I used the Spyder5PRO on a brand new Dell p2416D IPS display -- unless you have a type of IPS or VA panel you very well may not want to bother. IPS & VA LCD panels are slower, making them less popular with gamers, but they display more colors, particularly as you get closer to pure black & pure white. Monitor promo materials &/or specs usually cite however many millions of colors -- more meaningful is if they list the percentage of sRGB that they cover.
The Dell is specced at 99% sRGB, covers 100% after calibration, but doesn't make it to 80% of wider gamut color ranges like Adobe RGB. That alone doesn't make it that unusual or worth the extra cost -- you can buy monitors with IPS panels having similar coverage much cheaper nowadays. You can also buy more expensive displays with a wider gamut or range, but in that case you'd want to research if & how well whatever calibration device worked with wide gamut displays beforehand.
Many people like extra bass when they're listening to music -- it's not accurate, but accuracy isn't important to them. PC monitors & HDTVs tend to be the same way -- out of the box these panels are set up so that what you see is more vivid &/or striking, while PC monitors are also very often too bright. You can find charts online, as well as use free & paid software that will help you adjust your display for accuracy, using only the display's built-in adjustments.
When you use the Spyder5PRO's software &/or Argyll, you create a profile that software [including Windows] uses to alter the colors it displays on your screen. If your monitor adds a green tint for example, the profile will tell software to subtract so much green from what's sent to the display. The monitor will still display everything with that green tint -- the profile just tells software how to compensate. The only manual adjustment you do with the Spyder5PRO software is brightness -- with dispcalGUI & Argyll you can also adjust the individual RGB controls -- in both cases to get close [closer] to the target White Point.
That means that it's to your advantage to at least set the contrast [& brightness] for your monitor beforehand, & it doesn't hurt to adjust the RGB levels [& maybe gamma if available] as needed. Not all software will use [or use well] the profile you create, plus if the display is too far off, that profile may not be able to adequately compensate to bring a color or colors back into range.
Now before you can use the Spyder5 [any version] you have to download & install software. That's pretty much quick & easy with the software for the Spyder5, and it adds the necessary drivers. I downloaded dispcalGUI & Argyll as .zip files -- the Argyle software took a while -- and the only real installation needed was installing Argyle's drivers for the Spyder5. They're unsigned drivers that install in an unusual way in 64 bit Windows. dispcalGUI can install them for you, but it means restarting 64 bit Windows in a special mode. You also can't use the Argyll & Spyder5 drivers at the same time -- if both are installed you have to switch between the 2 in Windows Device Mgr. I took the easy way out, installing the Spyder5PRO software in win7 64, using dispcalGUI & Argyll in win7 32 since I've got both on this rig. Later I copied the profile they created to win7 64. The 1st time I ran dispcalGUI it asked me what folder Argyll was in, & after I installed the Spyder5 drivers it downloaded a file it needed.
Using the Spyder5PRO software was painless. You hang the puck over the top of your display by its USB cord -- it has a felt-like ring to keep from scratching the surface. That USB cord passes through the *lens cap* that protects the sensor when you're not using it, & acts like a counterweight when you are. I've read reports that it was hard to slide the USB cord through the cap to give you enough distance between the puck & the cap to drape them over your display, but the one I got was pretty easy. Where I had problems is the cable is too stiff, having bends in it from being tied up -- I spent some time straightening it so the puck would lay flat on the monitor.
The Spyder5PRO software is wizard based... It tells you when to hang the puck over the screen, & shows you an outline of the puck so you know where to place it -- during calibration the entire screen changes colors, so you don't have to worry about getting the placement exact. You can select whether to have the Spyder5PRO measure the room lighting or not. When you do it suggests a target White Point based on that measurement, or you can set a target from a drop-down box. It'll then measure a white screen, & ask you to adjust the brightness control -- after you adjust it you click a button to measure again, & it shows you how close you are. Once that's set you hit continue, & can now go off for a very quick cup of coffee or tea, as it doesn't take long at all. When the software's done you're asked to save the new profile, & the app gives you options to view test images with that profile on/off.
