Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

Monitor calibration: I had a little difficulty using it the first time. I t seemed to be asleep... wait for it.. it does its thing. I was not prepared/flamilar with my monitor settings. Check your owners manual on your monitor and be flamilar on how to adjust the bright,contrast, color before hand. I really appreciated the the student discount. I'm a fan of B&H!

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

It works exactly as advertised and it is very easy to use. However, don't expect it to do all the work for you once you plug it in. You'll need to adjust your monitor and you might even have to look up specs. That wasn't a problem for me, but I know a lot of people who would have prefered it to do all the work for them.

If you're a control freak, this product is good for you. If you just want a calibrator to do all the work for you, I would recomment a cheaper version.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

I had an older model of the spyder and bought this one because I edit video. It works great, I have dual monitors and they both look the same,which in the past never did.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

I was able to get both my monitors balanced for printing. I just need a to lighten my photos a bit priot to printing to my HP printer.

After initial install and following the instruciions as to screen resolution, I recalabrated my monitor at normal resolution. This allowed the spyder sensor to fit inside the mask created on screen. I then got a better color balance.

Pros: easy to install. easy to follow on-screen instructions. Can be tweaked from the settings created by the program.

Cons: None - it did what I needed to have done.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

Loved the vivid colors on my monitor after I calibrated it. Had to go back and re-edit a bunch of my photos afterwards. Now I know why things were off when I printed! My only complaint is the weight system they use to dangle the calibration tool over your monitor didn't exactly fit my monitor.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

I upgraded to this from the Spyder 2 Express. It's a much improved product and I really like how it supports proper cd/m2 measurement and ambient light compensation.

THe software (Elite over my old Express version) is much more detailed and complete, so I'm glad I've stepped up to this device and level.

Recommended!

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

Easy to get my 2 Apple Monitors in sync. The color of the 2 monitors are very close now. I tried many times to do it manually, but I'm not very good at that. I'm very happy of the results.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

Overall: Very Happy with the product. Works well. Sturdy. Well thought out and good design.

Cons:
Would like to see directions straight out the box as there are none included. You have to load the software first. No directions on the hardware either (ie. to set up, placement, etc.

Lastly, when calibration begins, you are instructed to place the colorimeter on the monitor and it shows a diagram on the monitor where you are to place it...however, once the calibration starts, it doesn't line up with the colored grid, so essentially it's picking up the background color during the calibration process. (The diagram on the screen is too low) So I had to try it a couple of times to get it just right. Once placement is set, works perfectly and seamlessly!

Pros:
Once calibrated and set up, it functions well, reminds you to calibrate and seems to pick up ambient light well. Difference in brightness and skin tones are very visible.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

Works as expected,very happy

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

I used this to calibrate the Retina-MBP and it tweaked the color to bring it as close to color perfect as I have seen. I ordered the TV upgrade kit and just calibrated my first TV and the color settings I got off the web were close but this made it look a little better which I didn't think was possible. I upgraded from a 3 and it makes a world of difference with the new sensor.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

I bought it to do a professional calibration in all of my monitors and it didn't work in any of them. Try it on my iMac and it was complicated to use and after I finish using it, it got worse than the standard Mac calibration.
I tried to do some tutorial and watch some videos online to learn more and even then couldn't make it work.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

I have been using the Spyder calibration products for about 10 years. Now that I have upgraded my computer's graphics and printer, I needed the Spyder4Elite. The new Spyder4Elite has more powerful functions and more details in its calibration. Compared to the Spyder3Elite, the display ends up looking slightly more dim and lower in contrast.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

my xrite color munki died so i bought this Datacolor Spyder4Elit display calibration tool. readers warning. i am a serious amateur and not a pro. xrite tech support was not helpful. the spyder unit arrived just as their tech crew was upgrading their systems but after a few false starts they had me up and running. it then did an acceptable job of calibrating my display but unlike xrite does not offer printer calibration. i am just beginning to understand that it is important to know why you want to calibrate your monitor: will you publish to the web, for your own private use, for clients? i think i would try it on trial first and see how you compare result between tweaking your display controls and using this unit.
the unit does what they claim if you know why you want it.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

You might not think you need color calibration at first, but the more you expect from yourself and your work, the more you are on your way to getting one.

There's really no way around needing to work on accurate colors. I know that now after working on inaccurate colors for years and just using multiple displays to gauge whether my photo is "good enough".

I have great monitors. One being the Wacom Cintiq 21UX. I thought that because the monitor used an IPS panel, that I didn't need to worry about calibrating it.

I was wrong.

After calibrating my monitor with this, the difference was like night and day. You can never go back to working in an uncalibrated environment.

Go with the Spyder4Elite or Spyder4Pro if you work in varying lighting conditions and multiple monitors.

