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 Chief Manufacturing has introduced the new PXRUB Automated Swing Arm Wall Mount - a fully automated system for 32-inch to 65-inch flat panel displays weighing as much as 150 pounds. This well-built wall mount allows for 3-axis control with hands-off tilt, swivel, and wall-to-screen depth adjustments. The mounts provides 90 degrees of swivel, up to 12 degrees of tilt and can extend as much as 27-inches. The mount includes an IR receiver with remote and support for a wired RS485 interface, allowing for flexible control. Built-in cable management keeps cables and cords tidy with the easy access channels in the articulating arms. The low profile design collapses to just under 4.5", concealing the mount behind the screen.
 Low Profile In-Wall Enclosure
For those looking for an even lower profile against the wall, Chief offers the PAC502 In-Wall Enclosure, which lowers the overall mounting profile to less than 1-inch by placing much of the assembly in the wall. Large conduit knockouts on the top and bottom of the enclosure allow for easier in-wall wiring and cable integration and are compatible with metal single gang boxes. This enclosure can save installation time when used with a pre-assembled Chief in-wall swing arm. Knock-outs on the top and bottom of the enclosure allow for easy in-wall wiring. The area behind the enclosure must be free of obstructions because the enclosure will occupy the cavity. The in-wall box spans wider than typical 16" stud spacing, so horizontal framing with support blocks need to be installed to accommodate the 3-stud wide enclosure. This accessory provides the ultimate low-profile mounting for the PXRUB auto swing mount and makes for an aesthetically pleasing, yet advanced installation.
 Well Packed
The PXRUB Auto Mount is very heavy, so it important that the unit is well packed to ensure that no damage occurs during shipping. Our mount arrived on a wooden pallet with the box weighing in excess of 70 pounds. Heavy padding with wooden boards installed on both sides of the shipping box help prevent damage during transit. Chief did a great job packing this unit and there were absolutely no signs of shipping damage.
In the box
Aside from the main mount assembly, the PXRUB includes the wall mounting bracket and the two interface brackets for the display. Additional hardware is provided for the installation with screws and spacers neatly packed in pouches.
 PXRUB Parts
Chief's PXRUB Auto Mount system includes all of the standard M4 through M8 metric screws in three
different lengths. Lag bolts
and wall anchors are also provided to secure the mount to the wall. A set of plastic spacers are included for the vertical interface brackets that get mounted to the panel. A set of plastic covers are designed to hide the power panel and cabling into the wall. A special 9-inch allen wrench is included for reaching under the swing arm to lock the engage pin mechanism into place. The IR remote, corded IR receiver and power cord are provided. The installation
manual is excellent and covers everything needed for proper installation. It is important to read the manual before installing this mount to ensure that it works properly. We found ourselves going back to the manual because we failed to read it thoroughly.
 Mounting
The wall mount assembly is heavy and would be difficult to manage if it were not for the hanger bracket provided with the unit. By leveling and mounting the hanger, the rest of the installation to the wall is greatly simplified. The mounting hanger supports the weight of the wall mount when installaing the lag screws. Just be careful not to over-tighten the screws, otherwise they may break and cause you additional work. I speak from experience on this one as I did just that. The mount is shipped in manual mode (gear drive disengaged) to prevent damage to the drive system. Once the mount is installed, the arms can be extended and the engage pin mechanism can be tightened. We found that we still needed to perform slight adjustments to the position before everything worked as required. The 9-inch allen wrench included with the system was essential. The PXR requires 100-250VAC, 50/60 Hz power to operate, so it can be used worldwide. Installing a power outlet in the upper right corner is ideal and can be hidden by the plastic covers.
 Cable Routing
Running cables to your flat panel can be challenging, especially if there are a lot of them. The PXRUB Auto Mount has channels in the arms so that cables can lay in them with a snap lock cover. This gives the cable ample space to route while keeping a clean look. It is important to check and make sure the cable do not get pinched when the mounts goes back to the Home position.
 Remote
The
PXRUB Auto Mount includes a well designed IR remote that is used with the IR receiver. The IR receiver needs to be placed in a location to which the remote can transmit. The LED on the remote lights up when any button is pressed and the receiver has an LED that flashes to indicate a signal is being received. This is helpful when setting up the system and also serves as a way to verify the batteries in the remote are still working properly.
During installation, the "Save" button and a sequence of the Retract/Extend/Pan/Stop buttons are used to start the Learn Mode Phase A calibration process. Once completed, the user can start the Learn Mode Phase B process setting the maximum swivel angles allowed based on the installation environment. Once this is set, the user will be limited by the maximum angles programmed into the unit during this process.
The "Home" button is used to command the mount back to the "Home" position with the screen fully retracted back against the wall with no tilt or swivel. The navigation arrow buttons are used to position the screen forward or backwards and to the left or right. The "+" and "-" buttons control the tilt, which can range from 0 degrees to 12 degrees tilted downwards. Four preset buttons can be programmed to hold different screen positions. Simply adjust the screen to the desired position and hold the Save button for a few seconds and them press the corresponding "Preset" button. This make it easy to fine tune screen positions at any time and save them into memory.
If the wired RS485 interface is used, the mount can have a unique address (1 of 16) allowing multiple mounts to be controlled independently. Only three wires are required on the 6-position terminal block. This is particularly useful when the mount is located in a location where the IR remote may have difficulty reaching.
Operation
The PXRUB Auto Mount can be moved using the remote at any time. Any seat in the room can be a good seat with the ability to angle the display towards the viewer for an optimal angle. I found that I could even position it to avoid annoying glare from a bright window by angling it slightly away from the reflection, making viewing much more enjoyable. Any position can be quickly saved into one of four preset memory buttons for later access.
 Conclusion
Finding the right mount for your flat panel is important and it pays to do your homework up front. There are a lot of manufacturers and designs to choose from with varying styles and features. The selection narrows as you move into the automated mounts and when spending a significant amount on these models ($1500 retail), you want to make sure you get a quality product that meets your needs.
Chief's PXRUB Automated Swing Arm Wall Mount is an attractive
design with sophisticated capabilities that bring a whole new dimension to wall mounts. The flexible design supports a wide range of flat panels up to 65-inches and 150 pounds. We have been using this mount for a couple of weeks now and it has performed very well.
- Kevin Nakano
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