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

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.

The Mantel Mount is, as advertised, the answer to all the problems associated with placing a TV high up on a wall, whether it be above a fireplace or just because you want to. We live in a small home where there were few options for placing a TV other than above a tall mantel and with small children in the house, wall mounting the TV out of reach felt like the right choice. But after a few days of craning our necks, I hit the web looking for a solution. Enter Mantel Mount. Brilliant. I feel badly giving such an ingenious piece of hardware only 4 stars; it deserves 6. But for some head scratching reason, the Mantel Mount was designed for TVs between 40 and 100 pounds. We have a 50 inch Samsung TV which is nowhere near the top of the line and it weighs barely 20 pounds. The lifting mechanism does not work for a 20 pound TV (It won't stay in the down position). The customer support staff was very gracious and sent me a replacement lifting mechanism rated down to 25 pounds. But I still will have work to do adding weights to the TV so the lifting mechanism will work.I can understand that there may be many more people out there with heavy flat screens than brand new light ones, but it seems like shear laziness that they don't have an option on their website to purchase the alternative lifting mechanism right off the bat instead of installing it only to realize you didn't read the fine print. When they figure that out, it will be the best thing since sliced bread. Hands down.

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.

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.