Size recommendations for TV in 2021 Symbol

I know to a certain extent this will be subjective, but I am wondering what size TV to go for in my new Symbol.

I don't have the Symbol yet, so I can't work it out by standing in front of the location armed with a tape measure using the dimensions of the various alternatives. But the dealer is asking me to decide on the size by Monday, so that they can fit the Avtex AK12TM VESA bracket. Presumably they want to know as they might place it slightly differently depending on the intended size.

I have more or less narrowed down the choices to Avtex 199DSFVP (19.5", 448mm x 257mm), Avtex 219DSFVP (21.5", 491mm x 288mm) or Avtex 249DSFVP (24", 539 x 317). There's not a huge difference in price, power consumption or weight between these, so really it's a question of just picking the biggest one that fits well.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience to share about what is a good size. For example is the 24" too wide for the cabinet the bracket will be mounted to, (standard location - wardrobe external wall, above single seat). Obviously it will be on a double arm bracket, but when stowed for travelling, it needs to fit flush against that wall I guess? And it wouldn't be great if it stuck out into the aisle.

as you say, personal choice...
however, im sure it will be fine but ensure the dealer fits it using the 12v connection so that the tv works wherever you pull in...
some just use a 230v cable!

We have a Symbol but don't watch TV much when away...so perhaps it depends on how much you really want to watch. Ours is an Avtex 16.5" which is absolutely fine for watching considering that your sitting position is not very far from the actual screen.
Also, we don't store it on the wardrobe wall mount as it is a potential threat to anyone standing up from the seat by the door, being immediately above their head. Instead we pack it into its own protective case for travelling/storage when not used.
However, I am sure everyone else will have different opinions and advice so I will watch with interest 

I don’t know what your DIY skills are like but in this instance I would tell the dealer to forget about fitting the bracket.
 
Having a Symbol myself, IMO there is only one place to fit a TV and that is above the single seat (where the 12v and aerial sockets are located).

I already owned my TV from a previous vehicle and had the Symbol on my drive and working out exactly where to fit the bracket still took a bit of thinking about.
Leaving this to chance won’t work and you will end up with a bracket in the wrong place, as will the choice of TV if you buy one before getting the van!

Dbvwt wrote:I don’t know what your DIY skills are like but in this instance I would tell the dealer to forget about fitting the bracket.
 
Having a Symbol myself, IMO there is only one place to fit a TV and that is above the single seat (where the 12v and aerial sockets are located).

I already owned my TV from a previous vehicle and had the Symbol on my drive and working out exactly where to fit the bracket still took a bit of thinking about.
Leaving this to chance won’t work and you will end up with a bracket in the wrong place, as will the choice of TV if you buy one before getting the van!

I don't fancy drilling holes in my brand new van, and I got them to include it for free!

You would hope it was fairly flexible if you get the bracket in the right place, or you'd never be able to change the TV size in the future.

SENTINEL wrote:We have a Symbol but don't watch TV much when away...so perhaps it depends on how much you really want to watch. Ours is an Avtex 16.5" which is absolutely fine for watching considering that your sitting position is not very far from the actual screen.
Also, we don't store it on the wardrobe wall mount as it is a potential threat to anyone standing up from the seat by the door, being immediately above their head. Instead we pack it into its own protective case for travelling/storage when not used.
However, I am sure everyone else will have different opinions and advice so I will watch with interest 

I understand what you mean about potential issues for anyone using that passenger seat. However I'm not expecting anyone to ever use that seat in mine.

v8oholic wrote:

SENTINEL wrote:We have a Symbol but don't watch TV much when away...so perhaps it depends on how much you really want to watch. Ours is an Avtex 16.5" which is absolutely fine for watching considering that your sitting position is not very far from the actual screen.
Also, we don't store it on the wardrobe wall mount as it is a potential threat to anyone standing up from the seat by the door, being immediately above their head. Instead we pack it into its own protective case for travelling/storage when not used.
However, I am sure everyone else will have different opinions and advice so I will watch with interest 

I understand what you mean about potential issues for anyone using that passenger seat. However I'm not expecting anyone to ever use that seat in mine.

