Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4"
This is an aluminum lightweight boom arm with a 1 lb counterweight and
swivel handle light stand mount. It holds a small light fixture.
| Length | 5.3 ft (1.6m) |
| Weight | 2.25 lb (1.1 kg) |
| Maximum Load | 1.75 lb (.8 kg) |
| Attachment Size | 5/8 in male stud with 1/4-20 in screw thread |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 33 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
83%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Lightweight (9)
- Attach securely (8)
- Durable (8)
- Easy to use (4)
- Good color value (4)
Cons
- Flimsy (3)
- Not durable (3)
Best Uses
- General purpose (8)
- Portraits (8)
- Indoors (7)
- Studio (4)
- Low light (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Semi-pro photographer (8), Enthusiast (6), Pro photographer (6), Professional (5), Semi-professional (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (12)
Most Liked Positive Review
Works for me!
As a commercial photographer I shoot an awful lot of product both big and small. I mainly use the mini boom arm to hold a Vivitar 283 flash and Micro Apollo as an overhead light...Read complete review
As a commercial photographer I shoot an awful lot of product both big and small. I mainly use the mini boom arm to hold a Vivitar 283 flash and Micro Apollo as an overhead light when shooting small products. For this task the Mini Boom Arm works great. It is not made to hold too much weight (a couple pounds I believe), and if you realize that limitation going in, and taylor it's use accordingly, you should have no problems. I wanted to give it five stars, but I wish the extension shaft locks would grip a little tighter.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Useful, with limitations
When they say, "holds a small light fixture" believe that. Out of the box the 1 lb counterweight doesn't really let you put too much on it. A shoe mount st...Read complete review
When they say, "holds a small light fixture" believe that. Out of the box the 1 lb counterweight doesn't really let you put too much on it. A shoe mount strobe, and an adapter for the stud, you're done. Adding a small (33" shoot thru) umbrella and the balance becomes precarious at any kind of extension; and extension's kind of the point of a boom, right? Now, add a bit more mass (say a camera bag) to the counterweight side and it becomes a whole other animal. It'll then hold a 285, an umbrella adapter, and a decent sized (45") umbrella fine. And the pole itself never seems to have a problem with additional weight, even extended. So, depending on your POV, either a)the counterweight is too small, or b)it's highly portable, with just enough counter weight for a small fixture, and a sturdy enough construction that adding more weight isn't an issue when/if you need to go larger.
The swivel clamp is kind of fidgety, and is too large to securely clamp onto the upper section of any of the 3 section lightstands I own, and that also limits it's usefulness, because I often have to extend when I could just elevate.
Bottom line is, it's fine for portable and occasional use, but if you need a real boom you might want to look elsewhere.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 33 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
I use this for a small Westcott strip box. This arm is fine for small, lightweight setups. Wouldn't try on larger softboxes. Good value for the price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Flimsy
- Weak
Best Uses
- General Use
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
The first time I used this arm the plastic handle used to tighten the system broke in my hand without a lot of pressure. I almost never break equipment because I am very careful... Other than the cheap plastic parts the boom is pretty cool. It does bow quite a bit when I attached a Lowel Pro with an umbrella. I used 1 pound dumbbells as counter weight.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Durable
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Low Light
- Night Time
- Outdoors
- Special Events
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
I had been looking for something to use instead of the heavy and cumbersome C Stands for portable photo shoots. I generally carry light stands with me so I was hoping that the mini boom would be adaptable for hanging scrims etc. To my amazement this arm is very strong, strong enough to hold lights with a soft box attached. This arm is very well built, lightweight with amazing tensile strength. I was pleasantly surprised.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Durable
- Good Color Value
- Long-Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Low Light
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
I shoot mainly video and this piece is a life saver. It easily attaches to C-stands and Light stands and can be really helpful. Its not meant to hold the heaviest lights but if you have small items or lights that need to be positioned a certain way the boom are really helps. If it is not balancing right you just have to add a bag to the end with some form of weight and it works. great addition to any light kit
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
its not that strong for flash or something like that but certainly can do for mic
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
I use this to "fly-in" my shotgun microphones in interview settings. All I need is a standard hot shoe mount to put on the end of the arm and I am ready to go. The circular bracket used to mount the arm on a lighting stand is on the cheap side as it is plastic. But you could always swap it out with a metal one. For the price, this is a good buy.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Color Value
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors
- Low Light
- Special Events
