Feature Update - The Spyder 2 Pro - V2.2
ColorVision updates the Spyder2 Pro software
The Spyder2 Pro gives good results profiling CRT Monitors and LCDs. It does a good job with laptops as well, and ColorVision's latest update to the software adds ambient light measurement, and can now run on Microsoft Vista as well.
This is one of our short 'Feature Update' articles, where we've found a new feature in a package we've reviewed before, that we feel worth mentioning.
Spyder 2 Pro - V2.2
This feature update covers the new functionality only - there are more detailed reviews of the Spyder 2 Pro and Spyder2express elsewhere on the site.
[2008] We now have reviews of the latest Spyder3 Pro and Spyder3 Elite.
The profiling functionality is covered in our original Spyder2Pro review and the update(V2) that covers projector calibration. In this short article, Keith gives a quick overview of just some new features.
What has changed?
The latest release of the Spyder 2 Pro software (download here) now supports vista and includes functionality to allow you to measure ambient light levels before profiling.
Note that this is not the same as the huey continuous measurement option (not a feature I'd personally ever want activated on any system I'm using).
Although most people would stick to a particular setting for their profiling (I use 6500/2.2 for my main monitor and native/2.2 for my laptop), the particular settings that are best may well depend on ambient light levels.
Our colour vision changes at different light levels, and you can allow for this by choosing a lower temperature white point in dimmer conditions.
When you are calibrating, you can choose to activate this feature.

Activating ambient light checking
The sensor (with LCD filter attached) is just positioned sensor upwards to detect the room lighting level
After a quick check, the program offers you its choice for calibration options.

In this instance I happened to have most of my room lighting switched off.
Buying the Spyder 2 Pro
We make a specific point of not selling hardware, but if you found the review of help please consider buying the Spyder 2, or any other items at all, via our link with Amazon.
It won't cost any more (nor less we're afraid) but will contribute towards the running costs of our site.
If you are not sure about this feature then do make use of the useful help facilities. ColorVision are to be commended for including a lot of background material in their help files ... Their on-line 'help' is something I think other manufacturers would do well to consider.
For example, this information covers the choice of settings (text from ColorVision)
I tend to work in what would be described as moderately dim, but with 6500. Do remember that the visual system is extremely adaptable, and if you are particularly worried about getting conditions right then you should
also give quite a bit of attention to your room decoration, and in particular your print viewing conditions.
Summary
Useful functionality, although to get the best from such features you need to consider your whole working environment.
More Info
As of Autumn 2009...
Spyder products feature comparisons
Information from Datacolor (late 2009)
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| Target User |
Home user & digital imaging enthusiast |
Home user & digital imaging enthusiast |
Serious & professional photographers |
Professional photographers, photography
studios and professional users of all kinds |
Photographers, fine art printers, production professionals |
| Measurement Device |
Datacolor Spyder2 |
Datacolor Spyder3 |
Datacolor Spyder3 |
Datacolor Spyder3 |
Datacolor 1005 Spectrocolorimeter |
| Gamma Choices |
Fixed (2.2) |
Fixed (2.2) |
4 choices: 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.4
(16 target combinations) |
Unlimited choices, user defined |
Unlimited choices, user defined |
| Colour Temperature |
Choices Fixed (6500K) |
2 Choices 6500K/Native |
4 choices: 5000K/5800K/ 6500K /native
(16 target combinations) |
Unlimited choices, user defined |
Unlimited choices, user defined |
| Custom Targets |
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Yes, unique custom choices
(NTSC, PAL/ SECAM, Cineon, L-Star) |
Yes, 3 levels of colour targets, plus extended gray targets |
| Embedded Ambient Light Sensor/Desktop Cradle |
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Desktop cradle /calibration tile |
| Aperture Size |
14.5mm diameter |
27mm diameter |
27mm diameter |
27mm diameter |
7mm diameter |
| Ambient Light Measure |
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N/A |
| ReCAL, Recalibration Assistant |
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N/A |
| Expert Console |
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| Custom B/W Luminance Control |
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| Display History Utility |
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N/A |
| SpyderProof Interface |
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| Multiple Display Calibration |
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N/A |
| Studio Match |
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N/A |
| Front Projector Calibration |
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N/A |
| Gamma Curve Editing |
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| CheckCAL, Calibration and Profile Check |
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N/A |
| L-Star* Workflow Option |
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| Custom Curves Capability |
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| PreciseLight Functions |
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| Hi-Bit Profiling Option |
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| Precision Gray Axis Algorithm |
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