|  Omnimount,
a leader of A/V mounting products and accessories, has recently introduced the
new UCL-X Dual-Arm Cantilever Flat Panel Mount. Universal mount includes
hardware to fit any 42" to 60" flat panel screen weighing up to 200
pounds. The UCL-X mount combines the CL-X with the UAL Universal Adapter plate
to create a powerful product. The dual-arm design provides easy adjustability
of the flat panel to extend, swivel and tilt for optimal viewing positions. The
vertical adjustment enables the screen to be lowered or raised 1" after installation
for fine tuning. A roll feature allows for easy screen leveling and cable management
to help keep the cords organized and out of sight. The wall mount is available
in either a high gloss piano black or a high gloss silver finish design to match
the color of contemporary plasma or LCD displays. The high quality construction
and finish will enhance the look of any flat panel.
 In
the Box
The UCL-X Flat Panel Mount comes well packed with all the hardware
(minus tools) necessary for the installation. As with any mount, several basic
tools will be required unless the user decides to have it professionally installed.
This can be a wise choice for many who are not comfortable with properly securing
the mount to the wall. As with any flat panel mount it is important to determine
the best position of the screen prior to drilling any holes in the wall. The UCL-X
consists of two basic items, the articulating arm (CL-X) that gets attached to
the wall and the UAL Universal Adapter plate that attaches to the back of the
flat panel. Most displays are well within the weight limit of this wall mount
and in our case the Mitsubishi LT-52133 LCD display is less than 100 pounds.
 The
UCL-X Mount includes all of the standard M4 through M8 metric screws in three
different lengths along with 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm Allen wrenches. Lag bolts
and wall anchors are also provided to secure the mount to the wall. A set of 5/8"
and 3/4" spacers are included along with adapter covers. The installation
manual covers 27 different languages making it truly a universal mount. However,
this introduces a large amount of extra information when trying to follow the
step-by-step instructions. Rather than a english section covering the complete
installation, each section contain all languages (See example).
 Flexibility
The
UCL-X features a fully adjustable configuration on the UAL Universal Adapter plate.
The design includes a set of variable sliders that move on a viscous gear mechanism.
This allows both vertical bars to move inward or outward in concert so that the
distance is always balanced relative to the center of the mount. It is a clever
design that goes unnoticed once the mounting holes are aligned and in place. The
picture above shows the mechanism and the gear assembly.
 The
horizontal beams on the UCL-X measure 32" wide and are fixed in size. Two
sets of vertical rails are provided with the 21.5" rails for smaller displays
and the larger ones for bigger displays. Our Mitsubishi LT-52133 LCD required
four screws fastened to the standard 21.5" vertical rails. A set of square
washers are provided for the mounting screws along with spacers to allow for a
gap between the plate and the display. This is sometimes necessary for recessed
mounting holes or to provide access to the A/V jacks on the rear of the flat panel.
Once the vertical rails are installed, a set of adapter covers snap into place
to give the mount an attractive look.
 Wall
Template
Standard tools are needed for the installation task that include
a drill, level, stud finder, socket wrenches, pencil, and screw drivers. Anyone
can install the mount if they are handy and understand the importance of securely
fastening the unit to the wall. One must always make sure that the mount is properly
fastened to the wall to avoid injury. All of the weight will be placed upon four
bolts that hold the mount, so attaching it to the studs is a must. The template
included with the mount provides an easy way to determine the mounting holes on
the wall with slight offsets to optimize the center of the studs. The two large
squares are option cutouts for cabling.
 Cantilever
Arm
The UCL-X mount is a very strong (supporting up to 200 pounds) and
rugged design that is also flexible, giving users a wide variety of screen positions.
The cantilever arms allows the flat panel to be placed as close as 6.2" to
the wall or extended out as much as 28", providing an easy way for the flat
panel to be rotated left or right and tilted (up or down). The lower portion of
the mounting plate that attaches to the wall has two large openings for running
cables behind the flat panel. A set of plastic covers are provided if one or both
of the openings are not used. The front side of the cantilever arm that mounts
to the Universal Adapter (UAL) plate has a pair of slotted holes. This makes it
easier during installation, allowing the user to hook the heavy display on the
arm and then tighten and fasten the rest of the adapter plate. Many flat panel
mounts have similar techniques to prevent having to hold a heavy display while
tightening the mounting screws.
Conclusion
The Omnimount UCL-X Dual-Arm Cantilever Flat Panel Mount is an attractive
and very functional flat panel mount for today's modern displays. The universal
design allows retailers to stock a single mount designed to support virtually
any display from 42" to 63" weighing up to 200 pounds. The Lift n' Lock
interface between the ULA and wall mount makes installation simple and easy. The
integrated cable management keeps wires under control. The dual arm design is
both rugged and gives the user optimal flexibility when positioning a flat panel.
When not in use, the panel sits close to the wall and blends in nicely with the
room. We didn't have any problem using this mount and the strong design gave us
peace of mind with our display. -
Kevin Nakano | 
