Best Arm Options For New 27" iMac

[Chubby Davis]

Hope are good friends at Motions are still on for June 1. Seems they took that date off of there site!!! Got e-mail going to them.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Motions e-mailed back won't be shipping till June 20..'technical difficulties with one of the internal components' .....till then.

 

[bobob]

For those with limitations on mounting their iMacs on their walls or desk, another option to consider is the ceiling mount.

While it doesn't offer the range of motion of a fully articulated arm, it still offers rotation, tilt, and height adjustment, and may provide a solution in a particular tight situation.

One example of a ceiling mount is the Consul from Ergo In Demand (pictured below), though there are many companies that produce ceiling mounts because of their more common use in mounting large LCD TV's. (A side effect of this is thepossibility of finding them at low cost - - e.g.: this VideoSecu model currently selling at Amazon.com for $29.99)

(Note: The payload capacity of the Consul ceiling mount is 28 lbs which is a hair less than the actual bare weight of 28 lbs 14.2 oz of the 27" iMac. Many ceiling mounts however are designed for much heavier LCD TV's, such as the VideoSecu mentioned above which has a payload of 66 lbs.)

 

[rmitchell248]

Got my Innovative 7500-1500 from Provantage few days ago. Here is a photo of my unfinished home office setup – as you can see, my master plan is to be able to work in dual positions: either sitting vertically behind the desk or laying down semi-horizontally in recliner:

(The plant is temporarily placed in corner to act as a counterweight when iMac is positioned over recliner.)


Good thing about the 7500 is that it works: it mounts to desk, carries the iMac without collapsing and can be moved. The bad news: with the weight of 27" iMac, don't expect super smooth movements as seen in Innovative's demo video. Especially forearm rotation and tilting are very stiff and cannot be adjusted "on-the-fly" (I think tilting is fixed in later revisions?). I was also let down by the mediocre finishing quality of the product and lack of manual / maintenance / safety instructions. That being said, it's not bad product – just don't expect any Apple-style elegancy with it. Would be interesting see a monitor arm designed in Cupertino!

Edit: The recliner with 27" screen floating in the front of you is absolutely heaven

LOL what aer you going to do for a permanent counter balance? I cant imagine you will want to set the plant up each time you switch to recliner mode? You could bolt some weights to the underside of the desk!

Neat idea

 

[nullx86]

LOL what aer you going to do for a permanent counter balance? I cant imagine you will want to set the plant up each time you switch to recliner mode? You could bolt some weights to the underside of the desk!

Neat idea

bolt counterweights to the whole desk, or bolt the desk to the floor?

 

[Yaggo]

The plant stays there permanently, no need to set it up everytime. Leaves enough desk area for working. (As a sidenote, I've found myself to work 90% of the time in recliner mode.)

 

[bobob]

Forget that 30 lb. chunk of aluminum and glass at the end of your articulated arm - - perhaps your next iMac will simply be the arm itself.

Ladies and gentlemen, for your consideration, I present MIT student Natan Linder's LuminAR...

LuminAR reinvents the traditional incandescent bulb and desk lamp, evolving them into a new category of robotic, digital information devices. The LuminAR Bulb combines a Pico-projector, camera, and wireless computer in a compact form factor. This self-contained system enables users with just-in-time projected information and a gestural user interface, and it can be screwed into standard light fixtures everywhere. The LuminAR Lamp is an articulated robotic arm, designed to interface with the LuminAR Bulb. Both LuminAR form factors dynamically augment their environments with media and information, while seamlessly connecting with laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices. LuminAR transforms surfaces and objects into interactive spaces that blend digital media and information with the physical space. The project radically rethinks the design of traditional lighting objects, and explores how we can endow them with novel augmented-reality interfaces.

Here is a YouTube video (of the admittedly rather primitive current version) of LuminAR in action.

 

[mtbdudex]

Parts express has very good deals on arms/etc.
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=465

 

[mtbdudex]

Wow,this seems the ticket for us stateside people, $30 for VESA adapter (VESA-compliant with a 100mm x 100mm ) and $50 for the mount, $80!
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=182-390
Your Price: $50.71

• Extruded aluminum construction allows for up to 16.6" extension from wall
• Unobtrusive finish disappears behind the LCD TVs
• Mounting hardware and instructions included
• ±90°/±360° of pan and ±90° swivel adjustment
• ±12° of tilt adjustment
• [FONT=Verdana,Arial]•Supported VESA Sizes: 50, 75, 100
  [/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana,Arial]Maximum Weight Capacity: 55 lbs. (25 kg). [/FONT]

 

[bobob]

Just to point out that wall-mounted non-articulated arms like above (which are often used for big LCD TV's) are available from quite a few sources for very low prices. For example, on the first page of this thread, ADent linked to a similar mount (except with a 25" reach) from MonoPrice.com for $25.58 (or only $19.52 if you order 50 ). With a tight budget and the right wall available behind your desk, they might be just perfect. Nonetheless, the benefits of the range of movement of a fully articulated radial arm should not be underestimated.

