Quick Tip: A fast and inexpensive mounting solution for a 7″ monitor on a light stand

I have a few 7″ monitors, and I love the size for its portability and usability off-camera and on a stand. It doesn’t take up a lot of room and is easy to move around. While I like the 7″ size, a smaller 5″ model works better on-camera for me.

I have found it difficult to find an inexpensive mount for the SmallHD 703 Ultra Bright. It’s heavier than any other 7″ monitor I have used at 1.65 lb without a battery attached, making it tough to work with if you use a friction-adjustable tilting mount.

SmallHD has a Table Stand Mount for 7″ Monitors that works well but has a few flaws. One is it’s huge! and the other is the screw that attaches to the monitor is easy to lose and hard to replace. The monitor has a short tap, so you need a shorter 1/4 20″ screw. I have to buy several replacements. It’s nice that it has a slight tilt for a better viewing angle.

My solution is the CAMVATE Light Stand Mount with 1/4″-20 Thread Screw Mount. It’s dirt cheap at $8.90. What makes this a winner is yes, it’s cheap but also mounts very easily and is compact. Since the 1/4 20″ tap on most monitors are not very deep. Having the Knurled Knob Nut to lock it down is a big plus. With the SmallHD monitor, the length is a perfect fit and can be screwed on very tight.
You can’t tilt or pan with a fixed mount, but I feel it’s a good trade-off.

There are mini ball heads that could also work on a light stand receiver and attach to a stand, but the main issue with this is a producer or director messing with the ball head and the whole monitor tipping over. You can’t trust a producer or director with gear. 😀

This seems to be a good, cheap solution until I upgrade it, but I think it will work fine. One niggly thing about SmallHD monitors is the proprietary mounting they use. It’s based on the ARRI accessory mount, but the pin holes are closer in towards the 1/4 20″, so they are not compatible. Why?
I’m curious: What are your solutions for mounting these 7″ monitors to a light stand? Please share!

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Filed in: Quick Tip
Tagged with: CAMVATE • Light Stand Mount • SmallHD