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Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from West Virginia on 2/21/2008
We purchased ColorVision Spyder 2 Pro to calibrate the monitors that we use on computers involved with photo and video production.
The setup is fast and without problems. However, following the procedure takes time and even after several trials we didn't get acceptable results. Also you have to spend time changing the defaults hardware settings of your monitor. Briefly: we expected something that is faster, easier to use and more reliable. We have no time to play around each time the computer restarts.
I expect a calibration software to be much faster and with much less burden for the end user, especially when you are a busy one that has no time for learn curves and goofing around.
from Horicon, WI on 2/6/2008
After using this on both computers& photo printers, I couldn't be happier, What I see on the screen is what I get for a print. Only drawback was that I had to download the updated version to use on XP 64.
from VA on 1/21/2008
I like the results I got from my Spyder Pro. I use a Dell 20" monitor and the calibration gave the monitor a more pleasing look. I also feel more confident that the edits I see on my screen will show up in my prints. I think that the Spyder Pro is an excellent product.
from Los Angeles, CA on 9/28/2007
Great Product. Calibrate your monitor with your printer. Supports most 'newer' printers, otherwise, you can use their generic drivers, which will support about 80% of the older printers.
from Quebec city, Canada on 9/26/2007
Because what you see ain't neccesary what you'll get, to calibrate your screen to work with digital images is a MUST. Works egally well with CRT and LCD monitor.
from Phoenix, AZ on 6/4/2007
The Sypder 2 was relatively easy to set up and install and worked well on my multi-monitor configuration with Windows Vista.
from Anchorage on 3/27/2007
you have to calibrate your monitor..
Now seems to be giving exact color.
from West Virginia on 3/26/2007
I purchased the ColorVision Spyder 2 Pro Colorimeter and so far the results look great. My boyfriend calibrated our monitors and recently had some pictures printed. The color looked great! He even made the comment that they look like they did on his screen. So I'm very glad I purchased this product.
from South Australia on 3/26/2007
Although I have used it only on auto settings, it synchronized my monitor with my printer (using the printer software included in the package)quickly and easily.
Very impressed.
from Casper, WY on 2/15/2007
Wow...what a difference in my photos after calibration. I would definately recommend this product to everyone. The only limitations that I have found is with the quality of my monitor...I can not adjust my brightness/contrast any higher to match the printing output. So its off to go shopping for a quality monitor. As for the Printfix software sold with the Spyder Suite...there really needs to be a guide book to explain what you're doing and why. A "Printfix for Dummies" would be great. Very little, if anything, is offered with this software. You're pretty much working in the blind and going thru a lot of ink while testing the different outputs. I'm not ignoring the fact that my monitor could be a key issue to the problems here too...but a user guide would be extremely useful.
from chomedey laval Quebec Canada on 2/12/2007
Very interesting for profesionnal photographer
from Erie, CO on 2/12/2007
The Spyder 2 excels at what it was intended to do. I periodically calibrate my laptop LCD display as well as my DLP television (which I sometimes use for slide shows) and find the calibrated color accuracy impressive.
I just have a few small complaints about the included software. These are really minor, but addressing these would make a great product even better. 1. When loading the calibration profile upon startup, a somewhat annoying "splash screen" appears for a few seconds; there seems to be no way to eliminate this. 2. The profile is actually loaded twice, even when I only have one monitor connected, because apparently the software believes I have two. (This may be more of a problem with Windows XP, which insists on detecting multiple "default monitors" on every laptop I've ever used.) 3. The product's manual claims that under Windows XP, different profiles cannot be assigned to the multiple monitors of a multi-head graphics card. Consistent with the manual, the software won't load separate profiles upon startup. But in my nVidia control panel I can manually configure this, so apparently it is possible.
Again, these are minor quibbles so I should reiterate that the Spyder 2 does an excellent job at its primary function, color calibration for displays. While it will also assist with printer color calibration, I haven't attempted this (yet).
from upstate NY on 2/12/2007
There some relatively minor set-up issues (Microsoft OS defaults interfering with use of the newly created profile), which were handily solved by the manufacturer's helpdesk. Since then this has been a good tool. The price was right, too.
from Fort Smith, AR on 2/12/2007
After I went through the initial setup, the profile did not load automatically. Not knowing this was a common issue, I went back through the setup and again until I finally got frustrated and started googling the issue. Problem fixed. Now it's a no brainer and it keeps my LCD accuracte and my prints superb!
from Pinellas Park, FL on 2/12/2007
Found the product to be easy to setup and use. I do not have a brand new machine (2 yrs. old) running XP, worked fine.
from San Diego, CA on 2/12/2007
Spyder 2 Pro works well -- but the setup is confusing and it took 2 months to get answers from their tech support. PrintFix Plus is no good without the seperate calibrator tool, and this is not available seperately.
from New York USA on 2/12/2007
I'm an illustrator and receive different projects each day that require me to have the right colors for the client when finished. I enjoy the fact that what I see on the screen is what I'm delivering and this device accomplishes that. From an illustrator's view point I couldn't live without this device. And because I work with four monitors it's nice to see them all matched up. Spyder 2 Pro is one item I highly recommend.
from Bloomsburg, PA on 2/12/2007
This product was my first attempt at balancing the color properties of my display screen with anything other than "on line" tools. I have a number of years experience working in the photofinishing industry and believed I was doing a pretty good job of color balancing. After I used this tool I found a significant improvement in my color images and then, when I was prompted to recalibrate my monitor after a couple of weeks I was suprised to see the color shift that had occurred.
After composing prints on my monitor and printing them with an HP inkjet printer there was a significant improvement over the same images printed bfore the calibration.
The only caution I would give to users is this: Be sure to read the information on warm up times of equipment to be adjusted before calibrating with this package.
from Indiana on 2/5/2007
I was absolutely amazed at the difference when printing pictures. What I saw on the screen was what I got on the photo I printed. Used work arounds for years before I purchased this product and there is no comparison. Would recommend this to anyone that wants excellent photo quality
from San Antonio TX on 2/5/2007
As far as I know, this product synchronizes your computer screen colors with your printer colors only if it has your printer profile in its software. It came with few profiles. I downloaded a new profile file and the Kodak 1400 was not on that either. So this gadget is worthless. Since the profiles are not listed with the product like they should be, it's let the buyer beware.
from Calabasas, CA on 2/5/2007
I have not been able to install this software on my computer. I assume it's because it runs on Windows ME, a 16-bit program, and it needs a 32-bit program like Windows XP, which I am having trouble upgrading to.
from Seven Lakes, NC on 2/5/2007
Our printer output matched our calibrated screen view--resulting in excellent color in our photos.
[1 of 5 customers found this review helpful]
This product is great! Very easy to use and manipulate the coloring options! A+