Recently, I purchased the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9: a 49-inch super ultrawide monitor with a periphery-bending 1000R curved panel that wraps around you like a grandmother’s hug. In a word, it is awesome.
But it’s also very big. And unwieldy. At best, its ergonomics are mid and mobility is damn near geriatric.
Fortunately, there’s the Ergotron HX Desk Monitor Arm with HD Pivot, a heavy-duty monitor arm designed specifically for ultrawide monitors like the Odyssey Neo G9. Not only does the HX arm free your desk from the tyranny of the G9’s mastodonic stand, but it also imbues the monitor with contortionist-like mobility, allowing you to twist, turn, and tilt the G9 any which way you please.
HX Desk Monitor Arm with HD Pivot: Overview
The first thing to know about the HX Desk Monitor Arm is that there are two variants: one that comes with the pivot attachment, and one that does not.
If you have an ultra-wide screen, make sure you get the one that comes with the pivot attachment. Without it, you won’t be able to mount your G9 monitor.
You can buy the HX Desk Monitor Arm and pivot separately, but it’s cheaper to purchase them as a set.
In terms of compatibility, the HX Desk Monitor Arm with HD Pivot is designed for 49" 1000R curved displays weighing up to 42 lb and 6 to 12" deep (in other words, the Odyssey and Odyssey Neo G9).
The arm connects to the monitor via the pivot attachment, which supports the 75 x 75mm and 100 x 100mm VESA hole patterns (the G9 uses the 100 x 100mm pattern).
The desk clamp, which connects the base of the monitor arm to your desk, can attach to surfaces 0.4 to 2.6" thick.
Once installed, the arm facilitates a wide range of motion, including 20° of tilt, 180° of pan, and 360° of rotation with lockout. It also adds up to 11.5" of lift, so you can adjust the height of the screen to the most comfortable position for you.
Along with the added mobility, the HX Monitor Desk Arm with HD Pivot also features an integrated cable management system, which allows you to neatly route all your cables through the monitor arm and out of the way.
The HX Desk Monitor Arm with HD Pivot is available in white and matte black. Personally, I recommend the white since it matches the body of the G9 so well. Although, some people might prefer the contrast of the matte black.
HX Desk Monitor Arm with HD Pivot: Setting Up
Although it looked a bit intimidating at first, installing the monitor arm was fairly straightforward. The user manual and Ergotron’s instructional video do a great job of walking you through the entire process.
Don’t bother with the toolbox, either. Apart from a single Phillips screwdriver, all tools and installation hardware are provided for you.
Despite how easy the installation was, there were a few lessons I learned along the way:
It sounds a little confusing, I know, but trust me: You don’t want to finish the installation and then realize you have to unmount your monitor and start all over because you didn’t place the base correctly.
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Make sure you attach the base of the arm either to the left or to the right of the center of your desk. Do not attach it to the center of your desk. The arm doesn’t bend backward—it collapses left or right—so attaching the base of the arm to the center of the desk will, ironically enough, prevent you from being able to center the monitor over your desk.
It sounds a little confusing, I know, but trust me: You don’t want to finish the installation and then realize you have to unmount your monitor and start all over because you didn’t place the base correctly.
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Make sure you still have the VESA mount adapter that came with your Odyssey G9. It’s that black bowl thing that looks like a giant metal ashtray. Samsung doesn’t sell the G9 VESA adapter separately, so if you somehow misplaced it (like me), you’ll have to scour the Internet for a replacement. Luckily, I found a store on Etsy called 3DPrint4YouWaren that sells 3D-printed replicas.
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Be sure to organize your cables before you mount the monitor on the pivot attachment. Double-check cable lengths, as well. There’s nothing more frustrating than setting the whole thing up only to realize one of the HDMI cables doesn’t stretch far enough.
Overall, the ease of installation speaks to the thoughtful engineering behind the HX Desk Monitor Arm with HD Pivot. Each component is well designed and fits together precisely and without fuss. Combined with the simple-yet-efficient cable management system, the result is a mounting solution that is both sleek and effective.
HX Desk Arm with HD Pivot: Verdict
If you’re looking for a mounting solution for your Odyssey G9 (or other similarly proportioned monitor), the Ergotron HX Desk Monitor Arm with HD Pivot is the best desk arm you can buy.
Not only did it dramatically improve my monitor’s ergonomic performance, but it also gave me my desk back. Before, when I was using the G9’s default stand, my desk only had room for my keyboard—and that was just about it. But with this monitor arm, my desk is once again free to decorate and accessorize as I see fit.
Along with those perks, I have to imagine that the HX Desk Monitor Arm with HD Pivot would also be a boon for anyone working in a smaller office or workspace. The arm’s form is highly functional, even in limited spaces, making it well suited for small offices or any area where space is a premium.
Have you incorporated a monitor arm into your setup? What are your favorite desktop organization tricks? Let us know in the Comments section, below.
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