Best 21" monitor?

[Ajay]

I decided to pick up a Sony G500 from monitorsDirect.com. They offered an add on Advanced Replacement warrantee for $49, so if I have problems I can easily get a new one (can't remember if it's overnight or second day). Excellent customer service at monitorsDirect.

Thanks for all the comments,
-AJ

 

[FatElvis]

Ajay-
I had the opportunity to check out the Sony G500 and the the Mitsu D. Plus 200. The Plus 200 is much better in my opinion, but that's just me. Sure the G500 looks awesome compared to a monitor that looks like a fishbowl, but it doesn't look so hot next to the Plus 200. The Plus 200 is a lot brighter (and they stay brihter for a longer period of time--30% longer, I believe-- due to the coating of the phosphers or something) and the colors just look better. If there is a problem with corner to corner fidelity, just fiddle with the controls, that'll take care of the problem. (You will have to fiddle with the controls when initially change resolutions, the default settings at different resolutions throw the screen out of whack, but once you do that, you can change resolutions to your hearts content and the picture will be awesome.)

Of course, I'm biased. I have the Plus 200 myself and I couldn't be happier.

The picture on the Plus 200 is so pretty, it will give you wood.

 

[MADCAP]

I bought a G500 from uBid for $525 a couple of days ago. I saw them going for around $480 today. It will be here in a day or two.

It is a new refurb from the Sony factory(like the ones they give for warranty replacements) and has a 90 day warranty from Sony. What I did was buy the 1 year advanced replacement warranty for $62.

With warranty, shipping, and everything, it came to $665.30 total. This seemed to be a great deal to me. It's new from the Sony factory, and is up to spec. It has been tested more than a regular retail unit. Plus I have the warranty as a buffer. I bet that any part that will fail early will show it's self in a year and 3 months. Basically I traded the last half of the warranty for a huge discount. The part I'll probably never use. If the monitor is good, it should last as long as normal. If it's got a problem it should happen in this time frame.

Worse comes to worse I'll just have to pony up the difference for a repair. I highly doubt this will happen, and am placing my bets on this. But worst case, I'll end up spending the same as I'd have to for a retail one, but I'll have split up the payment. But like I said if the monitor is good it should last. And if it starts to suck, I'll just return it under warranty.

The thing is if you return your retail unit under warranty, you'll just get one of these I'm buying right now in exchange. If Sony is confident enough to send these out to their customers who are probably pissed in the first place, that they had to ship back a monitor(with the high price of shipping). Then I think it's a safe bet I did a good thing.

If this looks good to you just lurk at uBid and they are selling these in small batchs throughout the day(and night). It is one of uBid's products, so it is covered by their return policy. And you get their customer service. I called twice and they were very helpful, and got on the line quickly.

They are also selling the E500 for about $100 less than the G500 was going for. They also carry the G400 and E400 for those that want "19. The G400 is going for around $288 to $300 something.

 

[Ajay]

FatElvis,

Yeah, I thought about the Mitsu 200, but I heard from one person who noted that at 1600x1200 the crispness of the text started to drop. I plan I running this monitor at 1600x1200x85Hz, so that little detail is important to me. That may have been just his unit. The problem is that there is too much variation in individual samples, so one review says that monitor x is the best and another faults it for some sort of problem. I've used Mitsubishi's (or monitors using their tubes) and Sony's at work and home. I've always prefered the Sony's, so that's how I made my final decision. It could be that the Mitsubishi's are better now, but I think that I will be happy with the Sony, if not, I can always return it.


Madcap,

That's a great Deal, smart move, but my monitor has already shipped so I can't cancel the order. I have gotten defective refurbs from Sony (twice!) that's why the AR warrantee is so important to me. I won't pay for any shipping at all (either direction) if anything go wrong, and I back, up and running in 48hrs (except weekends and holidays).

My monitor should arrive at the local Fedex processing center on Saturday, it won't be delivered obviously, but I should be able to pick it up (they're open from 9-5 on Saturdays and will usually send someone out back to get packages for me).

Thanks for the comments (but tell me earlier next time !

-AJ

 

[FatElvis]

Hey Ajay-
Congrats on getting a new monitor--even if it is a Sony

I know you're gonna like it.

 

[gaucho]

i went the MWave route and got the G500 for $873 shipped. I wish i would have read here first though. I got the monitor and it was destroyed. Took them a week to pick it back up. My second one shipped and i receive it Monday (feb. 12). I pray.. no.. i get on my knees and pray that this one arrives ok.

On another note, i was a bit disappointed with MWaves customer service.. basically.. they don't give a f*ck. They wouldn't ship another 'till they received the first one (unless i paid again). They wouldn't upgrade the UPS service.. i mean, i have never had problems getting some kind of help from the company that i was buying from if i had such a problem. And on top if it all, rude ass people on the phone. Oh well.. just a small gripe. If this one is messed up, i'm getting my money back and paying a little more to ensure better customer service and delivery. Either way, i'm never buying from MWAVE again.

 

[Ajay]

Glad I didn't go with them!

-AJ

 

[bonaire]

If warranty and customer service is important, I'd go with the Mitsubushi.