 

[bobob]

While we await the arrival of the next great arm for the 27" iMac, let's take a brief interlude to look at yet another repurposed old school iMac arm - - this time it's the iPad's turn!

(Here's the designer Rusty Sha's original flickr photostream with a couple of additional pictures.)

 

[mtbdudex]

Here is my brief review of the Parts-Express arm I got for $50.

Directions pretty basic, easy to follow.
Mine is solidly mounted to a beam that's behind the loft knotty pine T&G.

Plan view

Everything seemed to be going fine, until after hanging the 27" iMac onto the articulating are, the rather small knobs had hard time clamping the tilt mech tight enough.
The iMac kept flopping forward.
I had to use these type of pliers to give them a extra "umph", so far (just 1 day) its holding well.

Here the 27" iMac "hanging" and the old stand in front of it.
I put the iMac at almost exact eye level as the stand did, in hindsight I wish that I put the iMac more center screen to center of eye level, so maybe 4-6" higher.
Has there been discussion in this thread about screen height placement relative to seating eye level?

Finally, here's the box with "extra parts" for other ways to wall mount.

Now at least my kids can't knock it over and break the glass cover.

 

[bobob]

Very nicely done and well illustrated post!

Has there been discussion in this thread about screen height placement relative to seating eye level?

Good point. With the radial arms the height is continuously adjustable and I tend to naturally keep my eye level about 3" from the top of the iMac (2" below the top of the viewable screen). This seems to match up with what some ergonomics experts suggest...

Position the top of your screen level with your eyes.

The ideal viewing height is to have your eyes level with an imaginary line across the screen, about 2"-3" below the top of the monitor. This can be accomplished in one of two ways - either by either lowering your monitor or raising your chair. If your screen is too low, you'll find yourself tilting your head forward to view the monitor (a common cause of neck pain). If it's too high, you may have to tilt your head back, leading to neck and shoulder pain - and increasing the likelihood of glare from overhead lights (a common cause of headaches).

• Exception: If you wear bifocals or trifocals while using your computer, it may be appropriate to position your monitor a few inches lower than otherwise recommended to accommodate comfortable viewing through your lower lenses.
  
• Exception: If you use a large monitor (20" or larger), position your monitor so that the top of the viewing area is about 3" above eye level.

Of course, as with any group of experts, there are some more radical beliefs...

VERTICAL MONITOR LOCATION

• Locate the entire viewing area of the monitor between 15° and 50° below horizontal eye level.

To see the effect of gaze angle on accommodation, hold a business card at arm's length and at eye level. Slowly bring it towards you until the letters start to blur. Without moving your head, slowly lower the card in an arc, keeping it the same distance from your eyes. You will see the letters come into focus. Your eyes have improved their ability to accommodate simply by lowering their gaze angle. Presbyopes (persons over 40 who are losing their ability to view close objects) often make use of this phenomena when they misplace their reading glasses. They hold reading material at arm's length and then tip their head back to improve their ability to accommodate.

To see the effect of gaze angle on your ability to converge, try this next demonstration. With your head erect, hold a pen at arm's length and at belt level. Gradually bring it towards your nose, following it with your eyes until you can no longer converge accurately and you see two pens. Without moving your head, try the same test at eye level. Again, notice the distance at which you can no longer converge. Now bring the pen in from an upward gaze angle. As you can see and feel, your eyes converge more easily with a downward gaze angle.

The old guidelines that recommended that the monitor be placed at eye level were based in part on the belief that the resting position of the eyes (considered to be the most comfortable gaze angle) is 15° below the horizontal (Morgan, Cook, Chapanis, and Lund 1963). New evidence (and some that has been around for a while) shows that, while the eyes might be most comfortable with a 15° gaze angle when looking at distant objects, for close objects they prefer a much more downward gaze angle (Kroemer 1997). Figure 1 shows the optimum position for the most important visual display, 20 - 50° below the horizontal line of sight, according to the International Standards Organization (ISO 1998).

As we saw from the above demonstrations, a downward gaze angle improves our ability to accommodate and converge. Ripple (1952) found that subjects over age 42 increased their ability to accommodate by an average of 25.5% by directing their eyes downward in the "usual reading position." Krimsky (1948) observed, "when looking upwards, the eyes tend to diverge...and when they look down, the effort to converge is much easier." Tyrell and Leibowitz (1990) found that a low gaze angle resulted in reduced headaches and eyestrain.

