best low-cost 15" LCD?

[2ms]

My company wants to order a few 15" flat-panel monitors today or tomorrow morning. Right now they are going with KDS Rad-5. I'm not incredibly impressed with them, but I haven't seen any of their competition, so I dont have good reference. Should I be pointing them at something else instead? The KDS Rad-5 is $300 + 40 for 3rd day shipping (20 for normal).

 

[dalfollo]

I have recently taken a look at the various one available and found the picture of the NEC-Mitsubishi 1550v to be far superior...they have also last years 1530v which is very nice as well and sells for ~350 with a current rebate of $30 available...the 1550v sells for 389 at amazon and 379 at buy.com..

the picture is very bright, clear, and even...good luck

 

[CanOWorms]

I have a KDS rad-5 and I'm happy with it. My main problem with LCDs is that the bezel around the screen is usually large and ugly, thus making the screen seem that it's tiny. I like how the KDS rad-5 has a small and simple design

 

[John]

I have a Rad-5 on my GF's pc, and it is a sweet little unit. I have sold a few of them to customers, and they all praise it as well.

 

[Wetling23]

Tom's Hardware has a review of several 15" LCDs right now, check it out.

 

[kd7fhd]

Check out ZDNet's review on the KDS RAD5 at: ZDNet

 

[hagbard]

The Rad-5 seems to have the edge over the competition. My wife has a Samsung 570 or something, looks pretty good, but not even brightness. The trouble with KDS monitors is their warrenty is really only parts and labour for ONE year, and it doesn't cover the backlight (get beyond their sales rhetoric and read the "fine print"). I won't buy any monitor with less than three years.

 

[John]

KDS USA, Inc. warrants your new Radius flat-panel display monitor against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of thirty-six (36) months from the date of original purchase of the new product. If a copy of the original proof-of-purchase is not available, the warranty period will be considered to begin from the date of manufacture.

The limited warranty covers parts (including the backlight) for twelve (12) months and labor for thirty-six (36) months. Any product defect not originating from defects in materials or workmanship will not be considered covered under warranty. In the unlikely event that a component should fail during its warranty period due to a defect in materials or workmanship, KDS will, at its discretion, repair or replace the entire monitor with a new monitor, if available, or with a re-certified display of equal or greater value.

For failures occurring within the first (90) days of ownership, KDS will arrange for pick-up of the defective unit from points within the continental U.S.A. The customer's original proof-of-purchase will be required to establish the original date of ownership for this pick-up service. The customer is responsible for freight charges of replacement units beyond the first ninety (90) days.

KARES (KDS Advanced Replacement Express Service) is available as a means to expedite shipment of a replacement monitor to the customer before the defective unit has been returned to KDS. To use KARES, the customer will be required to submit a valid credit card account number, with the account in good standing, as collateral. KDS will pay for the shipping of a replacement monitor to the consumer for thirty-six (36) months from the date of purchase and the customer is responsible to ship the defective unit to KDS. Extra freight charges will apply for expedited shipping, or to points outside of the continental U.S.A.

To take advantage of warranty services, call the KDS Customer Service Department at (800) 283-1311 or e-mail KDS at service@kdsusa.com. To process a replacement unit on the internet, go to On-line RMA Form to obtain a RMA number (required to authorize a replacement unit).

 

[Hanpan]

My personal recommondation would be for the KDS rad 5 as well.

 

[Justin218]

I have a RAD-5 and I really like it. Don't see any reason against it. Well, unless you want DVI. but this looks fine to me.

 

[hagbard]

<< KDS USA, Inc. warrants your new Radius flat-panel display monitor against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of thirty-six (36) months from the date of original purchase of the new product. If a copy of the original proof-of-purchase is not available, the warranty period will be considered to begin from the date of manufacture.

The limited warranty covers parts (including the backlight) for twelve (12) months and labor for thirty-six (36) months. Any product defect not originating from defects in materials or workmanship will not be considered covered under warranty. In the unlikely event that a component should fail during its warranty period due to a defect in materials or workmanship, KDS will, at its discretion, repair or replace the entire monitor with a new monitor, if available, or with a re-certified display of equal or greater value.

For failures occurring within the first (90) days of ownership, KDS will arrange for pick-up of the defective unit from points within the continental U.S.A. The customer's original proof-of-purchase will be required to establish the original date of ownership for this pick-up service. The customer is responsible for freight charges of replacement units beyond the first ninety (90) days.

KARES (KDS Advanced Replacement Express Service) is available as a means to expedite shipment of a replacement monitor to the customer before the defective unit has been returned to KDS. To use KARES, the customer will be required to submit a valid credit card account number, with the account in good standing, as collateral. KDS will pay for the shipping of a replacement monitor to the consumer for thirty-six (36) months from the date of purchase and the customer is responsible to ship the defective unit to KDS. Extra freight charges will apply for expedited shipping, or to points outside of the continental U.S.A.

To take advantage of warranty services, call the KDS Customer Service Department at (800) 283-1311 or e-mail KDS at service@kdsusa.com. To process a replacement unit on the internet, go to On-line RMA Form to obtain a RMA number (required to authorize a replacement unit). >>




Okay, then explain this page:

limits on kds warranty

 

[MoleX]

mmm LCD

that 3 Year warranty is very very tempting

 

[Amused]

<<

<< KDS USA, Inc. warrants your new Radius flat-panel display monitor against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of thirty-six (36) months from the date of original purchase of the new product. If a copy of the original proof-of-purchase is not available, the warranty period will be considered to begin from the date of manufacture.

