Envision EN-985e 18" CRT Monitor

Rating:
Summary: Works fine--while it works
Review: After using the Envision EN-985e for over a year, I've found that the best thing about this monitor is the 3-year warranty. My family decided to purchase this as a replacement for our Compaq 15" monitor included with our computer. At first the huge viewing area was impressive, but it was very difficult to adjust to where it was square in the screen, and completely in focus. But we were willing to live with it. Unfortunately just five days later, the monitor was dead. Figuring it was just a defective one, we returned it. The replacement worked for 3 months before it again failed. After another round of sending it back to the manufacturer and getting it repaired, it worked for 6 months then failed again. More warranty service, worked for another few months, and now it has stopped working once more. Without the warranty this thing would have been a complete waste of money. As it is, it's just a poor excuse for a monitor, and unless you have a backup to use while you're sending it back for warranty service, STAY AWAY.

Rating:
Summary: Works fine--while it works
Review: After using the Envision EN-985e for over a year, I've found that the best thing about this monitor is the 3-year warranty. My family decided to purchase this as a replacement for our Compaq 15" monitor included with our computer. At first the huge viewing area was impressive, but it was very difficult to adjust to where it was square in the screen, and completely in focus. But we were willing to live with it. Unfortunately just five days later, the monitor was dead. Figuring it was just a defective one, we returned it. The replacement worked for 3 months before it again failed. After another round of sending it back to the manufacturer and getting it repaired, it worked for 6 months then failed again. More warranty service, worked for another few months, and now it has stopped working once more. Without the warranty this thing would have been a complete waste of money. As it is, it's just a poor excuse for a monitor, and unless you have a backup to use while you're sending it back for warranty service, STAY AWAY.

Rating:
Summary: Not even close...
Review: I bought this monitor when it was on sale + 50 bucks rebate. With a coupon, total came out to about 100. Luckily I did not cut off the barcode or else I wouldn't be able to return it.

It was easy enough to set this up but the problem started when I tried to adjust the screen. No matter what I did, I just couln't achieve the optimal view setting with clear text and color.

Unless it was set at 1024x768 or the next higher setting of 11xx at 60 mhz, the screen was painfully filled with moire effect and no matter what I did, I couldn't make them go away. If I calibrate using the corners, the center is fuzzy and if I concentrate on the center, the corders were fuzzy...

But that's not the worst problem I had with this monitor. The biggest and the worst problem was at anything higher than 60 mhz at any resolution, I couldn't fill the screen. There were black gap at the right and left side of the screen even though the horizontal size setting was set at 100%. Only when I lowered the refresh rate to 60, I was able to fix the problem.

After thinking hard about whether I should spend extra 100 or so for another brand, I decided to return it because I knew that I was going to use the monitor for at least a few years even if I change the computer. In fact, I knew that the monitor should be one component that I should get the best even if it is more expensive.

So I returned it with no regret and I am getting SONY lcd that is smaller (15") and three times more expensive. Call me crazy but I still think I made the right decision.