help me pick a 19" ?

[Mrburns2007]

1. KDS avitron...................... $299 (369.99 - $70 rebate at best buy)
2. Samsung 955df.................... $299 (349.99 - $50 rebate at best buy)
3. NEC FP950 *used*................. $299 with 1 year warranty but used

 

[nicowju]

I would probably go for the FP950, even though its used. I've seen all these monitors in stores, and for some reason the FP950 always stood out. But the Samsung 955DF is also pretty good. Quality-wise, I would worry a bit about the short 1 year warranty on the NEC. I've got a KDS at home, and its been pretty reliable, and the picture quality is pretty good.

 

[Poncherelli]

Head over to Dell.com, they're running a special. All their monitors are 20% off with free shipping and i think they have all of those monitors listed somewhere.

 

[Mrburns2007]

I love the NEC FP950 but at 299 used makes me a little nervous. There is a point at which the hours begin to add up and the picture begins to get soft. I have no real idea how much wear and tear the monitors had.

A new FP950 is $400

 

[Calistograph]

I only buy Samsung. I have been completely blown away by their fine, bright picture. I own 3 of them now and they are absolutely flawless. They put Sony monitors to shame (not that Sony ever made a good monitor anyway). My fav is currently the 950p, I personally find the semi-flats to be much brighter and more detailed than their flats (or any flat for that matter). I bought a flat after selling my 950P to a friend and after about a week I gave him my new one and took my old one back. The flat just didn't look as nice. But that's me.

Look at monitors, if you can, in a Windows environment. Move some icons to the far corners and look for distortion or discoloring. Try a white background and some other solid colored backgrounds. Don't immediately dismiss a monitor if you see this; many have adjustments that may clear this up. But if after you have played with the adjustments, and it's still muddy, move onto the next monitor.

MeatGrinder

 

[Calistograph]

P.S. I looked into the KDS once at Best Buy, the salesman there warned me off of them saying they get alot back. NEC used to be the industry leader, now they clearly are the best among the worst monitors. I would avoid NEC. again......my 2 cents. Not redeemable at face value.

 

[Mrburns2007]

NEC make great monitors and Sony is still the industry standard although there pretty expensive.

 

[esung]

KDS AV-195TF uses Sony FD Trinitron tube, which I think is the best tube for the class. the image is better then 955DF (it's in the class with 900NF).

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Any brand with a Sony tube is a winner IMHO.