In a previous blog post called ‘All About Monitor Arm Mounting,’ we looked at the method for mounting a monitor arm on a desk.
The general steps to install a monitor arm:
1. Attach mount base to desk
2. Assemble arms
3. Attach monitors
We also looked at organizing your setup by routing cables, and using the extra desk space for devices and personal items.
Now, in this blog post, we’re going to look at monitor arm setup & adjustment following desk mounting.
Gas Spring Tension Adjustment
Most computer screen arms use gas springs or mechanical springs for smooth & easy motion. Tension needs to be adjusted to keep your monitors where you want them. When tension is set correctly, the monitors will maintain their position and also be easy to reposition. If arms rise up by themselves, the spring tension is set too high (more likely when mounting smaller & lighter monitors). If arms drop down by themselves, the spring tension is set too low (more likely when mounting bigger & heavier monitors).
Advanced gas springs provide smoother and more flexible motion than conventional mechanical springs, but the process for adjusting the tension is quite similar. Gas springs are under pressure. During adjustment, beware of arms rising up suddenly. To adjust gas spring tension, hold the upper arm in a horizontal position. Use the Allen wrench to adjust gas spring tension until the arm keeps position by itself. You usually need to turn the adjustment bolt clockwise in the ‘+’ direction to increase tension (raise) or counterclockwise in the ‘-’ direction to decrease tension (lower). Once correctly adjusted, you can raise and lower your monitor and it will keep position.
Monitor Position & Angle Adjustment
Next, you need to adjust your monitors to the position & angle you want. Full-motion monitor arms have multiple joints to enable tilt, swivel, and rotation. Directly adjust your monitors by gripping the monitor edges (do not press on the screen itself).
Monitor arms can lift monitors from low on the desk to a considerable height above it. That’s the difference between an uncomfortable hunched position and optimum eye-level viewing. Long-arm mounts are even more flexible, and they’re particularly suitable for taller people and standing positions.
The swivelling arm joints allow monitors to be moved left/right and forward/back. For a single monitor, you’ll probably want a central position at a medium distance. For multiple monitors, you’ll probably want to align all the monitors and center them together. Multiple monitors can be aligned straight like a flat wall or angled to curve slightly around you.
360° rotation enables screens to be oriented horizontally or vertically. Horizontal orientation is good for most things, but vertical orientation is great to view content that’s ‘tall’ rather than ‘wide’ (such as long web pages, long columns of data, and vertical videos). Some dual monitor mounts even enable screens to be stacked, one above the other.
Tilt monitors up or down to face you. If it's difficult to adjust tilt, carefully loosen the tilt-lock bolt on the monitor mounting connector. Adjust monitor to the desired angle and then tighten the bolt again to lock the tilt angle.
When you’ve got the perfect monitor position, never touch or even think about touching the monitors or mount again. This is how it must be forever & ever until the end of time. Appoint a monitor guardian to stand firm through the ages and protect the monitors against all who dare approach. Am I joking? You know it! The perfect monitor position is what works best for you in each situation. This may change from moment to moment according to your position, activity, and preferences. The real benefit of a flexible and easily adjustable monitor mount is the freedom to change monitor position any time you want. Raise your monitors when you want to work standing up. Swing a monitor around or swivel it to the side to show other people and collaborate seamlessly. Rotate a monitor to watch vertical videos or view long pages. Rearrange a multi-monitor combination to match your workflow and viewing needs.
I’ve said before, “There are two kinds of office workers: those who use computer monitor arms and those who don’t.” Monitor arm users have a lot more flexibility and ergonomic comfort. It can change the way you work or even transform your life!
