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Draper Accuset Low Profile Video Projector Ceiling Mount Review

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent value for dollar
• Easy to install
• Very adaptable

Cons

• Our kit was incomplete, lacking the Allan key
• Installation instructions confusing, although the paper they were printed on made an excellent paper airplane

Review

The Draper Accuset Low Profile Projector Mount is a complete ceiling mount solution for small to mid size video projectors. It provides for a great deal of flexibility with 30 degrees of pitch and roll and 360 degrees of yaw. This is a lot of adjustability, more than you’ll likely ever need on anything resembling a standard ceiling installation. Included in the package are the required bolts, spaces and washers, as well as longer arms, the bits that spider out from the mount itself and attach to the projector.

The first step is to position the mount hub in the center of the projector. To preserve the look of your projector, place something soft underneath it so you don’t scratch it. Don’t tighten the main hub quite yet. Align the holes in the arms with the mounting holes on the projector. With the Z5 we had to remove one of the arms by simply sliding it through the hub. Remember to leave access to any maintenance ports in the bottom of the projector. Draper provides several plastic sleeves which act as spacers to go between the projector and mount. These spaces are flanged along their length, allowing the distance between the projector and mount to be customized. For our installation we’ve set the spacers as near as possible to the projector. The small wrench is to twist the spacers, locking them at the desired height.

Next, tighten everything down. Don’t over tighten! You just want to get everything snug and secure. Start with the central hub, tighten it just so the arms don’t slide, then adjust the vertical spacers to the desired height.

The supplied instructions are interesting, a blend of diagrams and arrows we can only assume mean something. They look like they were written by the same person who does all of the Ikea instructions – no surprise, considering that like your new folding couch, this mount originates in Sweden.

Feel free to use the on-line version instead - Much more functional!

When properly installed, the Draper Accuset feels like it’s become part of the projector. Next up? The ceiling plate. Remember, you want to make sure you’re screwing this into a joist, or at least something in the ceiling that’s load bearing. Modern HT projectors don’t weigh much, but you’re still hanging several thousand dollars 7 feet in the air. Slide the collar on the Accuset mount around the nub on the plate and tighten. If the Allan key to adjust the yaw had been included in our kit we could have finished our installation with some really impressive action shots. We’re assuming that your kit will be more complete. Get the thing level by adjusting for pitch and roll, again snug everything down, and you’re done. Make sure that the projector is throwing an even light patch with all edges square before you hop off the ladder. Time spent to this point, about 8 minutes.

Overall Impression

The Draper Accuset is a rock solid projector mount that doesn’t require a lot of attention after it’s hung. Set up is quick and easy, in spite of the sometimes arcane installation diagrams. They’re also priced better than before. Not long ago this was a $200 projector mount. It’s incredibly forgiving of less than perfect installation environments with a wide range of adjustability. The bottom line? A really good mount at a very good price.

Features of Draper Accuset Low Profile Video Projector Ceiling Mount

• Fixed mount for flush ceiling installation
• Places projector 4-7/8 inch from ceiling with Universal Projector Bracket attached
• Ball joint allows instant registration of projected image
• Black powder coat finish

Manufacturer: www.draperinc.com