Spyder3 Elite, Spyder3+ColorEyesDP, or other?

photobug · March 18, 2011

It's time to update my color calibration (colorimeter) system. My old colorimeter profiled my CRT display just great, but with my LCD display I've been plagued with the usual "prints too dark" issue. So I believe I need a colorimeter and software which lets me measure and set the white luminance on the display (e.g. 90 cd/m2). [I have a Dell 30" display, for which the only visible adjustment is up/down brightness -- I don't know if calibration software, presumably via the color profile, can cause luminance (contrast) adjustments through the nVidia graphics card, or not]

I've read a repeated recommendation in one of the photo mags to use a Datacolor Spyder3 colorimeter (even Spyder3 Express will do) but instead of using the Datacolor software, to separately purchase the $175 ColorEyes Display Pro software from Integrated Color Corp. ...or that, if Datacolor software is used, that the Spyder3 Elite package has software that, while less recommended than the ColorEyes software, can calibrate white luminance.

Does anyone have experience with ColorEyes Display Pro versus the Spyder3 Elite software? How worthwhile is the higher-cost ColorEyes software?

I'm considering one of three options:

$250 for Spyder3 Express + ColorEyes Display Pro software
$180 for Spyder3 Elite package
some third strongly recommended option in similar price range?

Comments? Recommendations?

thanks!

lfortier · March 18, 2011

FWIW: The Spyder 3 Elite works great on my Dell 2209WA. I've finally got settings that eliminate 'dark pictures'. It's also capable of monitoring the room light and making adjustments throughout the day. Sweet!

Unles you need to calibrate TWO monitors or an entire system, I would pick the Spyder 3 Elite.
BTW: There is a free download to upgrade it's firmware.

Good luck in your search.

Newsy · March 18, 2011

Try the Spyder3 Elite first. Over in another forum I recently followed a series of posts where the S3 Elite with v4 software was said to do a very good job with "wide gamut" monitors which is what I think your Dell 30" is.

I know many of the recommendations to use ColorEyes with a Spyder3 Express (to save money as it is really only the sensor-puck you need) came from when the Spyder software was v3.x. The v4 software has some significant improvements.

Other then doing a better job with wide gamut monitors, it is also pretty much automated to handle dual monitors. And it does a great job walking you through setting the white luminance levels.

For your monitor with only the brightness and contrast controls available, you can use the software in a mode where you tell it that you do not have RGB controls available. It will then create an ICC profile without any input from you except for the white luminance setting. Just make sure you set everything, including your video card driver, back to defaults before you start.

I believe there are videos on the Datacolor web site and also check out YouTube.

Btw.... my two cents, I used to use a Spyder2 Pro which was OK for sRGB monitors but should not be used for wide gamut monitors. The S2 Pro's feature set and software was very similar to what the S3 Elite offers. Thinking I was going to be acquiring a wide gamut monitor in the near future, I "upgraded" to an Xrite i1 Display2 and use it with dual sRGB monitors. It has had its' issues. I don't like how it's software interfaces on my Vista 64bit with an ATi video card driver. If I do get a wide gamut monitor, I will be changing my calibrator and it will a Spyder3 Elite I buy.

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photobug · March 18, 2011

Helpful info - thanks!
Thanks for your replies -- these first two are already very helpful! You have me leaning toward the straight Spyder3 Elite option, now.

I'll keep monitoring this thread, in case more great voices of experience sound off

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arodney · March 19, 2011

I’d go Spyder Elite alone (no other software), since this version does allow control over luminance or look into the EyeOne Display-2 package. I don’t see the reason why you’d pay for hardware/software then spend more for software ala ColorEyes.

photobug · March 19, 2011

I’d go Spyder Elite alone (no other software), since this version does allow control over luminance or look into the EyeOne Display-2 package. I don’t see the reason why you’d pay for hardware/software then spend more for software ala ColorEyes.

Yeah, I suspect that that recommendation was based on DataColor Spyder software before the current generation.

Anyway, the feedback/info in these postings, I order a Spyder3 Elite package today. Don't think I'll bother withe ColorEyes software, so you saved me some greenbacks, to boot. Thanks!

MarkR · March 21, 2011

Once you get your Spider3 Elite, you are obligated to post back to the forum and tell us how it went.

photobug · March 21, 2011

Spyder3 Elite ordered ... report to follow

Once you get your Spider3 Elite, you are obligated to post back to the forum and tell us how it went.

Sure, that's the least I can do, in exchange for the advice.

It's supposed to arrive tomorrow (Tue), but it may take as long as a week or two before I get to use it (lots of family stuff coming up). But I promise to post back after I test it out!