Digital BW, The Print

I have no intention of starting any of those pathetic x is better than y because "I" own it threads, but I need to replace a calibration device. Due to an unfortunate series of circumstances involving a cat being where it shoudn't be, my impatience, sudden eruption of escape, and consequent falling and crushing of aforesaid device (my fault), I am in a quandry (the cat is fine . . . she doesn't get any salmon for a day or two . . . maybe a week).

My question is as follows, I have seen numerous peolple mention "Spyder" (recently deceased . . . mine that is) and a lot of favorable comment towards Gretags' unit, but virtually no fans of the Monaco "Optix" . . .  WHY? I can get a better deal on one of them than any other unit at this time, but am hesitant because of the dearth of any commentary regarding their gear.

As to this being maybe off-topic, well perhaps, though virtually all of the serious printers out there/here will indeed have a calibration unit, whereas if I go to a colour management list I am sure to get a thousand posts bitching about how the thingamawhatitz is serially glued to the whositz in the secondary upper whatchamacallit . . . I don't give a damn about the tech finery, I just want to know if it works for you, and if yes/no, why.

thanks in advance

Paul Aparycki

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]