The Elite versions have many more industry standard reference profiles that a high level professional that works with a large team will need, but not necessarily appropriate for a journeyman level professional or hobbyist that is working alone.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

The insulation was so easy I could not believe it! Just follow the online instruction plug it in and let it do it's job. It also gives a followup instructions to reset every 2 weeks...what a amazing difference now on my photos they aways would look different online or when I would print. Now what I see I get! The color is more crisp and vibrant the way I remember it but better, and the lighting as well! I would recommend to everyone! I am a believer and all I can say is at least take it for a test drive and you will be a believer. If someway your not then just send it back...But I think that won't be happening because I feel like why did I take so long to do this? I can spend over [$] for a camera and [$] for a lens so I let a few [$] get in my way to make my photos look the way I remember them! I use this with Lightroom 4 and boy do I enjoy that I am finely getting the results I want. You be the judge!

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

Set up on both two screen Mac Pro and PC video workstations with no problem.The PC had two different Dell monitors that never looked the same until I got the Spyder.Installation and calibration were easily achieved following the instructions that were easy to follow.My only question is where is the cup for mounting on a CRT monitor although I may never need it?

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

Installed on my new Dell XPS8500 with U2412 monitor using Windows 7 easily for me, purely a nontech amateur photography computer user. It upgraded the software on line at installation time and ran the initial profile with easy to follow menu sequence. A couple of minor puzzlements during the process. I finally figured to pull on the weight that comes with the cord to adjust it, since there was no instruction for adjustment. When I selected "unknown" for tech questions, it seemed to make the right choices for me. One step in the profile sequence did not indicate it was waiting for me to push the "continue" button. Overall it was easier than a competitor I bought about 9 years ago, but maybe the competitor is better now. It's easy enough that I will probably recalibrate my monitor more frequently now.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

I use the spyder with regards to printing exhibition prints of large sizes which saves costly time and consumables( ink and paper).

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

We purchased this after it was recommended by one of our graphic designers. We were having problems because every time she sent mean image (from her MAC) to approve (on my PC), if the image had blue in it, the blue looked purple on my screen. We purchased this model for that reason and because my computer has 2 displays. Long story short, it helps tremendously however on the computers that have multiple monitors such as mine, the changes made by the software don't always turn on when you come out of standby mode and if you don't watch out, you won't notice.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

Really works well on my monitor the adjustment to the true color in my Canon Mark II.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

Monitor calibration: I had a little difficulty using it the first time. I t seemed to be asleep... wait for it.. it does its thing. I was not prepared/flamilar with my monitor settings. Check your owners manual on your monitor and be flamilar on how to adjust the bright,contrast, color before hand. I really appreciated the the student discount. I'm a fan of B&H!

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

It works exactly as advertised and it is very easy to use. However, don't expect it to do all the work for you once you plug it in. You'll need to adjust your monitor and you might even have to look up specs. That wasn't a problem for me, but I know a lot of people who would have prefered it to do all the work for them.

If you're a control freak, this product is good for you. If you just want a calibrator to do all the work for you, I would recomment a cheaper version.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

I had an older model of the spyder and bought this one because I edit video. It works great, I have dual monitors and they both look the same,which in the past never did.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

I was able to get both my monitors balanced for printing. I just need a to lighten my photos a bit priot to printing to my HP printer.

After initial install and following the instruciions as to screen resolution, I recalabrated my monitor at normal resolution. This allowed the spyder sensor to fit inside the mask created on screen. I then got a better color balance.

Pros: easy to install. easy to follow on-screen instructions. Can be tweaked from the settings created by the program.

Cons: None - it did what I needed to have done.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

Loved the vivid colors on my monitor after I calibrated it. Had to go back and re-edit a bunch of my photos afterwards. Now I know why things were off when I printed! My only complaint is the weight system they use to dangle the calibration tool over your monitor didn't exactly fit my monitor.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

I upgraded to this from the Spyder 2 Express. It's a much improved product and I really like how it supports proper cd/m2 measurement and ambient light compensation.

THe software (Elite over my old Express version) is much more detailed and complete, so I'm glad I've stepped up to this device and level.

Recommended!

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

Easy to get my 2 Apple Monitors in sync. The color of the 2 monitors are very close now. I tried many times to do it manually, but I'm not very good at that. I'm very happy of the results.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

Overall: Very Happy with the product. Works well. Sturdy. Well thought out and good design.

Cons:
Would like to see directions straight out the box as there are none included. You have to load the software first. No directions on the hardware either (ie. to set up, placement, etc.

Lastly, when calibration begins, you are instructed to place the colorimeter on the monitor and it shows a diagram on the monitor where you are to place it...however, once the calibration starts, it doesn't line up with the colored grid, so essentially it's picking up the background color during the calibration process. (The diagram on the screen is too low) So I had to try it a couple of times to get it just right. Once placement is set, works perfectly and seamlessly!

