PRG-UNV Precision Gear Projector Mount Review

Peerless PRG-UNV Full Review

When you decide to go with a front projection system you then have the challenging task of locating the best mounting system. Mounting systems can be simple. They can also be manufacturer-specific and particularly suited to the exact projector you own. But as we all know, it's only a matter of time before the upgrade bug hits and you may find yourself seeking out another model. It's because of this that solutions like the Peerless Industries PRG-UNV exist.

Peerless manufacturers everything from universal projector mounts to flat panel display mounts and all sorts of stands and accessories for anything that makes or receives a digital image. The PRG-UNV is a universal front projector mount that is billed as a solution for providing precise image positioning that stays in place.

Build Quality and Use

This product goes beyond normal mounts in that it features exact tilt and roll adjustments that can be made one of two ways. You can insert a standard Philips screwdriver to adjust the interlocking precision gears, or you can pull out the adjustment knobs and turn them by hand. Once you set the position, the mount stays in place and doesn't move... at least not much. What we found in practical use was that the roll locks solid, but the tilt actually wobbles a bit - though it settles with the weight of the projector. This is due to the give in the precision gear system for that adjustment. As a solution, Peerless provides a lockdown screw that can be secured in order to prevent any tilt motion once the projector is fully adjusted. We recommend using that screw once you have the projector lined up perfectly.

The dual use pull-out knobs accept either screwdriver or "by-hand" adjustments. Note the security screw just above the knob which serves to lock the unit in place and prevent any further tilt play once adjusted.

The system comes with security screws which use a special security allen wrench not commonly found in most toolboxes. The entire head assembly is extremely well-built and feels like a serious piece of hardware. I secured my projector mount on top of the rafters in my ceiling, and having a mount this solid assured me that all that extra effort to handle heavier projectors didn't go to waste. The specs say it's good to 50 pounds - and heaven knows I won't be installing a projector that heavy, but the mount itself feels like it can take a lot more. My guess is that after adding additional weight you'll eventually hit a point where the precision gears will begin to lose traction and start to be influenced by the additional load. There's also the question of the four-point universal adapter plate.

The adapter plate is the actual part of the mount which secures to the projector itself via either three (yuck) or four (yeah!) threaded mounting holes. So far it seems the heavier the projector, the more likely it is to have only three mounting holes. Take it up with Marantz and some others - I have no idea what they're thinking.

The adapter plate slides easily into the PRG-UNV mount assembly and secures with a spring-loaded non-removable (hence, non-loseable) "captive screw". This means that in approximately 6 seconds you can slide in a projector and lock it into place. There's even an optional socket pin screw that provides a security screw to complement the captive screw. It's so easy, even a caveman could... OK, that joke's getting just a bit too old.

I used this mount with no less than 4 projectors, including an Epson Pro Cinema 1080UB, Marantz VP-15S1, a BenQ W5000 and even a Viewsonic Pro8100. Each time I had to install, de-install and align the new projector, and each time it was a pain-free process that left me wondering why I hadn't done this years ago. In my opinion a universal mount is the way to go and I now shy away from manufacturer-specific mounts.

Conclusion

The PRG-UNV universal tilt, roll and swivel mount can be used with virtually any home theater projector. Consumers will like it because it's flexible and provides a simple way to dial the projector in to your screen without having to move an entire mount or panic due to a slightly off-axis alignment of the physical product. Installers will love it because it makes installations easy and the PRG-UNV can be used with any type of mounting requirement, be it flush, long pole or short pole. The device is a dream to use and Peerless has so many convenient options and accessories that you'll find it's simple to use with wood, block or any other type of installation scenario you can dream up.

Peerless Industries PRG-UNV Universal Projector Mount

$258

Peerless Industries, Inc.
3215 W. North Avenue
Melrose Park, IL 60160
800-473-3753

www.peerlessmounts.com

About Peerless Industries, Inc.
Peerless Industries, Inc is a leader in the audiovisual mounting industry for over 40 years, provides innovative mounting solutions that focus on quality, ease of installation and functionality while providing an aesthetically pleasing look and ultimately the best value. Peerless offers a comprehensive line of video and audio mounts and installation accessories for residential and commercial markets. Peerless’ line of mounting equipment includes a broad selection of solutions for televisions and VCR’s, LCD and plasma screens, monitors, projectors, speakers and more.

The Score Card

The scoring below is based on each piece of equipment doing the duty it is designed for. The numbers are weighed heavily with respect to the individual cost of each unit, thus giving a rating roughly equal to:

Performance × Price Factor/Value = Rating

Audioholics.com note: The ratings indicated below are based on subjective listening and objective testing of the product in question. The rating scale is based on performance/value ratio. If you notice better performing products in future reviews that have lower numbers in certain areas, be aware that the value factor is most likely the culprit. Other Audioholics reviewers may rate products solely based on performance, and each reviewer has his/her own system for ratings.

Audioholics Rating Scale

• — Excellent
• — Very Good
• — Good
• — Fair
• — Poor

Metric	Rating
Build Quality
Ergonomics & Usability
Ease of Setup/Programming/Integration
Fit and Finish
Performance
Value