Review of Datacolor Spyder4Pro S4P100 Colorimeter for Display Calibration
Amazing, improved & consistant color on dual monitors
I do a variety graphics work (both for the web and print) and create websites with my husband who is a photojournalist. We both really need to have the same (and accurate) color on our monitors for a multitude of reasons. I want my graphics work to be accurately reproduced and he needs to make sure he sees correct colors when he processes photographs in Photoshop, etc. After doing a lot of research, we decided to purchase the Spyder4Pro in order to calibrate our monitors. We are both very happy with the results. I have a multiple monitor display set up and now have the same color across monitors (despite the fact that they are made by different manufacturers). My husband also calibrated his monitor and the results are outstanding. We are both getting accurate, consistent color. The black is deep and colors are like we see them in real life without being garish as they sometimes can be on LCD and LED screens (we have both kinds). After calibration, I've had great results when checking both printouts and LCD monitor calibration test images.
Using the Sypder:
The Spyder is very easy to use. There is no learning curve and it's so simple, my tech challenged grandmother could do it. You need to first allow your monitor to warm up for half an hour. After installing the software you hang the Spyder from the top of your monitor (there is a counterweight that hangs off the back that is attached to the Spyder USB cord). The Spyder calibration software takes you through each step of the calibration process and tells you where to place the Spyder after first doing a ambient light level check for your room (that is done with the Spyder in its holder on your desk). Just follow the on screen instructions! They are super easy and pretty foolproof!
Troubleshooting:
I do want to note that if your first calibration doesn't come out the way you expected it to, try choosing different options in the first part of the calibration test where it asks you about your display. There were a couple of questions I didn't know the answers to (the software asks you things like if your monitor has normal or wide gamut and if the back light is white LED, RGB LED, etc.). When I chose the "I don't know" option to a couple of the questions, my first calibration came out funky on one of my monitors. After doing the calibration process a second time and choosing a DIFFERENT choice for those options I didn't know the answer to, I then got a beautiful and accurate calibration that matched my 2nd monitor exactly. However, my husband chose "I don't know" for the same questions I did when calibrating his monitor and his results were correct the first time through. Anyway, don't be afraid to play around with that a little, if your first results aren't satisfactory. You don't have to know all of the tech information about your monitor for the product to work.
Summary:
The big question I had before buying the Spyder was if it was really going to be worth the money and if it was going to do a good job. Now, after using it, I can confidently say, that for our line of work, the Spyder is an excellent investment. It's very easy to use and the results across our monitors speak for themselves. Our work with photography, graphics and printable items is helped immensely by having accurate color on our monitors!
Click to view the Datacolor Spyder4Pro S4P100 Colorimeter for Display Calibration on Amazon.com.
