ViewSonic G225fB 21 inch CRT Monitor

You might be thinking that CRT monitors have been completely replaced by LCD displays.  Not so for some computer users.  They embrace the CRT experience, and this ViewSonic CRT 21" Monitor (Model # G225FB) is a great choice.  Let me share how I came to own this monitor.


Description

Granted this monitor is large (okay ... huge!).  It measures 19.7" x 19.8" x 18.8".  Plus, it is heavy at about 60 pounds.  It has a nice black plastic casing with the control panel located on the front of the monitor (horizontally near the bottom edge).

A great feature is the distortion-free and flicker-free video from ViewSonic's award-winning PerfectFlat screen.  It also has SuperClean screen technology with a 0.20mm horizontal dot pitch (0.25mm diagonal dot pitch).  The screen is anti-reflection and anti-glare.  The maximum resolution is 2048x1536 at 80Hz.

The package includes:  color monitor, DB-15 video cable, power cord, ViewSonic CD-ROM Wizard (includes User Guide PDF files and INF/ICM display optimization files), Quick Start Guide.

More specifications are at the bottom of this review.


My Experiences

So why does our household include this heavy and large CRT monitor?  Well, let's start at the beginning.

My workplace attends several trade shows during the year.  This includes multiple video displays and assorted equipment.  For several years, we were displaying video using these ViewSonic monitors.  The graphics projected were excellent, which was important considering our broadcasts include texture and detail that we need displayed well.  As technology developed, the CRT monitors were relegated to a back room.

When it came time to purge unused equipment, the monitors were offered to employees.  As you can imagine, not many people were interested in a heavy CRT monitor.  I was!

The reason it came into the house is that my parents prefer using CRT monitors.  They are close to eighty years old and both love to use the computer.  I've tried converting their video to LCD monitors, but they have always asked me to bring back the CRT displays.  Prior to this 21" monitor, the folks were using a 15" CRT monitor.

The monitor carton was too large to fit in the car, so I had to take the monitor out of the box and place it carefully on the back seat.  The monitor was of a size that I could barely wrap the seatbelt around it to hold it in place.  (Though being about 60 pounds, I probably didn't have to worry about it shifting.)  This ViewSonic monitor was easy to install.  The hardest part was lugging it from the car and into the house. 

First, make sure the computer is turned off.  Once I had the monitor in position near the computer tower, all I had to do was plug in two cables.  A power cable plugs into the back of the monitor, and the other end is inserted into an electrical outlet.  The second cable goes from the back of the monitor to the back of the computer tower.  When all the connections are secure, turn on the computer tower and press the monitor's power button (located at the front right of the machine).

This monitor makes a short hum-buzz sound when it is turned on.  We would prefer the monitor to be quieter when powering up, but we can live with the short "on" sound. 

In case you are wondering, this monitor is attached to a Dell computer that was purchased last year.  The computer is running the Windows 7 operating system.

I wish you could have seen my parent's faces when I powered up this monitor for the first time.  My father actually stood there with his mouth open, a slow smile spreading across his face.  The monitor screen surface is large, the graphics clear, and text is crisp.  I can't believe the detail this monitor shows.  For instance, the desktop background image is of a lighthouse (an image from the Windows 7 system library).  On the old monitor, I never noticed the texture on the white side of the lighthouse.  And the blades of grass and detail in the flowers are excellent. 

This computer is actively used for playing online games.  The games primarily include Farmville, jigsaw puzzles, solitaire, and board games.  This computer is also used for Active Worlds where one can build 3D virtual worlds online.  I could not believe the great color and resolution.  The images look great.  Text is easy to read, too.  We don't notice any eye strain when using this display.  This monitor is definitely an improvement over the previous one.

Of course, a downside to using a CRT monitor is that compared to an LCD monitor, it is a space hog.  This CRT display is heavy and takes up a large chunk of desk real estate.


Purchasing

This monitor originally sold for about $450.00.


Summary

This ViewSonic CRT 21" Monitor has lasted quite a few years in a work environment, and now it has found a second life as a home display.  Set up is simple, and the monitor picture is excellent.  We're very happy.

I hope you found this review useful.

Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com


Additional Specifications     


Bandwidth:  360MHz
Horizontal Refresh Rate:  30kHz - 130kHz
Vertical Refresh Rate:  50Hz - 160Hz
Input Video Compatibility:  Analog RGB
Connectors:  D -Sub
Power Supply:  AC 90-264 VAC (auto switch), 50/60 Hz (+/-2)
Power Consumption:  125W (typ.)
Built-in Speakers:  No
Compatibility:  PC / Macintosh prior to G3 requires a special adapter


Please read my other reviews:

ViewSonic 19" LCD Monitor

Acer 19" Widescreen LCD Monitor

Microsoft LifeCam VX-1000 Webcam

Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000

Logitech V220 Notebook Mouse

Altec Lansing Speakers

Phillips Portable DVD Player with screen

Copyright 2010 Dawn L. Stewart