Need some recommendations (Monitor)

[Lokan]

It's been 4 moves, many states, 13 hour drive in the backseat of my car, and 4.5 years but finally my trusty ol' KDS VS-195 19" CRT is starting to show it's age. I'm getting some blurring in the corners and the brightness is starting to dim. So, it's time for a replacement and I need some help please!

First things first, the requirements.. 19", CRT (gaming above all else ;D), .25dpi or better, Max Res: 1600x1200@75mhz (or better), would prefer flat screen.

Wants? Nice, bright screen so night time levels aren't too dark. Crisp, clear lines (my girl's Sony monitor shows etching on armor in EQ that mine only hints at, sigh), nice refresh rates, fairly small footprint (I know it's a CRT, but still ), and price!! I love bang for the buck! I also prefer reputable online or brick and mortar vendors. Newegg rocks

So can anyone help w/ some suggestions? If you don't have models, how about just decent sites with good prices and fair shipping? Any input would help!

Also, dunno about this, but on her Sony monitor I see these two lines about 1/3 and 2/3's the way down the screen. If I remember correctly this is caused by being a Shadow Mask display? Or the other? Can anyone provide details as to the difference and if my minimum requirements will I be "stuck" w/ one -vs- the other?

Thanks in advance for the help! I'll be checking in the morning (1am.. must ... get...to...sleep!)

 

[jspeicher]

bump, i too am interested in a flat 19" CRT. BUMPEROO!

 

[slackerinabox]

Hey, how about a nice refurb 20"+ sony trinitron? Ebay has a bunch of them for next to nothing (shipping is where they kill you - still, I got a wonderful sony multiscan e500 for $100 + $75... Try getting a totally flat 21" for $175!)...

 

[Lokan]

I'm affraid a 21" would be too much wieght for my computer desk so 19" is my requirement.

Can anyone else shed some light? Thanks!

 

[Lokan]

/bump! =)

Anyone at all? Definately looking for some goods sites. Been to monitorsdirect.com and newegg, any other suggestions and brands? Thanks!

 

[yhelothar]

viewsonic P95f+

best 19" monitor ever made and only costs $250..

it does 115KHz, which is 1600x1200@85Hz

 

[Tret]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
viewsonic P95f+

best 19" monitor ever made and only costs $250..

it does 115KHz, which is 1600x1200@85Hz

agreed good monitor

 

[Lokan]

Is it shadowmask? Is it good for games? Argh! Need some more info! ;D

 

[jagr10]

How about the samsung 19" monitors? i think it's 955DF or something similar. Also, check out NEC's 19" monitors. Practically all crt's nowadays are made flat.

 

[Lokan]

NEC MultiSync FP912SB 19 in. Display - 0.24mm Dot Pitch

Brand NEC-Mitsubishi
Color Black
Compatibility PCs ? PC
Diagonal Size 19"
Diagonal Size (inches) 19
Dimensions / Depth 17.6In
Dimensions / Height 17.4In
Dimensions / Weight 52.5Lbs
Dimensions / Width 17.4In
Display (Projector) / Tech CRT conventional
Display (Projector) / Type Display
Dot Pitch 0.24Mm
Form Factor Desktop
Input Device / Type None
Manufacturer NEC-Mitsubishi Electronics Display
Manufacturer Part Number FP912SB-BK
Max Resolution 1920 x 1440
Model FP912SB
Packaged Quantity 1
Product Line NEC MultiSync
Service & Support / Type 3 years warranty
Type Standard Displays

Best price I've got so far is from techonweb.com for $244 + $41 s/h = $285 shipped. Not too shabby at all as it competes stat wise w/ the G420 and is one of the few Aperture Grill Flat Screen CRTs that have a recommended 1600x1200@85mhz viewing screen while keeping .24mm dpi AND costing under $300 =) I think I might have a winner.

Does anyone currently use this monitor? If so, what are your thoughts and how long has it performed for you? My KDS lasted 5 years, not shabby for their reputation on these boards However, I used to have an NEC 15" and loved it's display back then so I want to try them again.

