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Datacolor SpyderX Pro – Monitor Calibration $169.99

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Mar 25th, 2020 7:37 pm

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Mar 8th, 2020 4:29 pm

rokask [OP]: Member; Jun 15, 2019; 330 posts; 571 upvotes

Mar 8th, 2020 4:29 pm

[Amazon.ca] Datacolor SpyderX Pro – Monitor Calibration $169.99

Deal Link:: https://www.amazon.ca/Datacolor-SpyderX ... B07M6KPJ9K
Price:: 169.99
Savings:: $60
Retailer:: Amazon.ca

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Entering the field of monitor calibration myself, but still thought I'd share the opportunity. Price - almost Black Friday low.

You have the Pro and the Elite monikers. As far as my google-fu could take me, Elite is for when you also have a projector you want to calibrate. Dunno if I even need this thing, may be making a mistake, but hell, I spend so much time in front of the screen that I may as well spruce it up.

This doodad should remain functional for a decade, since you don't need to use it often. One previous case of loss of support I was able to find on the internet was some old model becoming useless cause it was from winXP times.

Last edited by Mars2012 on Mar 9th, 2020 1:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: added price to title

42 replies

Mar 8th, 2020 5:10 pm

quazy: Deal Addict; Nov 26, 2008; 2781 posts; 1244 upvotes; North York

Mar 8th, 2020 5:10 pm

Don't most monitors get settings for a proper profile posted on avsforums before long? It's a neat tool but why do people buy them when those that have them do the work for everyone anyways?

+2

Mar 8th, 2020 5:15 pm

MusicEveryday: Member; Nov 23, 2014; 482 posts; 421 upvotes; Kelowna, BC

Mar 8th, 2020 5:15 pm

quazy wrote: ↑ Don't most monitors get settings for a proper profile posted on avsforums before long? It's a neat tool but why do people buy them when those that have them do the work for everyone anyways?

While the AVS data is better than not calibrating most of the time, pros and enthusiasts can see the difference.

+4

Mar 8th, 2020 5:18 pm

MusicEveryday: Member; Nov 23, 2014; 482 posts; 421 upvotes; Kelowna, BC

Mar 8th, 2020 5:18 pm

Hot — thanks op. On the fence about getting a higher end model to add to my list of side gig services.

Mar 8th, 2020 5:20 pm

S1: Member; Apr 13, 2010; 329 posts; 723 upvotes

Mar 8th, 2020 5:20 pm

Your points are valid, but $160 seems high to me. If you get one supported by Argyll on Linux, you'll basically be able to use it forever on any device, as long as you can output to it from any old laptop with Linux on it. You can then transfer the profiles you generate to a Windows system if the device isn't directly supported anymore with an updated Windows driver.

Here's a list of supported devices:
https://displaycal.net/#instruments

I got a Huey Pro new from eBay for about $100 in 2011, it still works now. For poorly calibrated old laptop screens, a colorimeter can make a night and day difference, and I think it's worth having one around for sure, but you might be able to get away with getting a Huey from eBay for $40 now instead of $160 for whatever the latest model is. The prices are that high now surely because of consolidation and monopoly rent-seeking, and not because it really costs that much to make them.

Mar 8th, 2020 5:40 pm

NewsyL: Deal Fanatic; Feb 16, 2006; 5085 posts; 2078 upvotes; Vancouver

Mar 8th, 2020 5:40 pm

quazy wrote: ↑ Don't most monitors get settings for a proper profile posted on avsforums before long? It's a neat tool but why do people buy them when those that have them do the work for everyone anyways?

Because monitors, even the same model, can be a wee bit different.

Because monitors with a CCFL back light can age and the profile of a new unit will not be accurate with your 3 year old unit. Not many of these around anymore but some people still use an older one as a second or third monitor on their desktop in a multi-monitor array. A lot of Dell 2209WA's got sold thru RFD back in the day.

Because the guys posting the ICC profiles calibrated for specific brightness level different than you use and that can affect the response of the color controls.

When you run multiple monitors you want them as similar as possible. A big part of that is setting the brightness using the colorimeter.

