Calibrite Display 123 review

Monitor calibration. Two words that, for many, will sound intimidating, boring or both – and is that such a surprise? It can be a time-consuming affair riddled with complicated processes and puzzling jargon and nigh endless adjustments.

However, while it may be inaccessible for many, the truth is that a correctly calibrated display is essential for any photographer who likes to digitally edit their images – particularly those looking to print their work.

Colour reproduction can vary from display to display, and even change over time, so even the most expensive monitors are susceptible to inaccuracies. Regular monitor calibration ensures your displays are both accurate and consistent, avoiding any unwanted colour casts.

So, how do you change monitor calibration from a complex process reserved for industry specialists into something more accessible to the masses? It’s a conundrum Calibrite aims to answer with the Display 123.

Display 123 features

Designed with simplicity at its heart, the Display 123 is a tool made to do a job as quickly, efficiently and affordably as possible.

This comes at the cost of more advanced features like an ambient light sensor and support for more than two displays per workstation, but considering its £109 price point and entry-level consumer target audience, we don’t see these omissions as a major issue.

Something that could be, however, is the Display 123’s incompatibility with Apple’s latest Liquid Retina XDR displays or any display with over 1000 nits of brightness, so do keep that in mind before parting with any cash.

In the box, you’ll find nothing but the unit, a counterweight and a web address to download the Calibrite Profiler software. This is a simple enough process requiring MacOS 10.15 or Windows 10-11, 32- or 64-bit.

Using the Display 123

Once downloaded, simply plug the Display 123 into your machine via its refreshingly long USB-C cable, launch the software and then the three-step process begins.

Easy-to-follow instructions guide you on your way, complemented by a link to a video demo if you’re more of a visual learner.

Step 1

In the first step, you select the target display and choose between calibrating at your monitor’s current brightness or the standard photo editing brightness of 120 nits.

Step 2

If you choose the former, step two is as simple as hanging the Display 123 in place and clicking Measure. If the latter, you’ll first need to set your display to 120 nits via its on-board menu system.

Step 3

Step three is the automatic measurement process, in which the software displays a sequence of colours for the unit to read.

This lasts around four-and-a-half minutes and ends by automatically applying the calibrated settings and presenting before-and-after visuals, which is a satisfying touch.

Summary

All in all, I found the calibration sequence a doddle. Calibrite is on a mission to bring accurate colours to everyone, regardless of technical know-how. With the Display 123, they’re certainly succeeding.