Many computer users experience dry eyes. Tsubota and Nakamori (1993) found that lower monitor placement exposes less of the eyeball to the atmosphere and reduces the rate of tear evaporation. This keeps the eyes more moist and reduces the risk of Dry Eye Syndrome.

 

[gteller]

A fantastic option was mentioned earlier in this thread.

I took the advice from ADent on page 1 of this thread.

If you have access to a wall this should hold the weight - http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10828&cs_id=1082802&p_id=3411&seq=1&format=2 . $26+shipping. It is overkill for my 24" LCD, so should hold the 27" iMac OK and is rated for 66 pounds.

So here it is again: http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10828&cs_id=1082802&p_id=3411&seq=1&format=2

From Monoprice, I had it shipped to Montréal, Canada. Sure, shipping was $45, but it made the total only $70usd. At least $20 cheaper than anything I could find here.

But beyond that, it's a great arm. Matches the finish of the Aluminum imac. Very sturdy. Actually, this might be the one turn off for some is it's "industrial-ness"

I mounted it off to the side, so that I could get a better reach for my screen towards my couch for when we watch movies. Otherwise, it sits up against the wall in front of my desk.

Great reach, close to 2 feet off the wall!


Please see the pics below, and I would be happy to answer questions.

After much searching, I am very satisfied for the arm, especially concerning the price.

Gabriel

 

[Chubby Davis]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Motions e-mailed back won't be shipping till June 20..'technical difficulties with one of the internal components' .....till then.

>>>>>>>>>

June 21..E-STORE Still not open!

 

[MacBuckeye]

Same question as FiveSpeed. Please answer (please!)

Is it that Innovative has simply taken the regular 7500 and came out with a Mac-specific model by making it available in white-only and then tacking on a few bucks? ( The iLift seems to be $10-40 more expensive than the Innovative-7500-1500 at most online stores)

http://www.ergonomichome.com/lcdmoarmfora1.html
http://www.ergonomichome.com/noname46.html

Lou

I appreciate all of the insightful commentary from this forum. I recently bought an iMac 27" i7 thinking I had a 2mm clearance underneath my newly installed wood built-in office. Unfortunately, that clearance cuts out 1/2 of my insight camera. I wish I had thought ahead (compared to my prior computer) but i am limited to my current office set-up.
Thanks to this forum i think I can remove the stand, put in an arm, & keep my 27" (& my insanity)!

Can anyone breakdown the 7500 vs 7517?

 

[MacBuckeye]

Can anyone breakdown the 7500 vs 7517?

I just wanted to inform the group on my recent discussion with an Innovative Rep. I had an on-line chat as detailed below (verbatim). Looks like the only difference is that tilter between the two models.


Marissa_Innovative_CSR: Welcome to our real-time support chat. How can I help you today?
Stephen: Trying to understand the difference between 7500-1500 & the 7517-1500 models
Marissa_Innovative_CSR: The 7517 has a spring assist tilter to better support the weight and depth of the iMac monitors.
The 7500 has our standard tilter.
What model iMac do you have?
Stephen: 27" iMAC
Any other colors of 7517 besides White?
Marissa_Innovative_CSR: Then the 7517-1500 is our recommended product. It is available in silver, black and linen white
Stephen: How do I buy it? Is either of these sold at any stores or only online?
I would like to get a silver 7517
I assume I need to buy the VESA adaptor from Apple
Marissa_Innovative_CSR: I don't know of any stores that carry the product. We have several on line dealers. http://www.lcdarms.com/dealer_locator.php
Yes, the VESA adapter kit must be purchased from apple.
Stephen: Is there any preferences from which on-line dealer that I use? Does the warranty from Innovative still apply regardless of which one I buy from?
Marissa_Innovative_CSR: Hi Stephen, I have no preference but can say that The Human Solution and Innovative Essentials both offer great customer service.
Our warranty is 10 years and is only applicable to the seller. They would have to advise on their warranty.
So, if you needed to return or needed a repair but purchased through a dealer, I would simply refer you back to the dealer for us to process the RMA.
It's the unauthorized dealers that I would be leary of.
Stephen: Not sure I understand. If I buy the 7517-1500 from either of those two on-line sellers (Human Solution or Innovative Essentials), will the product be covered by Innovative?
So, to respond to your last point. It would all be covered thru that particular on-line seller?
Marissa_Innovative_CSR: Yes, but only they can speak to their return policy.
Stephen: Thru your website, it also looks like you sell it?
Marissa_Innovative_CSR: We do, of course I can only offer it at MSRP.
Our dealers have much better pricing.
Stephen: What is the difference, other than price, if I bought thru you vs anoher on-line seller(for e.g Human Solutions)?
Marissa_Innovative_CSR: There's no difference in product. We dropship for most of our dealers, so it ships direct from the factory.
Stephen: Great Thanks for your advice. Appreciate your help!
Marissa_Innovative_CSR: Thank you for your interest in the product.
If you have any other questions mrach@lcdarms.com
duration 16:34

End Chat

 

[bobob]

Hey look - - Gizmodo is featuring a story about a monitor arm today!

