Monitor Calibration / Colorimeter (sp?)

I'm looking at finally getting a monitor calibration device, and have been trying to decide between the DataColor Spyder 3, and the Xrite iDisplay 2.

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with either of these, or if you have another recomendation.

I'm looking to get better color accuracy for prints.

Thanks
Brad

Either device would certainly suit your needs. I have not personally used them but they get good reviews and I believe they are very comparable. You'll see big improvements in your prints and image control. Of course to see the best difference in your prints you should use custom profiles for your printer and the papers you use.

I have a Xrite OptixXR with both the Optix (monitor) and EZColor (Monitor, Printer, Scanner) profiling software that I am considering selling ( I recently upgraded color devices). Contact me if you are interested. If you are local you could try before you buy to see how these systems work. They're all pretty simple and similar.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the systems out today. They all seem to be good - as you'll probably see in this post. I use and like the Xrite Optix system (now iDisplay).

I think we had a post on this topic in the past few months. You might want to check.

I dont think you can go wrong with any of them I use the Gretag eye one system. But I think several on the forum use the inexpensive Huey option. They might want to comment on it since it might be another option for you.

For accurate prints though you will need to have a system that can calibrate printer/paper/ink combinations or pay to have profiles made. Let me know if you need profiles made.

RichieV

I read bad reviews about Spyder a few years ago, but they may be better know. I bought the Monaco Optix XR.

I use the Spyder2Express ($60 +/-) and my prints match my monitor as close as a transmissive image can match a reflective image.
That's all I needed!

Thanks for the advice, it sounds like, if I stick to one of the two I should be good to go. Luckily I can get the company I work for to make the purchase.

I'm only getting started with prints, and have lots more research to do.

Thanks
Brad

I've got the Spyder on my desktop but it was not supported with my Vista Laptop .

So I got the i1Display 2 for the laptop and it works beautifully after downloading the latest driver from their website.

The Spyder has been controversial for a long time and I haven't heard anything about the "3" version.

I also have the Optix XR, gets the job done. They've been out for a while, so you could probably find one for cheap on ebay.

Check out the www.smartshooter.com site. I believe they've done a lot of verification testing on all the devices out there. The older Spyder (I and II) devices were definitely inferior to Optix and others. Don't know about their model III. I'm using Optix here and it works well.

Ken

I use the Spyder2 and have been very happy with it. Probably not as good as some of the other options out there, but it's worked fine for me, and at the time was probably the least expensive.