Monitor Color Calibration Now Easier, More Accurate

One of the most frustrating aspects of working with a computer in graphics is trying to get the printed output to match the colorsvisible on the screen. The variation between color spaces (RGB on screen vs. CMYK in output) has been explained many times over, but that explanation does not alleviate the existing problem. Who better to help with this problem than the leaders in colormanagement and control, Pantone, Inc. in conjunction with the experts from GretagMacbeth? 

THE HUEY

The Huey is one of the first products of the new collaboration between Pantone and GretagMacbeth, two companies well known for their efforts to bring accurate color to the desktop. The Huey is something of a milestone in color accuracy in that it offers both consistent calibration for any type of monitor and constant monitoring of ambient light, adjusting the colors on the display tocomplement current lighting conditions. It comes in at an irresistibly economical price ($89.00), leaving no excuse for anyone to keep working with incorrect color. The Huey is targeted toward entry-level users in graphic design, amateur photographers and essentially anyone who works with color in the visual arts.

WHAT YOU GET

In terms of hardware, the Huey comes with a USB-based colorimeter, a USB cable extender and a stand. The colorimeter itself is distinguished from previous Pantone-branded colorimeters in several respects. First, it's tiny, measuring about four inches in length and resembling the girth of a felt-tip marker, weighing almost nothing. On the back of the unit, you'll find the sensors that are used in the calibration of your monitor, as well as eight tiny suction cups for holding the device in place during calibration. The colorimeter can be used on LCD and CRT displays with no additional hardware (such as a baffle) required.

On the front of the display are the LEDs that indicate activity and are also used to measure the level of ambient light in the work area. The stand holds the Huey when it's not being used to calibrate a display. In this stand, the Huey can be positioned and angled to match the position and angle of your display –helpful, of course, if you intend to leave the Huey plugged in all the time so that it's continuously measuring ambient light and adjusting your display accordingly.

This is, by the way, the first entry-level colorimeter with a built-in ambient light sensor, and it's a fantastic additional feature. Using the software provided, you can set the Huey to measure ambient light from every ten seconds to every four hours (image, lower right). You can also shut this off entirely, if desired. Whenever it takes a reading, Huey will adjust the display so that the colors you perceive on screen remain fairly consistent regardless of lighting conditions.