The arm they describe is the Humanscale M2, but unfortunately it's not strong enough to wield a 27" iMac. However, upon closer examination of the Humanscale website, I see that that they have recently released a new high capacity model with a similar design - - the Humanscale M8 Monitor Arm.

It's specifications include a 42 lb. payload and 22" reach and 11.5" height adjustment. It's MSRP is $460, but seems to be available from various resellers for under $300.

The available polished aluminum finish may make a nice match for the iMac, and one small feature I haven't seen on other arms is that the "VESA Plate stores 2 hex keys for instant access to adjustment tools"!

 

[leftywamumonkey]

Just an FYI in regards to a good deal on a very nice monitor arm for your new iMac.

Amazon has this arm-
http://www.lcdarms.com/products/LCD_Radial_Arms/7500.html

For just $99.99

Actually being sold by 'Essex Technology Group', through Amazon, but
I ordered one, and it arrived in two days. Still waiting for my Apple VESA mount adapter, but the arm looks awesome and very well made. Check out the video on the above link to see it in action.

It doesn't support 30 pounds. It's less than 3.5 with the stand off.

 

[bobob]

For those following the development of monitor arms as they pertain to iMacs, this design blog entry on the recently discussed Humanscale M2 arm (sister to the 27" iMac compatible M8 arm) might almost be considered to constitute arm porn - - check out the sexy close-ups!

Interestingly, the blog entry notes: "the bulky gas cylinder used by some other swing arms, which has a tendency to fail, has been swapped out for a more reliable and long-lived mechanical spring".

 

[Chubby Davis]

Looky like, monitors in motion ready to ship out....Not the same model they took deposits on...Ouch!

 

[2 Owls]

For those following the development of monitor arms as they pertain to iMacs, this design blog entry on the recently discussed Humanscale M2 arm (sister to the 27" iMac compatible M8 arm) might almost be considered to constitute arm porn - - check out the sexy close-ups!

Interestingly, the blog entry notes: "the bulky gas cylinder used by some other swing arms, which has a tendency to fail, has been swapped out for a more reliable and long-lived mechanical spring".

Desperately looking to find a UK reseller for this, my new iMac should be here early next week and I want to arm mount it, this looks perfect.

 

[azdude]

Has anyone here tried the new Bretford MobilePro Desk Mount Combo?

This Combo model looks especially great. It comes with two VESA arms (+ one laptop carriage adaptor - meh), so it looks to me like the perfect mount for a 27" iMac + 27" LED Cinema Display. Each side of the mount is independently height-adjustable, which means you will be able to keep the image heights of the two monitors level (they are not, using the standard included desk stands).

 

[2 Owls]

A UK dealer for the M8 contacted me today, fingers crossed its not crazy money and it gets here in time for the new Mac, I'll get some photos of it when they are set up.

Edit: 2 to 3 weeks delivery still, gives me time to get the desk ready to take the weight

 

[bobob]

This thread hasn't listed many ceiling mounts for the 27" iMac because they are usually significantly less adjustable than a fully radially articulated desk or wall mounted arm, and are generally less convenient for most. However, for those with limitations on where they can mount their arm in their desired work space, a ceiling mount may be just the right solution.

Atdec is a company which specializes in various AV mounts, though none of their desk mounted arms are strong enough to support the iMac. However their ceiling mounted Telehook TH-1040-CTS is capable of supporting a payload of 55 lbs.

Being a ceiling pole mount it rotates 360〫and has a telescopic pole adjustment which extends from 15" to 35" (for higher ceilings they also have a 2nd model, the Telehook TH-1040-CTL which extends from 35" to 70"), and internal cable management. The iMac is mounted on a VESA ball mount which can be infinitely adjusted within a range of 20〫in any direction. The standard model sells for $149 and the longer one for $189.

The above small picture is the only one I could find with a monitor attached - - the TH-1040 series seems to have recently replaced an older, less easily adjustable model called the Telehook TH-31-55-TCB-PK which is now listed as clearance. However, the product page has several better photos of this mount as well as a nicely done 3D animation showing it's range of motion.

 

[nataliamck]

Did anyone from the UK manage to find a good supplier?

I don't fancy those shipping charges from USA.