Hi,

After plugging my HP LP2475W monitor into my Mac G4 laptop, and realizing that my economy-model Pantone Huey calibrator won't operate in a dual-monitor situation, I'm in the market for a better alternative.

I realize it's possible to buy color management hardware and software that handles profiling for both monitors and printers; the X-rite Colormunki is one such device, as is the Spyder 3 Studio SR kit. But because I want to walk before I run, and because my budget is somewhat limited, I'm tempted to buy the best monitor calibrator I can, at least at first, and rely on the so-called "canned" printer profiles from the paper manufacturers. Later, if I find that my prints need further tweaking, I'd consider adding the gear needed to do printer profiling.

I dropped in at the local Calument store yesterday and talked to a factory rep who was demonstrating Datacolor Spyder products, among others. After I told him about my setup, he suggested that I consider the Spyder III Elite, which he said can handle dual monitors (though I'm not that concerned with the laptop's color accuracy as long as the HP screen is well balanced). He explained that the Spyder III Elite is also included in the Spyder Studio setup, which has other hardware for print profiling.

I'm considering the Spyder III Elite because of reasonably good reviews in this forum and elsewhere online, and because I would be able to expand the system later if I find I need to profile my printer.

But I'm also aware of other products on the market, notably the X-Rite Eye One Display 2 colorimeter. In some online reviews, it has received better reports than the Spyder III, and these days it costs pretty much the same (I've seen princes that range around $195-$210 for either one).

I'd welcome your thoughts on which of these two devices would represent the best performance for the money. And if I'm ignoring other devices with better performance, please point that out, too. I will greatly appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!

Jim Quinn

ColorEyes Display Pro

Hi,

That's very interesting; I hadn't known about that software. As I read about it, I found that a user still needs a Spyder III or an Eye One colorimeter, which can then run the ColorEyes software. So I'll still need to choose which hardware to buy. Once I have a chance to use the software that comes with whatever unit I get, I'll certainly go back to the ColorEyes website, check out the demo, and compare the two. Thanks!

Jim Quinn

Jim ... I started with the i1D2. Nice overall unit with nice, easy to follow software. After about a year, I upgraded to a i1 Photo SG system to do monitor, printer and scanner profiling. It also does spot color and you can export your spectral data and plot it. The important thing is to get a quality unit so you can rely on your color ... either an i1 or Sypder product. The thing to understand is that color management is really key to digital photography and when you look back you will feel the money was well spent.

If I was buying right now, I would try to understand how these wide gamut monitors affect calibrator performance. Many products were designed before the introduction of wide gamut monitors. It is an issue that I have not given a lot of thought to, but you might want to include it in your selection criteria.

I started out with canned printer/paper profiles, but my custom profiles give me much better results.

Regarding printer profiles I am using www.cathysprofiles.com with my Epson 3800 and am very happy with them. At $35 a profile you cannot beat um.