Ergotron Neo-Flex HD & DS100 Triple-Monitor Stand Review - The Mod & Conclusions

Modding of the Neo-Flex HD & DS100

Warning

This is a mod/hack of products produced by Ergotron. I am using both products in ways not intended by the manufacturer. Even though I have full faith in my installation, Ergotron would certainly not provide warranty on any claim if the installation fails. The full weight of the DS-100 arm and three 19" monitors may be exceeding the weight limit of the Neo-Flex HD with the Wall Mount Swing Arm.

The wall mount is rated to hold displays up to 50 pounds and 32 inches. The full weight of the DS-100 arm and monitors is 38 pounds, but the weight rating of the Neo-Flex wall mount may be diminished with displays more than 4" deep and over 32" inches wide.

This setup is certainly more than four inches deep, and measures 45" across. I tested the Neo-Flex wall mount before I hung the monitors to ensure it would hold. The key to success with this mod is proper installation of the Neo-Flex into a wall stud.

If you attempt this mod, you do so at your own risk and will not hold Ergotron or the WSGF responsible for any damage to yourself, your wall, your monitors, or anything else.

The Need

As stated earlier, Ergotron doesn't make a Wall Mount Swing Arm to accommodate triple monitors. Luckily, Ergotron provides detailed dimensional illustrations on all of their products. I was able to determine that the mounting pole on the DS-100 has an outside diameter of 1-1/2" inches. This means that the clamp on the monitor bar has an inside diameter of this same 1-1/2" when fully tightened. I was also able to determine that the wall mount on the Neo-Flex HD has an outside diameter of 1-3/8" inches. Based on these dimensions, I needed to find a bushing that filled the 1/8" gap between the two pieces.

I figured some sort of pipe bushing, or thin metal pipe such as electric conduit would work. I went to my local Home Depot with the swing arm and the monitor bar, and my trusty tape measure. I found that 1-1/2" electrical conduit was the absolute perfect size. Even though I only needed 4" of conduit, I had to buy a 12' section.

The Mod

I took the conduit home, and used my Dremel tool to cut off 4". Then I used the Dremel tool to smooth the rough edge from the cut, and to smooth the inside seam. Once I did this, the conduit fit snuggly on the Swing Arm, but moved smoothly as I spun it. I installed the Neo-Flex, and slipped the bushing into place. I then installed the center monitor on the arm, and placed the monitor on the bushing, and tightened the clamp. Finally, I installed the two outer monitors, hooked up the cables, and routed the cables through the cable management system on the arm.

Overall Conclusion

While I wish that Ergotron would make a Wall Mount product for those of us with Surround Gaming rigs, I am more than happy with the Ergotron products I am using and the mod to make the Neo-Flex and DS-100 serve my needs. All of the Ergotron products I've seen are both well designed and well manufactured. They come with extensive installation instructions and excellent guidelines for proper ergonomic position.

Specifically, the Neo-Flex HD is an excellent product. It installs dead-easy and performs superbly. Ergotron supplied the original one (for the 30" panel) for my original review. While it's taken over a year for that review to now materialize, I was so pleased with the product over that time, I purchased another Neo-Flex and the DS-100 with my own money. There's not much higher praise that I can give to a product than that.

The DS-100 does have its quirks with installation (get some help), and in getting monitors aligned. But, if you want a wall-mounted option, it is the only way to go. Ergotron also offers the LX Triple Display Lift, which has easy height adjustment. I know that Paddy has one of these and he is quite fond of it.

My recommendation is to seriously consider getting your monitors up off your desk, by mounting them on your wall. The freedom to make better use of your desk space is damn-near a liberating experience. Once you make that decision, I would highly recommend a product from Ergotron. Even though this review has taken well over a year, and I'm sure the folks at Ergotron thought I had simply swindled them out of product, I never received a single email or call about the status of the review. Their products are consistently good and their staff is great to work with. Their sales, support and marketing people were all helpful, professional and courteous.