Best 19in monitor between these ones...

[duragezic]

First off, I'm sorry if these monitor ones are getting repetetive (sp?). After reading through previos threads, I see a lot about real good ones where price isn't very important (like the Sony G400)

So I found these monitors that were in my price range and looked good. Which one is the best? Please give me all your opinions. I really don't need extreme high quality but I want a good refresh rate at 1280x1024 (I run 1024x768 on a 15in so 1280x1024 should be good) mostly. Price is probably a little more important that quality or features but I don't want some cheap $300 one.

CTX - VL950ST ~$382
CTX - EX960 ~$377
Hitachi - Superscan 715 ~$350
KDS - AV-195TF ~$402
MAG - XJ810 ~$391 (nice refresh rate!)
Samsung - Syncmaster 950P ~$342
Viewsonic - PF77 ~$355
Viewsonic - E790B-4 ~$350

Well that is my list of the ones that looked okay. My absolute MAX price is about $400. I looked mostly at buy.com and a little on Onvia. buy.com has free shipping but only till the 4th.
The one that looks the best is the Hitachi Superscan 715. $350, 1600x1200 @ 75hz and a really low dot pitch compared to other's (22mm). I don't know how much dot pitch matters though. Also, are the two lines (aperture grill or something) noticeably and annoying?

As you can see I am pretty lost so anyone who can help, please do so! Also recommend any other good places to order it with cheap prices and possibly free shipping.

Thank you in advance.

eagle

 

[Grafinator]

noramlly free shipping does NOT apply to monitors on the buy.com free shipping spree. it should say that in the window anouncing the free shipping.

Due to the weight of certain items, this free shipping offer does not apply to monitors, printers, systems and other select products offered in our buycomp.com store. Offer also does not apply to items within the buytravel.com store. A shipping charge will appear in the shopping basket if a charge applies. Shipping method will be selected by buy.com.

sory about that.
but as far as a monitor, i have a Hitachi SuperScan Elite 751, which has been discontinued. it seems that the 715 has the same specs as my 751, an i love my 751. Its not as nice as my 21 inch Sony flatscreen at work, but for that price the Hitachi is the best bang for buck, IMO.

 

[T2T III]

Eagle,

What purpose does your monitor mainly provide? Text or graphics?

For the following monitor, Viewsonic - E790B-4 ~$350, I believe this is a monitor where the case is black. If you don't want the black case, look for the E790. Also, you can find the A90 at most Brick and Mortar retailers (CompUSA, Office Depot, etc.) for about $349 after a rebate. The A90 has similar specs to the E790 and this would give you a chance to see the monitor before purchasing it.

Getting back to my original question, though, it really depends on what you want to use your monitor for. If you do a lot of text work or reading on-line, then a shadow mask monitor might be your better choice. If you don't work with lots of text, but graphics is what you are mainly involved with, then a Trinitron, SonicTron or something of that design might be right for you.

 

[LXi]

Why not Samsung SyncMaster 900IFT? It cost $399, a bit more than most of what you've listed, but it's a perfectly flat monitor with a dot pitch of 0.20mm, amazing isnt it? You can also try the SyncMaster 955DF, essentially the same thing as 900IFT except it won't do as high of a refresh rate as 900IFT in 1600x1200, cost around $350 which I considered an extremely good buy. The Hitachis have flat faced models as well(SuperScan 771 and 776), but they will go beyond your budget, the 715 is nice but it isnt flat. Your best bet is still Samsung, great monitors for their prices.

 

[Pariah]

Buycomp free shipping never applies to monitors. Onvia is far cheaper if you apply the typical $25 coupon they have and the 10% back from pointclick as well as the free shipping. With all savings applied the Samsung 900NF is sub $400, and should be checked out.

Simple side note. You would probably want to run 1280x960. 1280x1024 produces a somewhat squooshed looking pictures due to the fact the aspect ratio is different than typical resolutions (5:4 vs standard 4:3). I tried running 1280x1024 for a while, but never got used to it, so I use 960 now.

