The problem I had previously was that the two laptop screens have strong color cast. When I connect my laptop with my monitor, it color doesn't match at all. I'm no professional graphic designer, but I take pictures regularly, and has always had the doubt that however the color look on my screen, it will look different on another viewer.
After calibrated with spyder 5 express, which only takes 5 mins on me, and maybe 15 mins in total, the color cast is all gone. There is still a very slight color difference (hue, saturation) between 3 screens, but I attribute that to the display quality itself. Now the white color looks the same. It might still looks different on someone else' screen, but if theirs get calibrated as well (which I believe all professionals, and most prosumers do), the difference should be minimum.
One thing to notice is how the software interact with windows 10. Initially I switched to my laptop monitor view only, calibrated it, then switched to monitor display only, calibrated it, then I switched to the extended mode. Windows 10 only use the color profile for the monitor display, and therefore, the color on the laptop display was still off. So I calibrated the monitor display again, but in the extended mode. Now they are the same. I suspected that there is some configuration in windows that would allow you apply color profile to each display directly, but I didn't spend the time figuring it out. The calibration process was fast enough that I just did it again.
Overall, I'm very happy with the product, and will recommend this to other people.
There is a newer model of this item:
Datacolor Spyder X Pro – Monitor Calibrator. Color Calibration Tool for Monitor Display. Ensures accurate color for photographic images. Ideal for first-time users
$144.40
(6,051)
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$144.40
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Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
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From the manufacturer
Why Calibrate Your Monitor
Most monitors come out of the box with the brightness set too high and with over saturated colors – plus they degrade over time. Your display is the window into your digital image, you need to be able to trust it. Spyder5 calibrates your display to an industry color reference standard to ensure your colors are accurate for better print matching. Your image editing will be easier and faster, you’ll spend less time in the 'print-edit-print' cycle, and you’ll waste less ink and paper.
Top 5 Reasons to Calibrate Your Display
- Monitors display colors differently.
- People see colors differently.
- Prints don’t match your monitor.
- Image colors are not true to life.
- Save time and money.
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True Color in A FlashSpyder5EXPRESS creates a unique color profile for your monitor, so you can see the true colors of your photographs. Say goodbye to time wasted on manually correcting your monitor’s preset settings without success. Now skin tones are going to be accurate and the blue sky you shot is going to look blue – not cyan. |
Tomorrow's TechnologyNext generation Spyder technology comes with a colorimeter that's compact, portable and protected. It includes a dual purpose lens cap and counterweight, and guarantees improved tonal response with the industry's only patented 7-detector optical engine. |
Fast & EasySpyder5EXPRESS is extremely easy to use and takes just 5 minutes once a month. In a simple 4 step process just select your monitor type, place the Spyder5 on screen, click the 'calibrate' button, and then see your calibration results. There is no need to learn color management theory because the new interactive help provides simple to understand explanations for every step and term. |
See Your 'Before and After' Calibration Results with SpyderProof
Seeing a photo in 'Before and After' mode allows you to see your calibration results. The Datacolor standard composite photos highlight changes in color, skin tones, shadow and highlight details, giving you confidence that your monitors achieve precise color accuracy.
System Requirements
- Windows 7 32/64, Windows 8.0, 8.1 32/64, 10 32/64
- Mac OS X 10.7, 10.8, 10.9, 10.10
- Monitor resolution 1280x768 or greater, 16-bit video card (24 bit recommended), 1GB of available RAM, 500 MB of available hard disk.
- Internet connection for software download.
- USB port
What You Get
- Spyder5 Colorimeter
- Welcome Card with software download link and warranty registration.
- Software Serial Number
- Reusable storage box
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| Spyder5EXPRESS | Spyder5PRO | Spyder5ELITE | |
| Customer Reviews |
884
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1,566
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404
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| Price | $161.90 | $269.99 | $192.22 |
| Designed For | Hobbyist photographers seeking a simple monitor color calibration solution | Serious photographers and designers seeking a full-featured and advanced color accuracy solution | Professional photographers, studios, and calibration perfectionists seeking ultimate control of their color workflow |
| Hardware Calibration Device | Spyder5 Colorimeter | Spyder5 Colorimeter | Spyder5 Colorimeter |
| Software | 4 Step Process & Interactive help | Wizard, Interactive Help, Advanced Features | Wizard, Interactive Help, Expert Console, Suite of Expert Features |
| Calibration Settings | Fixed (2) | 16 Choices | Unlimited choices, user-defined, and Rec.709 for videography |
| Multiple Monitor Support | Laptops & Desktop Monitors | Laptops & Desktop Monitors | Laptops, Desktop Monitors, Front Projectors & Studio Match Assistant |
| Before & After Calibration Evaluation | Standard Datacolor Image | Standard Datacolor Image & Imported User Images | Standard Datacolor Image & Imported User Images (Full Screen Mode) |
| Room Light Monitoring | None | 3 Ambient Light Settings | 5 Ambient Light Settings |
| Fast Recalibration Option | None | Yes | Yes |
| Display Analysis | None | Basic | Advanced including Screen Uniformity |
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Reviews with images
Calibrated my Linux desktop and my Windows 7 laptop.
I got the Spyder5 Express in yesterday and preceded to calibrate the displays on my Ubuntu Studio Linux Desktop and my Windows 7-64 Laptop.There are no instructions on how to use this, so you have to go to the Datacolor website. The website is printed on information in the box. All directions are on the website. You must register the unit before you can download their software.(Note: The only difference between the various units seems to be the software.)1st, I calibrated my Linux desktop computer monitor. I installed DispcalGUI, which is DisplayCal3. This program downloads and installs additional software from the Datacolor website for this unit. After going through the basic information, everything else is automatic until it finishes. The software does extensive testing and took 2.5 hours to test and calibrate the monitor on my Linux desktop. Be sure your screen-saver is turned off. Something that I forgot, so I had to babysit it. (You can't get to the screen-saver controls while DisplayCal is running.)2nd came my Windows 7-64 Laptop.After registering the unit and downloading the Windows software, I ran into some hardware registration issues. Namely, you are not supposed to plug it in to your computer until the software tells you to....I also ran into a mild issue with the software database. Their software has nearly all of the manufactures and models listed in it. My Toshiba laptop was not listed. For that matter, Toshiba was not listed. I simply used the Generic manufacture.But after the software was installed on the Windows laptop, the hardware was recognized, and the basics were covered, the software went through a quick monitor check and started the calibration process. This check and calibration process was nearly all automatic. The Windows check and calibration software took 10 minutes. It does not do an extensive set of testing on Windows Computer Monitors.You will need the serial number of the unit to register it. You will find this number on the bottom and inside of the box.The instructions say that Datacolor software can calibrate 2 monitors at the same time which are hooked to your computer, including TV's used as monitors.The Datacolor license allows you to calibrate up to 5 computer display monitors.
Top reviews from the United States
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Top reviews from other countries
Wayne L
Adjusted monitor colors accurately
Reviewed in Canada on April 5, 2019Style: Spyder5 ExpressVerified Purchase
Xorsh
Iteración evolutiva de un calibrador indispensable para cualquier aficionado a la foto o imágenes.
Reviewed in Mexico on July 31, 2018Style: Spyder5 ExpressVerified Purchase
Meow!
Simple and Effective.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 31, 2018Style: Spyder5 ExpressVerified Purchase
Jean Bal
Bien meilleure que la Spyder 3 et parfaite avec DisplayCAL
Reviewed in France on August 19, 2017Style: Spyder5 ExpressVerified Purchase
