Pantone hopes to make calibration mainstream with $89 huey

Photographers, graphic designers and other pros have long used color-calibration tools like the ColorVision Spyder to make sure that what they see on their display matches their final output as closely as possible. Now, Pantone hopes to bring the calibration experience to mainstream consumers, with the huey, an $89 device that the company says is targeted at "digital photo enthusiasts, gamers and any computer user wanting absolute color and clarity." While we can see prosumer digicam users showing some interest in this, point-and-shooters who print at CVS are unlikely to fall for the pitch. And we really don't see the gaming connection; gamers are likely to push their own gamut, and not worry about what color Pantone tells them that blood on their screen needs to be in order to match a print profile.

[Eagle117 @ Jan 16th 2006 2:03PM]

I think more people than you think would be interested. Would this be compatible with calibrating your HDTV as well? If so then I'm sold.

[Brad @ Jan 16th 2006 2:12PM]

Fore $89 that is awesome -- I used the Spyder at work years back and have always wanted to setup my home monitor properly. This is just the ticket!

[super-structure @ Jan 16th 2006 2:16PM]

A reviewer over a preview also comments that this might be useful for on line shopping, since so many on line stores use Pan tone color systems for their products. That way you get a yellow sweater instead of lime green one.



Another interesting feature is that the device continuously monitors room light to correct the monitor settings. That does seem like quite a device for $90.

[Pip @ Jan 16th 2006 2:32PM]

"Another interesting feature is that the device continuously monitors room light to correct the monitor settings. That does seem like quite a device for $90."



That would be pretty amazing. I'd buy one in a second.

[shp @ Jan 16th 2006 2:34PM]

Wonder if the is Mac compatible? I do not see any specs on the web site.

[John @ Jan 16th 2006 2:40PM]

if this works its going to be as good as gold.



i wish the site had more info on the product. Ordered one anyway.

[Woolly Mittens @ Jan 16th 2006 3:22PM]

If this would put a halt to the endless discussions with customers about getting their "special blue" just right, I'm buying one.

[Hairy Jew @ Jan 16th 2006 3:35PM]

I agree with the predominant sentiment: If it works, this is a great deal. I've spent literally hundreds of dollars having my HDTV calibrated. I'm not wealthy by a long shot, I just have no sense of priority or fiscal responsibility.



In answer to Eagle117, I see no reason why this could not calibrate your HD set. Might not be as good as a $400 ISF calibration, but you should be able to get noticeably positive results with a device like this (again, if it works as advertised).

[John Laur @ Jan 16th 2006 3:46PM]

A colorimeter at this price point is a very welcome product indeed. I especially like the inclusion of an ambient light monitor. That is a great idea in a lower end product where home computers are frequently subjected to different lighting conditions throughout the day... Hopefully it will be as accurate as more expensive units otherwise it's usefulness will be severely limited.

[Monitor Madness! @ Jan 16th 2006 4:44PM]

How to adjust your monitor:



Print out a CMYK image.

Hold it next to your monitor.

Adjust.

[Francesca @ Jan 16th 2006 4:45PM]

As a "digital photo enthusiast," I am in. Indeed, I've struggled with calibration over the years... The photos I used in my custom holiday card printed too blue, then too red. This could be the solution for the home studio!



Warning, Pantone products are slightly addictive and prey on any creative tendencies. Anyone who loves color, who's touched a Pantone chip book can tell you...

[unclejerry @ Jan 16th 2006 5:01PM]

I think this is great if they can release it at this price. My sh!t school's graphics design lab monitors are all different and they wont spend any money to calibrate them so that they are at least close to each other. At this price I could get one to calibrate my duel monitor setup at home and then plug it into the computer I use at school and at least have a good idea of what my project will look like... if the toners aren't to low in the printers...

[Joe Schmoe @ Jan 16th 2006 5:44PM]

$89 is a huge improvement over the $170 spyder. but think about it.. is $89 really worth for a product that you will probably use only ONCE?



save yourself the cash and borrow a spyder from school or someone you know instead.

[MrFace @ Jan 16th 2006 6:30PM]

"$89 is a huge improvement over the $170 spyder. but think about it.. is $89 really worth for a product that you will probably use only ONCE?"



well, it's common knowledge that monitors change over time, warm up, etc., so someone who designs or does photography would probably find him/herself using it pretty often. the ambient lighting sensing would also mean the thing would re-callibrate every time the lighting conditions change (i.e. often).

finally, i don't personally know anyone or any graphics company who uses a spyder, let alone one which would allow it to be taken off-site. i'd expect a lot of others are in the same boat.

i'm looking forward to hearing more about this.

[ninja_in_[ajamas @ Jan 16th 2006 6:41PM]

I personally would find this very useful. I have two computers and while one has bright vibrant crisp colors, the other is very dull. I have tweaked it in every way possible and it still doesn't look right. This is a big problem for me when it comes to darker pictures. Also I'm prettymuch the neighborhood PC Tech so I'd definately be using this thing more than once. I plan on getting one of these as soon as possible. At 89 Dollars, it's STILL cheaper than taking it to Best Buy and having them adjust everything for you.

[James Young @ Jan 16th 2006 7:09PM]

Now if Pantone would come out with a sub-$100 version of its ColorCue, that would be a big hit, as it would open it up to a wider range of users from pro to casual. Everyone from interior decorators to web designers would be running around figuring out what the Pantone equivalent color was for every surface they see. They should also wise up and come out with cross reference formulas for house paint ;-)

[Sam Sherwood @ Jan 17th 2006 7:26AM]

Wow.



Yeah, they may say this is targeted at the casual user, but it's great news for freelancers everywhere. At the moment, I use a Pantone chip book for my projects, and guesstimate from my LCD. Honestly, the Spyder just had too high of a price point to consider purchasing... I get by just fine without one.



Can a freelancer afford $170 for color calibration? Absolutely. Can we find a few reasons not to purchase a $170 gadget for 'work'? All the time. We're the kings of putting stuff off, yet getting work done.



In reality, the sub-$100 price puts a professional tool into my frivolous spending bracket. I work day and night, with ample windows, and this might be a neat addition to the fray!

[GeeksAreSexy @ Jan 17th 2006 2:31PM]

Ack! this looks like a digital dildo ;)

[Justin Bell @ Jan 17th 2006 11:36PM]

#10, Monitor Madness gets this all wrong. Your average CMYK printer is not physically capable of accuratly reproducing Pantone colours, ignoring that fact that it probably isn't producing accurate CMYK colours for starters.