Sometimes one or other of the two of us do sit on the seat (not as travelling passengers) and neither of us are very tall but where the mounting is (original fitment) means that the TV sits in a tricky position. It will also depend on the size of the extending/flexible arm.

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This is the mount that comes in a new van
If you look at second hand vans for sale you will see pictures that we’ll help you decide [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Sentinel, when you mention ‘original fitment’ do you mean the bracket in my first picture which was given to me on handover and was provided by A/S.
If yours has been fitted then I guess it was by the original dealer/owner in a position that was decided by them.

I fitted the bracket in my second picture which I bought online and I chose for my TV. It took a bit of working out the best position as I mentioned.

V8, you wouldn’t believe how many holes I have drilled in the first 2 years modding my Symbol .

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Yes Dbvwt, your top picture shows the same mount as already fitted to our Symbol when purchased. (well part of it was missing but it was reinstated by the dealer). We still had the mounting that we had used with our small though heavy old Avtex previously. Neither mounting proved to be practical for us and as we didn't want to drill any more holes, plus we didn't really like the TV sitting there permanently we fit and connect the tv when actually using it. We might investigate further this year, but tbh TV is not a major issue for us.
Can you remember the make of the mounting shown in the second photo, that might be a better option.

SENTINEL wrote:Yes Dbvwt, your top picture shows the same mount as already fitted to our Symbol when purchased. (well part of it was missing but it was reinstated by the dealer). We still had the mounting that we had used with our small though heavy old Avtex previously. Neither mounting proved to be practical for us and as we didn't want to drill any more holes, plus we didn't really like the TV sitting there permanently we fit and connect the tv when actually using it. We might investigate further this year, but tbh TV is not a major issue for us.
Can you remember the make of the mounting shown in the second photo, that might be a better option.

I'm not allowed to post links (!) but it looks like that might be the Avtex AK86TM. I'm going for their other similar one, but aluminium (AK12TM).

Dbvwt wrote:
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That's a similar design to what I am getting. What size TV do you use with it?

glyne lock wrote:[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
This is the mount that comes in a new van
If you look at second hand vans for sale you will see pictures that we’ll help you decide [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I don't think there is a "standard" mount. My understanding is that the dealers fit them rather than the factory, and they won't necessarily be the same.

It's a good idea suggesting looking at second hand adverts to see examples, but there are a couple of problems with that. Firstly most people take the TV out before taking the pictures, and secondly even if there is one, you can't tell what size it is

SENTINEL wrote:Sometimes one or other of the two of us do sit on the seat (not as travelling passengers) and neither of us are very tall but where the mounting is (original fitment) means that the TV sits in a tricky position. It will also depend on the size of the extending/flexible arm.

This is where the double arm mount design comes into its own, because it folds back flatter against the wall than would be the case with a single arm.

I can’t recall the make of mine but it wasn’t an Avtex, it looks very much like the one below but wasn’t that brand when I bought it.
I use an old 16” Avtex TV but bought the twin arm to future proof my setup for a larger TV when it packs up.

Fitting advice... make sure any bracket is supported by a plate on the back of the wall. If it is just screwed in it won’t stay up for long.

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v8oholic wrote:

glyne lock wrote:[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
This is the mount that comes in a new van
If you look at second hand vans for sale you will see pictures that we’ll help you decide [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I don't think there is a "standard" mount. My understanding is that the dealers fit them rather than the factory, and they won't necessarily be the same.