Installing the software adds a utility app to the Startup folder in the Start Menu -- I'm not leaving the Spyder plugged in so I removed that start Menu Shortcut. It also adds a ProfileChooser app, that lets you switch the profile that Windows & your software uses. It'll complain that the profile you create with Argyll is too big, but it will use it just the same. As for the results of the calibration, it makes the screen a bit darker/warmer, especially if you accept a suggested lower White Point target after measuring room light. It didn't seem to alter image colors in Photoshop in a negative way, but my son & I [who prefer daylight bulbs] both thought it gave everything else in Windows a slightly unnatural look that wasn't there using the profile Argyll created. This is a big *Your Mileage May Vary* sort of thing -- I'm sure many people will prefer the warmer vs. colder look, the same way they prefer warmer vs. cooler lighting.
Now on to dispcalGUI & Argyll... The dispcalGUI app isn't difficult, but neither did I find it intuitive. The developer goes to great lengths to explain what the settings mean on his web page, but then I had to spend some time figuring out where & how you change those settings. It wasn't immediately clear to me that you have to click the "Calibration" & Profiling" buttons -- it wasn't immediately clear to me that those were buttons. Other than that, my only complaint is that it's SLOW, taking 2 hours+ at default settings. Yes, it makes a lot of measurements, but the majority of the time it seems like nothing's going on at all, with no hard drive reads/writes & intermittent 1-2% CPU use -- the 1st time I ran it I kept checking Task Mgr. to see if it was still alive.
One thing I like is that dispcalGUI will also do a verification run, where it will use the Spyder5 to measure what's displayed & compare that to the known values of color swatches. Assuming that when you read the report afterward everything passed, it's no longer a matter of faith that what you see matches what you're supposed to or should see on your screen.
All that said, I personally can't say that the Argyll profile is more or less accurate than the one produced by the Spyder5PRO software, though it certainly contains a lot more data based on more measurements. The dispcalGUI web site explains the adjustments it does so that you can see more shades approaching pure black -- your screen most likely can't display pure black, so it can compensate by lightening the shades closest to black. You see more dark shades that way, but what you see is lighter than it's supposed to be. And comparing the Spyder5PRO & Argyll profiles with images in Photoshop, the main difference *I see* is increased shadow detail with Argyll's profile, I assume because of that.
Bottom line, I bought the Pro version of the Spyder5 for the software, in no small part because I couldn't find out what I wanted/needed to know about using dispcalGUI & Argyll instead. I'd make the same choice today, because while I can [& likely will] use dispcalGUI & Argyll on this PC, I'm sure there will be times when I don't have time, plus I'll be using the Spyder5 on displays where I don't feel that the extra time & hassle are worth it.
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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 oversaturated 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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Room Light MonitoringSpyder5PRO has an integrated room light sensor that continually measures your unique lighting conditions and alerts you if there's been a change among three ambient light levels. Then you can choose to either modify your calibration settings or adjust your room lighting to assure optimal color accuracy. |
True Color in A FlashSpyder5PRO creates a unique color profile for each of your monitors and adjusts their brightness level based on your room lighting. Say goodbye to time wasted on manually correcting your monitor’s preset settings without success. Now you can see the true colors of your photographs, both on screen and in print. Skin tones will 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. |
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Fast & EasySpyder5PRO software is extremely easy to use and offers a simple step by step wizard plus advanced options for the serious photographer. There is no need to learn color management theory because the new interactive help provides simple to understand explanations for every step and term. The software guides you through the calibration process so you can move quickly on to view, edit, and print your photos with color confidence. |
Personalized ‘Before And After’ With SpyderproofSee the nuances that matter most with a 'Before and After' evaluation of your calibration results using your own image, or a professional Datacolor composite image. SpyderProof gives you confidence that your monitors achieve precise color accuracy. |
Display AnalysisIt's important to know the characteristics of your display when doing color-reliable work. Get to know how your monitors perform with the Display Analysis feature, which allows you to compare the color, brightness, contrast, gamut, tone response and white point across all of your laptop and desktop monitors. |
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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| Price | $161.56 | $269.99 | $191.88 |
| 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 |
Videos
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A Must Have For Photographers | Get More Accurate Colors!
