[PCM2]

Sorry to hear that. Yes, it is worth trying out a model with wider colour gamut and therefore very different spectral output.

[PCM2]

I appreciate this thread can be very confusing, with conflicting advice. Everybody’s eyes are different. The majority of users who have used the BenQ GW2470H find it very comfortable on the eyes. This includes users who have tested a variety of similar IPS-type models and didn’t find them comfortable. One user found it uncomfortable initially, but that was just because they were so used to their old screen and needed to give themselves some time to adapt. There are other users, like phoenix512 (who I can only assume did not find the monitor comfortable even given time), who would need to explore options with other backlight designs as we explored on the previous page of this thread.

There is a similar model in the works by ASUS in the form of the VA249HE. You can expect it to be largely similar to the BenQ, with a few additions such as more flexible pixel overdrive and the ‘GamePlus’ on screen crosshair and timer. It is more stripped-back than even the BenQ in terms of ports (single HDMI port, no 3.5mm jack). There may of course be some image performance differences, but they would only become apparent through testing/reviewing.

[gustavjung]

Hi!

Thank you for your tests!
I am new to this forum. Could you please help me with my choice. I need a monitor for 8 hour work, priority is 70% reading, coding, 30% designing.
So the most important is easiness of reading. I have now Philips 191V TN monitor and reading is a pain. The background is grey, font is not sharp.
So I came across this list:
AOC I2481FXH
Dell U2414H
Iiyama ProLite XB2783HSU-1
BenQ GW2470H
Iiama x2483hsu-b1
AOC Q2577PWQ

Could you please tell me which of them you recommend to remove and why? And maybe you can recommend something new.

[PCM2]

As this thread demonstrates, there is no such thing as ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to visual comfort on a monitor. I can start by eliminating the Iiyama models. They have no interest in providing review samples to independent British reviewers such as myself, so I have no desire to promote or discuss their products. As above, many users find the BenQ GW2470H comfortable and in some cases more so than IPS-type options.

However; many people also find models like the AOC Q2577PWQ comfortable. And you gain a huge advantage in terms of productivity from the 2560 x 1440 resolution. It really depends on your eyesight, but I’d advise reading the review (specifically this section) to get an idea of what to expect from the pixel density and resolution. If you’re looking at additional models to consider, look no further than the recommendations section. It’s full of models which many users would find comfortable to look at. The Samsung C27F591 is a popular one for viewing comfort with its curved VA panel and relatively low pixel density (for example).

[gyros]

Hello Adam

Firstly, Thank you! What you are doing here on this page is really impressive.

I’m looking for a 32” 4K Monitor for coding, reading and designing. I need that vertical space, so no UWQHD (1440 vs 2160 px). I’m easily 14-16 hours (!) daily before screens and of course I’m suffering from eye strain. I came to the conclusion that I have to replace my dual TFT Setup with one big good Monitor. From what I read the TFT must be IPS or PLS, must have 60Hz and have no PWM. Windows PC / Laptop and MacBook will be sometimes connected, so that should work too.

What TFTs can you recommend? Budget: Max. 1200$.

I made good experience with the brand DELL, but the current 32” Dell TFT with 4K is from end 2015.

Cheers!

[PCM2]

As per the recommendations section, the BenQ PD3200U. I know the recommendation focuses more on colour performance and the fact it’s alright for gaming on, but it is very good in terms of eye comfort as well. Flicker-free, superb factory calibration, IPS-type panel, decent screen surface, good and easily accessible Low Blue Light settings and a good brightness adjustment range. It’s simply the best all-round ~32″ ‘4K’ model available. And I appreciate your kind words. 🙂

[drtim]

PCM2, thank you for all the work you have done for this important topic. I am in need of a new monitor and my #1 need is for reading purposes. I spend many hours weekly reading / researching and want a monitor that is pleasing to my eyes and does not cause eye fatigue. Over the years my eyes (for reading purposes) have got worse from looking at monitors. At present I use a HP w2338h monitor, but recently bought an LG 55″ OLED 4K HDR TV for our home TV. My wife and I absolutely love it – the colors are blacks and clarity are excellent in our opinion. Is there a 32″ – 36″ monitor option that is both 4K and HDR that you would advise? I have looked and am thinking the ASUS PG35VQ for this when it is released, but really don’t know, and was wondering what your thoughts are? I know this monitor would be considered a gaming monitor, which I don’t need, as I don’t play games, but it also looks like this technology of 4K and HDR combined could be a huge hit for reading purposes. Do you agree? Thank you.

