Help me choose a calibrator

I just setup my new Dell U2311H IPS monitor. Now im in the marker for a good calibrator to use. I want to set my budget at $300. So what would you recomend as a good calibrator? Ive heard great things on both the Spyder3 Pro and the X-Rites. I just dont know which one to get.. Also, i have never used a calibrator so something easy for me to use would be a plus as well. If it helps Im using Win7 64 Bit machine as well.

Hello, I have just started using the Spyder 3 calibrator system, I have no experience using any other system. Seems to be working well, done some test prints and they came out fine.

You calibrate the screen to start with then it loads the profile everytime you start the PC. You recalibrate at a time interval of your choosing, i have set mine to once a month for now.

The spyder also check the ambient light and warns you if its well outside the calibrated setting.

Hope that helps

+2.... for the spyder.

X-rite makes excellent products. I've been using an older model of this for a few years now:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Colorimeter_Mo​nitor.html

Agree with Stuart - x-rite. Their older products don't suffer some of the problems you hear about with current puck offerings.

Also, consider picking up a used x-rite dtp-94 puck if you can find one, like this one. One of the best ever made. However, do careful research and ensure you can find an app that will drive it with whatever OS you are using.

spyder 3 elite

+1 for the Munki!

With a $300 budget, I would buy a Spyder3 Express (under $80 USD) and use the puck with ColorEyes Display Pro software ($175 to download). You won't find a better setup than this.

ChasP505 wrote in post #11528464
With a $300 budget, I would buy a Spyder3 Express (under $80 USD) and use the puck with ColorEyes Display Pro software ($175 to download). You won't find a better setup than this.

Chas,

If you have a moment, I would be interested in your opinions and thoughts about the differences between ColorEyes Display Pro and the original Monaco EZColor v2.6. I only use the later for basic calibration and am wondering if $175 will buy features and/or benefits worth the investment.

I've been using the Spyder 3 Pro suite... It is able to calibrate printers and projectors, too. The latter is particularly important to me, in addition to monitor calibration. I tend to use OEM papers and inks with pretty reliable ICC profiles, so really haven't gotten into making profiles for paper and ink yet.

One weakness of the Spyder is setting brightness level. It is able to do it, but seems to still leave the screen too bright for accurate printing.

Picture North Carolina wrote in post #11528539
Chas,

If you have a moment, I would be interested in your opinions and thoughts about the differences between ColorEyes Display Pro and the original Monaco EZColor v2.6. I only use the later for basic calibration and am wondering if $175 will buy features and/or benefits worth the investment.

I can't really comment on the Monaco EZColor software as I've never used it, but isn't that the "lite" version?

I CAN comment on the DTP-94 calibration device and I believe it still is the best puck for use with a normal gamut monitor. My issue with it is that it requires a black calibration before every use. I'm physically limited and it frankly is a PITA.

But for the last several months, I've been using the Spyder3 puck with CEDP software on my Dell 2209WA and it performs as well as the DTP-94.

Regarding the CEDP software, it is based on the BasicColor calibration software and is constantly being updated to work with newer monitors and sensors. I don't know if the Monaco EZColor software has been updated recently.

The CEDP software can also utilize the DDC functionality of many pro level monitors.

Thanks, Chas. Appreciate the time.

The Monaco app I have is not the lite version, but even the full version basically only performs calibrations and profiles.

Interesting what you said about normal gamut monitors. I use an 8-bit panel. (HP LP2475).

And no, the software is no longer supported. I think they abandoned it along about 2006 or 2007.

Picture North Carolina wrote in post #11529062
Interesting what you said about normal gamut monitors. I use an 8-bit panel. (HP LP2475).

The "8 bit" spec is not important here. The LP2475 is a wide gamut monitor and the DTP-94 would not be my choice of hardware to calibrate it. I'd use a Spyder3 puck (with supporting software of your choice) or an X-Rite ColorMunki.

The X-Rite website maintains a library of updated drivers and software for Monaco products.

Bottom line is... If the Monaco product is producing good profiles, why change?

ChasP505 wrote in post #11530073
The "8 bit" spec is not important here. The LP2475 is a wide gamut monitor and the DTP-94 would not be my choice of hardware to calibrate it. I'd use a Spyder3 puck (with supporting software of your choice) or an X-Rite ColorMunki.

The X-Rite website maintains a library of updated drivers and software for Monaco products.

Bottom line is... If the Monaco product is producing good profiles, why change?

It does (produce good results). When I got my first 8-bit panel years back (Samsung), I talked to a tech at x-rite and posed the (wider) gamut question. He said the puck and software should do fine.

So you're right! Why change and spend money?

Yes, why change.....

I use SpyderPro3 and their puck. It was great until I got the NEC PA241-BK. I had been using a HP LP2065m prior. Calibration produced a pink cast. I changed the video card (for other reasons), seemed to help but still annoying. One thing I discovered, trying 2 other software calibration software, is that SP3 can;t read luminance levels, properly. Not a big deal since one sets the luminance/brightness to taste or to match prints.

The past 2 days I have tried CEDP and BasICColor with the SP3 puck. The first gave me a better calibration but still not perfect, to my eyes. I was intrigued by BC's ability to calibrate using the NEC's internal LUT, which CEDP and SP3 could not do. At the end of all of this, I am buying BasICColor.

SP3Pro3 just doesn't seem to be able to properly calibrate the NEC PA241_BK.

I don;t know if it is the puck or software but, whichever software I use, the black point seems to be higher than it should be. Not a big deal. We are splitting hairs here.