There's really three primary choices for calibrating a computer monitor:
- Datacolor Spyder products, like the current Spyder 3 and Spyder 4, in the $100-200 range
- Pantone/X-Rite Eye-One (aka X-Rite i1) products, in the $150-250 range.
- Pantone/X-Rite Colormunki products, in the $200-500 range.
Note that this is a case where spending more doesn't necessarily mean better quality.
I've always been satisfied with that the Spyder products do. I've not used the Pantone/X-Rite calibration units, but I've spoken with photographers, and read feedback from photographers. This was part of dinner conversation with a friend maybe two weeks ago, in fact. We were discussing our next strategic moves on photo/video gear.
I've always used a Spyder 3, and it was fine.
Here's a few quotes that stand out from online discussions:
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The ColorMunki system is marketed for those that have little or no understanding of color management and is not that configurable.
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ColorMunki doesn't do CRT monitors
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I have the Spyder and not happy with it on my LCD, but a friend bought the Colormunki and I was finally able to calibrate it.
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I've used the Spyder (I or II can't remember) in the past and have the Color Munki and an X-rite i1. The results from all three are comparable and good. I remember the Spyder software was a bit better then the X-rite software which is has a horrible interface.
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If you want real accuracy then the ColorMunki is the better option as it is a spectrometer rather than a colorimeter. It will provide better accuracy but whether that is apparent, I could not say.
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I've seen quite a few reviews that say the ColorMunki is targeted at consumers, whereas the Spyder3 kit is for professionals. Ultimately the results of each are very similar, but the Spyder has a lot more options. I've also heard of horror stories where the ColorMunki simply won't profile a paper if it's too yellow, leaving you simply out of luck.
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Spyder3 calibration for monitor and printer profiles is top-notch. Many many many more color swatches than what the Color Munki provides, and thus printer profiles produced should be much more accurate.
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If you are making prints or projecting images as well, the Colormunki is definitely worth it. If not go with the i1 Display 2.
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The Spyder3 colorimeter is a good one --color management professional Scott Martin has noted unit to unit variations -- the results are quite similar, sort of like do you like asking do you like French Vanilla ice cream from one dairy or another.
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Unit to unit variation with these devices (Colormunki) is a big problem.
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I find the profiles with both the Datacolor software and the Blue Eye Pro software to be roughly as good or slightly better than the ColorMunki
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Based on these discussions, it very much appears as if Spyder is #1, Eye-One is #2, and Colormunki is #3 -- except under certain conditions where you need to calibrate prints/projections, in which case the Colormunki is the only viable option. But for the application of calibrating a monitor, look at a Spyder as being the best.
As is the case with photography gear, only buy these from reputable online photography products stores:
I've always gotten the best deals on the Spyder from
Amazon.
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