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Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from Copenhagen, DK on 2/23/2008
Although it's the cheapest version of the Spyders it works great. By checking the before and after comparison after the full automatic calibration you can inspect the results. For me it has done small wonders - now my monitor actually conforms to my prints.
The UI is relatively basic, yet it's very easy to set up. If you need an elementary way to get your colors right the Spyder2Express is a fine choice. But if you have more than one monitor to sync or if you want to tweak different parameters you want to look into the Pro version.
from Fairbanks AK on 2/21/2008
I calibrated my home computer and laptop and was amazed at the difference it made. Instructions were clear and easy to follow. Start to finish took about 20 minutes. Express is a good value as is, although adding the automated luminance adjustment for blacks and whites would make it a terrific value. Still, if you do any adjusting and printing of photos at all, this is a must have!
from Los Angeles on 1/30/2008
It could be better for the price, is a very basic calibration tool and it doesn't show any extra features of medium or advance calibration
from melbourne, australia on 1/21/2008
I bought this out of curiosity whilst ordering other gear as it was so cheap. It has performed remarkable things on my monitors both at work and home office, so much so that work colleagues also asked me to install the software on their own machines. The level of improvement varies with different monitors but has always been better than before. The calibration process is a snap but the reminders to re-calibrate every few weeks are irritating and so far have been unnecessary since the settings do not seem to drift over time. I could really use the dual monitor support but the full versions provide that and more. Overall, a no brainer purchase, and I'd say essential buying if you're into digital photography as it shows you how good your camera really is.
The Spyder 2 appeared to be both easy to setup and a good value from all of the reviews I read here. While my case may be different since I run Windows x64 Pro, I had trouble installing and setting it up. After installing the software, I had to manually install the hardware through the Control Panel. The really tough thing about this install was that I had to try different things, each time unplugging the hardware. What made it worse was that each time I unplugged, my computer automatically shutdown. I finally got the hardware recognized and then things started working well. I am now able to easily calibrate my monitor. This tool has made a huge difference in my prints. I use a cheap Canon Pixma 6310D but the pictures before calibration were washed out. The colors didn't pop and well, it just wasn't worth printing pictures. Now I get much better color rendition and I don't feel like I took a bad picture once I see the print. My far-away relatives can now see our family without waiting for processing and mailing. I think this tool is a good value despite my difficulties.
from Hilton, NY on 1/21/2008
If you don't type well getting updates is slow as you have to enter the serial# for each update.
After it's set up repeat usage is extremely simple with good results.
very simple to use for any photographer or anyone in digital media
from Indianapolis, IN on 9/28/2007
The Spyder consistantly gets great reviews so I purchased this model when I decided I could no longer put off calibrating my monitors. I've used it a couple of times to calibrate both my home and studio monitor and have found it easy to use as well as providing great color. Highly recommended!
from Austin, TX on 9/26/2007
Greatly corrected the color is ALL my monitors. A must have for any graphics user. Great for digital photos are any graphics application
from Australia on 9/26/2007
[...]. I installed the software but I was apprehensive to actually run a callibration, in case???? Eventually I disabled the screen saver as recommended and initiated the callibration. On completion I was pleased with the results. I now know that if any family member adjusts my monitor I can quickly restore its callibration. I purchased this unit based on reveiws [...]. Easy to use with repeatable results.
from Chicago, IL on 9/26/2007
Easy setup. What a difference, monitor matches printer now. Very good value.
from Dallas on 9/26/2007
real change in the way I see colors on my pc
I echo the suggestion of a previous user than you download the latest version of the software. After that, I just followed the instructions on the screen and bingo! - done and the display is beautiful. Note: the Express version calibrates to 6500 K and 2.2 gamma.
from Westchester, CA on 5/13/2007
If it keeps working it will out last this monitor and more in the future too!!. Sweet!! Really well thought out directions to follow on screen.
from Australia on 5/9/2007
Calibrated both my LG laptop and LG crt..No problems..
from Minford, Ohio on 5/8/2007
Not a lot of info for a first time user. But, for the first time, my monitor is correctly calibrated.
Unboxed the device, downloaded the latest version of the software from the ColorVision website, and had everything set up and finished on my Mac in about 10 minutes. Very happy with the results and I'm about to use it on a PC and Laptop.
from Greensboro, NC on 3/28/2007
I think this works fine, I had some issues with the setup. The instructions aren't the best. Now that I've got this unit I see that there are many options that are only available in the professional package - and I kinda wish I got that one instead. :-P
from Boston on 2/12/2007
Very effective produce with lots of value.
Use frequently, just remove your existing monitor profile prior to using the Spyder to insure proper reading and calibration results
from Urbana, Il on 2/12/2007
It is excellent. Made it alot easier to get prints that looked like what I see on the monitor. Worth every penny.
[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Corpus Christi, TX on 2/12/2007
Very good and easy to use, it is brothersome to change your Display 800-1000 before you start. You put the spider on your screen and go from there. You don't have to do anything, it is great for color blind people.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Seattle, WA on 2/6/2007
Easy to install, really made a change in the colors on the monitor
from Fairview, PA on 2/5/2007
East to use. The quality of my prints have improved dramatically since using this product.
Highly recommended!!
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Richmond, VA on 2/5/2007
Color Vision Spyder 2 Express is easy to use. I checked out other reviews on the product and found that the hardware is the same as any of the Spyder Color Vision products. The software is the difference. If you are looking to get improved color for printing your photos and for correcting them in programs like Photoshop without all the advanced detail settings, then this is the product to get.
The setup is very easy, just follow the directions as the software leads you through the process.
There was an improvement in color on my flat screen monitor, and my laptop screen. This definitely made a difference when it came to make corrections to digital pictures. This showed in the printing of the picture as compared to the same pictured printed before installing the Syder 2. There was an improvement in the final printed picture.
The colors are more vivid on the monitor, even when looking at web sites or any program that is being used.