How fancy do I need? (Xrite i1, Spyder or ??) FB700/Roland XR640

[tedbragg]

I think it's time to color calibrate our screens to our printers and new ink types. Which color calibrators have yall had success with?

I've used the Xrite Studio at an offset print company, but it didn't play well with our Epson 36" wideformat (the dot pattern was too loose/grainy for it to lock on)
Our current printers can lay down a denser pattern.

Suggestions?

 

[balstestrat]

X-rite i1 Pro 3
Affordable and very versatile.

 

[karst41]

You need a Pantone Color Bridge and the Northwest Light at Noon.

 

[Pauly]

Xrite studio is more for home users, photographers etc who use desktop printers.
Xrite i1pro3 publish pack is pretty versatile.

 

[Humble PM]

X-rite i1 Pro 3 Publish. Create printer profiles with media and laminate applied, so laminate does not shift colours.

Very simple to use (though a few of the options are vague in what they do), and in conjunction with with a well calibrated screen, takes a lot of the guess work out of production.

 

[rickmdc]

X-rite i1 Pro 3 Publish. Create printer profiles with media and laminate applied, so laminate does not shift colours.

Very simple to use (though a few of the options are vague in what they do), and in conjunction with with a well calibrated screen, takes a lot of the guess work out of production.

I was planning on purchasing an i1 Pro 2 Basic. I just need color profiles for a used Mutoh VJ . I'm just getting started. Do y'all feel The Pro 2 would work as well? Found one at $475

 

[Humble PM]

I've still got a Rev-D (i1pro v1) that works just fine. Hundreds of profiles run over the years.
I don't believe the Pro2 basic will create printer profiles - I think you need the publish version.
The Pro2 also has that lovely soft touch rubber plastic on them that turns to goop.