Features:

  • THE FASTEST SPYDER EVER: Calibrating your monitor to achieve color precision now takes just a minute or two – several times faster than previous models.
  • THE MOST ACCURATE SPYDER EVER: Groundbreaking lens-based color engine provides a higher level of color accuracy for multiple monitors. SpyderX Pro features room-light monitoring, automatic profile changing and significantly more precise screen color, shadow detail and white balance.
  • .THE EASIEST-TO-USE SPYDER EVER: SpyderX Pro is so intuitive, you don’t have to be a color expert. It features quick and easy single-click calibration and wizard workflow with 12 predefined calibration targets for advanced color accuracy.
  • SEE THE DIFFERENCE INSTANTLY: SpyderProof functionality provides before-and-after evaluation of your display and allows you to see the difference using your own images.
  • MONITOR TECHNOLOGIES CHANGE AND IMPROVE OVER TIME: SpyderX Pro assures you support for the latest screen types, recent resolutions and gamuts.
Invaluable to serious photographers and videographers

I had tried the Xrite Colormunki a couple of years ago, and it turned my relatively closely eye-balled calibration into a yellow mess. I ended up returning it. I just got a new PC and the colors were way off, and I spent hours and hours trying to adjust the display with no luck. I was hesitant to try another colorimeter based on my previous experience, but out of desperation I decided to try again with the Spyder5, and the results look great. I calibrated all three of our PCs with very close results. I'm still a little confused about the workflow to let the unit automatically set the brightness and white balance and getting it to read the room lighting, but I'll get it figured out. One time I got a screen that let me tell it to set them automatically, but I'm having trouble finding it again. This version has so many features that I know I will glad to have once I get them all figured out. I learned that my new PC can display the entire sRGB gamut and more, but my old PC can only display about 75% of the sRGB gamut, and my husband's PC is limited to about 65% - which explains why the colors, especially the red feathers on a bird look so much worse on his.

Works flawlessly out of the box and does exactly what I wanted it to!

I have two monitors on a Mac Pro that have always looked slightly different no matter how much time I spent on calibration. Though they are the same model, they were purchased a year apart, and their differences in brightness and color temperature were not small. About fifteen minutes after installing the Datacolor software and calibrating both with the Spyder X Elite, both of those monitors now look absolutely IDENTICAL. I can take a photo and enlarge it across BOTH monitors and it looks no different than if it were just on one or the other. I had tried to achieve that same effect manually for literally years with no success; five minutes on each monitor with the Spyder X Elite and it's done! The best part is I also have a newer iMac, and after calibration it looks identical to the monitors on the Mac Pro! This device does exactly what it says it will with no issues whatsoever. The only note is that the software warns you to only connect the device to a USB port on the computer, but that's simply not possible for computers with external monitors, but as long as your monitors have a GOOD built-in hub that can supply the Spyder X's power needs, it all works as it should. VERY highly recommended for anyone that does design, photography or video editing. The downside is now I can see how far off photos I processed in Lightroom previously are. :-)

Spyder5 Express

I have two desktops and two laptops at my home. I started this venture when I sent in photos to be printed out in a photo book and the pictures came out horribly. Low contrast, low brightness and just terrible. I had a copy of one of the digital photos that I had sent to be printed and decided to check it on all of the screens. Well, it looked different on every screen and only looked good on the computer screen that I had used to edit and upload pictures for printing. Calibrated all using the datacolor software and was quite happy with the results. I felt it did a real nice job with the screens I calibrated. A heck of a lot better than what I had. I then decided to test how close all the screens were to being equal by testing each screen with a test digital photo. Although close, there was still some differences but again, not too bad. Three of the screens looked pretty good and one of the laptops was not good. I calibrated the laptop two more times with the same poor results. I bought the laptop for my wife and it is only about 8 months old and not even used all that much. Anyway I ended up researching my issue and found a lot of useful info as well as a lot of confusing info. I came back to Amazon site to read read reviews that had been posted by owners of the Spyder5 Express. I noticed that several reviews complained that the datacolor software was just ok but there was a lot better software available. The popular Software was DisplayCal and Argyll which work together. DisplayCal is the GUI while Argyll is the software that does all the work. I figured what do I have to lose and I tried it. It was amazing and the laptop that was very poor, popped back to life again after running the calibration procedure. The calibration procedure takes about two hours but is well worth the time since all of my screens now look even better since I did recalibrate them as well with this new software. I was totally impressed how it brought the problem laptop back to life. In my opinion, the Spyder5 Express works good using the recommended software but works fantastic using DisplayCal and Argyll software. DisplayCal and Argyll are free by the way!! The site does ask for donations and I for one will certainly make a donation because of the fantastic product they have. I am extremely happy with my computer screens now. Now what I see on my screen is what I should see when I get my photos professionally printed.

Works great with Linux and open source DisplayCal software

Excellent! I use to use a Spyder 2 back in the day and I wanted a calibrator that was a little more current. Enter the Spyder5express to the rescue. I am on linux (Ubuntu) and this calibrated both my external display and laptop screen. I didn't even use the Spyder software, which you download from the manufature's website. DisplayCal calibration software (also available for Windows and Mac) is in the Ubuntu software center. It is easy to use, and asks for the Windows Sypder software (.exe) file you downloaded from the manufacture. It extracts the calibrator's profiles from the software. After that, you follow the easy prompts. It takes about an hour per monitor, but is so worth it. Excellent device and linux ready!

