I just took delivery of a nice new 2690WUXi2 monitor but am unsure which profiling system to use. I already have an eye1 display2 puck (normal non-wide gamut type).
From what I can make out the Spectraview solution isn't sold here in Oz, so it would have to be imported from the States. NEC here recommend the BasICColor product (which I understand is also what is used in Europe). I have downloaded the BasICColor Display 4.1 trial and it certainly seems comprehensive enough. Not having to buy another puck also appeals. However if the SV modified one produces a better result, plus the software works better then it would most likely be worth the trouble and additional expense to get them from the US (although the kit is out of stock at the moment).
If anyone can provide their opinion on which system is superior...?
I do a wide range of professional work, mainly for magazines, as well as my own work - usually to a iPF5100.
Using a MacPro running 10.5.6.
The regular 2690WUXi comes in two versions, - the US version and the rest of the world version. Only the US version can be hardware calibrated with the US SpectraView software. You are out of luck if you live in other parts of the world, including Australia. NEC US will not sell you this software if you don't have an US address. In addition, the outside US 2690WUXi version comes with another firmware so it can't be hardware calibrated.
In Europe (and Australia?) NEC has a monitor called SpectraView2690 that is hardware calibration ready. This is not a regular 2690WUXi2, but a specially selected no-dead-pixel panel (according to NEC) and comes with a hood and NEC branded BasICColor software. A main difference between the (US)SpectraView software and the BasICColor software, is that BasICColor can do videocard LUT calibration as well as hardware LUT calibration. I have both these sotware versions, but the BasICColor is the one to have. (It's actually your only option).
The i1 Display 2 works great with 2690/BasICColor. You don't get any problems due to the wide gamut of the monitor. The i1 Display 2 can be supplied as an option to the SpectraView 2690 from NEC if you want one.