An articulated arm CMM comprises an articulated arm comprising a plurality of articulated arm members, a coordinate acquisition member at a distal end, and a base at a proximal end. The articulated arm CMM further comprises a gas spring counterbalance supporting the arm at a rotational point between adjacent articulated arm members. Therein, the gas spring counterbalance connects to an articulated arm member closer to the base at a point nearer to the rotational point than to the base.