[PCM2]

The reason you will enjoy the LG TV so much has very little to do with ‘HDR’, more to do with the fact it is OLED. Which, unfortunately, isn’t feasible for monitors just yet. The ASUS PG35VQ could be an interesting choice, but of limited use to you if your number one intention is viewing comfort. The FALD solution could enhance the contrast, although even then it isn’t ‘per pixel’ so isn’t as good as an OLED or other backlightless solution. Furthermore it is possible that the FALD function can only be used for HDR content. Another thing is that it isn’t ‘4K’ at all, so I don’t see how it fits in with what you’re after.

I’d suggest waiting for CES and seeing what sort of solutions come out then.

[Bob S]

Thanks for the website/post.
The takeaway seems to be, see in person before you buy.
That said, EIZO’s FlexScan EV2730Q pushes the right buttons for me, sight unseen.
Square, instead of the ever wider panavision movie screen for games, 1920×1920 @ 60 hz. which yields a slightly better DPI than the Dell 2007FP 1600×1200 @ 60hz I am using now and no need to keep switching the monitor from portrait to landscape whenever you switch from text to spreadsheets/ pdf blueprints.
Oh well. Closer to home is the BenQ BL2711U 27″ 4K.
If you can’t beat them, join ’em.
Thanks

[PCM2]

Or, preferably, buy from somewhere with a good returns policy and support our work. It is crucial to use a monitor for an extended period of time in your usual lighting, which isn’t a luxury afforded to you in a store.

[Ancientwanker]

Hi PCM2, first let me thank you for all the effort you have put in to help all these people. I wish the guys at my local electronics store knew half as much as you did aboit monitors.

I was wondering if the newer BenQs are as good on the eyes as the older ones like gw2760hs I see recommended here. It’s my understanding the gw2760hs uses an amva panel, while gw2470h and newer va panels are amva+. (but it’s hard to be sure because most specs just list “VA”) Does this make a difference to eye comfort?

And are the new panels like benq VZ2770H just as good for eye comfort as the gw2470h?

I have a Dell u2715h but it’s killing my eyes, especially at brightness higher than 10-15.

[PCM2]

Hi,

There is no real distinction between ‘AMVA’ and ‘AMVA+’. In fact the GW2760HS now (and likely did, when we were reviewing it) use an ‘AMVA+’ panel. It’s just that AU Optronics chose to advertise the GW2760HS with ‘Color Shift Free’ (due to the improvements in viewing angle that came with newer AMVA iterations) and later simply added a ‘+’ to more recent panels. This will make no difference whatsoever in terms of viewing comfort. 🙂 If VESA holes aren’t important, we’ve been recommending various members of the ‘EW’ series as well, including the relatively recent EW2775ZH.

[Ancientwanker]

Benq has such confusing marketing terms, amva+, eyesense3, blue light plus, brigtness intelligence plus etc.

The EW2775ZH looks promising, but in my country it’s a bit more expensive than other Benq VAs, specifically GC2870H and GC2870HE. Do you know anything about those monitors compared to EW2775ZH eye comfort wise?

I’m not sure the GC monitors have brigtness intelligence plus, but then again I’m not sure if the other monitors do, or if that is good for eye comfort or not.

[PCM2]

– Senseye3 is just the name BenQ gives to their (useless) presets most of the time
– Regarding ‘Brightness Intelligence Plus’, it’s a useless feature – https://pcmonitors.info/reviews/benq-ew2770qz/#BI_Brightness_Intelligence_Plus.
– The GC2870H(E) is a wide gamut monitor and will give highly saturated colours (oversaturated for regular sRGB content). That’s not good for viewing comfort on the face of it, but it actually means its backlight will have a more balanced energy spectrum which some users would find particularly comfortable. Sometimes the stronger saturation (which can literally be an eyesore) can be countered by tweaking the monitor or selecting an appropriate preset. So that model might be a decent call, but I’ve got no experience with it.

