ColorVision Spyder 2 (Win/Mac)

by ColorVision

Product Features

• Spyder2 - Next Generation Spyder Technology Sets the Standard for Affordable Monitor Calibration.
• The ColorVision Spyder2 features the all new Spyder2 colorimeter and monitor calibration for advanced amateurs and prosumers to create precise ICC display profiles for your CRT, LCD or notebook display.
• FREE bonus software includes PANTONE® colorist software.
• Improved Gray Balance and Tonal Response Provides demanding users with exceptionally smooth gradient steps and neutral grays.
• Unique Before and After Viewing Feature Allows you to compare your display with and without calibration.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0006JMILO
• Item model number: GEU110
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 7, 2005
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,847 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

The Spyder2 includes: All new Spyder2 colorimeter All new Spyder2 monitor calibration software FREE PANTONE® colorist software $75 rebate coupon for ColorVision PrintFIX or SpectroPRO (U.S. and Canada Customers only) 2 Year Spyder2 hardware warranty FREE technical support FREE software updates

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Works quite well, May 15, 2005

By 

Bukkene Bruse (Iowa) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: ColorVision Spyder 2 (Win/Mac) (CD-ROM)

I've used my Spyder2 on a Mac iBook and a Dell 2350 running Windows XP on a 17in Dell LCD flatscreen. The monitor calibrator and software in both cases did a much better job than I could do on my own with Adobe Gamma or other judgement-based calibrators. After calibration, pictures on my monitors appear much more like the prints I get from Kodak Gallery (formerly Ofoto), both in color and tone (to the extent that a projected-light RGB image can look like a reflected light CMYK image.) I haven't tested the system on a CRT monitor.

One gripe: I bought my system new from Amazon, and it came packaged as new, but the Spyder was scuffed and clearly had been used previously. It wasn't worth my time and energy to return it since it functions fine, but I don't think this was an honest business practice on the part of ColorVision.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best accessory for a good monitor, July 29, 2005

By 

Ursiform (Torrance, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: ColorVision Spyder 2 (Win/Mac) (CD-ROM)

When I was ready to buy a bigger monitor the only practical choice was an LCD, despite the inherent limitations in color space. I do a lot of digital photography, and after several months of trying to match what I saw on the new monitor with what I printed, and what others saw when I sent them pictures, I was pretty frustrated. So I ordered a Spyder. After about an hour's investment of time my monitor now displays pictures the way they should look. The software may not have a perfect user interface, but it is pretty good. The process takes a little time, but it is comparable to the time it took to set up the monitor in the first place, and hardly onerous as an occasional calibration. In fact, I would have saved many hours of Photoshop time if I'd just bought the Spyder when I bought the monitor. If you want to use multiple monitors or prepare files for commercial printers you should probably get the pro edition. But if you just want to make your monitor "behave" the way it should then get this product and spend the hour it takes to do the calibration.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Amateurs be careful, May 8, 2006

By 

John Nordin (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: ColorVision Spyder 2 (Win/Mac) (CD-ROM)

I am sure a professional or one versed in color management issues can use this device and achieve good results. People just getting into this should be careful. I followed the instructions and now my monitor puts a definite blue cast to everything. So obviously, I did something wrong - but finding out what isn't easy. First, the on-screen help is a total joke, hardly has any info at all. There is no manual either. There is no explanation of color management, don't explain how it interacts with other devices, etc.

I do have two monitors, one LCD, one tube. I was able to get it to do profiles for both by unplugging one and then the other. The two monitors aren't even close to showing the same colors now - one is blueish the other yellowish. So again, I'm doing something wrong, but the application gives me no clue on what to fix.

The other apps are even less user-friendly. The profile chooser application has no on-screen help at all nor does it let you delete profiles.

The included Pantone color picker application comes with a 20 page pdf that doesn't really explain what it is or why you'd use it.

Again, someone coming from a graphics background probably won't have a problem and I'm not claiming the application itself is flawed. I may well come back 3 months from now and have no problems at all either. But you do need to have knowledge of color management to use and troubleshoot this.