The limited warranty covers parts (including the backlight) for twelve (12) months and labor for thirty-six (36) months. Any product defect not originating from defects in materials or workmanship will not be considered covered under warranty. In the unlikely event that a component should fail during its warranty period due to a defect in materials or workmanship, KDS will, at its discretion, repair or replace the entire monitor with a new monitor, if available, or with a re-certified display of equal or greater value.

For failures occurring within the first (90) days of ownership, KDS will arrange for pick-up of the defective unit from points within the continental U.S.A. The customer's original proof-of-purchase will be required to establish the original date of ownership for this pick-up service. The customer is responsible for freight charges of replacement units beyond the first ninety (90) days.

KARES (KDS Advanced Replacement Express Service) is available as a means to expedite shipment of a replacement monitor to the customer before the defective unit has been returned to KDS. To use KARES, the customer will be required to submit a valid credit card account number, with the account in good standing, as collateral. KDS will pay for the shipping of a replacement monitor to the consumer for thirty-six (36) months from the date of purchase and the customer is responsible to ship the defective unit to KDS. Extra freight charges will apply for expedited shipping, or to points outside of the continental U.S.A.

To take advantage of warranty services, call the KDS Customer Service Department at (800) 283-1311 or e-mail KDS at service@kdsusa.com. To process a replacement unit on the internet, go to On-line RMA Form to obtain a RMA number (required to authorize a replacement unit). >>




Okay, then explain this page:

limits on kds warranty >>



I see nothing on that page that contradicts this.

 

[erub]

the second box, Radius branded LCD monitors:

2nd and 3rd Year Parts: None (referring to coverage). Billable Fees (Cost of parts replacement incl. LCD or backlight).

 

[hagbard]

<<

<<

<< KDS USA, Inc. warrants your new Radius flat-panel display monitor against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of thirty-six (36) months from the date of original purchase of the new product. If a copy of the original proof-of-purchase is not available, the warranty period will be considered to begin from the date of manufacture.

The limited warranty covers parts (including the backlight) for twelve (12) months and labor for thirty-six (36) months. Any product defect not originating from defects in materials or workmanship will not be considered covered under warranty. In the unlikely event that a component should fail during its warranty period due to a defect in materials or workmanship, KDS will, at its discretion, repair or replace the entire monitor with a new monitor, if available, or with a re-certified display of equal or greater value.

For failures occurring within the first (90) days of ownership, KDS will arrange for pick-up of the defective unit from points within the continental U.S.A. The customer's original proof-of-purchase will be required to establish the original date of ownership for this pick-up service. The customer is responsible for freight charges of replacement units beyond the first ninety (90) days.

KARES (KDS Advanced Replacement Express Service) is available as a means to expedite shipment of a replacement monitor to the customer before the defective unit has been returned to KDS. To use KARES, the customer will be required to submit a valid credit card account number, with the account in good standing, as collateral. KDS will pay for the shipping of a replacement monitor to the consumer for thirty-six (36) months from the date of purchase and the customer is responsible to ship the defective unit to KDS. Extra freight charges will apply for expedited shipping, or to points outside of the continental U.S.A.

To take advantage of warranty services, call the KDS Customer Service Department at (800) 283-1311 or e-mail KDS at service@kdsusa.com. To process a replacement unit on the internet, go to On-line RMA Form to obtain a RMA number (required to authorize a replacement unit). >>




Okay, then explain this page:

limits on kds warranty >>



I see nothing on that page that contradicts this. >>



You don't? Its a Three year labour warranty, not parts. Very deceptive, imo.

 

[ramius17]

I've had the KDS RAD-5 and the Samsung SyncMaster 570v...

I read the reviews about how good the RAD-5 is, contrast and brighteness, etc. Bought one at OD for $230 (hotdeals forum) and put the KDS and the Samsung side by side for comparision and use.

Impressions:

KDS...

pro-
-Impressive Brightness - lowest brightness in a dark room, my eyes hurt
-Small footprint
-Small bezel - looks physically better
con-
-Contrast problems - doesn't do much
-Buttons hard to press - bottomside of panel
-Color problems - not deep - looks washed-out, even with brightness turned all the way down
-Auto-adjust just made things worse

Samsung

pro-
-Very good colors
-easy to use controls
-Auto-adjust very accurate... no need to fiddle afterwards
-has a cable lock
con-
-a little bigger than the KDS
-bezel a bit big, so doesn't look as 'cool' or flashy



comparision between both-
-pixel response on both is fast, with the KDS being a little faster, however, the Samsung is still very respectable (UT all day long without probs)
-the color issue on the KDS was very apparent when the two were placed side-by-side displaying the same image... I am very color-aware, so the KDS annoyed the crap out of me... couldn't adjust it to get it right either... that was the bummer.

In the End?

-Returned the KDS and kept the Samsung

My opinion?

-avoid the KDS
-check out the Samsung

 

[test99]

Thanks for the review.

I too had the RAD-5 and the monitor was way too bright even on the lower settings and the colors were a little weird too.

I don't know why so many people rave about the RAD-5 so much.