Using the Datacolor SpyderX Pro to calibrate your monitor

OK, I will admit it, I was a complete newbie when it came to calibrating a monitor. I knew I SHOULD have been doing it, but I used to be tech shy. I thought it would be complicated. But it wasn’t; the Datacolor SpyderX Pro made it so easy to do.

Datacolor SpyderX Pro

Datacolor claims the SpyderX Pro is the fastest, easiest, most accurate monitor calibration system around, with groundbreaking technology and intuitive advanced options. So, I put it to the test and I have been using it regularly ever since.

Unboxing the SpyderX Pro, there is the unit itself and a little card with the instructions for the software. This is your first spot to go. Read through the instructions on the page and get yourself ready to calibrate your monitor. Downloading the software only took a minute and installing not much more.

How to calibrate your monitor

The first time using it I was prompted to register my SpyderX Pro. I used the serial number which appears in the bottom of the packaging (under the actual SpyderX). Once that was done, I was set to calibrate!

Not even knowing what I was doing and taking a bit to read everything and fiddle with my monitor settings, the process still only took three minutes (I set a timer). These days it takes even less.

What were my results?

I found my monitor was actually slightly darker than it apparently should be, so I adjusted it to match. There was an option to set a reminder for 1 month to recalibrate, so I selected that as well. Interestingly, I also found out my screen is more yellow than I thought. All in all, it actually wasn’t too far off.

According to my color profile, it seems to be pretty spot on sRGB, at 99%.

My conclusion

It’s a good investment in your prints. I was nicely surprised and relieved that my main monitor was not too bad. Now, with a SpyderX Pro and my monitor, I can be confident that images will now appear as they should. It was exactly as they claimed, quick and easy. I was very happy to use the SpyderX Pro and calibrate my monitors regularly, as they recommend.