Switched my monitor arm from gas spring to a simple pole mount

I used to have a gas spring arm that sagged after about 8 months. Finally swapped it for a basic pole mount with a clamp last week. Cost me $35 instead of the $120 I paid for the arm. Desk feels way more solid now and the screen doesn't drift down during the day. Anyone else have better luck with simpler mounting setups?

3 comments

3 Comments

milacraig5d ago

You ever try cranking the tension before the sagging became a problem? I keep mine just tight enough to hold at rest but loose enough to move by hand, never had a sag issue doing it that way.

terryw677d ago

Gas arms definitely have a quality problem. I've had two different ones that started sagging within a year, no matter how tight I cranked the tension. But I wouldn't go back to a pole mount now. For me, the gas spring lets me pull the monitor right up to my face for detailed work or push it back when I'm watching videos. With a pole mount, the screen is stuck in one spot unless I loosen the clamp and adjust it. That constant reach forward used to bother my shoulder after a while. Different strokes for different needs I guess.

matthewmartin7d ago

Gotta admit, you kind of changed my mind here. I used to think gas arms were just a gimmick (more parts to break, you know?) and stuck with my old pole mount because it was simple and cheap. But reading about pulling the monitor right up to your face for detail work... that actually makes a lot of sense. I never thought about the shoulder strain from reaching forward either, I always just dealt with it. Now I'm kinda wondering if a gas arm would save me from that awkward lean-in I do whenever I'm editing photos or reading fine print. Might have to swallow my pride and try one out, even with the sagging risk.