FPD2185 Review

[dang]

Checkout our latest review of the FPD2185 (http://reviews.designtechnica.com/review3383.html)The line between the computer monitor and LCD TV has once again been blurred with the introduction of Gateway’s latest 21-inch monitor, the FPD2185.

[Belzebutt]

I've had this monitor since Dec 26th and it's beautiful and great for games, but I have concerns about quality. I exchanged my monitor once already because the DVI input on it malfunctioned, it just wouldn't work anymore. On my current monitor, the DVI input does not work with plug n play which means I'm missing some features, and I'm getting an RMA from Gateway. I hope this one will work...

Some things people might find annoying:
- Visible "spotlight" effect in the four corners from backlight, you can see it when the screen is showing nearly all black.
- When you're looking at the screen head-on, shades of nearly black color appear as black, but at a slight angle shades of nearly black can still be made out. I fixed this with upping the gamma. I think it's a by-product of the S-PVA technology used for this screen.
- Screen does not easily rotate to 90 deg, you have to force it a bit to actually go all the way to 90.

Other than that, it's a gorgeous screen.

[Ioman]

Hey thanks for the feedback, please post a user review so others know your experience: http://reviews.designtechnica.com/user_reviews3383.html

I was worried when I reviewed this monitor that Gateway was only giving away a 1-year warranty for a reason, I sure hope you are the exception here and others are not having problems with theirs.

As for the black levels changing from an angle, thats a typical LCD for you, I have yet to see an LCD that looked good from an angle.

Our test sample easily swivled to portrait mode, maybe it had been used a little more and was broken in?

[Belzebutt]

Hey thanks for the feedback, please post a user review so others know your experience: http://reviews.designtechnica.com/user_reviews3383.html

I was worried when I reviewed this monitor that Gateway was only giving away a 1-year warranty for a reason, I sure hope you are the exception here and others are not having problems with theirs.

As for the black levels changing from an angle, thats a typical LCD for you, I have yet to see an LCD that looked good from an angle.

Our test sample easily swivled to portrait mode, maybe it had been used a little more and was broken in?

On the Hard OPC forums I've heard of other people having some trouble with DVI, but it's not widespread. I really hope I get it fixed with the replacement.

I'm pretty sure the swivel is a design issue, because it happened on both monitors. It does swivel very easily, it's just that it does it up to maybe 85 deg not quite 90 (it's noticeable if you're picky). If you really want it to be vertical you have to force it a little bit at the very end.

[Ioman]

I am sure the new one will work, it sucks spending money on something you really like and getting a bad egg right off the bat. Sorry about that :(

[Lucky13oz]

I love mine, I have had it for about two months not and have had zero problems. I also have the 24" Dell LCD but I actually would rather use the Gateway. I dont really know why but the Gateways colors seem so much more vibrent, and during high end first person shooters, the Gateway seems to out perform here to. Such as the tracers I see using the Dell, VS Zero Tracers with the Gateway. I just hope that Gateway will come out with a 24" or bigger that performs just as well or better!

One question though, I can't seem to find the driver for this monitor. The only reason I care is because for some reason I am limited to 60hz at the native resolution, however the specs in the user manual state that at the 1680X1050 res the refresh rate should be able to go up to 75Hz. I know that my video card supports 75Hz at this res. So does anyone know where I can get the correct driver or maybe someother way to adjust it to the proper refresh rate.

Thank you Very much! :dunno omg:

[Ioman]

Are you using the DVI connection? If so, you are limited to 60Hz no matter what. Its like that on all the monitors. The 75Hz will only apply to the analog VGA connection.

[Streeter]

The FPD2185 is a great Monitor.

I have a question though: Does it take everyones monitor 2min. to start up and have the DVI Box go away? I dont beleive it took this long when I bought it but it seems to now.

--Streeter

[Ioman]

That sounds weird, have you tried another monitor to see if its your video card or the Gateway monitor?