Need a 19" CRT with crystal clear text...

[brigden]

I've been trying to find a 19" CRT for ages now. I've bought and returned three different models from three different manufacturers. I've tried the Viewsonic A90f+ (blurry text, poor geometery), Samsung 997DF (blurry text at high resolutions), and the much loved NEC FE991 (blurry text).

I game fairly frequently, but the single most important factor is crystal clear text at 1280x1024 @ 85 Hz.

I don't care if the display is flat, but it must be either black, grey, or silver, or a combination of those colours.

I'm currently interested in the NEC FE990 and the Dell M993.

Please advise...

 

[Kenazo]

Try the Dell P992 (i think that's the number). It's a trinitron tube. I love mine. The text is A+

 

[Bucksnort]

Brigden like I told you before it is most likely your video card. And dont say your girlfriends computer did the same, the same applies for her video which is onboard video I suspect or a low brow card. The mitsubishi DP 930 has crystal sharp text, if that monitor is blurry to you then I made my point. And if you insist on using very high resolutions you better rule out your vision also as the cause. I have seen many that complain of blurry text at high resolutions and they are not wearing their glasses or they decide to go see an optometrist and gezz, they needed glasses.

 

[brigden]

I've got perfect vision (just had eyes tested). I've tried three (!) other video cards in my system and had the same issues.

My Dell E770, a nice little 17" display, has got crystal clear text, absolutely perfect, but the brightness is starting to fade and the monitor is buzzing more and more.

 

[ku]

Definately go for the trinitron tube or diamondtron tube monitors. Dells make some decent monitors, but I think the best is a Mitubishi monitor. I forget the exact model number but look around and you'll be bound to find it.

As for samsung monitors, they a nice for the price, but shouldn't be considered for the best quality.

 

[Bucksnort]

Quite a few here have bought the Mitsubishi DP 930-sb lately and I own one. I do not think there is a finer 19" monitor available now. Has better dp than the 991 (.24), has 1 gun focus for sharper text (other trinitrons, diamondtrons have a 3 gun), has a true flat screen (diamondtron nf) where other "flat screen" monitors have a slightly curved tube with a flat plane of glass in front of it. And it is black. I suggest getting a monitor online from Dell if you can not buy from a nearby store. Dell has a no hassle return policy where most other onliners say in the fine print you have to return monitors to the manufacturer. Dell has 10% off right now and free shipping. Dell has all the monitors you have listed available.
Dell 19" CRT'S
930 has been on Sharkey Extremes high end gaming rig for 7 months now for a reason.
Sharkey Extreme

 

[HokieESM]

I currently have a Sony G420 and a G410, and the text is pretty darn sharp at 1280x1024 @ 85Hz. Unforunately, they're not made anymore, but occasionally you can find one. The Dell P991 was a very similar model, so I suppose the P992 would be so also.

One other suggestion: if you're really looking for text quality, pick up a Matrox G450 for $30 from someone in FS/FT. I don't do any 3D gaming (so that wasn't an issue for me), and I have to admit the Matrox was a bigger contributer to text quality than when I switched from my old Samsung monitor to the Sony.

 

[Epsil0n00]

get anything that has a Trinitron and has a flat screen and you should be set.

 

[Bucksnort]

I run lower resolution due to my eye sight and I don't like wearing my glasses at computer. I checked my 930 at 1280x1024 @ 85 Hz. Without glasses - blurry as Hell. With glasses - crystal clear reading a dx diag log and naviset text display patterns. There is absolutely no geometry imperfections and text is as clear at the edges as the middle due to the true flat tube and 1 gun focus. I had a 1000 buck sony ps monitor before and I demand perfection in my monitor. Video card is HIS 9800 pro. You have not seen Doom 3 till u seen it on a 930.