Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I purchased this to go with a Monster Cable PowerCenter PRO 900 10-Outlet Rackmount Surge Protector with CleanPower Stage 1 v2.0 Circuitry, choosing the 5-inch length because I'd seen a review of the Monster Pro Power FlexLamp - XLR LED LightSource - 10 inch which indicated that the 10-inch gooseneck was awkward to deal with.
Well, as it turns out, so is the 5-inch, but for different reasons.
The primary problem--the only real problem, actually--is that the XLR connector is upside-down from the way I'd like to use it: when connected to the PowerCenter socket, the lamp points up instead of down, and for the configuration I've got, that's not ideal. I've got a Gator GRR-6L Roller ATA-Style Deluxe Rack Case in which I've installed a SKB Velcro Shelf. My mixer and a pre-amp are affixed to the shelf in the bottom slot, I have an EQ in the two slots above, a compresser in the slot above that, and wanted to put the PowerCenter in the top slot, with the FlexLamp pointing down on all the other components.
Problem is, in order to get it to turn face down, you almost have to fold this short gooseneck back on itself.
I expect it was designed with the idea that the PowerCenter would go on the bottom and the upward-facing light would cast light on your components without being in your way. Admittedly, using it in the top slot results in the lamp being between you and the rest of your equipment. Still, you would hope that Monster would have allowed a bit of latitude in this regard.
Sure, I can mount the PowerCenter upside-down and pretty much fix the whole mess, but that also flips all the outlets, which may result in having to fight with bulky (and balky) power bricks.
So, as is often the case, the inconvenient design of a simple accessory becomes a primary source of configuration headaches.
UPDATE 05/03/11 - I examined the PowerCenter last night and noticed that the XLR power jack is held in with two very obvious, very accessible screws. I removed the screws and turned the jack 180 degrees, which fixed my problem. The wiring did resist a little, but I never felt like it would tear or break free. I ended up turning it clockwise, but tried both directions, which felt about equal in terms of resistance.
As a result of this solution, I've bumped my rating up to four stars, though I've left the title the same: the lamp shouldn't have to be bent back on itself just to adjust it conveniently. Without that sort of twisting, the adjustability of the lamp is very limited.
Click Here to see more reviews about:
Monster Pro Power FlexLamp - XLR LED LightSource - 5 inch
Click here for more information about Monster Pro Power FlexLamp - XLR LED LightSource - 5 inch
