Sanus Systems ELM301-W1 Elements Cable Tunnel (Starter Kit) Reviews

Sanus is a well respected brand in the area of component stands and display mounts.  I have used several of their products in the past and generally prefer their display mounts because they are easy to install, ruggedly built and very fairly priced.  When the company decided to enter the field of cable tunneling I was intrigued enough to purchase a starter set and one expansion pack to try it out.  The pricing won't break the pocketbook either now that Amazon offers these products through their third party vendors.  In fact both the starter pack and the expansion pack can now be purchased together for approximately $30.

The starter pack consists of several basic components which arrive in a paint-able white plastic format.  The package contains three 20 inch wire channels, two joining clips, six wall clips, one 90 degree elbow,assorted screws and anchors and a concise instruction manual. Required installation tools include a good Philips screwdriver and a basic drill.  If the starter pack doesn't provide you with enough parts then you can purchase an expansion kit that includes two additional 20 inch wire channels, one 90 degree inside corner, one 90 degree outside corner, four wall clips, two 45 degree elbows, one joining clip and assorted screws and anchors. Additional expansion packs will give your installation a longer reach as needed.

Installation is extremely simple.  After you  set out all components (1) Attach wall clips to wall (or ceiling or floor), (2) Fasten your cables into the wall clips and (3) Snap the tunnel onto the wall clips.  That's it.  If you want to hide the tunnel it can be painted to match the color of your wall or ceiling with minimal effort.

The only thing that might concern some users is the width of the tunnels, which is approximately 3 inches.  This might become a logistical concern rather than an aesthetic one because painted sections will blend nicely into your surroundings.  If your installation doesn't allow for a 3 inch tunnel width then this kit must be supplemented with other devices where clearance is tight. However, I would note that it's always better to have a slightly larger rather than a slightly smaller tunnel system because you will have room for expansion without extensive restructuring.

I experimented with a variety of configurations and found that I could manipulate the components into quite a variety of installation possibilities.  Because all of my wires are embedded in the walls of my HT I probably will let my son use the components for his own upcoming installation which must be surface mounted.  However, I do not dismiss the real possibility that whenever the next, great connection comes along to replace HDMI there might come a time where a Sanus Tunneling kit or two might provide me with some very easy and clean retrofitting.  We live in a constantly changing environment so anything is possible.  If hiding and/or protecting wires is a concern for you, the Sanus Cable Tunnel kits is a viable and inexpensive option and should be considered.