Chief RSMAU mini Elite
Chief RSMAU Mini Elite Ceiling Mount
Hanging a projector from the ceiling requires two things that often work against each other: solid support and fine image alignment. This Chief mount combines both in a black housing barely 13 cm long, designed for living room and office projectors weighing up to 11.3 kg. The image is aligned on the screen by hand, and the projector detaches in one simple motion for maintenance without losing its settings.
A compact design for lightweight projectors
The Mini Elite range incorporates the features of Chief’s RPA Elite series, the brand’s benchmark for ceiling installations, in a form factor that is one-third smaller. The RSMAU measures approximately 4.6 cm high, 11.1 cm wide and 12.9 cm deep, making it appreciably discreet in a living space where the projector remains visible when switched off. Its maximum load capacity of 11.3 kg covers the vast majority of home theater projectors and current compact models. Heavier units, often professional projectors or models with interchangeable lenses, require larger mounts. The black finish blends in beneath a dark ceiling or in a dedicated room with dark walls; Chief also offers this mount in white and silver.
Three independent adjustments for precise image alignment
Positioning a perfectly rectangular image on a screen calls for millimeter precision, and every movement of the projector affects several parameters at once unless the mount separates them. Chief has isolated the three rotational axes with its MicroZone system. Tilt adjustment of ±15° directs the beam upward or downward to position the image at the correct height. Roll adjustment of ±3° rotates the projector around its lens axis and straightens an image that tilts to one side. Yaw adjustment through 360° turns the unit in the horizontal plane to face the screen directly. Each adjustment is made independently, without disturbing the other two, and the system remains functional when the mount is installed flush with the ceiling.
Centris technology complements this system: the mount automatically adapts to the weight of the installed projector, allowing fingertip adjustments without force or the unit dropping back down as soon as it is released. Careful mechanical alignment avoids the need for the projector’s keystone correction, a digital correction that sacrifices some image resolution.
A universal interface beneath the projector
The mount consists of two parts: the mounting body connected to the ceiling and a universal interface that screws onto the underside of the projector using adjustable arms and the supplied hardware. These arms spread out to reach the unit’s mounting points, regardless of their layout, allowing the mount to be retained when replacing the projector or switching brands. The interface leaves access to the lamp and filter covers unobstructed on most models, an important consideration for lamp-based projectors, which require regular maintenance. Universal does not mean compatible with everything: mounting hole positions and the center of gravity vary from one unit to another, and Chief provides an online checking tool, MountFinder, to confirm compatibility with a specific projector.
Remove the projector without losing image alignment
The Q-Lock quick-release lever separates the interface from the mounting body: the projector can be taken down for cleaning, lamp replacement or workshop servicing, then reattached in exactly its original position. The tilt, roll and yaw settings are retained in the mount, and the image returns to its alignment without further adjustment. The same lever incorporates a keyed lock. This RSMAU version uses key A; Chief offers four different combinations (A, B, C and D), allowing an installer to assign different keys to different rooms or sites. All-Points Security locking hardware, with steel screws in steel inserts at every connection point, provides additional theft protection, a precaution particularly useful in a meeting room or a space open to the public.
Ceiling attachment and cable routing
The RSMAU connects to the ceiling via a plate and a standard 1.5-inch NPT threaded column, sold separately. The column’s length determines the projector’s height, from installation close to the ceiling to a longer drop beneath a high ceiling, to align the lens with the top of the screen. HDMI cables and power cables pass through the top of the mount and up into the column, without additional accessories, for an installation with no dangling wires. The supporting structure, whether a joist, concrete slab or reinforcement, must be sized with a generous safety margin relative to the weight of the entire assembly, and installation should be carried out by an installer or an experienced DIYer.
Technical specifications
Type and compatibility
- Type: universal projector mount
- Installation: ceiling-mounted
- Compatibility: small-format projectors
- Interface: universal
- Maximum load capacity: 11.3 kg
Adjustments and rotation
- Micro-adjustment: precise fingertip adjustment with minimal effort
- Independent adjustments: roll, pitch, yaw
- Vertical rotation / tilt: ± 15°
- Horizontal rotation: ± 3°
- Orientation: 360°
- Quick disconnect / reconnect system that preserves settings
Locking and finish
- Lock type: Lock A
- Finish: black
Certification and compliance
- Certification: UL listed
- TAA compliance: no
Shipping dimensions and weight
- Shipping dimensions: 254 × 254 × 101.6 mm
- Shipping weight: 2.4 kg
Frequently asked questions
What's in the box?
The mount itself, the universal interface with its mounting arms, the projector mounting hardware and the locking kit. The ceiling plate and extension column must be purchased separately.
How much does the stand weigh?
Approximately 2.6 kg. This weight is added to that of the projector when calculating the load the ceiling must support, but it does not count toward the 11.3 kg limit, which applies to the device alone.
Is the mount suitable for an ultra-short-throw projector?
An ultra-short-throw projector is generally placed on a piece of furniture, just below the screen, and is not mounted using this type of bracket. For a short-throw projector that needs to extend towards the screen, Chief pairs the RSMAU with wall arms from its range, which extend the unit above the audience while retaining MicroZone adjustments.
Can the projector be mounted upside down?
Yes, this is the normal position for ceiling-mounted front projection. All projectors offer a “ceiling” mode in their menus, which flips the image so that it appears the right way up.
Can the mount be attached directly beneath a suspended ceiling?
A suspended ceiling made of tiles or plasterboard cannot support a load on its own. The mounting plate must be anchored to the structure above (slab, joist or load-bearing rail), and the column passes through the suspended ceiling to connect to the projector.
Do the settings remain stable over time?
Once tightened, the three MicroZone axes stay in place, even during the projector’s heating and cooling cycles or vibrations from a subwoofer. Releasing the Q-Lock lever does not affect these settings, as they are retained in the mount body rather than in the interface attached to the device.
Do you need to change the mount when changing the projector?
No, as long as the new unit weighs less than 11.3 kg and its mounting points are within reach of the interface arms. Simply remove the interface from the old projector, screw it onto the underside of the new one, then readjust the image framing.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
- GTIN / EAN: 9234567896771
