This item is a great product for monitor and RGB printer profiling. However there is one thing I wish I knew before I purchased this version. It will not profile a printer paper that has any type of "Optical Brighteners".My main paper to print on is a Glossy Canon Paper, after I created a profile and used it to print, the whites and lighter color grays are yellow.
I contacted technical support from X-Rite over their Email system and they were very prompt in replying to my questions. Their support was quick and very helpful.
It turns out that this non UV-CUT version is not to be used with OBC papers and it is recommend by X-Rite that the UV-CUT version be used since it ignores the OBC reflections of the UV light that affects the profiles. This device can not be upgraded to a UV -Cut version, the device is built and calibrated in Switzerland and once setup for UV or Non UV they can not be changed.
Based on the assistance from X-Rite I profiled a non OBC paper and the results are stunning. Colors are spot on!!!!
I am using an IMAC 24". (Yea not the best monitor for Photo Retouching but I did get a good Monitor Profile using the X-Rite and the Shades APP to dim the screen. Using Lightroom 3 for the adjustments and printing.
Canon Pro9500 13" printer with 10 pigmented inks. After I profiled the non OBC paper I was very happy with the profile results, as I stated earlier the colors were perfect and the pictures turned out beautiful.
Since Most of my printing is done on OBC paper and X-Rite recommened the UV-Cut Version. I am returning this version and will purchase the UV-Cut version.
Likes:
1. The USB connection is 150% better that the one for the ColorMunki. I no longer have to worry about the cord coming loose and having to recalibrate the instrument.
2. Printer profiles that have a greater degree of accuracy (once you make sure to turn off all the color management).The software is more in-depth and has way more options on what kind of profiles you want to make. I printed out a 400 patch profile for my printer in one sitting. Compared to the ColorMunki's 50 patch. Sure you can add to the profile with the Colormunki to fine tune the profile, but why not get it all done at once? I can print a 1200 patch profile with the i1 and be done with it.
3. Easy of use. Like I said before the cord can come loose with the ColorMunki which makes profiling the monitor and the printer a pain in the butt. The i1 comes with a track system that will hold the paper for you and and allows you to guide the instrument with easy. They also have a robotic arm that will do it for you. But I will never need it. I don't have to make profiles for 1,000 printers. A little note about using the i1 when measuring the prints, hold the button until you hear the noise coming from your computer. I had my volume turned off to begin with and I wasn't waiting long enough for the i1 to get ready to measure. So I was getting errors about the readings. It would say it didn't read enough patches.
4. Includes hard proof materials. The best way to check the accuracy of the prints is to print out the Colorchecker proof target and physically compare it to the provided Color checker proofer. This comes in handy to adjust the display angle also. It also comes with a ColorChecker Classic which is used for making camera profiles. I haven't used it because I use the ColorChecker passport. But I know it works, because it's the same chart.
5. Monitor profiles are better than the ColorMunki's. It is not a night and day difference, but there is a difference. The i1 will send up more colors to the screen to measure, so it is going to be a better profile. It will also take control of the monitor and adjust the setting for you. Which comes in handy.
Dislikes:
1. Price. They would sell a whole lot more if they come off the price a little bit. But then again I don't see why I would ever have to buy another calibrator. So it saves money in the long run.
2. It comes with a bunch of pieces you have to attach to use for the various readings you might want to take. The ColorMunki is pretty much self contained. At least it comes with protective case to put everything in, that's a bonus.
In closing if you need something to make great profiles to print with then you need this. If you need it just to calibrate the monitor then this is over board for what you need. Just get the i1 display or something else.
I own the ColorMunki and i1 Photo Pro and I have own the Spyder but I returned it because of software issues. So far the i1 is a great buy. I will update if I ever have any problems with it.The X-Rite photo pro is one of the more expensive color calibrators but it's definitely worth the money. I have used the Spyder range of products after being wooed into with all the marketing and recommendations only to find the product does not give good results. The Photo Pro calibrated my monitors bang on as well as my prints.
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