Huey monitor calibration - first impressions

[Rudi]

OK, so I just did my first monitor calibration with the Huey. (For those of you who do not know what a Huey is, CLICK HERE! (http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=36836) :) ). SOOO much easier and faster than my Pantone Spyder! I've also stuffed around with opening and closing the blinds and such to see how the on-the-fly lighting compensation works, and I'm not sure yet if I will leave that on by default - I'll need some time to make up my mind if I want that. :)

The profile seems accurate enough - not sure if it is quite as accurate as the Spyder result, but that is in part because I have reset the monitor to default settings before doing the calibration, and also due to the fact that I haven't re-calibrated in TWO MONTHS! Considering that a complete calibration with the Huey takes less than 2 minutes, and is dead-easy, I think the benefits of having a more up-to-date calibration rather than a (possibly) more accurate, but way-out-of-date one, outweigh the disadvantages.

At $89 US, we should all have one of these! :D Here is the link to the manufacturer: http://www.pantone.com/pages/products/product.aspx?pid=79&ca=2

[Rudi]

OK, now that I've had a few hours to play with it, I will definitely leave the Huey on, updating the profile at 5 minute intervals as the ambient lighting changes. (You can always manually update whenever you like). The more I look at my photos (and photos from others), it looks like the profile created by the Huey is spot-on, too! I'm happy... :D

[Rudi]

UPDATE:

After using this thing for more than a day, I'm starting to think it's the best $99 AUD that I never spent! (Thanks Perry! Really!).

If in doubt, just go and buy it! :D

[Rudi]

OK, final update :D

Spyder profile is more accurate, and I will be using it whenever I need to do really critical work. The Huey is very good on my 24" monitor, though, if I need to calibrate quickly, or the light conditions change severely enough to affect my perception of what is being displayed. Unfortunately, the Huey is no good with my Macbook screen (glossy LCD). After a bit of research, apparently the glossy screen might be the culprit there.

So there you have it. I still think that the Huey is amazing value, and better than nothing (doing it by eye). In my case, I think that the Spyder profile is ultimately more accurate though, so look elsewhere if you don't mind spending more money, and way more time to get the most accurate calibration possible (15-20 minutes versus about 90 seconds :) ).

Any questions? Post them here. :D