X-Rite Eye-One Display LT by Xrite
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Digital camera reviews of X-Rite Eye-One Display LT
Digital camera Review: Good results, once you figure out how to use it
Summary: 3 Stars
I give this three stars because it does work well, but the "out of the box" experience is poor and it takes a fair amount of work plus trial-and-error to figure out how to use it properly.
The Eye-One display LT can be used to calibrate CRT and LCD monitors. Inside the box there is the calibration "dongle" (looks a bit like a mouse), counterweight (clips onto the USB cord), ambient light cover, CD with software, and a brief, multi-lingual "getting started" guide.
The getting started guide is pretty much useless because it has errors and doesn't provide enough detail: it tells you to connect the dongle and then install the software, for example. Clearly, this has led enough astray that the manufacturers have added a luminous pink sticker on the internal packaging saying "Install software before connecting!" Missing is a key piece of information: which of the six programs on the CD to install -- and it isn't obvious (you actually want Eye-One Match -- the "calibration" program doesn't do what you'd think)
I highly recommend watching the training video on the CD as it gives you a much better set of instructions and it's far clearer what to do. The software does actually work quite well, but you have to know what you're doing -- you won't be able to figure it out completely unless you've seen the video.
Getting the dongle to lie flat on my LCD screen was a real challenge, because the thick plastic coated USB cord won't bend around the sharp top edge of my screen; it tends to lift it off. In the end I used the counterweight (supplied) to hang the cord down flat. And thus, after two false starts, on my third calibration attempt I got a good result.
So, now that I am fully trained, the device works as advertised and I have a properly calibrated monitor. Prior to calibration, the screen was over-bright with highlights blown out and with way too much contrast. Now it matches color-managed prints I've made.
Digital camera Review: Great tool for monitor calibration!
Summary: 4 Stars
If you're a pro or serious amateur photographer you need this device. It's a simple device to use and it should be in every photographer's or Photoshop users tool kit. I bought the LT model since I didn't need the extended bells & whistles that the Pro model has. The GUI is pretty straightforward and it can be set to remind you when you need to re-calibrate. The only minor gripe I have is that I seldom shut my computer down and the reminder in the software hasn't reminded me to re-calibrate when it's supposed to; I have it set for weekly. That's the reason for the 4 stars.Digital camera Review: Great tool, but I bought the software upgrade
Summary: 3 Stars
The Eye-One LT can become an Eye-One Display 2 through a firmware update which then unlocks additional software features. The firmware update costs around double the price difference between the LT and the Display 2. If you are a casual user wanting to go cheap, the Eye-One LT is for you. If you're a tweaker, save yourself time and money and buy the Eye-One Display 2.
With that said, the tool worked quickly and easily on my HP LP2475W, MacBook Pro, and Dell D620. The picture quality was dramatically improved. The best picture on the MacBook Pro did come after upgrading to the Display 2 so that I could use the native color temperature of the MBP. It also allows calibration of brightness.
In my opinion, it was worth it. Some of my older pictures look better than ever and now I know that what I'm seeing on the screen is what it's supposed to look like.
Digital camera Review: Horrible
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this, and because my computer monitor is on an iMac, I can't get the white point right. My calibrations always turned out VERY red. When I asked xrite, they now want me to spend $99 on an upgrade. Their product isn't working, and I'm expected to shell out another $100 for it?! THAT'S INSANE! I'm not happy with xrite, and I'm NEVER buying their brand again. I won't want to chance it not working, and having to spend more money on a product that I had a set budget for!Digital camera Review: It Works for Me
Summary: 4 Stars
I've seen a lot of negative reviews on this product. A professional photographer acquaintance suggested that I should get this as he uses the pro version. I had no problem loading the software. Updating was basically automatic. The instructions were slightly confusing to follow but watching the How To video twice and stepping my way through the process worked the first time with great results. Take your time and it works.