Datacolor ColorVision Spyder2express Monitor Calibration

Good Simple to use Colorimeter

Strengths: Good construction, easy to use, basic but adequate software. I see a definite improvement of the picture on my 22" WS LCD.

Weakness: As others have already stated, it did not come with the latest software. Download and install the latest version first from their website before using.

If you are using this on an LCD or laptop, tilt the screen back about 20 degrees to get the Spyder to lay completely flat on your monitor, no need to hold it in place.

By 6at3h2 - Mar 9, 2007

Spyder2express Monitor Calibration

Strengths: Easy to use with step by step instruction. Low price tag.

Weakness: Can't pick color temperature and gamma.

Spyder2express works great on my laptop. With the corrected profile, my LCD is warmer than default setting. The calibration is straightforward. It's a good product for armature users. Professional users may want to consider Spyder2pro which gives you freedom to pick color temperature and gamma.

By julianpan - Mar 9, 2007

Spyder2 Express

Strengths: Can be used on Mac or PC, LCD or CRT, Designed to prevent marring LCD surface.

Weakness: Product did not arrive with the most current software

I edit digital pictures on both Mac and PC systems, and finally decided that a calibrating the monitors would improve my process. Installation on my MacBook Pro was a snap, I found I needed to hold the device in place as it wouldn't properly "hang". Next calibration I'll open the screen flat and set it on the screen. Installation was tougher on the PC, as the software and unit would not...
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I edit digital pictures on both Mac and PC systems, and finally decided that a calibrating the monitors would improve my process. Installation on my MacBook Pro was a snap, I found I needed to hold the device in place as it wouldn't properly "hang". Next calibration I'll open the screen flat and set it on the screen. Installation was tougher on the PC, as the software and unit would not communicate. The instructions provided are limited and after trying all the suggestions to no avail, I went to the website where I discovered a newer version of the software. Once installed, things worked fine. My suggestion if you buy this item, is check the website and download the most recent version of the software, and go from there.

The improvement on both monitors was noticeable, and the product removes all guesswork. While the features on it's more expensive versions would be nice to have, this was the right product at the right price point.

By jgallman - Jan 27, 2007

Lifesaver

Strengths: Affordable, does what it should, same hardware as higher-end Spyder2 products, known for excellent shadow performance

Weakness: Known for weak highlight performance compared to other products on the market (like wedding gown use), limited software compared to other Spyder2 versions

This sure has been a lifesaver, and I can't believe I tried to do photo editing for a brief while with an uncalibrated monitor (or technically, one calibrated with software alone). I initially had my monitor turn fairly red when supposedly calibrated with the Spyder2. Had read that things could look "warmer" when done correctly (since most monitors are way too blue/cool by default to appear...
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This sure has been a lifesaver, and I can't believe I tried to do photo editing for a brief while with an uncalibrated monitor (or technically, one calibrated with software alone).

I initially had my monitor turn fairly red when supposedly calibrated with the Spyder2. Had read that things could look "warmer" when done correctly (since most monitors are way too blue/cool by default to appear brighter), and that it might take awhile to adjust one's eyes, but no, this just wasn't right.

Long story short, ended up finding a "color" setting within my monitor that had to be adjusted before the Spyder2 would calibrate correctly. My monitor's supposedly 6500K setting was nowhere near 6500K, but that's my monitor's fault, not the Spyder2's. Everything is hunky dory now, though I wonder if the higher-end Spyder2 software available might have helped more.

The Spyder2 line isn't known for stellar highlight ability compared to other things out there, so if one does a lot of work with, say, wedding gowns, this might not be the way to go. I have no issue with "normal" things though.

Supposedly the top-of-the-line ColorEyes software will be compatible with Spyder2's on PC's in the future -- at the moment, it remains available for just Macs. Will certainly be worthwhile comparing to current Spyder2 software ability once available.

By poind - Sep 25, 2006

Very easy to do and it seems to do the trick.

Strengths: Easy to use and understand.

Weakness: Could be a bit more involved than it is.

This product is pretty much all automated and doesn't require much fiddling other than settings your monitor and screen settings to default/factory settings. Then you just simple follow the screen instructions and it does the rest. I can't really compare it to the rest and at first the color will seem a bit strange and incorrect but just go out for awhile and come back in and it will seem fine....
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This product is pretty much all automated and doesn't require much fiddling other than settings your monitor and screen settings to default/factory settings. Then you just simple follow the screen instructions and it does the rest. I can't really compare it to the rest and at first the color will seem a bit strange and incorrect but just go out for awhile and come back in and it will seem fine. It seems to make the monitor more warm and most of my monitors were set to cool colors so it added some yellow and red tones which by looking at their photo sample the images seem to be colored correctly when you look at the flesh tones.

By wavek9 - Sep 22, 2006