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Spyder5 spot - English
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Reviews with images
Good product !! working well with Apple laptop and Mac pro.
It's first time for me to use a calibrator. My computer environments are belowHome : LG 27 (IPS) + 2 Dell U2415 connected with MacBook proWork : U2415H + U2415 + old 19inch dell monitor connected with Mac Pro.Main reason was i realized all displays show different color for a identical image. Even colors from identical monitor model, two U2415s,are slightly different. I am not sure it's a fault from Dell or monitor itself. Anyway, it was little annoying to handle some works forcolor-related stuff.I spent around 5mins to calibrate a monitor for each. There are some pics after the calibration. The color is much better than before!! In speical two U2415 dell monitor shows totally same color (it might not be 100% but in my eyes its 99.999% :) )I am so satisfied with a Spyder5 Pro calibrator. I am not sure how often i need to calibrate my 6 monitors. But a software recommends every month. I am not gonna do that every month. :) might be every six months?Please see the photos for a product and three images from different monitors.
Top reviews from other countries
Client d'Amazon
Très bon capteur d’étalonnage, simple et utile, marchant sous Linux
Reviewed in France on June 24, 2023Peter
Spyder 5 Pro and limitations
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 30, 2018
Peter
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 30, 2018
So what is it like..... The puck itself is very solid and I like how the sensor cap acts as a counter weight. Construction wise I can't fault it at all. As a calibration tool it's brilliant. After using this on 3 different monitor I can say with all honesty this is a brilliant calibration puck, It does exactly what its supposed to and I recommend this to anyone looking.
Buy the basic model only as they are all the same. its the extra bits in software your paying for.. More on this aspect further on....
I loaded the software which you have to download from the website and enter serial number which is inside the box.
Once downloaded you click install and away you go. pretty simple really.
Then it stays simple.. I use a BenQ PD2700Q monitor in Srgb mode powered by a Quadro P400 10bit card.
So I set up for calibration, Did room ambient light test and then hung it on the monitor. You will need to tilt monitor back as far as you can go to get the puck to lay flat on the screen. So after a bit of settings changes ie Colour temp. I hit calibrate. Screen flashes a while then does a few tests of colour swatches then told me to reduce my Brightness to match a figure on a bar that pops up on screen. So I dropped to 28% brightness and to all intense and purposes and 20 minutes later that was it. Calibrated.
Now I have the Pro version of the software and to be honest I was not impressed. I wonder what the basic software is like.
So maybe I won the monitor lottery and my BenQ was almost perfect with factory calibration. maybe, but I had this feeling so I went online and did a search for calibrate my monitor etc.
Pretty much every search I looked at said the same, Software is adequate but not ideal, Puck is brilliant. Which matches what reviews on Amazon say. So I downloaded Display Cal as this is recommended both on Amazon reviews and the internet reviews as The calibration software to use.
So I did and what a difference its made. My gamma level was changed to 2 from 2.2
It then proceeded to run a huge amount of tests of colour swatches. Recalibrated profile on the fly as it made more tests and improved whatever it was improving. ( Im not a techie ) So after 57 minutes.. You read right 57 minutes of calibration I was done. The difference is huge and I'm looking at a screen that feels reborn.
Screen shots are from display cal
My monitor displays 105% of Srgb 80% of Adobe as factory spec.
In conclusion. Buy the basic Spyder 5 it is brilliant, Get Display Cal and use that, Also give them 20 euros donation its worth every cent.
Images in this review
Ed P
Well worth the money...excellent product!
Reviewed in Canada on October 17, 2016