I have two 2020U's both about 13 months old and I found a slight imperfection on the front glass of one. Not too big, but noticeable.

Called Mitsubushi. They sent another NEW one out 2-day FED-EX no charge. And even prepaid the return of mine FED-EX no charge. That's a few bucks for 87 pounds 2-ways. Didn't even want to see my original sales receipt!

They will do this for three years and the customer service is excellent. Quick to answer the phone and good tech answers.

And yes, the picture is great, too!

 

[Ajay]

bonaire,

Well, thanks for the advice, but I'm using my G500 right now. So far I'm pretty pleased. I need to get used to the flat screen though, it looks concave, plus I've got a bit of tweaking to do. My Sony 200PS was near perfect, the G500 is pretty good too, a bit of misconvergence in the lower left and some flare at the top, both of which should be correctable, but otherwise it's dead on.

I may have chosen the Mitsu 2040 if I knew the warrantee was that good, but when I read about it on their web site, it seemed to imply that the user would pay for return shipping - maybe I just misunderstood. The reviews of the 2040 where right up there with the G500. The Mistu had more features, the Sony was a bit less expensive, so I went with the latter.

It sure is nice having a 21 inch screen though! This thing is HUGE! Makes my work monitor look lame, it's 21" Dec with a Mitsu tube, but it's a two or three years old.

Thanks again,
-AJ

 

[Aruba]

I'm glad you are happy with the Sony. There's no doubt, it is a great monitor and will give you many years of enjoyment.

About the warranty.....Since NEC and Mitsubushi merged the Mitsubushi customer service people told me that the customer pays shipping both ways if it is a NEC monitor, but if it is a Mitsubushi, all shipping is no charge.

I don't know if they just honored the free ship for me because I purchased it before the merge, but I don't think so.

If you haven't already, download a couple of monitor adjustment programs with multiple test screens. They're free, just do a search. They'll help in setting up convergence and gray scale. After that I run Adobe Gamma and set the display to match my color printers.

I guess 21" monitors are like having air conditioning in your car. Once you have one, you'll never go back!

Enjoy!

 

[Ajay]

Aruba,

Thanks for the tip on the monitor tools. I was leaning toward the 2040 at one time, but when I checked out the AR warrantee Mitsubishi/aew.pdf it wasn't clear that they paid for the return shipping on the defective monitor. I should have called customer service and asked for clarification. The Sony was also a bit cheaper, but not by alot.

Thanks,
-AJ

 

[Sugadaddy]

For a Sony Trinitron tube, get either a KDS 21-tf or a Sony g500. (KDS is less expensive, but some argue their quality isn't as good as the Sony)

For a Mitsubishi Diamondtron tube, there's only one choice: Samsung 1200NF. It smacks all of the other monitors using the same tube (including the Mitsubishi 2040u), and actually costs less.

So my choice would definitely be the Samsung. Absolute best value for the price.

 

[Biggs]

I'd vote for the Samsung 1200NF.

 

[bigshot]

i vote for 1200 NF too
i have it and have tried the sony G500
the NF series blows away all monitors in preformance and price
samsung great warretny and will buy from them again

 

[Ajay]

"the NF series blows away all monitors in preformance"

How so? It is a bit less expensive than the G500 and alot less expensive than an equivalent Mitsu.

-AJ

 

[Moz]

I think this is a pretty subjective topic, people are always going to be partial to equipment they own. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the aforementioned monitors. Ajay I think you will be very happy with your G500, I just ordered an E500 and am waiting for it to arrive (thanks Madcap!).

 

[pen^2]

personally, i wouldnt listen to what the technician said, my KDS looks as beautiful as ANY sony or llama i ever sat my eyes on and hasnt crapped out on me yet. a superior warranty to that of sony's doesnt hurt either. this is my third KDS monitor, and i have had nothing but praises about their monitors. funny how incompetent professionals conform to popular myths.

 

[Ajay]

Finally found a review of the Samsung 1200NF:

1200NF

-AJ

 

[Moz]

Thanks, good to finally read one on the 1200.

How is that G500 performing Ajay?

 

[Ajay]

Moz,

At present I'm having some trouble with the focus and convergence. MADCAP has made some suggestions (Thanks!) on using the Nokia monitor test program to resolve some of these issues. So far I've only been able to get minor improvements in the convergence - because the amount of misconvergence varies across the screen. Obviously, I can do nothing about the focus problems.

Right now I'm debating whether to send it back and:

1.) get another G500 or get this one repaired
2.) get another 21-22" monitor (mitsu, a Compaq -a mitsu tube with the best warrantee I've ever seen, or an HP with a Sony tube - they've gotten really good reviews).
3.) dropping down to a 19" since they are easier to make and may be less prone to image problems.

Oh what fun :disgust:

-AJ

 

[akiraxtc]

Get an IBM P202 Trinitron... it's worth every penny you got.

 

[Moz]

Sorry to hear Ajay. Sony monitors are excellent but it sucks that it has become a bit of a crapshoot as to whether you get a good one. I think for that kind of money you should probably look for a replacement until you're 100% satisfied.