Datacolor SpyderX Pro: Monitor Calibration designed for serious Photographers and Designers

Product Information

Datacolor points out that the lens based colour engine significantly increases the precision, colour accuracy and low light capabilities of the device. We’ll have to wait and see through the test and look at the result. The SpyderX Pro is one of those devices which from the outset simple to use, straight forward and works. In the end, it shows you the before and after and the results are stark. A new BenQ monitor I’m testing showed that when it arrived and factory reset it was far too warm.

English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean ColorAccuracy/Streamlined Workflow/fully customizable calibration targets/high brightness calibration This is where Datacolor SpyderX comes into its own. The software is well structured with easy to follow on-screen instructions. While the colour and brightness might look great on our monitor it often doesn’t look quite so good when it comes to printing or sharing with others. Actually, if you do lose it or throw it away, then you can always locate you serial through the online account.Ergonomically the edges have been smoothed, and the device looks a little more stylish and up to date. One feature that always impresses is the before and after, so you can see if the calibration has had the desired effect, inevitably it will. It’s also great to show anyone who dismisses colour calibration or says that they can do it by eye, they can’t, and this is a great demonstration. The build of the SpyderX is one up on the Spyder5. It just feels like the quality of plastic has increased as has the finish, and the new glassy white gives the new device a great look.

Outwardly the SpyderX Pro takes on much the same shape and size as the previous generation of Spyder devices, a colour change and smoothing of the edges bring the ergonomics up to date with a more stylish fashion. It also features a regular reminder which means that you always keep on top of the monitor calibration. The fact that it now only takes a couple of minutes doesn’t even give you the excuse for an extended lunch. When it came to calibrating the next monitor, all of which I connect through USB-C, each monitor appeared in the monitor selection dropdown and then the calibration process for each could be started. Verdict I also keep the Spyder5 on a stand to read the ambient light and always thought that a stand in the box would be a good idea, or at least an option. Internally is where the significant changes have been made, the first of which is apparent as soon as the protective cover is removed.

How it works

Monitor calibration has come out of the shadows and much of the fear and expense around the process has dropped away. Monitor calibration is now accessible to all photographers, and to be honest, it’s something we all need to do. Open the protective cap, however, and you get to see the real change. Whereas before there was a grill covering the sensor, now there’s a lens. Open it up, and there’s a small welcome slip inside, remove this, and there’s a small plastic tray and the white SpyderX sits beneath. One important feature is the ambient reader on the top of the device; this enables the monitor to adjust dependent on light changes within the room. This is especially important as daylight fades and room lights take over to ensure the colour temperature, and brightness of the monitor adjust. The hardware is the physical part of the SpyderX, but then there’s also the software which is the engine for the calibration.

Overall the SpyderX Pro is an excellent monitor calibrator. It’s easy to use and ensures that your monitor is always displaying the correct colours. The change shown on the monitors and laptops calibrated with the Spyder5 was far less, a slight change but nothing drastic.As with previous generations, the hardware of the Pro and Elite are the same, and it’s the software that changes the features. This approach means that you can buy the cheaper Pro version and then in the future, if you need the additional features then you can upgrade to the Elite. I used to keep the Spyder under the monitor but then realised that shadow from the monitor was affecting the ambient reading of the room. Placing it on a stand by the monitor seems a better solution.