I have a Panasonic PT-L500U projector that I am looking to mount on the ceiling. The projector weighs approx. 6.5 lbs. After doing some reasearch, I've decided on getting a CHIEF Universal Mount (since I might be upgrading to a different projector in about 6 months).
I see that there are several different series available. I am kind of confused
between the differences between them. I understand that some are built for smaller projectors (mine is small), but other than that is there anything else that I need to consider? Functionality, ease of use/installation etc?
The series I was looking at are:
RPAU
RSMAU
RPMAU
I am guessing the letter "M" in the series indicates "Mini" and "U" means "Universal. What other differences are there between these series?
Also there is A, B, C locking. What is that?
I was leaning towards the SILVER color. Has anyone actually seen/used that color? It's kinda hard to make out in the pictures. How is black?
Based on the color and mount I pick, I'll buy the ceiling plate and extension pipe accordingly.
The mini mount has a 25lb weight limit vs 50lb for the other two. Unless you need the smaller form factor, I would feel more comfortable with the standard size mount. Also, I like the Elite mounts because of the Microzone adjustment system. Hard to explain how it works, but there are less screws to adjust vs the standard system on the RPA. You can download the installation manuals to see how each works. I'm just guessing, but I think the different locking options are for a commercial environment where you may have more than one projector and you want to make sure they have different keys...but I could be wrong.
I would go with the RPM(A/B/C) series.
EDIT: I just re-read your msg. I didn't realize how small your projector is. In that case, the RSMAU is probably adequate.
Quote:
Originally Posted by eskay /forum/post/17225501
The mini mount has a 25lb weight limit vs 50lb for the other two. Unless you need the smaller form factor, I would feel more comfortable with the standard size mount. Also, I like the Elite mounts because of the Microzone adjustment system. Hard to explain how it works, but there are less screws to adjust vs the standard system on the RPA. You can download the installation manuals to see how each works. I'm just guessing, but I think the different locking options are for a commercial environment where you may have more than one projector and you want to make sure they have different keys...but I could be wrong.
The RPM/RPMA/RPMB/RPMC are standard size custom mounts. The "M" doesn't mean 'mini'. If you want a universal mount, it looks like the RSMAU is the only one; the others are custom. The custom means the plate which attaches to your projector is made for your projector as far as hole spacing and how the center of the lens lines up.
You can use a custom mount, but when you get a new projector, you would have to get a new projector plate; the part which mounts to the ceiling stays the same.
Not sure if you saw my edit on my previous msg, but your projector is small, so the 25lb limit is probably okay.
I can't believe there are only 2 threads in this forum with RPMAU on topic search
Question for owners: my RPMAU has a very very slight 'play' between the main mount and the universal tray/arms. The 2 trays come together with sliding action, and then the lever locks everything into place. But even then, there is about 1mm or maybe even half of that between the 2. I'm assuming there is no play in the 3 axis themselves once configured, but this play at the union is going to be there forever and affecting the entire unit.
This being the TOP mount in the marker, and an expensive one at that, I expected absolute NO PLAY. Anyone have play in theirs? I called Chief, they said it was normal. I'm still skeptical I guess..
I was just about to buy the same mount until I read this. Did you ever find a work around or is there still some movement between the brackets? I was planning to use this mount with the AK8Pro plate and motorized sled.
I hate the universal arms, I like the projector specific solid plates that they sell for mating the RPMA head to the projector. If you need help contact Mike Garret.
Answering my own question in case it helps somebody else! It had been forever since I'd made any adjustments to our Chief RPA Elite Series projector mount. I broke out the manual, got the projector re-mounted and started adjusting.
Got the macro adjustments done first. But what surprised me was I couldn't see any of the micro-adjustment screws.
There are specific pictures in the manual that (purport to) show the micro-screws, along with specific language in the manual that tells the user to "turn the micro-adjustment screw right or left" to fine tune yaw, pitch and roll. I've done all this before, years ago. It used to work fine. WTH?
Had I mounted it improperly? Done something else screwed up? Worst of all, do I have to take the flipping projector down again to get this sorted out? That was going to be no fun.
As it turns out, there are no micro adjustment screws. So if you're up on a ladder pointing your flashlight into those ports to sight the micro-adjustment screws pictured and discussed in the manual, you'll be surprised and disappointed.
But as long as you're not looking for those screws, which don't exist, everything works out fine. Just stick the right-sized allen wrench into those ports and boom, you're in business.
Instead of a "micro-adjustment screw" what's inside those ports are little cogs on a wheel that will receive the #2 allen wrench and handle the fine adjustments for you. No screws. But no problem.
The very specific pictures and instructions in the manual convinced me that I remembered actual screws that were suddenly missing. Nope. I was just suggestible. As long as you aren't looking for actual screws, everything works out fine.
For those of us that usually ignore manuals, this is one of the reasons why.
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