Secretlab Heavy Obligation Monitor Arm overview: Suitably sturdy assist

The Secretlab Heavy Obligation Monitor Arm has one of the crucial pleasingly to-the-point names of any product I’ve reviewed in a while. Okay, technically it’s really referred to as the Secretlab Magnus Monitor Arm (Heavy Obligation Version) however actually there’s just one title everybody’s utilizing. What’s extra, this extra-strong monitor motion mechanism solely lives as much as its moniker, offering ample assist for enormous screens weighing as much as 16kg. It’s not low-cost, but it surely delivers on its promise.

Whereas a lot of the finest gaming monitor choices right this moment have assist from their very own included stands, or may be supported by much less heavy obligation monitor arms, in case your display screen has greater than a 32-inch diagonal, commonest monitor arms received’t cope. So, in order for you complete freedom of motion with out the worry of your high-value display screen taking a tumble, this Secretlab arm is the one for you.

Specs

Design

The Secretlab Heavy Obligation Monitor Arm is rather like any typical gasoline lift-assisted monitor arm, when it comes to its core operate. It has a base plate on which one arm pivots, a second arm that pivots on the primary and supplies up and down motion, then a monitor mounting plate that may spin and tilt. Collectively the 2 arms and the mounting plate mean you can transfer a monitor up and down, ahead and again, side-to-side, and likewise to spin the show into portrait orientation.

This arm differs from most alternate options in two areas. The primary is that it contains two massive adjustment handles, which suggests you don’t need to grip your valuable display screen to maneuver it however can maintain these handles as an alternative. The second is that, as per its title, the construct high quality right here is far sturdier than cheaper arms.

Specifically, the place some monitor arms have a design meaning the arm sections rotate in simply plastic-lined holes, with the plastic performing as a sliding floor, on this case the arms are mounted inside correct ball bearings. Because of this, even with the huge weight of some massive displays, the arm actions don’t get jammed up, however as an alternative nonetheless swing effortlessly.

The arms and mounting plates are additionally constructed to a very excessive commonplace, with very thick metal used all through. The entire unit weighs over 6kg and is so heavy with such freedom of motion from these bearing joints that it flops about with menace when assembled, so be careful.

The additional motion handles are actually helpful, however they received’t work with some actually massive screens, as you received’t be capable of attain them simply from the entrance. On this case, you possibly can take away them, lowering the burden of the arm and tidying up the look of the setup.

General setup is very easy because of the two-part mounting system the place you affix the plate (above, left) to the monitor’s VESA mount then simply carry the monitor onto the arm such that the little dented sections within the backside of the VESA plate relaxation onto the bent hooks on the underside fringe of the arm’s mounting plate. Just a little twist of the lock on the prime and the monitor is safe.

Secretlab additionally provides extension screws for the mounting plate in an effort to repair it to displays the place the VESA mount is recessed into the show barely (as within the picture above). We really discovered these had been wanted for extra shows than you would possibly anticipate, with the hooks on the arm on which the mounting plate sits tending to foul on the sting of the VESA mount recess. We examined round a dozen displays and just one didn’t want these extension screws.

This initially brought about loads of confusion as we didn’t spot the extension screws for some time, frustratedly attempting to suit the mount on a lot of totally different shows to no avail. That one’s on us for not studying the guide fairly carefully sufficient, although. When you’re all arrange, this mounting system is rock stable and very easy to mount and dismount.

One other premium contact is the cable administration system of this arm. Like most such monitor arms, you possibly can stow your monitor’s cables in detachable sections of the arms, however right here the stowage areas are simply held on with magnets, so it’s very easy to shortly swap cables out and in.

Elevate steadiness, in order that the monitor is simple to maneuver up and down, may be adjusted through an Allen key socket on the second arm (the gasoline carry one), with a helpful min-max indicator on the arm exhibiting how the carry is being adjusted.

Efficiency

As soon as the arm was arrange, I used to be completely received over by the flexibility to have 34-inch ultrawide screens, surprisingly heavy 32-inch shows (just like the pictured Iiyama), and even 49-inch superwide shows sitting securely, whereas nonetheless having a great deal of freedom of motion. In fact, as with every monitor arm, an important profit is that you just additionally acquire a lot desk area.

One slight be aware of warning is that, whereas the bottom plate supplied right here could be very sturdy – and comes with a very easy-to-use adjustment system for clamping to your desk that tightens from the highest, by the plate – it doesn’t have the most important footprint to distribute the burden and pressure of the arm/monitor setup. As such, you’ll must mount this plate to a very good high quality, sturdy desktop.

As you’d anticipate, Secretlab’s personal Magnus Professional desk coped simply effective in our testing. Additionally, we significantly appreciated the truth that the Heavy Obligation Arm suits in between the lift-up cable tidying part behind the Magnus Professional and the desktop in entrance. It even suits over the magnetic deskpad of the desk with out problem.

Value

Right here’s the nasty bit. This monitor arm prices $349. That’s actually costly, with most heavy-duty choices on Amazon costing round a 3rd of this worth. Nevertheless, having used some low-cost monitor arms, I can attest to their usually comparatively low-cost construct high quality, so in order for you an arm that’s assured to final, the Secretlab does ship.

Verdict

It’s exhausting to get previous the sheer worth of this monitor arm. For a lot of avid gamers, it may show costlier than the monitor they’ve purchased. Nevertheless, if in case you have indulged in a high-end, heavy gaming monitor, the Secretlab Heavy Obligation Monitor Arm gives a improbable approach to mount and management your show. It’s extremely well-built, straightforward to assemble, and straightforward to function. If you should release desk area and open up your monitor motion, it’s the arm we’d wish to use, if our wallets allowed.

Options

VIVO Extremely Vast Monitor Arm

There are lots of heavy-duty monitor arms out there from largely unfamiliar manufacturers on websites corresponding to Amazon. One instance is the VIVO Extremely Vast Monitor Arm, which prices simply $109.99 and helps shows as much as 44lbs in weight. Nevertheless, we’ve not tried this mannequin so can’t attest to its construct high quality and ease of use.

Kensington Single Monitor Arm with Vesa Mount

I’ve examined the Kensington Single Monitor Arm with Vesa Mount myself, and located it to be a decent-quality unit for the value. This well-made arm is simple to make use of and prices $88 proper now. Nevertheless, it’s solely rated to carry shows weighing as much as 19.8lbs.