Comments

rique wrote on 10/28/2007, 3:33 PM
Nobody uses either device or some other to calibrate their monitors?
Coursedesign wrote on 10/28/2007, 3:50 PM
I use a Huey, not bad, but today I would have bought a Spyder 3, because it really is signficantly more capable.

I also noticed that I can upgrade my Huey to Huey Pro (multiple monitor support and numerous enhancements) for $40.

Both products work, it's only a question of your level of needs. What is your use of color? ENG video, film work, Photoshop for online photos, Photoshop for offset printing, ...?


TeeJay wrote on 10/28/2007, 4:38 PM
Sorry, i don't have any experience with Spyder but I do have Huey Pro on a dual monitor system and find it to be quite accurate. It's extremely easy to use. I can certainly trust colours when working in Vegas and Photoshop.
MUTTLEY wrote on 10/29/2007, 12:45 AM

I have the SpyderPro and can't say I was much of a fan. Was not intuitive (for me) and everything kept looking "bluish". My biggest source of frustration was that I got "Pro" because it could do multiple monitors, what I didn't know till after I had gone crazy for a week trying to get it to work right was that in Windows XP, it will only work on multiple monitors if you have two separate video cards, it will not work on both monitors if you have one video card with two outputs. Arg.

- Ray
www.undergroundplanet.com
MRe wrote on 10/29/2007, 6:54 AM
I have SpyderPro and XP and dual monitor setup using the same video adapter (SAPPHIRE X800 GTO PCI-E 256 MB ULTIMATE) and it works OK. At least technically. I'm also quite happy with the profiles SpyderPro provides.

The biggest problem is that sometimes my monitors do not give enough calibration for brightness and/or contrast to totally satisfy SpyderPro.
Bill Ravens wrote on 10/29/2007, 6:59 AM
I've been using an Xrite Eye-1(GretagMacbeth). Been very happy with this device. If your monitors can't put out enough brighness, chances are you need a new monitor.
LReavis wrote on 10/29/2007, 1:40 PM
in about 2004 I bought the original Pantone ColorPlus which has morphed into the Spyder. I have always been quite satisfied with it, using it now on a pair of Dell 2405 LCD monitors and my older CTX LCD monitor. It always works without a hitch, and I recently downloaded an udate of the software (so that it can work with current graphics cards).
Coursedesign wrote on 10/29/2007, 2:59 PM
Those of you with Spyders, are you using Spyder2 or Spyder3?

Seems to be quite substantially different (including 4x the sensitivity in the 3).
Stuart Robinson wrote on 10/30/2007, 12:06 AM
I have a Spyder2 and have been really pleased with it, there's a bit of before/after shock value to most calibration results especially if you've been staring at an uncalibrated display for a long time but you'll quickly get used to the added accuracy and I like having all the Dells in my office produce standardised images (and those overseas for that matter).

Worth mentioning that accurate results are difficult if the monitor doesn't have a contrast control so that's worth checking. Also of note is that some monitors that do have contrast controls with analog D-SUB inputs disable them with a DVI input.
Galeng wrote on 10/30/2007, 12:33 AM
I have been using the Spyder2Pro for about two years now and have been happy with the results.

I contact Colorvison and they said they will be offering an upgrade price for those "loyal" customers wanting to upgrade from previous Spyder editons.
FuTz wrote on 10/30/2007, 9:27 AM
How about dualhead video cards?
I hear you can't assign 2 different profiles for monitor 1 and 2 with Spyder..?
Edit: oops, Muttley already answered that...


rique wrote on 10/30/2007, 6:40 PM
My use would be for Vegas, After effects, and Photoshop for video and online work. I don't need it for printing. I got notice that the Spyder3 was available today and went ahead and ordered it. I see they have a Print version of it too. Hope it works nicely with my new 24" Benq monitor.
Coursedesign wrote on 10/30/2007, 7:55 PM
Let us know how you like it!
rique wrote on 11/3/2007, 3:55 PM
Calibrated with the Spyder3 Elite yesterday and it turns out my monitor was pretty well calibrated already though there is a definite improvement, especially with black and white images which had a slight sepia cast before but are now true black and white. How funny is that for a color calibrator?

My first reaction was similar to Muttley's in that the color images seemed more blue but I think the old setting were just a bit too warm. Having gotten used to it now I think the colors are truer on my desktop now. My laptop is another matter. Results are mixed with me preferring the pre-calibration settings on about half their sample images. The laptop display isn't as controllable as the desktop monitor though.

Software and device were very easy to set up and use though you really have to moisten that suction cup. First time it fell off halfway through calibration.
Stuart Robinson wrote on 11/4/2007, 9:47 AM
Hope you're not using the suction cups with an LCD! ;-)

When I tried to calibrate the screen of a Sony Vaio the results were different every time and at no point did it look accurate. I think that's because the screen had practically no adjustable parameters and it was hard to get it anywhere near the desired light output.

Certainly the more adjustable the display is the better the results.