I was skeptical of this mount. Why should this be so cheap compared to other mounting kits? I ordered one (due to the price), and prepared to return it if I did not think the mount could handle the weight of the 52" LCD TV (Samsung).
Once I got it, I understood the cost. Good low-cost design and built with solid heavy duty steel.
- Two horizontal bars are load-bearing, and for proper VESA spacing, they have to be parallel and relative distance must be in the right tolerances. These are made of solid steel.
- Two vertical bars (in the wall mount) are flimsey, and that's ok. it should be solid enough make a rectangle box w/ square angles. That's it.
- Two vertical mounting (to the TV) brackets are of heavy duty metal. Making this in to two parts (not one), reduction of material, but also allows free horizontal adjustment on the TV mount.
- By doing the above, the kit is small, uses less metal (and reduce shipping and material waste).
Positives
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1. Good solid and heavy duty construction.
2. Good value (low-cost). Paid less than $ 25 including shipping.
3. Easy install. Took 15 min to figure out the instruction (which is not totally clear), and 10~15 min to install and ready to watch.
4. built-in level worked well during marking of mouting holes on the wall --I tested w/ my own, and was consistent.
5. Once the mounted on the wall, and bracket on TV, you could adjust horizontal TV placement on the mount, just by sliding few inches left or right, post install. I expect this to be safe and true if the wall mount is directly screwed into the wall studs. I do not expect dry-wall install without the use of the studs to handle such adjustment.
6. The brackets on TV could also be used to adjust vertical TV placement by a few inches up and down. But for this one, you'll need to lift TV off the bracket and adjust and pull back :-).
7. There is a reasonable space (I would say, just right) from the wall to the TV to get cables/connectors through WITHOUT using any expensive 90 degree connectors. Plenty of space between two horizontal bars to put extra power outlet and data HDMI cable outlet to hide all the cables.
8. This supports tilt up/down, and works well. Amazon product description does not make it clear.
Negatives
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1. Just one. Clearer instruction so that I do not need to spend 15 min figuring things out. One could learn a lot form IKEA :-).
2. Packing/Packaging -- Not necessarily Cheetah Mount issue -- mine came w/o missing parts, although I noticed torn cardboard box edges and some parts COULD have been lost during shipping. Either double box, or have Cheetah use heavier box stock.
Helpful Hints & Comments
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1. DO NOT forget to tighten the screws (2) on the bottom horizontal bars AFTER TV is placed on the wall mount -- especially if you are in CA w/ quake. This is what prevents TV falling off the mount accidentally. But do not over-tighten (you are NOT securing from left-to-right movement).
2. Very happy w/ my purchase. Will get one more for my other TV. Cheetah Mounts APTMM2B Flat Screen TV Wall Mount Bracket, uses Universal Tilt Mount 32-55" - Plasma, LED, LCD TV Wall Mounts Mounting Brackets
The Cheetah mount is an incredible value. The mount is amazingly sturdy and very well built. It took me about 30 minutes to assemble the parts out of the box. Then another hour to mount the TV to the brick above our fireplace. I used 4 Quicktap blue masonry anchors to attach the mount to the wall, and it is so secure I could probably hang from the TV itself.
I was also pleased to find that the mount included all of the hardware (bolts, washers, spacers) that you would need to mount almost any VESA compatible flat panel. Our TV is a 52 inch Samsung (750 series) and the bolts I needed were included.
Overall, a great buy.
All I have to say is what a deal. I've always read consumer reviews for anything I've bought, but never felt compelled to write a review until now. This product is so cheap for what you get. Any complaints about the product itself lead me to question their expectations. I've learned a lot about consumer reviews by this product. People are whiners. This mount took me less than 1/2 hr to put up and it's rock solid. I saved $150 over a comparable mount at Best Buy! I'm pumped!
I took a chance, against my better judgment. I asked myself how can a $25 mount compare to a $300 mount? I have 2 girls and I would totally shoot myself if my 52" Sony Bravia (W series) ever fell on one of them. Well, I got this mount and I was already impressed. It is made of this extremely dense, slightly bumpy, but smooth to the touch metal. I mounted the first part to the wall and had my dad, who has owned his own construction company, to test it out. He approved by hanging his 180 lb body from it.
I did have to take a trip to Lowes because the screws to the TV were too long (20 thread). I bought 16 thread and added 2 lock washers, per screw, that already came with the mount. I also spent $30 on a good stud center finder because I wasn't going to mess around.
I feel very confident with this mount and I am very happy to have saved a bunch of money. If you buy this mount, just take your time, watch a few you tube videos about hanging a TV, and use common sense.
I ordered this mount after doing all kinds of research on mounts out there for my new Toshiba 37" - the reviews were good, and the price even better. And, as you know by now, one could easily pay $300 for a tilt mount if they didn't know any better and listened to the folks at best buy.
Missing Part:
I ordered on a Friday, and it arrived the following Thursday. The box was tattered and looked like it had been through a war. It was obviously a returned item, as the contents (hardware, etc) was not organized in any way. Also, there was a major piece missing from the kit that would keep me from being able to mount the TV over the weekend. very disappointing. Now, i don't mind getting someone's returned item, as long as all the parts are there. It drives me crazy to know that Cheetah resold this mount without first checking to make sure everything was there. On Friday evening, i submitted a 'problem' through amazon to the seller - i was sure this was going to go unresolved and i would have to find another solution. On Saturday, low and behold, i received a phone call from a rep at Cheetah who said he would send out the part, 2-day air, first thing Monday morning.
Lost, i'm sure:
On Thursday, i call the Cheetah rep back and tell him that I haven't rec'd the part yet. he tells me that UPS lost it in the shipping and he just sent another one. You know what, just tell the truth - you forgot to send it Monday. Just don't lie - it looks awful. Now, i should get it Monday and another weekend is lost.
Wrong part:
Monday comes and the package arrives FedEx. Wrong part! I had made it crystal clear which part was missing and he seemed to know exactly which one it was. I called him up and he blamed his warehouse people and said that he would go to the warehouse himself and watch the staff member place the correct part in the bag and slap the mailing sticker on there. oy - this is getting ridiculous.
Got it:
The correct part came on Wednesday and i'm good to go. I installed it on Sunday and it went up without any problems and I'm happy. the mount is sturdy, adjusts horizontally very easily, and was simple to install. The built in level is wrong, so use your own.
I am happy with the end result at the price i paid. The effort it took me to get the mount and all it's pieces was insane, but i must say that the people at Cheetah mounts were nothing but nice and responsive.'
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