Benq FP937s vs Viewsonic VP192b (or which 12ms 19" LCD)

[NordicNINE]

I'm looking into getting a new LCD. I pretty much deal with text. Websites, PDF's, etc...
But, I do play games probably a couple hours a week and I'm picky about the quality.

I went LCD a couple years ago and never intend to go back to CRT since the sharpness seems so much better. Also no flicker at all. I even notice a little flicker at 85Hz on nice CRT's.

So, since my current 25ms does have ghosting, I'm looking into upgrading. I want to go 19" since 17" is too small and a good 20" (like the 2001FP) is 1600x1200 which I think is too small for text on a 20" and also unless you have a $500 video card, you won't run 1600x1200 in newer games like Doom III & Half-Life 2 & Far Cry.

I have a 9800 Pro with DVI and want DVI. I've found two panels that seem pretty simular.
Benq FP937s
Viewsonic VP192b

The Viewsonic has a bonus that it's black, but the Benq is cheaper by about $100

 

[Bateluer]

I am also looking at those two panels, but have been unable to locate a site with reviews for either. I've good experiences with prior Viewsonic's I've owned, but I've heard a few good things about BenQ as well. I'd be interested in knowing what other people have to say about these two LCDs as well.

 

[NordicNINE]

I'm in EXACTLY the same situation.

I'm looking at the two but can't find reviews on either.

I've owned a Viewsonic before and didn't think it was quite as good as my Samsung, but it was a first generation model and it was still very good.

I'm also wondering if I would notice the difference between the 6bit & 8bit panel in games.

 

[Bateluer]

Bump.

 

[NordicNINE]

Anyone have hands on experience with these monitors or maybe even their 17" 12ms models?

 

[Chunkee]

i am in the same boat here, anyone get either? where is the best place to get these monitors?

jC

 

[bunnyfubbles]

lol, I have a 15" UXGA (1600x1200) and its so crystal clear and sharp that it doesn't really matter that it is so small, a 20" UXGA panel would be fine unless it just bothers you I guess.

If you're dead set on 19" the Viewsonic's higher brightness and wider viewing angle would convince me despite the contrast ratio being slightly less

 

[agent2099]

Originally posted by: Chunkee
i am in the same boat here, anyone get either? where is the best place to get these monitors?

jC

buy.com seems to be the best bet if they don't charge tax to your particular state.



otherwise check www.pricegrabber.com

There are quite a few retailers to sell this panel.

 

[Bateluer]

I think we want some reviews of the aforementioned panels too.

 

[NordicNINE]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I think we want some reviews of the aforementioned panels too.

That's what I'm holding off on.

 

[JustinHoMi]

I'm in the same boat. I need a 17 or 19in LCD, but the lack of reviews is frustrating. I wonder if there's anything we can do? Does anyone know of any place with a good return policy where we could buy a couple of monitors and do a collective review?

 

[NordicNINE]

I'm not sure of any b&m with these units. Anyone?

 

[Bateluer]

I've found both models for sale with Froogle, but haven't seen them at a brick and mortar store yet.

 

[caz67]

I just upgraded to the BenQ , from my 172X..I love the BENQ..

 

[NordicNINE]

Originally posted by: caz67
I just upgraded to the BenQ , from my 172X..I love the BENQ..

The 172X is a pretty highly rated 6bit panel as color goes, so the Benq is as good or better (plus bigger obviously)?

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: caz67
I just upgraded to the BenQ , from my 172X..I love the BENQ..

What did you have previously, where did you buy the BenQ and how much did you pay for it?

Also, post some pics of your new panel.

 

[axia55]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I've found both models for sale with Froogle, but haven't seen them at a brick and mortar store yet.

How did you find the VS? I can only get a hit on the benq.

 

[NordicNINE]

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: caz67
I just upgraded to the BenQ , from my 172X..I love the BENQ..

What did you have previously, where did you buy the BenQ and how much did you pay for it?

