I use a dual monitor setup on my photo editing and digital painting computer. I also do some 3D rendering and 3D modeling...

I would like to calibrate both of my monitors. On one monitor the images look a little darker and not as vibrant...

My monitors are a 22 inch Acer X223W and a 19 inch Acros 19 F-419...

I thinking on purchasing a Spyder 3 Express  or pantone Huey as they are only about $99 to $109... I've tried software calibration and I never get satisfactory results....

Any opinions or thoughts on these devices? Will it work with a dual monitor system?

Thanks

Ken

 you will always get differences in tone / contrast between manufacturers / models - but it will give you a better result.

Check that your vid card can deal with multiple profiles, and also make sure your editing programmes are also working with those profiles.  It is a massive headache to set it all up - my lightroom and photoshop still give me overly warm renderings of photos despite the screen output being neutral...

My main advice would be to do it over a weekend, this isnt something to do one evening after work...

Attached Link: http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2010/01/07/Datacolor-Spyder3-Express/p1

I believe you will also need to buy the Pantone Huey Pro for multi monotor support rather than the standard version.

Are you suggesting I need to buy both the Spyder & the Huey? I thought they are competing products?

Thanks kindly for the replies....

Ken

 No -  Either the Spyder 3 Pro or the Pantone Huey Pro.

I use a Spyder 3 pro and it does the job very well. Definitely a worthwhile investment, and an absolute must if you sell your images.

Adam

Thanks kindly....

Does it do luminance?

No worries.... not quite sure what you mean by that but it's all pretty much automated. You just reset your monitor to factory standards before starting, adjust the brightness and contrast to the correct levels using on-screen guides proided with the hardware, then leave it to do the rest. :)

 I use the datacolor spyder pro 3 with a dual monitor setup with no problems or issues! I've used the spyder for a number of years and have upgraded to new models, very easy to use!   My calibration is perfect with an epson 7800 printer when the paper is properly profiled.  Highly recommend the spyder3pro! mark

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/465156-REG/X_Rite_EODIS2_i1Display_2_Colorimeter_Monitor.html

Every lab I've worked in had an X-Rite color meter, so I went ahead and got the X-Rite color calibration hardware. Went middle of the road on price - there's cheaper, and certainly more expensive, but this little puppy ($189 in the US) works like a charm and was easy to use.

I can't see why it wouldn't work for dual-monitors, but then again, I haven't tried - I use single widescreen monitors for my workstations.

I've heard god things about the Spyder 3 as well.

Hope this helps-

-Lew