Monitor Calibration-anyone use the home Spyder version?

[karjar]

When looking to but the Pantone colorvision calibration software/hardware, I see they now have 3 varieties. The home/enthusiast being at the lesser end ($149 CDN) and the Spyder Pro 2 at the top end ($399Cdn). I would consider myself at this point to be the lower end. I use a compaq Presario x1000 laptop and print on a Canon S820 Photo printer. If you use the home version of this software how do you like it? what is missing?. Should a person opt for the Spyder pro 2, and if so why?
thanks for any input in advance.
jeff

[tim]

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[L Pagan]

i have the home version and i like it .. it works great two thumbs up

[lostdoggy]

I think neither have the Print calibration, but it does offer a rebate for PrintFix or something like that. The Spyder2Plus is offer with more SW including printer and scanner caliberation as well as a copy of PS Element 3 for less then the Pro Version. The hardware part is the same. The Home edition is the older version of the Spyder which had problems from what I have read. The Spyder2 Plus also can caliberate LCD and Notebook display with included adapter and the Spyder don't.

[psk4363]

I've just bought the Spyder 2 (no, not the Pro or the older 'home' version) and calibrated my laptop - the initial differerence on screen was amazing and I thought it was wrong. But when I printed images onto my Epson 1800 with the Epson ICC profiles, the print was perfect. I guess I'd been looking at the uncalibrated monitor for too long and my eyes had become accustomed to it.
Go for it! If you have a printer with good ICC profiles you won't be disappointed.

Barry

[Jack W.]

I also just got the Spyder 2 (no pro, etc.). Calibration was quick and painless.
Jack

[karjar]

I think neither have the Print calibration, but it does offer a rebate for PrintFix or something like that. The Spyder2Plus is offer with more SW including printer and scanner caliberation as well as a copy of PS Element 3 for less then the Pro Version. The hardware part is the same. The Home edition is the older version of the Spyder which had problems from what I have read. The Spyder2 Plus also can caliberate LCD and Notebook display with included adapter and the Spyder don't.
Thanks for the heads up about the LCD and notebook. That is what I am after. So printer calibration will create a printer profile for an s820 Canon printer?

[karjar]

I've just bought the Spyder 2 (no, not the Pro or the older 'home' version) and calibrated my laptop - the initial differerence on screen was amazing and I thought it was wrong. But when I printed images onto my Epson 1800 with the Epson ICC profiles, the print was perfect. I guess I'd been looking at the uncalibrated monitor for too long and my eyes had become accustomed to it.
Go for it! If you have a printer with good ICC profiles you won't be disappointed.

Barry

so the Spyder 2 you got was the Spyder2Plus? not pro right?

[foxbat]

I have the home edition, marketed as "ColorVision ColorPlus". I used it to calibrate my Dell 2405fpw LCD. It did a great job and my prints are now the same as the monitor. The next level up was the Spyder 2 that just seemed to buy me a site license and some CRT-only features that obviously I would never use.

[ejwebb]

My understanding is that the ColorPlus still uses the original Spyder hardware while the Spyder2 hardware has been improved to be more sensitive than the original. Spyder2 Plus and Pro include enhanced calibration software and additional software - see the website for details.

I use the plain old Spyder2 (does come with LCD adapter) and now my monitor looks great. While I get closer print matching since calibrating the monitor, really matching prints to the monitor can be a whole 'nother story - involving printer calibration as well. Embarking on that path, now...