Spyder3Express

I was considering buying one of these for use with a new monitor. I am also considering splashing out on an imac, soon.
I have read that spyder models, other than the express, support "multiple monitors". Does this mean that the Express can only be used for one monitor only, which would not suit me? Or have I got it wrong?

As far as I know you can use it on several monitors but you can't sync the monitors to each other when you're for example using a multiple display devices on your PC.

Ah. That's helpful; thanks. I couldn't see why it shouldn't work on two different machines.
Two monitors - how the other half live!

dont waist your time o for spyder pro 3 its alot better.

Don't get a Spyder3 of any description if you're getting a wide-gamut monitor. I have a Spyder3 Elite that won't calibrate my NEC Spectraview Reference 2690. Or rather, it will, but poorly.

Actually, the Spyder hardware seems absolutely fine (AFAICT).
It's the software that's 'orrible

I would suggest a Spyder Express (or Pantone Huey - which is slightly easier to install) and Argyll CMS and dispCalGUI.

I've even done a sticky thread here on it.
It's all Open Source so you can calibrate as many machines and monitors as you like

...works a dream for me (even on displays that the Pantone Huey AND the Spyder software choked on!)

HTH!
Matt

Was planning to do that with the spyder 3 but I didn't got the software to work with the hardware on Win7 64bit

Has anyone on here managed to get the latest dispCalGUI to work with the latest Argyll CMS under XPPro SP3?

I couldn't get dispCalGUI to recognise Huey so I've had to remove Argyll (messy to do, you have to look through the inf files to find which one covers it and then delete it or it will install the latest Argyll again). Then install an old version of Argyll from about 3 releases back.

This works and the latest version of dispCalGUI is quite nice, even has a setting for Phototographs, but the results I'm getting are very poor so I may have to go back to an old version of dispCalGUI.

May be worth taking a look at xrite's Eye-One Display LT. I've bought a copy after being temped with their Colourchecker Passport. Easy to set up and use.


Steve

Cheers for the responses but I am more confused than before.
Assuming the Spyder family aren't really as rubbish as some of you imply (smile), what make the (much) more expensive versions better for the 'Enthusiastic Amateur'? Bear in mind that, if I ever have a very sellable photograph or get involved in Advertising pictures, I may be upgrading everything, in any case.

How much of a problem is the wide gamut monitor thing? For the forseeable future I will have nothing better than an imac to edit on.

Is there actually any alternative to the Spyder3Express at a similar price?

The problem with the Spyder3Express is that you've a fixed Colour Temperature and Gamma Choice and also little thing like Ambient Light Measurement and ReCAL that you get with the Syder3Pro is worth the extra bit of money.

Here is a good site with reviews http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/reviews.html

The Pantone Huey PRO is in the same price class as the Spyder3express I believe link

Oh yes - thanks. Apart from the sucker-on-LCD-screen problem it seems to be better in several ways. That review seems to be from 2007. Any changes since then?

Sophiecentaur wrote:

Don't worry about the sucker! I've had a HueyPro for a couple of years now and have never had a problem with any marks being left or damage being done to the screen on my Eizo FlexScan. I can confirm that the latest software supports Windows 7.

One of the best photographic accessories I've purchased: has saved many hours, pounds and much frustration

Regards,

Jon

A good recommendation!
Thanks

I wish it were true. It's actually the hardware - I was using the Spyder3 with the Spectraview software (rebadged BasICColor) that comes with the display. Very poor calibration results, nasty green tinge to dark greys. The Spyder3's filters, it seems, just aren't up to the job.

A much better alternative, at a comparable price, is the X-Rite i1 Display2.