Feature Update
- The Spyder 2 Pro - V2.2

The Spyder2 Pro gives good results profiling CRT Monitors and LCDs.

It does a good job with laptops as well, and with ColorVision's latest update to the software, it 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.

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.

2012 - We now have full reviews of the latest Spyder4Elite and Spyder4Express. 2008 - Full reviews of the Spyder3 Pro and Spyder3 Elite.

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.

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.

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.

• The Amazon links, to the right, go to the latest Spyder4Elite calibrator, which is the current eqivalent for the Spyder2Pro

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:

Spyder3 V3 vs V4 software features (May 2010) - S3Elite V4 review

Gamma choices	1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2,4	Unlimited	Unlimited
Colour temp.	5000K, 5800K, 6500K, Native	Unlimited	Unlimited
Ambient light measurement
Multiple display calibration
ReCAL - Recalibration assistant
StudioMatch, multiple display targeting
Front projector calibration
Expert console
Software-based brightness control
Luminance adj. automated for Mac
Iterative grey balance option
Compare & chart display gamuts
Maps display evenness
Graph & compare display's tone response
Charts white luminance & contrast
Compare various monitor (OSD) settings

Product features (late 2009)

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				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					Desktop cradle /calibration tile
Aperture Size	14.5mm diameter	27mm diameter	27mm diameter	27mm diameter	7mm diameter
Ambient Light Measure					N/A
ReCAL, Recalibration Assistant					N/A
Expert Console
Custom B/W Luminance Control
Display History Utility					N/A
SpyderProof Interface
Multiple Display Calibration					N/A
Studio Match					N/A
Front Projector Calibration					N/A
Gamma Curve Editing
CheckCAL, Calibration and Profile Check					N/A
L-Star* Workflow Option
Custom Curves Capability
PreciseLight Functions
Hi-Bit Profiling Option
Precision Gray Axis Algorithm

Spyder4Elite - multiple monitor support and projector profiling (inc. ambient light measurement) Better support for wide gamut and LED backlit monitors.
Spyder4Express - basic monitor profiling and calibration
Spyder3 Print review
Spyder3 Elite - multiple monitor support and projector profiling (inc. ambient light measurement)
Spyder3 Pro - review
The Spyder 2 Pro - original review
Projector profiling with the Spyder 2 Pro
Eye One Display 2 Monitor calibration and profiling device from GretagMacbeth - also allows ambient light measurement.
An Introduction to colour management article by Keith and collection of CM info.
Colour management links on this site
The Viewing page - basic monitor set-up
Reviews - Other equipment and software reviews by Keith.
Why don't my prints match my screen?
A short article showing why there is more to getting your prints to match your screen, than just calibrating your monitor. It's the vital first step, but you do need to consider some other factors for best results.

You can search all the hundreds of articles on the site for more information

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