Pros:
Once calibrated and set up, it functions well, reminds you to calibrate and seems to pick up ambient light well. Difference in brightness and skin tones are very visible.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

Works as expected,very happy

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

I used this to calibrate the Retina-MBP and it tweaked the color to bring it as close to color perfect as I have seen. I ordered the TV upgrade kit and just calibrated my first TV and the color settings I got off the web were close but this made it look a little better which I didn't think was possible. I upgraded from a 3 and it makes a world of difference with the new sensor.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

I bought it to do a professional calibration in all of my monitors and it didn't work in any of them. Try it on my iMac and it was complicated to use and after I finish using it, it got worse than the standard Mac calibration.
I tried to do some tutorial and watch some videos online to learn more and even then couldn't make it work.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

I have been using the Spyder calibration products for about 10 years. Now that I have upgraded my computer's graphics and printer, I needed the Spyder4Elite. The new Spyder4Elite has more powerful functions and more details in its calibration. Compared to the Spyder3Elite, the display ends up looking slightly more dim and lower in contrast.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

my xrite color munki died so i bought this Datacolor Spyder4Elit display calibration tool. readers warning. i am a serious amateur and not a pro. xrite tech support was not helpful. the spyder unit arrived just as their tech crew was upgrading their systems but after a few false starts they had me up and running. it then did an acceptable job of calibrating my display but unlike xrite does not offer printer calibration. i am just beginning to understand that it is important to know why you want to calibrate your monitor: will you publish to the web, for your own private use, for clients? i think i would try it on trial first and see how you compare result between tweaking your display controls and using this unit.
the unit does what they claim if you know why you want it.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

You might not think you need color calibration at first, but the more you expect from yourself and your work, the more you are on your way to getting one.

There's really no way around needing to work on accurate colors. I know that now after working on inaccurate colors for years and just using multiple displays to gauge whether my photo is "good enough".

I have great monitors. One being the Wacom Cintiq 21UX. I thought that because the monitor used an IPS panel, that I didn't need to worry about calibrating it.

I was wrong.

After calibrating my monitor with this, the difference was like night and day. You can never go back to working in an uncalibrated environment.

Go with the Spyder4Elite or Spyder4Pro if you work in varying lighting conditions and multiple monitors.

The Elite versions have many more industry standard reference profiles that a high level professional that works with a large team will need, but not necessarily appropriate for a journeyman level professional or hobbyist that is working alone.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

The insulation was so easy I could not believe it! Just follow the online instruction plug it in and let it do it's job. It also gives a followup instructions to reset every 2 weeks...what a amazing difference now on my photos they aways would look different online or when I would print. Now what I see I get! The color is more crisp and vibrant the way I remember it but better, and the lighting as well! I would recommend to everyone! I am a believer and all I can say is at least take it for a test drive and you will be a believer. If someway your not then just send it back...But I think that won't be happening because I feel like why did I take so long to do this? I can spend over [$] for a camera and [$] for a lens so I let a few [$] get in my way to make my photos look the way I remember them! I use this with Lightroom 4 and boy do I enjoy that I am finely getting the results I want. You be the judge!

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

Set up on both two screen Mac Pro and PC video workstations with no problem.The PC had two different Dell monitors that never looked the same until I got the Spyder.Installation and calibration were easily achieved following the instructions that were easy to follow.My only question is where is the cup for mounting on a CRT monitor although I may never need it?

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

Installed on my new Dell XPS8500 with U2412 monitor using Windows 7 easily for me, purely a nontech amateur photography computer user. It upgraded the software on line at installation time and ran the initial profile with easy to follow menu sequence. A couple of minor puzzlements during the process. I finally figured to pull on the weight that comes with the cord to adjust it, since there was no instruction for adjustment. When I selected "unknown" for tech questions, it seemed to make the right choices for me. One step in the profile sequence did not indicate it was waiting for me to push the "continue" button. Overall it was easier than a competitor I bought about 9 years ago, but maybe the competitor is better now. It's easy enough that I will probably recalibrate my monitor more frequently now.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

I use the spyder with regards to printing exhibition prints of large sizes which saves costly time and consumables( ink and paper).

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

We purchased this after it was recommended by one of our graphic designers. We were having problems because every time she sent mean image (from her MAC) to approve (on my PC), if the image had blue in it, the blue looked purple on my screen. We purchased this model for that reason and because my computer has 2 displays. Long story short, it helps tremendously however on the computers that have multiple monitors such as mine, the changes made by the software don't always turn on when you come out of standby mode and if you don't watch out, you won't notice.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System:

Really works well on my monitor the adjustment to the true color in my Canon Mark II.