 

[duragezic]

Grafinator: THanks... I can't believe I didn't notice that! I'll take your recommendation into consideration.

wje: Well, I dont know. For text, I really don't use it much. I'll look at some reviews and forums but not a whole lot. Graphics? Well I don't do CAD work or 3d modelling or anything but I play a lotta Counter-strike (which I am sure any monitor is okay for). So I hope that gives you enough to recommend something. I live in a small town (pop. ~15000) so there are no Best Buys or CompUSA's, though they are building some office place but it seems to be small and I doubt it will have much monitors (or even computer stuff) in it. Unless I check out some places next time I go out of town.

LXi: Thanks. I'll take your recommendation into consideration also and look at a complete list of recommendations once this thread gets enough replies.

Thank you all and anyone add more if possible!

eagle

 

[duragezic]

Grafinator: THanks... I can't believe I didn't notice that! I'll take your recommendation into consideration.

wje: Well, I dont know. For text, I really don't use it much. I'll look at some reviews and forums but not a whole lot. Graphics? Well I don't do CAD work or 3d modelling or anything but I play a lotta Counter-strike (which I am sure any monitor is okay for). So I hope that gives you enough to recommend something. I live in a small town (pop. ~15000) so there are no Best Buys or CompUSA's, though they are building some office place but it seems to be small and I doubt it will have much monitors (or even computer stuff) in it. Unless I check out some places next time I go out of town.

LXi: Thanks. I'll take your recommendation into consideration also and look at a complete list of recommendations once this thread gets enough replies.

Thank you all and anyone add more if possible!

eagle

 

[LXi]

Right on, Onvia is great. My friend got his Samsung 955DF, with the coupon, the Pointclick 10%, and the rebate, for only $285 shipped!! What an amazing deal.

 

[Pariah]

You're right LXi, I had forgotten about $30 Sumsung rebate. I would absolutely recommend the 900NF with all those savings added together. Getting a $440 monitor for around $345 is quite a steal.

 

[LXi]

I know the 900NF is a nice monitor, it's DiamondTron NF tube. But you know, Im not a big fan of 3rd party xTron monitors, if I wanted a DiamondTron tube I'd go to Mitsubishi directly(approximately the same price ~$440). As for Samsung, I just like their own tubes, their DF and IFT series kicks ass.

 

[ccc]

i prefer Samsung 900NF than 950p.
Basically 900NF has a flat screen, and more important
$30 rebate, which bring down the price to about $340
shipped.

 

[Ulysses]

See:
http://www.pcworld.com/current_issue/article/0,1212,17159+1+0,00.html

 

[HotRod]

I made a post in another thread declaring the Samsung 900Nf my pick for middle of the road and the KDS AV-195TF my pick for low end... based on price.

WELL, I must change my mind. I previously owned the 900NF and POOF, all of a sudden the text went bad and it appeared as though I was looking into a puddle of water... the text literally squibbled back and forth!

So I purchased the KDS (only about 20$ cheaper) and was PLEASANTLY surprised. This monitor ROCKS. The pic quality is as good or better than the KDS, and not one problem... so far that is. But the 900NF deteriorated after about an hour of use and I have been using the KDS for days now, so I am convinced.

Get this monitor... it truly is a treat to the eyes. Flat, crisp, bright, and sharp... what more could you ask for for $400?

Just my opinion.

HotRod.

 

[sov05]

Samsung

 

[duragezic]

Well thank you all. I've been looking at the Samsung 900IFT which I could get for $394-$30 rebate but when I actually goto the Hardware Online retailer site and they don't have the monitor! I was looking at Tech Bargains (that stupid filter wouldn't let me type it has the www site!) for most of the monitors. I could get the 955df from Onvia for $344-$30 rebate. Ok, everyone talks about the $25 off coupon and the 10% pointclick but on the pointclick site, Onvia isn't listed as a reimbursement site. And I've searched all over the Onvia site and can't find a $25 coupon.

The KDS AV-195TF is a tad expensive ($399 no rebates or savings that I've seen).

The Hitachi Superscan 715 looks really good on paper and it around $350 too. IS there anything wrong with this or are Samsung's and the KDS one better?

eagle

 

[Pariah]

coupon# 367765

You have to be a pointclick member. Sign up, go to the member's page then the reimbursement link. You have to fill out a form that contains a dropdown menu of vendors. Onvia is in it.

Sounds like faulty monitor HotRod, you should have returned it for a replacement as soon as you noticed problems.