Monitor Replacement Time - Trying to Choose between..

[Roscolo]

The reliable old Samsung CRT I've used for 8 or 9 years has finally aged to the point that I cannot calibrate close enough to match my output. I'm looking for a sub-$500 replacement. I calibrate with a Colorvision Spyder 2. I print to a 44" HP z3100, combination of my photos and some reproductions of paintings.

Looking at a couple posted here, but open to suggestions, keeping in mind my price point.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/6584...al.html#reviews

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...2-524-_-Product

[Czornyj]

The reliable old Samsung CRT I've used for 8 or 9 years has finally aged to the point that I cannot calibrate close enough to match my output. I'm looking for a sub-$500 replacement. I calibrate with a Colorvision Spyder 2. I print to a 44" HP z3100, combination of my photos and some reproductions of paintings.

Looking at a couple posted here, but open to suggestions, keeping in mind my price point.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/6584...al.html#reviews

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...2-524-_-Product

I'd recommend Eizo EV2333W - it's well linearized and has color space that's close to sRGB, so you don't need to calibrate nor profile it (what might be difficult with Spyder2, that doesn't do well on modern LCD displays)

[Roscolo]

After doing some reading, I'm willing to upgrade my calibration system as well, at the same time. I've been using what works so long I am out of the loop as to what the best options are.

So my new price point for monitor and calibration would be in the $500-$600 range.

[Czornyj]

After doing some reading, I'm willing to upgrade my calibration system as well, at the same time. I've been using what works so long I am out of the loop as to what the best options are.

So my new price point for monitor and calibration would be in the $500-$600 range.

at that price tag there's nothing better than NEC P221W with SV II PRO calibration kit

[Roscolo]

Thanks. I was just reading about the P221W. Looks like that may be the way to go. I read some reviews about the colorimeter with the included SVII Pro being somehow customized towards this NEC monitor. I may be completely misunderstanding something here. Can I use the SVII Pro to calibrate other monitors as well?

Wish it was a tad bigger than 22", but I see the price really goes up exponentially just adding slightly to the monitor size. This will still seem much larger over my 19" CRT. (Samsung 955df ) I got a lot of miles out of that CRT. It still works pretty effectively for B&W photos.

[mchudzik]

I love my HP LP2475w.  I bought it a year ago.
I calibrate the color with a X-Rite i1, edit and print mainly from Lightroom 2 to an HPz3100 with printing set to "application managed" - and the prints I get are spot on to what I see on the monitor.  I could not be happier or have an easire time printing.
I am not thrilled with HP's lackluster customer service for printers that are out of warranty, but the monitor has never given me any problems, and so I am very satisfied with my monitor.
Check Amazon dot com's prices.  I found them to be the best price and delivery cost.