Datacolor DC S3P100 Spyder 3 Pro

I've used three other monitor calibrators and in my opinion this is a mid grade product. This item is superior to the Huey Pro since it's able to calibrate hybrid backlit monitors like the Dell Ultrasharp 2408wfp but the ultimate downfall of this product is that it does not measure luminance.

I was able to accurately calibrate color but the brightness of the monitor was blinding even when I set my brightness to ZERO, luminance level was measured at 320 cd/m2. I had to returned this item to purchase a X-rite Eye One Display Two since the calibration tool and software is similar to that of the Lacie Blue eye pro but more importantly it measures luminance for accuracy. With the Eye one display two I was able to calibrate my dell 2408wfp luminance to a comfortable 120 cd/m2 and still maintain superior color accuracy and good contrast.

If you don't have problems with brightness and just need color accurate calibration then this item is for you. But if you spend long hours in front of overly bright LCD monitors and need color accuracy without fatiguing or damaging your eyes then consider the Eye One Display or even Lacie Blue eye.

This review won't compare this colorimeter to other brands/models. However, the capabilities of the Spyder3Pro where exactly what I was looking for, and I detail some of the results.

I bought this item after shooting my first wedding. I had noticed that previously, all of my photos had to have some additional correction to get anywhere close to what I had on screen when sending them to print, and even that was a crap shoot.

This little gem has completely fixed the issue. True, there is a *slight* variation from printer to printer (as I didn't buy the elite package that profiles your printers too), but it's not noticeable to most people.

Down to details:

* It's very nice to be able to set multiple monitors in multiple locations and know that the profiles you have will definitely work. I can match up computer LCD displays, CRT televisions (or monitors), or even wide-screen plasmas and projectors to become color corrected.

* The ambient light sensing ability is another big plus since I take my photo editing with me to multiple locations on my laptop. This is important if you're switching from working in daylight to fluorescent to incandescent light. There can also be issues when you're working in a space where bright light is being reflected off of colored walls or some other surface and can effect the color cast in which you're viewing your work. Odds are, if you care enough to be considering one of these, then you'll care about these issues.

* Since I've had my laptop for almost 4 years, you can bet that the screen's LCD had changed in hue. After correction, it was ridiculously better. Now, not only does photo output look better, but working in other types of applications is actually a little exciting with such vibrant colors that I hadn't seen in years, if ever. Before, I thought it was simply the glossy screens my friends had on their newer laptops that made them look better (I'd never get oneglare is too annoying). Now I know it was simply the color profile.

* This Spyder is much smaller than my friend's Spyder 2, and still produces the same or better results. It even includes a stand (with threads on the bottom for mounting) to sit on your desk or wherever to let you know if lighting conditions change enough to warrant a different or new color profile. The unit comes with a rather lengthy USB cablegood for desktop usersand slide-able counterweight. Both worked like a charm for me. I only wish they gave you a case to protect it inside your bag.

Some system specific anecdotes:

* Profiles can be custom named (of course) under Mac OS and will show up in the Display->Color pane of the System Preferences app in Mac OS X. Just make sure that you don't have "Show profiles for this display only." checked if you want to see your new, custom profiles.

* While the new profile for my laptop screen made a DRASTIC difference in the look of the rest of the system, Aperture seem to adjust much less. This is probably due to the associated RAW processor accounting for display settings when throwing up previews. That being said, I noticed a much larger shift when working with flattened or RAW images in Photoshop. Lesson learned: when using Mac OS, Aperture does a much better job account for display aging/profile shift.

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I don't know what some of these reviews are saying... I just received mine today and it works great! I do also have the huey, and that works ok, but the Spyder3 does a much better job and the colors look more vibrant and photos look the way you want them to when you print them.

Also I have a new iMac with a CRT on the side so i have two monitors. They are both easy to calibrate with the new updated software on the website.

Go ahead and splurge.....!!!!!!

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Product worked great. I can't believe the difference. The lack of documentation was somewhat annoying though. Also I would advise to download the updated setup program from their website instead of using the one on the provided disk.

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I researched up and down this product the Spyer 3 Pro and iOne Display and after reading endless comparisons detailing the pros and cons, I chose the Spyer3Pro. I read EVERYTHING for three weeks. It seemed to me that the big difference was the help and the easy easy walk thru that you get with teh Spyder, where I heard that the iOne display really comes with nothing to help you out or help you make your choices as you go. I really wanted that help. It was so easy to use and it brought my Imac 20" monitor right in balance, even though it hadn't been out so far.These mac monitors can be really really bright, so right befor ethe adjustment, I drop my brightness down to a little below half way and then begin the calibration. Remember to turn off all screen savers that might pop on and to do it in a dark room without the lights on. I am very very pleased. I did not experience any of the greenish hue that some users did.I have heard of that but read that support will help you and that you would do a reinstall or they would link you with the latest version of updates. Mostly I heard it happening on ibooks. This seems rare from what I read.

I just did a print job with a Giclee printer online and I had the ICC # for the paper he was using to print my work. When I proofed that profile in PS it was EXACTLY what I got from them a week later and exact match. all I needed was to know what color space to save my artwork in, and know what ICC profile to proof against and I was all set. The printer I used also had recommended the Spyder Pro or the Elite and said they liked how consistent and easy it was and they had switched from using the iOne display a while back. No regrets! You will get a good calibration ay a fair price with a details help menu and support. The support I contacted a day before calibration, sent me the latest install software for mac OSX.6.4. I just installed the one from the box, then went online to the link the support sent me, entered my serial number and added the most recent install software to my HD. EASY! A good buy! Better more accurate color without a doubt.