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 - Lacks user controls and doesn't validate it's settingsSo, it does what it's supposed to do -- calibrate your monitor. HOWEVER, if you prefer a slight variation to its calibration (say a bit warmer or cooler), you're out of luck! Once it calibrates, you have to use it's automatic settings -- no fine tuning. So, why is this a problem? It's automated settings may not always be the best choice. Basically, it samples each color and intensity (dark red through light red, etc.). Then it creates a profile based on what it measured. It does NOT recheck the screen after it calibrates it though. And sometimes, it doesn't create the profile correctly. I tried calibrating my laptop (Dell D600) and ended up with a yellowish casting. It worked better on my desktop (which is what I actually use for photo editing), but still wasn't perfect. They should have done two things -- 1) Add custom fine-tuning options (allow you to warm/cool the calibrated profile a bit), and 2) re-check the monitor AFTER it applies its profile to confirm that it applied correctly. By the way, as for the yellowish cast on my Dell D600, the support site suggested updating the video driver. I have the latest driver available and still no luck. Perhaps the professional version works better, but I'm a bit disappointed in this one. Rating:  - Friendly Spyder!Don't be fooled by the inexpensive price - this Spyder will calibrate your display. Since my LCD monitor was fairly new I had been able to get colors out of my printer that were similar to my display. But now that I've calibrated the monitor, my HP 7360 printer duplicates my display on my Windows XP/SP2 system. This product will not calibrate your printer (which I knew before I bought it) but it works much better than software only products. In addition, the accompaning software was not difficult to install and the combination hardware spyder and software is simple to use. Rating: - Not for everyone - especially if you are color technicalLacks Flexability- It adjusts screen to Kelvin 6500 (yellow). For most, especially if you are into photo editing, that is far too warm. I personally like about 5500. The result is that it makes the screen look warmer than what the photos are, or when printed. I have contacted ColorVision, and there is no flexability on this unit. You have to move up to a more expensive package to have the flexability. Rating:  - User FriendlyThe Spyder2 express is extremely easy to use with instructions that are very easy to follow. I use it on a new 22" LCD. I did notice an immediate improvement in the colors on my monitor especially in the skin tones. I do a lot of photography and I recently sent out for some test prints and they came back with good results in relation to what I saw on my monitor. The important thing to remember with photography is that a print reflects light and a monitor emits light so they will never be an exact match. Also are you incorporating printer profiles into your editing? I would recommend this product and I also like it because the software is upgradeable through the website while using the same hardware. I only gave it four stars because I know there are better models out there but at a much higher price. It all depends on your budget and how critical your color accuracy is. Hint: If your color accuracy is that critical you probably aren't reading this and already own a much higher end model than this. Rating: - Great Calibrator for the moneyWorks very easily, does all the work for you. Significant difference after calibrating using Spyder. I had tried using the Adobe Gamma calibrator, but never achieved good results. I edit alot of photos, so this was a great buy.
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