I have been thinking hard about getting a wide gamut monitor for a couple of months now to replace my aging CRT. I am willing to get a cheap TN panel for gaming or general use if need be. The wide gamut monitor will be for photo editing and printing. I have been looking at the Dell U2410, HP LP2475W and NEC 2690WUXI2 and of course Lacie, Eizo and various other monitors.

My three primary targets named above all seem to have QC issues mostly related to the LG panels - backlight bleeding, nonuniform color across the screen, etc.

At $500-600 I might be unhappy if the Dell or HP turned out not to be perfect but I would be pissed to blow $1200 on the NEC and it not be up to par. Eizo is too expensive.

Are there any panels out there without serious issues that don't cost $2000+? Are all of the newer H-IPS panels made by LG? Perhaps a monitor different IPS panel might be better. I know there are only 3 or 4 manufacturers of LCD panels. I am starting to think to stick with my CRT a bit longer.

Or are the concerns on these monitors overblown? Any alternative suggestions to the 3 listed above would be appreciated.

I purchased a LaCie 324 just short of a year ago. It's S-PVA and has been great. I calibrate with Colormunki and print on a 3800 Pro. I paid a little under $1000 for it thru Amazon. Works very well for me. I know the NEC is a great unit as well but it was more than I had to spend. Good luck.

I have the v1 of the 2690 ... I heard there were some refurbs around for $700. That might be a good compromise.