Which KDS monitors are any good?

[Fun Guy]

17" minimum. Would like Trinitron/Diamondtron tube (can't tell from their site what they use).

This for friends, and I want to keep them as friends, so keep that in mind when recommending ...

 

[grydlok]

For the price KDS are great monitor.
We order KDS monitor to replace the monitors that go bad at work that are not under warrenty anymore. These monitor are damn good.

 

[DrZone]

I've had a KDS monitor for about a year now. It's an average monitor and has been free of problems.

But if you're getting a new 19", I highly recommend the Samsung 955DF. Samsung makes solid monitors at GREAT prices.

 

[MistaTastyCakes]

KDS makes decent monitors, I own a 17 inch Avitron, using a Trinitron tube thingy or whatever. It's an ok monitor, not as sharp as I'd prefer, but the colors are wonderful and there's no real problems. They're basically known as a budget company. In retrospect, I wish I picked up a Samsung though.

 

[Mrburns2007]

The new ones kinda suck, they don't make the avitron anymore. What kind of a budget do you have ???

 

[Electric Amish]

Looks like KDS doesn't do Trinitron anymore.

own a 17 inch Avitron, using a Trinitron tube thingy or whatever. It's an ok monitor, not as sharp as I'd prefer

That's because it's a Trinitron. If you want sharp text you should go with a Shadow-mask.

I have a VS-195e KDS and it's been great.

amish

 

[ChefJoe]

I'm using a VS-195e too, it's a great 19" monitor. TigerDirect pricing error about a year ago came through for me. I wish I could find a very similar KDS for similar cost though.

Samsung 955DF had a great price, but some forum users complained about refresh rates and clarity at edges... take it with a grain of salt.

If it's really important, best thing to do might be to cruise down to a BestBuy or CompUSA (they stock Samsungs) and try it out... then visit an Office Depot (they usually stock KDS VS-190i) or even MicroCenter or Sams Club if available (sams probably won't have them hooked up to anything). Try it out at the B&M, buy one if you can return it if problems crop up. It's usually very tough to find a monitor on-line that's cheaper than a good deal at B&M (after shipping is calculated). I suggest you take your friends on a geek road trip.

 

[a200]

I have a KDS 17" X-Flat and I think it's a great monitor, and pretty cheap too. (about $160)

 

[Maggotry]

My sister just bought an Extreme Flat 17" at Sam's for like $130 or so.

 

[c8]

I owned a KDS monitor for almost 3 years now. Starting last week I noticed the top right hand corner of the screen seem to be flickering...like going into Degauss. I think something is wrong with the contacts. I guess I had got my money worth with it. Paid CDN$299 3 years ago so, that was a really good deal (17") at that time. If it goes, it will be a good excuse to convince my wife for a new 19" .

c8

 

[prontospyder]

I'm using a KDS 19" AV-195TF Trinitron Monitor for about a year already and it's really nice.

 

[bocamojo]

The KDS RAD series of LCD flat screens are very good quality for the money. I have a RAD-5 15in LCD and it is very bright and crisp at 1024x768, 16 mil colors. You can pick one up for around 320-250 nowadays.

 

[Grant]

I have to put my vote in for the Rad-7. Very nice monitor.

 

[Yobbo]

Something you may/may not wanna do is get a nice monitor from Ebay. I got an HP P1120 (used, not refurb) for $275 shipped. Its a 21" monitor, trinitron tube, .24mmAG and all the other goodies you want....plus it supports two inputs (so you can hook 2 comps into 1 monitor...pretty sweet).

I think its a kick ass deal if you wanna spend time looking up stuff on Ebay, took me about 2 weeks before I finally found this awesome deal on ebay (but it is WELL worth it, no problems with monitor and its better quality than any other one I got).

 

[virge147]

I'd recomend a Viewsonic. I got the G90fb 19" for $289 shipped about 4 months ago. I've had no problems with it so far. I used to have a KDS Avitron that lasted for 3 yrs (then the sides went crazy on teh trinitron tube). But for the price its a good buy like samsung