Also, even with a single monitor, you want the brightness of the monitor "balanced" against the ambient light level of the room in which you edit images. Too bright a monitor vs the room and you tend to darken the image leading to dark prints. Too dark a monitor and you brighten the image. It's an issue involving perceptual peculiarities of the human eye which can be easily led astray. A colorimeter does not have a perceptual issue, it measures the monitor and measures the room.

If you do any photography at all where you post for public consumption and especially if you want to make prints, invest in one of these before you go out and get yourself a high end printer.

.

+17

Mar 8th, 2020 5:40 pm

rokask [OP]: Member; Jun 15, 2019; 330 posts; 571 upvotes

Mar 8th, 2020 5:40 pm

S1 wrote: ↑ Your points are valid, but $160 seems high to me. If you get one supported by Argyll on Linux, you'll basically be able to use it forever on any device, as long as you can output to it from any old laptop with Linux on it. You can then transfer the profiles you generate to a Windows system if the device isn't directly supported anymore with an updated Windows driver.

Here's a list of supported devices:
https://displaycal.net/#instruments

I got a Huey Pro new from eBay for about $100 in 2011, it still works now. For poorly calibrated old laptop screens, a colorimeter can make a night and day difference, and I think it's worth having one around for sure, but you might be able to get away with getting a Huey from eBay for $40 now instead of $160 for whatever the latest model is. The prices are that high now surely because of consolidation and monopoly rent-seeking, and not because it really costs that much to make them.

Well put! VM's FTW!

+1

Mar 8th, 2020 6:02 pm

sswilson: Deal Addict; Sep 19, 2017; 1607 posts; 1521 upvotes; Moncton

Mar 8th, 2020 6:02 pm

Yeah, this is a decent price (I paid $200 on the previous version back in dec 2017).

There is a significant difference between a calibrated monitor and what they ship from the factory... takes a while to get used to the tint of a calibrated monitor, but once you're used to it, a non calibrated monitor feels like it's going to burn your eyeballs out with it's tendency towards the blue spectrum.

The main benefit of calibration is for folks who want to do photo work and want what comes out on photo paper to be as close as possible to what you see on the screen.

As far as using on multiple devices goes.... you can save the profiles on any windows PC as a stand-alone profile that applies itself on boot.

Koodo 8GB UL T&T @ $45 (ported in from Public Mobile)

+5

Mar 9th, 2020 12:58 pm

iHibachi: Newbie; Feb 9, 2020; 69 posts; 17 upvotes; Etobicoke

Mar 9th, 2020 12:58 pm

Thanks OP, just bought three new gaming monitors and they all look awful/different from each other. Nerved, tried to calibrate computer monitors before so I might look into this.

However, since this is a good amount of money assuming the product doesn't work as described, and it fulfilled by amazon. Will they accept refunds without question asked ? Sorry, if this might be off topic.

Mar 9th, 2020 1:01 pm

Sicklyslick: Deal Addict; Apr 24, 2017; 2173 posts; 2306 upvotes; Waterloo, ON

Mar 9th, 2020 1:01 pm

Just buy it from a local store, use it, then return it. Why spend $200 on something that you'll realistically only use once.

+3

Mar 9th, 2020 1:02 pm

evanwier: Deal Addict; Dec 27, 2011; 2555 posts; 2367 upvotes; Vancouver

Mar 9th, 2020 1:02 pm

I just want a buddy to buy one so i can borrow and use it lol

+3

Mar 9th, 2020 1:31 pm

RCGA: Deal Fanatic; Dec 10, 2008; 5059 posts; 1757 upvotes

Mar 9th, 2020 1:31 pm

Sicklyslick wrote: ↑ Just buy it from a local store, use it, then return it. Why spend $200 on something that you'll realistically only use once.

Then this isn't for you.

I'm a pro photog. I calibrate 3 monitors twice a year.

Let's hug it out

+5

Mar 9th, 2020 1:39 pm

Poutinemaster: Member; Jun 7, 2013; 382 posts; 332 upvotes; Mascouche

Mar 9th, 2020 1:39 pm

NewsyL wrote: ↑ Because monitors, even the same model, can be a wee bit different.

Because monitors with a CCFL back light can age and the profile of a new unit will not be accurate with your 3 year old unit. Not many of these around anymore but some people still use an older one as a second or third monitor on their desktop in a multi-monitor array. A lot of Dell 2209WA's got sold thru RFD back in the day.

