Help selecting a monitor

[subconcept]

Looking to get a new monitor. Currently running a Samtron 17" 75G 1280x1024 @ 75hz. I want something more higher resolution, like 1600x1200 @ 85 hz. Ive been wanting to upgrade for a while now but after I set up some dual 1 ghz ma G4's on 22" ViewSonics, I had to upgrade, the monitors were unbeliveable. One thing that slightly annoyed me were the horizontal stabilizing wires. Does anyone find these annoying on their Flat screens?

Im probably going flat as opposed to a curved screen.

What monitors would you guys suggest. ive heard bad things about KDS, and Sony is very expensive. I want to stay within 500-550 canadian before taxes. My after school job at the grocery store an only handle so much hehehe.

I have been looking at LG 915 Flatscreen Plus
Link: http://lge.ca/product/915ft.asp

but i want to know if anyone knows any good alternatives to consider.

Thanks.

 

[Über~PhLuBB]

There are alot of good brands. If you're specifically looking for a 17", I'd suggest one of the following:

Sony Trinitrons are excellent but pricy.
http://specs.emscomputing.com/cgi-b...190201098c0e2741d8b0e20c0605"&price="$279.49"

Another Sony. If you have the money, Sony is the way to go.

If you want REAL high resolutions, Phillips is the only reasonable brand I know of.

As always, Viewsonic has high resolution models also
http://specs.emscomputing.com/cgi-b...190201098c0e2741d8b0e20c0605"&price="$188.00"

Not quite as crisp or clear as Sony, NEC makes good Mitsubishi-based monitors.
http://specs.emscomputing.com/cgi-b...190201098c0e2741d8b0e20c0605"&price="$199.00"

Edit: You'll have to copy and past those 3 EMS Computing links, the URL tag doesn't like quotes I guess. =P

 

[subconcept]

Ooops i should have made that clear. I already have a 17" I want to upgrade to a 19".

I am looking around the same price range of the LG monitor that I pasted in the first post. 1600x1200 @ 85hz.

The Lg one is about 475 canadian

Thanks

 

[Über~PhLuBB]

Ooops i should have made that clear. I already have a 17" I want to upgrade to a 19".

I am looking around the same price range of the LG monitor that I pasted in the first post. 1600x1200 @ 85hz.

The Lg one is about 475 canadian

Thanks

Ah. Well then in that case, I think you should go with Philips. They have the highest resolution 19" monitor I've seen for under US$400, AND it's .24ag (NOT .24mm), again the only 19" monitor I've seen with that feature. It's pure flat, has all the things we take for granted (OSD, anti-glare coat, etc), and runs between US$385 and US$410 (Not hard to find one for under US$400).

Check it out (109P20)

And as you can see, it's a damn good LOOKING monitor to boot. =)

 

[subconcept]

Looks like a very good monitor, except its out of my price range, after taxes its gonna clean me out.

1600x1200 is the highest i plan to go to so I do need anything more.

Any other prospects?

 

[WyrmMaster]

There a thread in cyber deals about a 19 inch at amazon.com for 226, and you can get a 30 dollar rebate on it. Looks like a good monitor, and the price is right. Cant quite remember the brand though.

 

[Über~PhLuBB]

Looks like a very good monitor, except its out of my price range, after taxes its gonna clean me out.

1600x1200 is the highest i plan to go to so I do need anything more.

Any other prospects?

If money is a problem, KDS uses Sony Tronitron tubes in their Avitron models (Which are unfortunately discontinued). The model number AV-195TF uses a Sony FD Trinitron tube, has a maximum res of 1600 x 1200 @ 85Hz, and are very, very inespensive for such equipment. Make a few calls to retailers around your area, you might be able to find one lurking around.

http://www.kdsusa.com/product_detail.asp?prod=168

I own an AV-7T (17" Trinitron, not FD Trinitron) and it's honestly the cleanest monitor I've ever seen, the colors are crisp and bright. I'm not alone in that either, 2 of my friends have said it's the cleanest they've seen too.

Obviously it's not going to be the same as a Sony monitor, because the components in a KDS are not Sony, and as such, aren't tuned as well. But for a budget monitor, they're damn good.

 

[subconcept]

I had heard bad horror stories and bad things about KDS before. I am still going to consider them.

Most I want to spend is 480 Can/300 USD.

I was looking at

KDS V195, 19" SVGA 0.26dp N.I. 1600x1200 EPA MPR2
Its 365 Canadian

I still like the LG 915 but it is fairly expensive. Is it worth paying the extra money for 85hz.

What do you guys think?

 

[MadMan007]

You get what you pay for is all I can say. Just buy a major brand.

I bought a 17" Sony GDM-17se1 8 years ago ($1000 then )and I still use it today. It has gone through all my moves at college and afterwards as well. Still has bright colors & good focus. There are some slight convergence issues at the screen edges, but I only notice them in the Nokia monitor test anyway, so who cares?

The lines never really bothered me, and after a little while your brain should 'tune them out,' so to speak. It is only noticable to someone who has become used to a shadow mask w/o the lines.

Consider going to a computer show and buying demo model monitors. The last show I went to had demo monitors (not refurbs) w/ full 3-year factory warranties. 21" sony's were ~$375US, 19" ~$225 IIRC. Plus, no shipping Very tempting, but they would not fit in my desk anyway.

Also, the local shop near me ocassionally has similar 'demo' models. Last time they had 21" Viewsonic professional-line monitors for $450. It was normally a $600 monitor.

.

 

[Über~PhLuBB]

I had heard bad horror stories and bad things about KDS before. I am still going to consider them.

Most I want to spend is 480 Can/300 USD.

I was looking at

KDS V195, 19" SVGA 0.26dp N.I. 1600x1200 EPA MPR2
Its 365 Canadian

I still like the LG 915 but it is fairly expensive. Is it worth paying the extra money for 85hz.

What do you guys think?

No, KDS pretty much makes crap now. They stopped making their awesome Sony Trinitron FD monitors last year, that's why I said you should look around for the AV-195TF, it's made with the "latest" Sony Trinitron FD CRT.

As for the LG 915, I'm not going to comment one way or the other because I've never heard of Flatron (let alone used their products). It's always best to stick with known makers. They aren't heralded as the best just because of the badge on the front, they must make good products. The Flatron won't look like a Sony, that I guarantee.

Like MadMan said, you get what you pay for. That's true for just about everything (But there are always stores who want more money than they should ask) from knives to cars. This also applies to the new model KDS you chose, $365 CD is very, very cheap for a 19" monitor, it's that cheap for a reason (which may or may not be evident until you have it in your hands).

 

[Niloc]

I would recommed a Sont Trinitron Flat screen I have one yes it was quite a lot of money but it was worth every penny. I love it so much. Its the best monitor that I have ever had and I think Im going to stay with Sonys for a while...