Home > Consumer Reviews > NEC MultiSync FE2111SB 21" CRT Monitor (Black)

I'm using two FE2111's in a dual monitor setup for one of my graphics rigs. For the price of one 20" LCD display you can buy two of the best CRT's on the market. And this is one of the best CRT's I've ever used and I've used a lot of them. It has rich colors, sharp images (right up there with some of my best LCD displays), three brightness settings (normal, picture, movie), and a relatively easy to use OSD for tweaking the color balance to 'just right.' Although it's listed as a 21" monitor on Amazon, it is technically a 22" with a 20" flat viewing area. It's text quality is awesome at the native 1600x1200 resolution (and at any resolution that keeps the 4:3 ratio for that matter). The previous review mentioned that there was a problem with stretching to the border on 1280x960. I don't know what his problem was but both my monitors can fill the screen (with stretch to spare) at any 4:3 resolution. He might have been running an unsupported refresh rate. This is an awesome monitor for any use and at ~550 it's a great deal.

I have had this monitor for a little more than a year and it is a fantastic monitor: great picture, lots of options and the downloadable software to adjust is awesome. However, you should know it has one problem--reliability. The problem is the tube loses its sharpness over time.

After only a little more than a year my tube got so blurry it gives you a headache to use it. So, I call NEC--as its still under warranty. Rep says no problem this has happened before (but denies it is a design flaw) and will send a refurbished one, and then I pay to ship the broken one back. I figure ok, $80 is fine for a new monitor. Then, I get the refurb--BUT--its got the same problem and has a manufacturing date of only a few months ago.

Again I call NEC and complain as to why someone didnt check before they sent me a dud. While the rep was nice and offered to send another one, I said enough is enough, just pay for the return postage on the refurb and I'll buy a new monitor.

End of story--great monitor, great software, reps are friendly, BUT beware you may be playing musical monitors.

Eventually, after much research I got a IBM c220p and it rocks! (now if it only lasts for more than a year).

... I settled on the NEC Multisync FE2111SB for my monitor of choice. Why did I choose this particular monitor? I'm primarily a gamer and need the quick response times of a CRT over the up-and-coming LCD's. I own an NEC LCD1760V (on a second system) and its 16ms response time is excellent but it just does not have the same sheer color depth and "quicks" of a solid CRT (expecially projecting greys and deep blacks). Anyway, back to the review.

I had trouble finding what I thought were honest reviews of the monitor but ordered it via Amazon. It arrived some 8 days later and I eagerly sat it in place. I chose black to compliment my desktop setup. I am running a Radeon 9800XT to push the picture so consider that as I continue.

The first thing I noticed was how brilliant the bright the display was. Crisp, clear and a stunning image. Unfortunately, the flat panel glass (which covers the actual screen about 1/4" behind the mask had some specks of dirt upon it (small area just up and left of center). I dutifully attempted to wipe away the specks of dirt but to my horror realized the dirt was BEHIND the flat glass. I just paid for a new monitor, I expect the monitor to be essentially perfect. I was unimpressed.

The second (and final issue) came as I was tinkering with resolution setting. The standard rez I typically run my system on is 1280x960 which keeps things sharp, round and just the right size. A higher setting and things get out of ratio (circles become ovals) and text gets slightly blurry. So, as I began to adjust the image to fill the screen (tall and wide), the monitor could not stretch the image wide enough. At 100% wide, the image still had 1/4" to 1/2" black space on the left and right edge of the screen. Unacceptable. I tinkered with settings but nothing would correct this limitation.

Needless to say, with both issues being, well, an issue, I'm returning the monitor. I have not yet decided if I will repurchase the same monitor. So, the dirt was an aberation however, the resolution situation is a short-fall. Hope this helps, best of luck.

I'm using the FE2111SB on a dual-monitor setup: the other monitor is a KDS Avitron(trinitron tube) 19" CRT (great monitor btw). I've had the FE2111SB for almost a year now and it's been performing great since I took it out of the box, so nothing has happened yet (knock on wood). Although, even though i've had it for a year, I still have one itch to pick at though.

At the very top of the viewable area (about a .25" from the top) there is a slight vertical linearity distortion (a portion of the monitor stretches vertically). I mainly use the monitor for work on graphic design so I can't afford to use smaller resolutions than 1280 x 1024. But, i've tried using different resolutions with different refresh rates, i've even bought a new video card (Radeon 9800 PRO) and so far, no solution. I thought maybe it could have been the gravity of where i'm located, or maybe the 2nd monitor could be affecting it? I don't really know for sure but it's not that big of a deal anyway. Although I'd like to think it's essential to have a picture-perfect work area right, because its like having nails on a table rub against you or a desk with frayed edges- it's bothersome, but you can always work around it.

Other than that, color reproduction, moire-removal, and all the professional features of a good monitor are up to par. Although, i'd love to have a USB or FIREWIRE hub built-in like some Diamondtron monitors do.

I would definitely recommend this monitor if you want to step up to a mid-to-high-end level quality CRT display. It has a big ass on this bad boy, so make sure you have a wide/deep as well as a durable desk to park it.

Here's the skinny...mine is a small graphics agency, meaning we have to watch overhead. We'd never touch LCDs for our work. By their nature, they don't `refresh' constantly and their pixel pitch can't match a CRT.

Among the projects we do are vehicle wraps and constantly receive comments from installers that they're impressed with the quality of our photographic elements in such a large format. A lot of it can be attributed to this CRT.

The NEC/Mitsu tube is simply the best bang for the buck in analogue...but, heck, do your own research on 'em.

Is the additional real estate worth it? You bet.

The bright, vivid colors are what you'd expect from a CRT as well as the .24mm pitch, contrasted with only .27mm on pricier LCDs. We run at 1600x1200 using Adobe Gamma. With some patience, geometry's not a problem.

I suppose my only complaint is the same one I have with all CRTs, those unreadable controls. For exceptional value, I'll live with it.