Enhancing a Magnifying Headband with Auto Sensing Light -- Episode 585

I just recently discovered that this kind of thing exists:

Ultra-thin gooseneck, with M4 thread : ) 

(Image source: Aliexpress)

I feel this could be key for some sort of lighting solution.

The hole through it is big enough for a a few very thin wires to pass through (I tested with a couple of lengths of 30AWG insulated wire, but perhaps 3 wires could fit, not much more!).

I originally got it for a PCB microscope, but as usual, feature creep has occurred and I'm still working on it.

Nice find.

It looks a little bit like a longer version of the gooseneck mount for an AKG C747 mini shotgun mic.
https://www.akg.com/Microphones/Speech%20%2F%20Spoken%20Word%20Microphones/2226H00110.html

Dedolight do some with standard 5/8" lighting spigots on the end.

Novoflex have some 'MagicStudio' lighting stuff for photography.
https://www.novoflex.de/en/products-637/desktop-studio-magic-studio/magicstudio-accessories.html

...along with a rod support system.
https://www.novoflex.de/en/products-637/misc-accessories/rod-support-system.html

I suspect though that there is probably some lab equipment catalogue that is full of this sort of stuff just waiting to be discovered.  

Hi Dave,

Thanks for these links!

It is really cool seeing what's available in the sound and video world. Those Novoflex rod components look great for making all sorts of decent projects.

Hi Dave,

Thanks for these links!

It is really cool seeing what's available in the sound and video world. Those Novoflex rod components look great for making all sorts of decent projects.

A couple of others that spring to mind from the Manfrotto range are the Dado system:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLZV7Zk8NFM

and the Snake Arm system:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M8iPq_ZRWA

I've used the Dado kits in the past in conjunction with Matthews scissor clamps to suspend the likes of small IP cameras and stuff from false ceiling grids. 

There are some gooseneck options with the rod support system as well, in case you didn't spot them:
https://www.novoflex.de/en/products-637/misc-accessories/rod-support-system/rod-support-system-products.html

Those are cool. I've got some small desk lights on mini gorillapods, which are handy for lighting up the desktop, but sometimes its good to have light that directs to where you are looking, and has the ability to be used away from the desk, without moving everything (Like looking at something that's still inside it's case)

Those goosenecks are super cheap and look really useful however, so I may pick up a few for some table top lights I've got that always fall over on their little stands (The light weighs loads more than the stands that are supposed to balance on, the lightest touch and they tend to fall over)