CTX 19" monitor deal (and warning)

[RandyL]

Sam's club has the CTX PL-9 for $270 with a $40 mail in rebate (thru 12/31). I think this is a new monitor (not even on Pricewatch yet). It has real high refresh rates.

Sam's Club is fast and reliable on their rebates. You only need to make one submission for all the rebated items you buy in one month. They issue one check for all. Pay for it with the a stack of the 20% off Walmart gift cards and the final cost is: $176.

That's the good news. The bad news is I've tried 5 and they all have geometry adjustment problems, one had a bottom edge that bowed up about 1/4" in the middle and the other 4 had right edges that were about 3/16" shorter than the left. I called CTX and was told by tech support that a bad batch of transformers must have got through to the lot that went to my Sam's Club, so try before you buy.

 

[Lord Gwynz]

Is CTX still around? I thought I heard they were filing for bankruptcy not too long ago. I have a 15" CTX monitor which I thought was pretty decent and wouldn't mind upgrading to a larger CTX model..

 

[alpha88]

Anyone know if this monitor is any good?
link

 

[rootaxs]

got any specs on this? like dot pitch perhaps? I have a Cybermax 17" but has an OEM NEC tube with a .24 dotpitch. After using this anything over .25 gets pretty noticeable.

 

[DSLHunta]

What are the 20% Walmart cards and how do you get them?

 

[Banshee Mullet]

FWIW,

I have a CTX PL9 and a CTX VL950. Both are nice for the price. I've had the PL9 for a year with no problems and the VL950 for 2 1/2 years. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another CTX. I also have a 4 year old CTX 17" (forgot the model #) still going strong. All from Sam's.

You do need to check the screen geometry when you get it. When I was looking for a second 19" to do dual monitors, I tried 3 different VL950s's (the short neck VL950) and all had bad geometry problems. Then I got a good PL9 on the first try. Hard to beat at that price and Sam's rebates are bulletproof. I've never had a problem. I think I paid $279 after rebate on the PL9 last year.

I'm on my machine 15-20 hours a day and they work for me just fine at 1280x1024.

 

[alpha88]

so, the VL950SL on onvia is a good deal you think?

 

[RandyL]

DSLHunta, Walmart.com has a bunch of $10 off $50 purchase coupons right now. Just hit some of the deal sites. Order the gift cards (1 $50 or 2 $25) and pay $40. Use a different code for each order or have your wife and kids each order one. Walmart gift cards can be used at Sam's Club.

 

[gwbaker]

Yeah I heard CTX was in trouble also. They quit making laptops a while back. I have 2 of their monitors and one of their laptops... Happy with them all. BUT... The laptop was CHEAP when I bought it new, comparable to other brands with similar specs.... Bought it at compusa. But I had to Return three of them before I got one that did not have a hardware problem. They have had a reputation in the past at being HORRIBLE at quality control inspections... This latest monitor situation shows they still do. But, when it works out of the box, it is good stuff that will last.

 

[matmax]

i got one of these a few months ago...guess i'm lucky. have had no geometry problems with it.

 

[TuOni]

hmm is it good?

 

[BenRosey]

I bought at VL950 in 7/99 at Sam's Club. I just sent it back to CTX this month for warranty service. I thought it was supposed to be good, so I purchased it, but that's not the case. I have helped friends and family buy 2 VL950SL's and they haven't had any problems. I regret it though, and they are only less than a year old. I will not consider purchasing from them in the future. Just thought I should share. Cost me $90 in shipping cost.

 

[SuperSix]

CTX is still alive and well, Recently aquired by Proview, along with Mag..

BenRosey - Another great reason to only buy KDS for value monitors, they have the "KDS Kares" warranty - free advanced, free replacement for the first 90 days of ownership, standard 3yr warr after that..

KDS Kares Warranty Info

 

[Blindman]

How do u know it was acquired by proview?

 

[ringzero]

For $90, it probably would have been cheaper to buy yourself a new monitor .

From my personal experience, I only like NEC. I had this Multisync XV17+ since I first bought it for $600 4 years ago. I haven't had any problems as of yet and my next monitor will probably be the NEC FP950. And no, I don't like trinitrons, I can't stand those lines across the screen!

 

[Cyber Rage]

Mine has been a jewel. Screen geometry, refresh rates, and up to 75 Hz. at 1600X1200. It's been nice.