Spyder5EXPRESS+DisplayCAL3 is an awesome combination!

Spyder5EXPRESS+DisplayCAL3 is an awesome combination. Based on many reviews here, I opted for the lesser priced EXPRESS model and downloaded the magnificent DeviceCAL software. It works very intuitively. Didn't even bother with the native Spyder5 software. Don't forget the Argyll CMS instrument drivers. I've done a total of three calibrations on my new Samsung 32” WQHD LED (S32D850T) monitor, each one with a little more knowledge under my belt. Read up on the DisplayCAL help file and you'll see how easy it really is to use (and maybe make a donation?). Also recalibrated my 10+ year old NEC professional IPS panel. Now, both are identical when viewed side by side. Working on my ASUS laptop now. The Spyder5 replaced my aged Spyder Pro (circa 2002) which simply would not work on my new systems. Drivers just would not load. I am very happy with this device, and it's perfect for my modest amateur astrophotography and nature imagery needs.

This is all you need to know...

Once you question your monitor's color accuracy, in my case when editing photographs, you will suffer the nagging suspicion that your finished product will not be all that it could be. Do yourself a big favor and spend the $100 to give yourself peace of mind. It's well worth it. Don't even bother calling your professional photographer and graphic artist friends, like I did, to see if they work on calibrated monitors. Just because they don't won't quiet that voice in your head. The least expensive version of datacolor's colorimeter monitor calibration devices, the Spyder5EXPRESS, has the same sensor as it's two more expensive models and produces the same profiles. It's limitations allow it to work only with a 6500K color temperature and 2.2 gamma, which are the most commonly used settings anyway. A little research online will reveal there is no need to spend an additional $100 for the ability to measure ambient light. You must go online to register the device and download datacolor's measuring software. Sadly the software provides poor results, as evidenced by the negative reviews you may read. There is nothing wrong with the calibration device, only the results when used with datacolor's software. As recommended by others, download the free DisplayCAL software online for accurate, satisfying results. Save yourself many hours of research and worry...Buy the Spyder5EXPRESS and use it with DisplayCAL's free software. Even if the results are subtle, you'll know they are correct.

very effective, use DisplayCal, not vendor software

Very effective. The more crappy the monitor the more effective it is. On my nice monitors it was a nice thing to have. On the crappy monitors of some of the computers I ran it on it was bringing light to darkness. Amazing. Do not even bother installing any of the vendors software. Just download the DisplayCal drivers, and find a quick how to online for Spider5 and DisplayCal.

easy to use

It's simple, easy to use. Just read the instructions. I have calibrated my monitor only once and was surprised that it looks too warm, but apparently I was too used to it being on the cooler side, a few weeks later my brain adjusted and it's now normal to me. Definitely helpful. It takes longer than expected to calibrate. Just follow instructions and you will be good to go. Can't beat the price, all other monitor calibrators with the same average buyer feedbacks are way more expensive. I am a hobbyist, I only use this for one monitor so I can't attest to it matching a couple of monitors in the same room. The only that threw me off what when it said I have to hang it I did not know you had to open the thing, I kept wondering how in the world am I going to hang this thing right side up? There was no illustration showing that the bottom part flaps open. Hope this was helpful.

A must have if you use a TV for your monitor!

Wasn't sure about this based on some of the other reviews - but it worked perfectly for me! I recently purchased a 40" 4k TV to use as a computer monitor. The color levels on the TV seem just fine when using my Nvidia Shield for watching movie or TV content, but it left much to be desired when using it for a computer monitor. The colors where noticeably off to the point it was starting to drive me a little crazy. Hopping between my other computer/laptop monitors to the TV monitor really made me notice the difference. So I took the plunge hoping this would help correct the problem and WOW oh WOW - what a massive difference it made. I didn't even bother with their software or drivers and went straight to DisplayCAL as many other reviews recommend. Installed the Argyll CMS and the driver for the Spyder 5 via DisplayCAL without issue. Using default settings calibration took around an hour for me give or take. Totally worth it! I was so pleased with the results I am planning on running a longer calibration session overnight, which from what I've read will result in an even better calibration. That being said the default settings made a massive difference and have left me very satisfied. I could instantly see the difference and it actually feels like I'm looking at a monitor and not a TV with washed out colors now.

Thumbs Up!

I have a small-time photography business, that I grow with every check I receive. After you get the essentials you want /need, sooner or later, you will run into this concern. Are the colors I am seeing on my monitors, having anything to do with printing standards? Or, When my friend says my images are a bit on the green side, is it his monitor or mine? Your monitor may look fine to you, but even if you calibrate it according to some of the nice instructions found on the internet, One important fact is there; What you perceive as unadulterated GREY, may have a slight tint. This will mess up the whole true color gamut, if you get it wrong. Sooner or later, ( If your business is successful, with a steady income,..), you will be able to afford the money to purchase a product to help you more accurately calibrate your monitor /monitors. You may be happy with this purchase, as I am, if you keep in mind calibration should be done on an on going basis. It is not a one shot deal! And you can calibrate as many monitors as you want. Note: I have used the software that comes with the Spyder5Express. So far, fleshtones have looked great for portraits. Others have mentioned that other free software works with this. So, YES you have that option too. Read up on this whole monitor calibration deal. Then choose whatever you think is good for you. But, I recommend the bottom tiered Spyder5 express! It's the same product as the top tiered model. The difference is the software that is bundled with it.

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