NEC 2070SB or the FE2111SB

[smc1]

I've started this new thread cause you guys have me changing my mind about buying used monitorsinstead of new ones. It sounds as though the NEC 2070SB or the FE2111SB are good used monitors with the better being the 2070SB. I've found some used ones with about $100 seperating the two. Is the $100 more worth getting the 2070 over the 2111? Keep in mind that the 2111 is a couple of years newer. I'll be mostly gaming with it with some CAD work and a little photo work.
Thanks

 

[CP5670]

I think it's worth the extra money, especially if you're going to be using the larger resolutions. They are pretty similar but the 2070 has significantly higher refresh rates, pretty much the highest out there. With the 2070 you never need to worry about the refresh rate at any resolution being too low. Although I think the only other difference is that the 2070 has a USB hub. If possible, try to see both of them in person before buying either one, so you know you aren't getting a dud unit.

 

[deadseasquirrel]

My vote goes for the 2070sb (which is a Mitsu, not NEC, btw-- the NEC version is the 2141). I got mine refurbed from the nec-mitsu online refurb site for $330 and when it came, I swear it was brand new. It is the absolute best piece of equipment I have ever purchased for a computer.

 

[smc1]

Do you have a link to the nec-mitsu online refurb site? The FE2111SB is a 2004 year model and pristine(so I"m told), and is $100 less than the 2070SB which is a 2002 and in good condition. I can't check them out before purchase, but a 4 year old model seems as though the colors could start to be washed out. I'm told that the refurb. houses really don't refurb. them but that they re-certify them.

 

[ponyo]

I wouldn't get either. 4 year old 2070sb probably lost half of its brightness and contrast. 2 year old 2111sb isn't bad but the quality on late model Diamondtrons were hit and miss. Add to the fact both are refurbs means your odds are not good.

 

[SonicIce]

2070u = 2141sb
2060u = 2111sb

(i think)

 

[smc1]

Naustica,
what would you suggest for a new CRT?

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: smc1
Naustica,
what would you suggest for a new CRT?

I don't.

I think 99% of the public will be satisfied by the current LCDs. The remaining 1% will take the CRT to their grave.

 

[BenSkywalker]

I have the 2070(2141 actually) and I would reccomend it without hesitation particularly for gaming. 2048x1536@85Hz is incredible- and the fact that it is a 2K2 model means that you can pretty much be assured that it is one of the higher quality tubes. Any of the Diamondtrons produced in 2K4 were hit and miss- some were incredible while others were sorely lacking.

 

[deadseasquirrel]

Originally posted by: Naustica
I think 99% of the public will be satisfied by the current LCDs. The remaining 1% will take the CRT to their grave.

It's not so much that I would take my CRT to my grave... it's more that most of the advantages for an LCD don't do anything for me (could care less about size since I have a huge desk and never move it; etc). While there is one pretty big DISadvantage for me with LCDs-- native res. I prefer the flexibility of CRTs for that. I don't want to be stuck at 1280x1024, and I don't want to be always having to upgrade video cards to remain at 1900x1200. I *might* consider going LCD for my kids' machines since they're usually on hand-me-down gfx cards (ti4200 and 5900u at the moment) and could get away with a 1280x1024 19" LCD without a problem.

Originally posted by: smc1
Do you have a link to the nec-mitsu online refurb site?

Nec-mitsu refurb. I haven't seen another 2070sb since I bought that one over a year ago. I did grab a 930sb for my son about a month later, and then saw another 930 show up and shoulda grabbed it while I could because they haven't had another in 10 months now.

edit:

Originally posted by: Naustica
4 year old 2070sb probably lost half of its brightness and contrast.

Forgot to mention, my 4 y/o refurb 2070 has perfect brightness and contrast. Without the SB modes on, I keep brightness down to 50%. Cranking it up to 100% in desktop is WAY too bright.

 

[Dethfrumbelo]

Heh, I've got my brightness set to 0% on my 930SB and it's still plenty bright for the desktop/internet. I use suberbright 1 for games, and it's more than adequate.

 

[Shamrock]

I bought my NEC FE1250+ (22") about 3 weeks ago, USED from Azetek.com and it literally puts my KDS to shame! I love my monitor, even it if it was manufactured in 2001! It's way brighter than my sister's monitor that is only 18 months old. Everyone is envious of me having a monitor that is bigger than my TV in my bedroom It makes vibrant pictures jump at you. The brightness is perfect.

http://www.azatek.com/

When they say Grade A, they really mean almost mint! Azatek is great, and offer a 6 month warranty

 

[CP5670]

As others have suggested, an older model may actually be more reliable than a newer one when it comes to these discontinued CRTs. For the Superbright Diamondtron monitors, it's mainly the October '04 and later units (manufacture date) that you want to avoid. Anything earlier than that should be good.

I don't think these SB Diamondtrons suffer quite as much from the rapid brightness loss issue that some other monitors had. Mine is a little under a year old, but I have my brightness setting at 10% and the brightness level has always remained consistent.

I think 99% of the public will be satisfied by the current LCDs. The remaining 1% will take the CRT to their grave.

The current crop of LCDs has far too many shortcomings for me to consider them for my main gaming computer. There are actually a few pretty impressive ones out there, but they are all professional models that cost over $3000. I'll probably upgrade once SEDs have been released and have come down in price a bit.

2070u = 2141sb
2060u = 2111sb

(i think)

The 2111 doesn't have any Mitsu equivalent as far as I know. The 2060 is actually an older generation one without the superbright tube; I think the NEC version of that is the FP1355.

 

[Squally Leonharty]

Can't go wrong with 2070SB. I have it and I absolutely love it. It's an Augustus 2004 model and I've got it for more than a year now. Brightness and contrast are very good, even now.

There are a few things such monitors are sensitive for and that's signal quality, power and magnetivity around the monitor, such as speakers. This monitor suffered quite a lot from dancing pixels until I replaced the VGA cable. It still wasn't entirely good, so I checked again and it seems that the power cord was loose. I fitted it again tightly and everything has been perfect ever since.

Love the thing.

 

[SonicIce]

Originally posted by: Shamrock
I bought my NEC FE1250+ (22") about 3 weeks ago, USED from Azetek.com and it literally puts my KDS to shame! I love my monitor, even it if it was manufactured in 2001! It's way brighter than my sister's monitor that is only 18 months old. Everyone is envious of me having a monitor that is bigger than my TV in my bedroom It makes vibrant pictures jump at you. The brightness is perfect.

http://www.azatek.com/

When they say Grade A, they really mean almost mint! Azatek is great, and offer a 6 month warranty

I got one too
(does yours seem to stretch at the top slightly?)

 

[Shamrock]

nope, adjust it in the menus, if you cant, use Naviset (NEC software, it's free!)

 

[SonicIce]

Originally posted by: Shamrock
nope, adjust it in the menus, if you cant, use Naviset (NEC software, it's free!)

I try to adjust Vertical Linearity but when all the boxes are square, the diagonal lines are way out of wack.