Also, post some pics of your new panel.

He went from a 172X (Samsung) to the BenQ.

 

[NordicNINE]

Originally posted by: axia55

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I've found both models for sale with Froogle, but haven't seen them at a brick and mortar store yet.

How did you find the VS? I can only get a hit on the benq.

Wierd. Doesn't show up in PriceGrabber either. I found it earlier using it.
I remember GamePC being in the list though and they still have it listed on their
site.

 

[NordicNINE]

Review available on GamePC now.
It's no Anand & they are a reseller, but it's at least something.

http://www.gamepc.com/labs/vie...p?id=vp912b&page=1

 

[agent2099]

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: caz67
I just upgraded to the BenQ , from my 172X..I love the BENQ..

What did you have previously, where did you buy the BenQ and how much did you pay for it?

Also, post some pics of your new panel.

yes please post pics and privide more details

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: axia55

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I've found both models for sale with Froogle, but haven't seen them at a brick and mortar store yet.

How did you find the VS? I can only get a hit on the benq.

Link

Edit - The VS looks like a fairly decent monitor, based on that GamePC review. However, since the BenQ showed up in Froogle as considerably cheaper, I'd like to see some reviews of it as well.

 

[Spackle]

I ordered the VP912B from PC Nation ($680 shipped 3-day) and received it last Friday. My previous LCDs were an 18" 25ms (Compaq TFT8030) and a 17" 16ms (Planar PX171M) -- all hot deals found a few forums over, here.

The thin bezel, stand, and pivot functionality are all great. The viewing angle, when pivoted, is much better than on my old Planar -- on the Planar, I couldn't clearly see the whole panel unless I was dead-center in front of it, so I never used it. Now I find it great for Windows-desktop stuff. However (and I don't think this is an issue with the monitor so much as Nvidia hardware/drivers), the portrait mode seems to suffer in speed for gaming. I was psyched to try out some tall (eg. galaga88) Mame games in portait mode. But even though Mame reports everything is running at 100%, it feels like only every second or third frame is being drawn. I'm running off a 5900XT/p4-3.0C/1G-pc3200, say it isn't so... I'd sure appreciate any tips on how to overcome this little problem.

The GamePC article indicates they are not certain whether this is a 6-bit or 8-bit panel (Viewsonic seemingly omits this info). I think it is a 6-bit panel. There is a little banding in the grey range, and it is a more evident than their review suggests. However, it is not problematic. The overall image quality destroys my old Planar, and is very close to my old Compaq (which had great image quality, but was barely tolerable for gaming at 25ms). The "Glare 2H" coating is nice, I use it in sunlight, lamplight and complete darkness, and all are fine. I saw the Sony HS94P at Circuit City, and for those concerned about reflectivity, I'd say the VP912B is a better choice (you get thin bezel & pivot, and save money, too).

The 12ms response absolutely rules. It is so nice to be back to 1280x1024 at 75Hz! Ghosting is zero. Gaming is of course great, but scrolling around at the Windows desktop is great too. About the only thing I miss from my old Samsung CRTs are the nice dark blacks, which still seem absent from every LCD I've ever looked at -- just the nature of backlighting, I guess.

At $680, this is the most expensive display I've bought since my first 17" (Iiiyama) CRT back in '93. It's great on the eyes, and I have no regrets. Strongly recommended. If you're considering it, you should of course have a card that can run your games at 1280x1024, or you are cheating yourself.

 

[agent2099]

Very nice review.

2 questions:


1. You mentioned no ghosting. Did you play any older games like Counterstrike or TFC?

2. pics?


Oh btw I guess I have another question and that is what made you pick the viewsonic over the much cheaper benq fp937s?

 

[Bateluer]

Thanks for the feedback, Spackle.
Just need my tax return now.

I'll probably go with the Viewsonic because I've owned previous Viewsonic monitors and they were excellent. But I would ask the same questions as Agent2099.