Because the guys posting the ICC profiles calibrated for specific brightness level different than you use and that can affect the response of the color controls.

When you run multiple monitors you want them as similar as possible. A big part of that is setting the brightness using the colorimeter.

Also, even with a single monitor, you want the brightness of the monitor "balanced" against the ambient light level of the room in which you edit images. Too bright a monitor vs the room and you tend to darken the image leading to dark prints. Too dark a monitor and you brighten the image. It's an issue involving perceptual peculiarities of the human eye which can be easily led astray. A colorimeter does not have a perceptual issue, it measures the monitor and measures the room.

If you do any photography at all where you post for public consumption and especially if you want to make prints, invest in one of these before you go out and get yourself a high end printer.

.

THIS and additionally, all screens age over time, so professionals and enthusiasts want to keep their screens calibrates.-> color range, luminance, etc.

These tools can help as they measure the final display of the screens and can make adjustments on either preset color settings / standards or custom ones.

Regular / average users do not need these btw.

+1

Mar 9th, 2020 3:22 pm

Koolfreak: Sr. Member; Oct 3, 2006; 960 posts; 553 upvotes

Mar 9th, 2020 3:22 pm

Can we calibrate a tv with this?

Mar 9th, 2020 3:43 pm

sswilson: Deal Addict; Sep 19, 2017; 1607 posts; 1521 upvotes; Moncton

Mar 9th, 2020 3:43 pm

Koolfreak wrote: ↑ Can we calibrate a tv with this?

Not really. I suppose you could calibrate a laptop screen with it and then manually calibrate the TV screen to best approximate what you see on that screen, but no, it's not really designed for that.

Koodo 8GB UL T&T @ $45 (ported in from Public Mobile)

Mar 9th, 2020 4:01 pm

rokask [OP]: Member; Jun 15, 2019; 330 posts; 571 upvotes

Mar 9th, 2020 4:01 pm

Koolfreak wrote: ↑ Can we calibrate a tv with this?

Yes, if the TV is being used as a computer monitor.

Mar 9th, 2020 4:39 pm

Legatinho: Sr. Member; Dec 26, 2007; 537 posts; 318 upvotes; Vancouver

Mar 9th, 2020 4:39 pm

Not sure about this model, but in the past Datacolor Colorimeters were not as good as X-Rite Devices. If you can score an used I1pro on craigslist, it's probably a better deal at this price point.

Mar 9th, 2020 5:15 pm

meatwagon: Sr. Member; Dec 13, 2006; 702 posts; 643 upvotes; Vancouver

Mar 9th, 2020 5:15 pm

i bought a spider pro a long time ago when i was using crts for photography. THen i found another at thrift store for $5 in the box.. never ended up using it as i was told newer LEDs dont really require much for calibration.. i wonder if my old one still would benefit from using it..

Mar 9th, 2020 5:16 pm

JKKim2983: Deal Addict; Sep 19, 2015; 2270 posts; 868 upvotes; Kleinburg, ON.

Mar 9th, 2020 5:16 pm

iHibachi wrote: ↑ Thanks OP, just bought three new gaming monitors and they all look awful/different from each other. Nerved, tried to calibrate computer monitors before so I might look into this.

However, since this is a good amount of money assuming the product doesn't work as described, and it fulfilled by amazon. Will they accept refunds without question asked ? Sorry, if this might be off topic.

I would not use this for gaming, if my budget is not high.

These devices are strictly for video/photo work, and in this particular model, for professional work.

Find a more basic device that does the same thing for half or 1/3 of the price if you're just gaming.

But, if you have $200 to spare, go ahead and get it.

Mar 9th, 2020 5:18 pm

Thundercloud: Deal Fanatic; Apr 17, 2005; 5330 posts; 2167 upvotes; Kitchener

Mar 9th, 2020 5:18 pm

Koolfreak wrote: ↑ Can we calibrate a tv with this?

For TV, you could try downloading video/image files for calibration, output the file on your TV, and then manually calibrating by sight. You might need to source some filters though.

I haven't done this in a long time because I'm lazy, but I'm sure you can find the necessary files on avsforum. For the filters, I think I have one from a calibration DVD from ages ago.

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