"Flat Tube" vs. "Pure Flat Tube" = misleading [edited]

[tcsenter]

Has anyone noticed that they are calling "curved" picture tubes "flat", while truly "flat" picture tubes are being called "Pure Flat" or "True Flat"? Is this not fundamental dishonesty?

I purchased a MAG 771FS-S (FS = Flat Screen) 17" Monitor which is being described all over the internet as "pure flat" (Tiger Direct, Best Buy, among others), except the screen is no 'flatter' than my 3 year-old ViewMate that was never marketed as a "flat screen" to begin with. They are identical; standard CRT screens with an average curvature.

I presume I have the right monitor, because the numbers on the back of the monitor match the box, and the box matches the advertisement. Even the box proclaims "Flat Square Tube".

There are no "degrees" of flat, you either have 'flat' or you do not have 'flat'. They should be calling this product "near flat" or "almost flat" or "sorta flat" or "less than flat", those are fair descriptions, but they should NOT get away with calling it "flat". This goes to truth and accuracy in advertising and marketing.

I am going to take this as far as I can, which won't be far because I can't afford an attorney nor do I have political connections, nor am I the 'right' color for Al Sharpton or Jessie Jackson. But the FTC, the US AG, and the California AG are going to get letters about this.

I have thoroughly documented the fact that this monitor is described all over the internet, including on the website of the store at which I purchased the monitor, as being "perfectly flat".

If anyone else has a SPECIFIC example of the same shenanigans going on with other makes and models of monitor, I would LOVE to see it.

Edited to reflect actual marketing language

 

[Yomicron]

That monitor is described as having a FST, Flat Squre Tube (or Technology, depending on where you get your definition), not that the screen itself is flat.

 

[Ryan]

"Off Topic" vs. "General Hardware" = wrong forum

 

[hollowman]

get lcd.

 

[Desslok]

the monitor company's got into trouble over the viewable surface area before also. SO it isn;t like you are dealing with the most up standing business here.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

Originally posted by: hollowman
get lcd.

heee....$$$

 

[tcsenter]

That monitor is described as having a FST, Flat Squre Tube (or Technology, depending on where you get your definition), not that the screen itself is flat.

I purchased it from Best Buy. Scroll down to see it described as "17" Pure Flat picture tube", which is the identical language MAG uses to describe its "perfectly flat" screens.

Or, you can take a look at the same product at Tiger Direct, where they make a big deal about how flat its screen is:

"Pure flat tube technology delivers spectacular image quality---and the MAG 17-inch 771FS-S display is one of the best ever, with a long littany of industry awards to prove it. Unlike other "near-flat" tubes, the MAG 771FS-S is pure flat, with no curvature whatsoever, and that means no degradation of image quality, no distortion, and no color shifting."

As I said, the box itself proclaims "Flat Square Tube Monitor", not 'technology'. MAG denotes its truly flat screen picture "tubes" as "Pure Flat Picture Tube", not 'technology'. The language is consistent, the wording is the same, yet they mean different things.

 

[tcsenter]

Not that this wasn't a good deal, I can live with it @ $79.99 after rebates.

But this is not even remotely close to flat, no flatter than my 3 year-old El-Cheapo ViewMate monitor. If it were close to flat, so you had to really look to see that it wasn't, I would be happy. But its just as curved as any standard monitor.

 

[Yomicron]

It is a Flat Square Tube, not screen. Yes, the descriptions are deceiving, but so is most marketing.

and getting specs from a retailer is not the best idea.

 

[tcsenter]

It is a Flat Square Tube, not screen. Yes, the descriptions are deceiving, but so is most marketing.

They are used interchangibly and synonymously. Picture "tube" and "screen", there is no difference in this instance. MAG uses the term "tube" regardless of whether or not it is referring to their line of "pure flat" screen monitors. That's what I've been trying to tell you.

 

[Yomicron]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

It is a Flat Square Tube, not screen. Yes, the descriptions are deceiving, but so is most marketing.

They are used interchangibly and synonymously. Picture "tube" and "screen", there is no difference in this instance. MAG uses the term "tube" regardless of whether or not it is referring to their line of "pure flat" screen monitors. That's what I've been trying to tell you.

That's probably their marketing scheme, they use the phrase Pure Flat picture tube to denote a flat screen and FST to denote a regular CRT. Like Desslok said, MAG isn't the "most up standing business".

Companies that make low end products generally have to come up with deceptive marketing to stay alive.

Sony uses "Trinitron", MAG uses "Pure Flat picture tube" (granted I don't believe MAG makes grill aperture monitors, they just put a flat piece of glass infront of a less curved screen)

 

[tcsenter]

Sony uses "Trinitron", MAG uses "Pure Flat picture tube" (granted I don't believe MAG makes grill aperture monitors, they just put a flat piece of glass infront of a less curved screen

haha, they probably even draw two faint horizontal lines across the glass to simulate stabilizer wires. lol!

For all my b-tching and moaning, it does have a great picture.

 

[bizmark]

Originally posted by: Yomicron

Companies that make low end products generally have to come up with deceptive marketing to stay alive.

Sony uses "Trinitron", MAG uses "Pure Flat picture tube" (granted I don't believe MAG makes grill aperture monitors, they just put a flat piece of glass infront of a less curved screen)

you're saying that Trinitron tubes are low-end?

/me eyes my 21" Trinitron warily.....

 

[zsouthboy]

Originally posted by: bizmark

Originally posted by: Yomicron

Companies that make low end products generally have to come up with deceptive marketing to stay alive.

Sony uses "Trinitron", MAG uses "Pure Flat picture tube" (granted I don't believe MAG makes grill aperture monitors, they just put a flat piece of glass infront of a less curved screen)

you're saying that Trinitron tubes are low-end?

/me eyes my 21" Trinitron warily.....

/me snubs my nose at my 19" Trinny..... eww eww eww low end low end.... get it off get it off!

 

[PlatinumGold]

Syncmaster 955SL that i have was advertised as FLAT, not even close to flat.

nice monitor but not flat.

 

[tcsenter]

nice monitor but not flat.

That's what I'm saying!

I'm pleased with the monitor I got for $79.99, but I don't like to be mislead.