It's a good idea suggesting looking at second hand adverts to see examples, but there are a couple of problems with that. Firstly most people take the TV out before taking the pictures, and secondly even if there is one, you can't tell what size it is

the mount that David showed in the first picture and used in my picture is what comes with the camper and you can fit as to the position you want to

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is the head rest on the side seat an integral part of the bed making?
if not, and its never used as a passenger seat, perhaps it could be removed and this would allow a much larger TV (should it be required) to be fitted.
the TV could then be stored by rotating it 90 deg in the vertical plane  ('portrait mode') and then strapped with a Velcro strap against the wall...no need then to remove/replace.
i can see this would be a problem of the seat were used and the TV hadnt been set in landscape mode for viewing.
ive seen quite a few vans using this 'rotational' method of creating space for a larger TV than is first apparent.
looking again at the pictures, it seems that, even with the headrest in place, a much larger TV could be fitted and stored in portrait mode...obviously this would compromise sitting there, but even that might be possible with the TV in landscape mode.
a cardboard template would easily show whether theres room.
the tv could still be removed, and the headrest replaced if ever the seat were needed for travelling.
ours in in a similar position and we watch from the cab seats...we have a 22" (stored a bit differently) and i wouldn't want to watching on anything smaller, a 16" would be a bit small from the Symbol cab seats possibly.
id have thought a 22/24 could be fitted if rotated as described above.it would also lower the viewing angle a bit, less stiff necks.

The headrest on these Symbols is part of the seat back cushion and forms part of the bed when dropped down. It has a little popper/loop to attach it to the wardrobe wall but it can be flopped down onto the main back cushion.

SENTINEL wrote:The headrest on these Symbols is part of the seat back cushion and forms part of the bed when dropped down. It has a little popper/loop to attach it to the wardrobe wall but it can be flopped down onto the main back cushion.

i dont even think it would need to be removed...with a larger tv on a bracket and rotated into portrait mode, the tv would just hang down on the bracket (covering the headrest) but secured with Velcro when not in use.
when watching tv, its just unstrapped and rotated into the horizontal.
for travelling, if not confident in the velcro/bracket fixings, it can be removed completely and stored.
in my Bolero i had a wall mounted bracket and i used to keep the tv on there but strapped against the wall with velcro straps.
not a very good photo, but this TV is stored in portrait mode and rotated to landscape for viewing, inreckon something similar could be done on the Symbol, otherwise the size of tv will be restricted.
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Personally we're fine with our small 16.5"Avtex in our small Symbol so no problem with storage/orientaton etc but I can see it would be tricky with a much bigger screen and also if viewing distance was much greater. 
All down to individual needs I suppose 

16” has proved fine for us also but I will go bigger when it finally packs up.

I am happy to cut a cardboard template of any size and take a picture in situ if it helps anyone. Won’t be able to do it till tomorrow afternoon though.

Dbvwt wrote:16” has proved fine for us also but I will go bigger when it finally packs up.

I am happy to cut a cardboard template of any size and take a picture in situ if it helps anyone. Won’t be able to do it till tomorrow afternoon though.

Unfortunately they want me to have decided by 9 am tomorrow! Thanks for the offer though. But, imagine you were going to go bigger by guesswork. I know that's ridiculous, but it's the situation I find myself in  

I estimate your 16" is approximately 375x250. The next two sizes up in the range I'm picking from are 19.5" (450x325) and 21.5" (491x356), both including optional soundbar on the bottom. So if you had to pick one without measuring, do you think it would be 19.5" (75 wider and 75 deeper), or 21.5" (116 wider and 106 deeper). This is the choice I have to make. So if someone forced you to decide, hypothetically, what would the answer be, given your knowledge of the space around your 16" model? Obviously I won't hold you responsible, just curious what your gut feeling is!

glyne lock wrote:

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Thanks, I did see that advert but without knowing what size that TV is, hard to draw any conclusions! That one is too big for my liking though.

sorry, didnt mean to put the cat amongst....
it's just that, like many areas, designers are doing lots to get more in a small space and i thought the portrait/landscape idea is a neat one, especially when the seating area is unlikely to be used and the TV can make use of that space...
either way, good luck with the van....and the TV.