AVerMedia FLEXI go (BA311L) review: A solid arm mount for your mic or webcam… But it’s too expensive

As a tech enthusiast who has tried numerous gadgets and accessories over the years, I must say that the AVerMedia FLEXI go mic arm left me somewhat perplexed. On one hand, it boasts a sturdy build quality and compact design, making it ideal for those on-the-go. However, its price tag of $100 seems excessively high when compared to other options available in the market that offer similar functionality at a fraction of the cost.

To maximize the potential of your microphone or webcam, it’s beneficial to have a separate stand or mount for them.

There are plenty of options for mic arms, especially from generic brands, but the guarantee of quality and compatibility that comes from an established company can’t often be passed up. AVerMedia’s FLEXI go (BA311L) is a great example, with a durable and highly practical design that provides a ton of adjustability to suit any setup.

This mounting solution is terrific, yet it possesses a significant drawback – its price is excessively high. It’s surprising because the mic arm shouldn’t be pricier than the microphone it supports. However, the AVerMedia FLEXI go turns out to be costlier than its recording equivalent.

FLEXI go review: Pricing and specifications

Pricing highlights

  • The AVerMedia FLEXI go (BA311L) mic arm retails for $99.99, making it one of the more expensive mounting solutions.
  • For reference, the AVerMedia VERSATI go microphone only costs $69.99, so you’re paying a lot more just to have more positioning options.

Online, there are numerous budget-friendly yet practical microphone and webcam stand arms available for approximately $40-$50. If you’re willing to spend more, branded options with a sleeker design or additional features can be found. Unfortunately, while the AVerMedia FLEXI go offers quality, it falls short on extra features. The AVerMedia brand is synonymous with quality, but may not offer the best value for your money.

The AVerMedia FLEXI go mic arm, model BA311L, is priced at $99.99 on Amazon, placing it amongst the higher-end options in its category. However, this premium price tag comes with an analog design that boasts no spring assistance and sleek, smooth hinges. AVerMedia markets the FLEXI go as an ideal partner for their VERSATI go microphone, which retails at $69.99 on Amazon. Despite this, the FLEXI go’s price doesn’t seem to justify its value in terms of user experience.

Inside the container, there’s the AVerMedia FLEXI go (BA311L) microphone stand with a c-clamp mount included, along with two Velcro strips to keep your cables tidy. This item comes with a 30-day limited warranty.

FLEXI go review: The good

The pros highlights

  • The FLEXI go is well-built, with a sturdy aluminum construction and wide compatibility with different microphones and webcams.
  • You also get a wide range of adjustability, although it does rely on a very manual screw system.

The AVerMedia FLEXI go (BA311L) microphone stand consists of two sections: a sturdy aluminum tubing and a C-clamp for desk or table attachment. Its construction is top-notch, giving the impression that no part of the FLEXI go is made cheaply or unsturdily, reflective of its robust industrial design.

The C-clamp mount offers ample flexibility for customization to various desks (up to 55mm), boasting a total weight of approximately 2.1 pounds, and providing a length of more than two feet. It can support up to 3.3 pounds in weight. Included with the package is a standard 1/4-inch mounting base, along with a 5/8-inch thread adapter, ensuring compatibility with most microphones and cameras.

When you connect your microphone or webcam, you’ll discover that it offers a great deal of flexibility in three key areas. The main arm is linked to the c-clamp using a 360-degree ball joint, allowing it to rotate fully. In the middle of the arm, there’s a hinge with 180 degrees of movement for additional adjustability, and at the end of the arm, there’s another 360-degree ball joint to ensure your connected device can be positioned in any direction you need.

In addition to the equipment inside the box, you’ll find two simple Velcro fasteners. These are useful for keeping your microphone or camera cable firmly attached to the FLEXI go (BA311L). The design is remarkably practical, sacrificing elegance for ease of use. Once set up, the FLEXI go stands strong with minimal wobble, ensuring everything remains securely in place over prolonged periods.

FLEXI go review: The bad

The cons highlights

  • By far the biggest flaw with the FLEXI go is its price tag, which feels far too high for the product you’re getting.
  • Yes, the build quality is there, but other offerings in this range are more refined and fluid.

The AVerMedia FLEXI go mic arm is compact and conveniently foldable for travel, yet it provides functionality similar to higher-end mic arms at an affordable price point, though its reach is somewhat restricted.

Here, there are no automatic springs or effortless hinges; all fine-tuning requires manual intervention using both hands. Despite its functionality, it appears more functional than luxurious given its cost.

As a tech enthusiast, I’ve come across many microphone arms in this price range that boast sleeker designs, smoother adjustments, and even additional features like built-in cable management or some form of shock absorption. Unfortunately, the BA311L falls short in terms of aesthetics and feels overpriced when compared to the microphones AVerMedia positions alongside it, given that it costs more.

If you discover microphone arms available at just a fourth of the cost, it becomes challenging to make a case for the FLEXI go.

FLEXI go review: Final thoughts

You should buy this if …

You want a compact mic arm with solid build quality

The FLEXI go can be divided into two sections, with its main component folding conveniently in half for easy transportation. This design is compact, and the aluminum build ensures durability.

You don’t mind trading convenience for more permanent adjustments

The best mic arms (and monitor arms, for that matter) are designed for quick and easy adjustments, but that does mean the potential for gradual drifting or falling. The FLEXI go stubbornly resists change, but it’s a lot more of a pain to adjust when you need to.

You should not buy this if …

You’re looking for a great value

If you’re looking for a functional and dependable solution to hold your microphone or webcam, it’s likely you’ll discover similar alternatives at much lower prices compared to this one.

Regarding the AVerMedia FLEXI go (BA311L) microphone stand, I must admit that I find very little to criticize. Most of its shortcomings can be attributed to its design, with other products in the same category exhibiting opposite characteristics.

All of those compromises are cast in a harsh light when you’re paying $100 just to mount your microphone or webcam, though, and that price tag stings even more if you look at the most popular microphone and webcam mounting solutions. I reviewed the AVerMedia VERSATI go (AM310G2) microphone, and it’s a genuinely phenomenal value at just $69.99 at Amazon.

Conversely, the BA311L is sold for approximately $99.99 on Amazon, which is $30 more expensive than other options. Given its positioning, one might expect a lower price point. At half the cost, it would be an easy recommendation; however, due to its current price, this high-quality microphone mounting arm might not be the best choice for most users (unless you are particularly drawn to its design).

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2024-12-18 20:09