 

[GustySoul]

Hey Lokan,

I've been using an NEC FP950 for the last two years. Specs are very similar to the FP912SB, just an older model.

The image is beautiful at 1600x1200 @ 85Hz using a Diamondtron AG tube. Unfortunatley, after 2 years of perfect performance, I just had to invoke the warranty. Something in the monitor appeared to "pop" and the image began to look terrible

NEC's customer service was nice, and they shipped me a replacement. However the replacement was a refurb with a few cosmetic blemishes (bezel scratches - works just fine though) and I had to pay for return shipping of the defective unit.

May I advise that you check out Dell Home's software & peripheral section. Right now they have free shipping for orders over $39 (a defnite plus when dealing with big CRTs) and they have a stackable online coupon for $35 off a $350 purchase if you look around. They happen to have the black cabinet version of the Viewsonic p95f+ that the others have been recommending for only $265 shipped.
I don't have any first hand experience with the Viewsonic, but I did some checking and it appears to be a 16x12@85 capable perflect flat AG tube just like the others your looking at.

You might also want to check out the Samsung 900NF, again a popular monitor with similar specs.

Hope that helps,
obispo21

 

[dpopiz]

a few people are saying the p95f+ is good, and I'd agree except THE DOT PITCH IS GIGANTIC. also it has the two suspension wires

 

[jagr10]

Check out Sony if it's in your budget. Dell, IBM, Sony monitors are pretty much the same.

 

[Lokan]

Obispo; Thank you for the recommendations! I shy away from Samsung monitors after my girls' old one had deal pixels and died in under 2 years. I know I know, not all monitors are the same, but I bought an HDTV Samsung and the first one I had was defective as well; I swore I won't get another Samsung product for awhile.

The Viewsonic brand has always been in my mind. When I decided on the KDS years ago I was toying w/ a Viewsonic then but the price difference between the two and the reputations of both warrented I go w/ the KDS, and I can honestly say I'm happy. I definately got my money worth! Viewsonic, p95... I'll look into it, see what I can dig up (but for $265 -vs- $285, I'd just assume go w/ the NEC as I know their quality. My 15" NEC lasted 4 years before I upgraded to my KDS monitor, and it was STILL working great, as I sold it to a friend for $50. To my knowledge, it was working fine up until August 02 when I moved out of FL, so it has a good 7 years on it w/ no problems. I'm hestitant though as to what happened to your NEC monitor (glad they took care of it under warrenty tho)...

As for the other poster mentioning Sony. I can afford a Sony no problems, but I'm seen NEC monitors up close as well as Sony's and to me, the Sony name isn't worth the extra $100+ that they charge for similar spec'd NEC monitors and the visual clarity of the one 19" NEC I've seen was awe inspiring. Not that my girl's 19" Sony isn't, but something about the NEC one drew me to it.

I see Dell monitors go in the Hot Deals forum every once in awhile. Do they use Sony Tubes and if so, are their actual screens of the same quality as Sony? I've never had first hand experience w/ Dell Monitors, are they reputable?

Thanks agian for the responses guys, keep em coming please!!

 

[xanther]

i know you wont get a 21 inch, but dont get the SONY G520. they have two VERY light lines going through the top and bottom end. i was going to suggest a samsung too hehe. a pretty useless person me is

 

[gagan512]

the viewsonic A90f+... great looks, great picture. ( I love the ultra-bright mode for games/movies)
-cheers

 

[jagr10]

Originally posted by: Lokan
Obispo;
I see Dell monitors go in the Hot Deals forum every once in awhile. Do they use Sony Tubes and if so, are their actual screens of the same quality as Sony? I've never had first hand experience w/ Dell Monitors, are they reputable?

Yes, Dell monitors use the trinitron technology by Sony. Same with IBM. That's why they look the same, but with different logo's. On the trinitron monitors you'll see 2 very light horizontal lines. You don't notice it unless you look for it. I'm happy with my IBM p96 which i bought 2 years ago, but i probably wouldn't again because IBM charges too much.