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
This product is what I needed to get my light in overhead positions. It is some what weak but I am only using a speedlite with an umbrella so no issues there. I am lucky enough to have access to a machine shop where I made an adapter so I din't have to attach it over the light stand shaft. Saves a lot of time this way. I recommend this product for speedlite use.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good value
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
I needed a boom to carry one speedlite and a modifier (an umbrella at least) so this one fitted perfectly for my purpose aside from the fact that it's priced reasonably. It carried my 580EX II attached with a 28x28 Westcott Apollo softbox for the entire duration of a photoshoot (about 3 hours) without problem. I'm only worried that its plastic grips, especially the one that attaches to the light stand shaft, will not last for very long. I wish it was made of a more durable material. The boom shaft itself is rather thin but it felt strong enough.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Good Color Value
Cons
- Flimsy
Best Uses
- Indoors
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
I use this to hold a Speedlight with a lightweight Lumequest diffuser and a radio slave, for a hair light
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
- Will only hold about 2lbs
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
I use this to hold a speedlight (SB800) with a small light diffuser made by Lumiquest, to provide a hair light. This is the only extension type boom that I could find that can be mounted on a light stand but extends over 5'. However, I caution that it is too light weight to hold anything but a speedlight. I use a 10lb weight to counter balance with extended.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Cheap
- Lightweight
Cons
- No Instructions
Best Uses
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
This is my first boom arm. The box came with no instructions, so it was a little tough figuring out how to set it up. Turns out I set it up wrong the first time, which would explain why I thought it was so flimsy at first. Just do a google search for mini boom arm instructions and find the Alzo mini boom guide.
The arm does what I expected, being able to hold a small light.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
I use this boom to hold reflectors and/or a lowel mini-pro for a backlight. Works great. Need sandbag for stand when using to hold backlight. Boom is very light and expandable. Only con is the collapsed length is 35" so you need a long bag for storage. Overall, good value for the price!
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
item was purchased to use with my speedlights.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Adjustable
- Attach Securely
Cons
- Needs weight
Best Uses
- Indoors
- Portraits
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
I actually bought this as a kit here on B&H with the boom arm, 8' Air Cushioned stand and casters. Personally I don't use the casters.
Anyway, with a Canon 580 EXII and a grid I still have to add some weight to the other end of the boom to keep it roughly balanced. I just clipped an aluminum carabiner and attached a sandbag.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- No Instructions
Best Uses
- Indoors
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
It's great to have more options for positioning lighting. However, the package didn't contain assembly instructions so we had to figure out how to put it together, and we might have done it wrong. It's difficult to change the angle and the shaft has a tendency to slide and turn - like the hole is too big for it. Clearer markings and "for dummies" instructions would have helped a lot.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Not Durable
Best Uses
- Studio
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
Handles are very fragile and the arm bows significantly with just the weight of a small flash when extended.
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Bulky
- Difficult To Use
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
I use this boom when I need a clam shell setup. It is a real pain to attach but once it is on it seems rock solid.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Studio
- Traveling
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
Easy to use. Ok for the prise. It will do the job for light weight strobes. You may need a sandbag too.
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Good design
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Macro Photography
- Portraits
- Studio
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
Just received my "Mini Boom". I think it will do what it is designed for and no more. Why should you expect more? If you want more, buy a heavier boom! Yes there some balance problems. A one pound is not enough weight for most extension applications. So, I solved the problem! I went to my local "Iron Pumping" store and bought three, 2 & 1/2 pound weights. I add them to the end as needed to counter balance the other end. Works great! Again, it is a nice boom for the money and what it is designed for.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Macro Photography
- Studio
- Traveling
Comments about Impact Mini Boom Arm - 5' 4":
Need to get your strobes out there? These are handy boom arm additions to my lightweight stands. The counterweight easily unscrews from the base for even lighter/separate transport. It helps to throw a sandbag on the stand if you're extending them fully.
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Knuckles & Clamps
-
- Original: $24.95
- Save: $2.49
- Price: $22.46
Stands & Support Equipment
- Price: $44.99
What's in the Box
- Swivel mount
- Counterweight
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