Gateway FPD2185W, is it a good choice for a monitor?

[coolred]

So from what I have read in my research, some people think it is one of the bets monitors out right now. Others complain about several things with it. Like backlight bleeding, grayscale issues, banding and other stuff. I don't want to spend a ton of cash on something only for it to have major issues. I can get it at microcenter, it retails for 499, I get a discount of about 60 bucks. Plus right now MC has a deal where if I sign a 1 year contract with vonage, I get an instant 200 bucks off of any purchase over 199 bucks. So I can get it for like 250 or so, a decent deal I am sure, but don't base your opinions solely on the cost. I could just as easily spend the 200 on something else.

 

[XJustMeX21]

I have it and i use it for a computer monitor and also for my xbox360 via the componet inputs.
My only complaint is slight backlight bleeding in the corners but its nothing major to me as its only noticable on all black screens overall i say its a great lcd espically if you want the other inputs.

 

[Fistandantilis]

I use one and I think it is great, little BL bleeding in the top right corner but nothing to really complain about, colors look great, the gradients look well... its a good buy in my opinion.

 

[coolred]

I would be upgrading from my Dell 1800FP is that tells you anything. Well not really upgrading, i would use the dell as a second monitor still.

 

[XJustMeX21]

you'll love the widescreen but if you think you may ever want to go to a 24" lcd just wait and get it. i've only had mine for 6 months and i'm already thinking of going bigger.

btw i went from a normal 19"lcd to this monitor and it was like night and day.

 

[coolred]

I am sure I would love a 24" LCD, but I doubt I would be going with something like that for quite a while.

 

[XJustMeX21]

well then i don't think you can go wrong with the 2185

 

[djnsmith7]

I have this monitor & absolutely love it! Yea, you can always find something to complain about if you look long & hard enough. I've had this monitor since Februrary & I don't have any complaints.

 

[Navid]

The main disadvantage of this monitor for me (I have one) is its short 1-year warranty. You get a 3-year warranty with a Viewsonic.

 

[imported_Reagle]

I got one and had to return it becuase it was too bright in a dark room and no adjustment could keep it from hurting our eyes. Be aware this thing comes with a very bright monitor.

 

[coolred]

Originally posted by: Navid
The main disadvantage of this monitor for me (I have one) is its short 1-year warranty. You get a 3-year warranty with a Viewsonic.

Yeah that is a big downer, since there is the samsung(forget the model number)which is almost exactly the same and it comes with a 3 year warranty. Unfortunately MC doesn't carry that samsung. From what I hear gateway offers a 3 year warranty for an extra 30 bucks. I kinda think its crap you have to pay more fo rthe warranty, but thats life.

Obviously a monitor that works for 3 years(or at least is replaced if it breaks in that time) is better then one that lasts 1 year and 1 day and then dies. And I obviously wouldn't trade a monitor that lasts 3 years for one that will only last 1 year no matter how good it looks. But I am also not sure I want a less appealing monitor, since I don't know for a fact that the gateway won't last for 10 years even.

Since I can get such and awesome price I am probablly willing to pay the extra to extend the warranty on the gateway. But just so I look at all my options, what viewsonic compares well to the gateway?

 

[coolred]

I just wish I could see my 1800FP side by side with the gateway. I just wonder if it will look weird, but since my 1800FP is 4:3 and the gateway is 16:10, they should at least be close to the same height.

 

[coolred]

Also, anyone hav eany issues with brightness uniformity? Such as this described by users on extremetech.

 

[Fistandantilis]

ya thats just the tech that this particular monitor uses, there were some posts about this a while back but really it aint that much of an isse or maybe I just got used to it.
looking directly on it looks kinda dark but at an angle it seems to lighten up but like I said it aint that much of a problem, at least not for me.

 

[coolred]

Yeah I would think if it was that bad, that many people would have mentioned it. But those pictures really made it look bad.

 

[littlefrank]

Originally posted by: coolred
Also, anyone hav eany issues with brightness uniformity? Such as this described by users on extremetech.

I've got the Samsung 215tw ... you can get it at Costco, CompUSA, and Best Buy. It's amazing!

The issues described on extremetech are not really concerning brightness 'uniformity'. Uniformity problems would be backlight related, and would usually be most noticeable as backlight bleed and/or as light bands/areas on a wholly dark screen. Numerous (lesser quality?) lcd panels exhibit these problems to some extent. I don't see this on the Samsung or the Gateway.

The problems on extremetech is apparently related to the panel type and masking or something, whereby head-on viewing doesn't show as much contrast as slightly off angle viewing. I see a similar effect (though negligible) with my 215tw. It's probably mostly affected by brightness/contrast settings - the effect on my setup is very slight.

 

[Link]

I just got myself this monitor with 30% off coupon at BB. I've also played with 215TW for a week before. They both are great monitor. Both having weaknesses, but I think I'll stick with this one for it's got things that 215TW doesn't, except that 3yr warranty, which you can pay some extra to buy.

 

[SniperWulf]

Funny you should mention this, I upgraded from the 1800FP to the 2185 in January. Its a nice monitor no doubt. A wee bit of backlight bleeding, but only if you stare hard enough. Now get this, I upgraded to the 2407 just yesterday and its like a night and day difference in picture quality. My advice, if you have any inkling that you will want to go bigger later, go ahead and get the 24" now. Otherwise, the gateway is a great choice

 

[coolred]

Why do you figure the dell is so much better?