[ciabo18]

this is the topic I needed. There are so many useful information maybe too many 🙂
I work in a metalworking company. They have planned to change the monitors of the technical office where CAD, CAM, email and management software are used for 99% of working time. They had chosen DELL S2718HN but asked me if we want to choose something with more suitable features (it happens that we stand in front of the monitor for 12 hours a day). The most important thing is to strain the eyes as little as possible
Reading the discussion I have a list of solutions that I will give to the boss but first I would like to understand if the model they had chosen, DELL S2718HN, is still good or not
we believe that 27″ FHD is the best choice for us (right?) and the model are:
BENQ GW2760HS
BENQ EW2775ZH
SAMSUNG S27F350
SAMSUNG C27F591 (we are not sure that the curve is suitable for us considering CAD, CAM)
I have also seen 32″ 2K models but they seem too big and the quality for the eyes worse. I can also consider the 29 FHD but they are few models and probably the resolution would be too low
Can you help me? the choice of the boss is right or do you recommend another model in particular?
thank you

[PCM2]

The appropriate pixel density depends on your viewing distance and eyesight. Could you expand on exactly how you will be using the monitor? When you say you stand in front of it for 12 hours a day, what sort of distance will you be from the screen. What is the lighting like where you work and do you ever need to view the screen from a decentralised angle? Or is it pretty central.

P.S. You mentioned ‘2K’ so I’m just going to repeat what I’ve said to others on the matter, since it is a pet peave of mine. ‘2K’ is extremely misleading and also incorrect when used to refer to the 2560 x 1440 (WQHD) resolution. The 2560 x 1440 resolution came before ‘4K’ was a thing, and it was never referred to as ‘2K’ or anything with a ‘K’ back then. Yet people use ‘4K’ to typically refer to the ‘4K UHD’ resolution of 3840 x 2160. The horizontal component (3840) is close to ‘4K’, hence the name. If you half both components of the resolution and therefore get down to ‘2K’, you’d actually have 1920 x 1080 – Full HD. So if you’re going to refer to 2560 x 1440 with a ‘K’ it is more accurate to refer to it as ‘2.5K’. It’s best instead to correctly refer to the resolution as (W)QHD, or if you really have to, 1440p. Again, this is not a personal thing and I see it repeated over and over by people.

[ciabo18]

I apologize for the incorrect terminology and my poor English. With “2K” I mean WQHD sorry.
The distance from the monitor is about 70cm and pretty central. In the office there is 6 neon lights at 6500k and 3 windows. in general the room is bright enough. It cause some reflexes. On glossy screen, I think a low anti-reflective treatment is sufficient.

[PCM2]

When you say you think a glossy (anti-reflective screen) is ‘sufficient’, is that based on experience with one in the lighting environment? I’ll take your word for it, but I really think you’d be better served by a higher resolution matte screen for your uses. I don’t know why you want to restrict yourself to 27″ 1920 x 1080, unless you’re either standing far from the screen (you aren’t) or you have poor eyesight. I can’t comment on the S2718HN, specifically, as I have no experience with it. I’m still not convinced a glossy screen would be ideal in the lighting environment you describe, anti-reflective surface or not.

[ciabo18]

You’re right. I misspoke. I meant that now we have glossy monitor and we have some reflexes problem but not too much. So matte screen It would certainly be the best choice. I don’t want to restrict myself to 27″ 1920 x 1080 but I thought it was the right choice. I’m here for help.
So do you think that a 32″ WQHD (like BenQ PD3200U on recommended) is a best choice for me and my eye’s health? i also see the aoc q3279vwf but it is glossy

[PCM2]

Ah right, that makes mroe sense.

The BenQ PD3200U is a ‘4K’ UHD monitor. I find such models perfectly comfortable to use, but it might be overkill for your uses. And indeed you might not find it so comfortable (without resorting to scaling/zoom) when using it for extended periods of time. The BenQ PD3200Q, on the other hand, is very similar to the BL3200PT and has a 32″ WQHD VA panel. Between those WQHD BenQ models, I’ve received plenty of positive user feedback. And when it comes to viewing comfort, a few highlights would include:

– Flicker-free backlight
– Good brightness adjustment range
– Good static contrast (some users find VA models more comfortable for this reason)
– Light matte screen surface (good glare handling, good clarity and vibrancy retained)
– Easy to activate/deactivate Low Blue Light (LBL) settings
– Comfortable pixel density (similar to 24″ 1920 x 1080 model)

[Author]

Posts