Buying a CRT monitor

[Matthew Rolfe]

Hello all,

I'm on a bit of a budget and I'm looking to buy a good CRT monitor. I'm looking to spend no more than £100.

Any suggestions of models?...is Trinitron a must? Any makes to avoid?

Is refurbished an absolute must?

Thanks

[Bruce Watson]

AFAIK, CRTs are no longer manufactured.

[IanG]

Matthew I have two 21" monitors with Trinitron tubes. One's RGB the other SVGA.

The RGB one would be free, I used the other until a year ago so would need to test it again first but it would be well under your budget if OK

Ian

[tgtaylor]

Lacie "Electron Blue."

An excellent monitor designed specifically for the creative artist and used by many photographers and pro labs.

[Matthew Rolfe]

Thanks for responses

[SamReeves]

LOL, you can probably get one for free at your local recycler.

I don't miss how CRT's made my eyes tired though.

[tgtaylor]

LOL, you can probably get one for free at your local recycler.

I don't miss how CRT's made my eyes tired though.

Yedah, picking oned up shopuld cost very little bucks if any at all. Shoot, most folks would let you have it for free if only you would (please) haul it out! But a good lightly used one is still good. The only problem is that they take up space and weigh a TON!

[paulr]

The trick is finding a good one. If you can get one of the better Sonys or LaCies with a couple of years of life left, they are great monitors. For photography I much prefer them to lower end LCDs. Until recently I prefered them to all but the highest end LCDs (Eizo, etc.).

The issue is that they are dying all the time, and the further we get from the last date of manufacture, the harder it's going to be to find one with some life left. The issue is that they lose brightness; every time you calibrate, you'll find yourself adjusting the hardware brightness a bit higher. Eventually you won't be able to calibrate with the monitor at you brightness target. Then you got some decisions to make.

FWIW, I'm using a 19" LaCie electron blu III that I got for FREE on craigslist. It's going strong after 2 years. But it replaced a succession of electron blue iv monitors that died prematurely for unknown power supply reasons ,and both cost quite a bit more than free. So, expect your mileage to vary ...

[Bill Burk]

A CRT will add to your montly electric bill so it might be false economy.

[Matthew Rolfe]

It's only for a short period until I can invest in a good high end LCD. I'm on a tight budget at the moment and I'm sure that for £100 and under a CRT is the way to go....I dread to think of the LCD quality for under than £100.