Monitor? Photo/Wallet friendly?

[KTHXBAI]

Okay so I think I'm giving up on my monitor and will invest some extra $ into a new one. (I spent $150 for the last 22 in, great for online poker... Photos not so much...) Can I hear some opinions and experience? Links Model #'s welcome. $400 is my celing here but would prefer the middle of that range.

[Donald]

Michael

Have you looked at the Viewsonic range. I've been very, very satisfied with mine (which is probably way out of date at something like 15 months old).

[ktuli]

Mike,

We use the Dell UltraSharps here at work, and they are fairly decent, and a recent Shutterbug magazine has a review of the U2410 24" widescreen model and they liked it, but that is a $600 monitor, so outside your budget mark.

If I remember correctly, we get the 20" non-widescreen ones for around $350.

- Bill

[KTHXBAI]

Michael

Have you looked at the Viewsonic range. I've been very, very satisfied with mine (which is probably way our of date at something like 15 months old).

Thanks Donald that was where I was leaning.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Michael,

Another vote for Viewsonic here, after extensive research, I got the VP2365wb, I see it's currently about £260 (GBP), so I guess that's within budget.

Salient factors: 23", IPS (good viewing angle) and non-reflective, rotatable screen at 1920 x 1080px.

Cheers,

[KTHXBAI]

I didnt get the new monitor yet but I thought I would try the Spyder 3 Express. Best $70 I spent. May keep my monitor now.

[ktuli]

Mike - I've been debating that too...

[Snarkbyte]

I didnt get the new monitor yet but I thought I would try the Spyder 3 Express. Best $70 I spent. May keep my monitor now.

I just got the X-Rite i1 Display 2, and calibrated my monitor last night. WOW! What a difference! All the colors are richer, and I can now see much more detail and sharpness. If there's anyone out there still working without a calibrated monitor, do yourself a favor, and just do it... you don't know what you're missing until you see the results.

[KTHXBAI]

Mike - I've been debating that too...

You can borrow mine if you like. Let me know.

[xalupa]

ViewSonic!

[chauncey]

To answer your question more information is needed from you...
what level of color accuracy is wanted/needed, how important is your hobby, do you PP/print
Are those answers, whatever they are, compatible with the depth of your wallet?

[Jandiep]

The Spyder 3 express is really a great and cheap tool to set up your monitor. I use it all the time, even on my laptop. No more suprises when I order prints.

[Shadowman]

I just got the X-Rite i1 Display 2, and calibrated my monitor last night. WOW! What a difference! All the colors are richer, and I can now see much more detail and sharpness. If there's anyone out there still working without a calibrated monitor, do yourself a favor, and just do it... you don't know what you're missing until you see the results.

The X-Rite display is used in the graphic arts field and for any project where color matching is a must. I have not seen the display but I work with their spectrodensitometers and use their calibration equipment. If you want precise colors, this unit will get you there.