanism adjustable just in case you are a hair off plumb. A VERY small error in the vertical plumbness in mounting the operating mechanism OR a little slop in the mechanism itself, will be visually multiplied by the length of the horizontal edges of a big TV and will look crooked. A few simple screw adjustable mounting pads would go a long way. Overall love it. Even if you don't use it for viewing in the lowered position, it makes everything about hook up or canges in connections to a wall mounted easier. I used TapCon screws into the mortar lines of my masonry chimney so I did not deface the bricks if it ever was removed, Much easier to fill and hide holes in mortar than a brick face.

I purchased the Mantel Mount not for an over the fireplace installation but for our sun room where I have a TV mounted on a wall about 7 feet high. The Mantel Mount is the perfect solution for us as it allows the TV to still be mounted high for parties and general storage but now can be brought to a lower level for extended viewing. The mount allows for greater viewing angles in the lowered position than our old mount which had only a small downward angle adjustment and no side-to-side feature at all.I had a minor issue while installing the unit specific to my room location not to the mount itself. The TV mounts to the smaller bracket which attaches to the swing arm of the mount which is attached to the main wall bracket. My issue was that I installed the main wall bracket in the same spot as our old mount, This caused the TV to sit even higher on the wall as a result of where the TV bracket attaches on the Mantel Mount. I had to re-position the Mantel Mount lower on my wall as a result. For other buyers, take into consideration where the TV bracket will be prior to attaching the main wall bracket so you don't have to move the unit.The second issue I had was in leveling the TV, but again this was my issue not Mantel Mount's. I failed to fully secure one of the screws holding the TV bracket to the swing arm unit which caused me to have to remove the TV and re-secure the screw. Again for other buyers, level the TV bracket and secure the three screws prior to placing the TV on the bracket.The Mantel Mount is a perfect solution for wall mounted TV locations where you would like to lower the TV height and have multiple viewing angles. Even with the mount in the raised position the TV has a nice downward pitch which aids in viewing. The unit is well built and comes with an abundance of screws, spacers and assorted hardware for any size or brand of TV you are trying to install within the range of Mantel Mounts' specifications. I highly recommend it to anyone in need of a TV mount of this type.

If you don't have a vertical stud where you want this mounted, you will need to rip your wall apart, add some boards across the studs, then Sheetrock, plaster, and paint repairs. Overall good concept, but NOT an afternoon project. If you're not handy, it may be expensive getting a contractor involved. it's a box in my basement until I'm ready to repaint the room.

For this amount of money I would expect the product to be easy to install but that is not the case. Provided hardware is for drywall installation only. If you have brick or stone above your fireplace - your on your own. Installed, the mount does not hold the TV horizontal. Every time you move it, you have to take time to level it. I have no experience with other units but this appear hugely overpriced.