NEC FE990 or FE991SE?

[brigden]

The price difference is negligible, but I'm still uncertain as to whether to go with shadow mask, or aperture grill.

I've always used shadow mask CRTs, and I'm a little concerned the support wires on the AG CRT will annoy me. I don't have the time or access to models for comparison, so I'm relying on advice.

The monitor is primarily used for entertainment, such as surfing and gaming.

 

[jiffylube1024]

I'd go AG all the way. The lines are not a hassle at all (IMO) - some people get annoyed by them early but sooner or later you will definately get used to it.

The sharpness of text is so much better on perfectly flat AG tubes. The only issue is that an AG monitor weighs about 10-20% more, so if you move the monitor a lot, you might be straining a bit more .

Best of luck!

 

[brigden]

Originally posted by: jiffylube1024
I'd go AG all the way. The lines are not a hassle at all (IMO) - some people get annoyed by them early but sooner or later you will definately get used to it.

The sharpness of text is so much better on perfectly flat AG tubes. The only issue is that an AG monitor weighs about 10-20% more, so if you move the monitor a lot, you might be straining a bit more .

Best of luck!

You say the sharpness of text is better on flat AG tubes, but that runs contrary to every review I've read.

 

[vshah]

give the lines a try...i stopped noticing them after a few days on my trinitron. my shadowmask hitachi is noticeable "grainier"

-Vivan

 

[WobbleWobble]

Shadow mask is supposed to provide sharper text and AG provides better colour reproduction.

Personally, I've also stuck to AG monitors.

 

[brigden]

Well, I've been doing a lot of reading. Most agree that shadow masks are sharper, and that aperture grills are brighter, more colourful. Every reviewer states that text is blurrier with AG CRTs.

I want a monitor with a sharp picture and crisp text. I game, but not enough to warrent a super colourful image at the expense of blurry text.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: brigden
Well, I've been doing a lot of reading. Most agree that shadow masks are sharper, and that aperture grills are brighter, more colourful. Every reviewer states that text is blurrier with AG CRTs.

I want a monitor with a sharp picture and crisp text. I game, but not enough to warrent a super colourful image at the expense of blurry text.

I've been reading more and more reviews of CRT's also (mainly 19" CRT's) and it does indeed seem like newer flat screen all have crappy text at resolutions above 1024X768.

I'm not sure if it's just the technology (flat being blurrier) or just because monitor companies are all manufacturing cheaper monitors now. They're getting to be like VCR's - since a newer technology is slowly replacing the CRT, companies are pushing more mediocre products out the door.

 

[GeneralGrievous]

I have an aperture grill with no blurry text at all. If I were you I'd just get the 930SB. It also offers 85 hz @ 1600x1200 as opposed to the 75 hz the others offer, which is critical for gaming. 75 hz will give you a headache.

 

[Zebo]

AG is superior by a long shot. This is why they cost so much more money. A sony artisan is 2K. Those wth "blury" text don't know how to care and adjust thier monitors or had it damaged in shipping. AG's are extremly fragile to shock and should ALWAYS be ajusted after it arrives from the abusive carriers.

 

[konakona]

i tend to agree. even my *supposedely* craptastic KDS AV-195TF was great when it first got here, but damages done while moving it really killed it