Home > Consumer Reviews > Envision EN-985e 18" CRT Monitor

I bought this monitor when it was on sale + 50 bucks rebate. With a coupon, total came out to about 100. Luckily I did not cut off the barcode or else I wouldn't be able to return it.

It was easy enough to set this up but the problem started when I tried to adjust the screen. No matter what I did, I just couln't achieve the optimal view setting with clear text and color.

Unless it was set at 1024x768 or the next higher setting of 11xx at 60 mhz, the screen was painfully filled with moire effect and no matter what I did, I couldn't make them go away. If I calibrate using the corners, the center is fuzzy and if I concentrate on the center, the corders were fuzzy...

But that's not the worst problem I had with this monitor. The biggest and the worst problem was at anything higher than 60 mhz at any resolution, I couldn't fill the screen. There were black gap at the right and left side of the screen even though the horizontal size setting was set at 100%. Only when I lowered the refresh rate to 60, I was able to fix the problem.

After thinking hard about whether I should spend extra 100 or so for another brand, I decided to return it because I knew that I was going to use the monitor for at least a few years even if I change the computer. In fact, I knew that the monitor should be one component that I should get the best even if it is more expensive.

So I returned it with no regret and I am getting SONY lcd that is smaller (15") and three times more expensive. Call me crazy but I still think I made the right decision.

Not sure why some having problems adjusting this inexpensive monitor, but I'll tell you this - I got this at CompUSA about 5 years ago when they just came out and I've used it as my main monitor for doing anything from full color pre-press jobs to web graphics without problems. DVD video's looking absolutely smashing - you just how to know how to fine tune this rather awesome for the money stylish CRT flat screen, that's all.

I have never had a problem with the Envision EN-985e monitor. I have found the resolution stunning and enjoyed watching movies on this monitor. Well priced too!

This monitor has been getting a rather bad rep., and I for one can't find that much to complain about. I've owned and used the 985e for a little over 5 years as my primary monitor.

In my personal opinion, for a monitor of its size and, again, low price, I believe it does an exceptionally good job of color reproduction, displays anything from video, text, webpages very clearly, and also sports a rather good range of resolutions: up to 2048x1536 at 60Hz, and I regularly keep it at 1600x1200 at 75hz.

As one reviewer mentioned, it does create a bit of a hassle when changing resolutions, as it will take a good deal of adjusting to get it to fit the entire screen perfectly, but I wouldn't consider it an actual "problem", because once you've got it set, it stays that way, thus, a one time inconvenience per res. change.

I will say, occasionally, you will notice minor screen artifacts at higher brightness levels, and most often when coupled with vast white webpages. Otherwise, you won't even notice it 95+% of the time.

In all, I give this monitor 4 out of 5, because of the resizing issue, and the occasional artifacts, but highly recommend it to anyone that can settle for less than perfect, esp. at such a good price.

After using the Envision EN-985e for over a year, I've found that the best thing about this monitor is the 3-year warranty. My family decided to purchase this as a replacement for our Compaq 15" monitor included with our computer. At first the huge viewing area was impressive, but it was very difficult to adjust to where it was square in the screen, and completely in focus. But we were willing to live with it. Unfortunately just five days later, the monitor was dead. Figuring it was just a defective one, we returned it. The replacement worked for 3 months before it again failed. After another round of sending it back to the manufacturer and getting it repaired, it worked for 6 months then failed again. More warranty service, worked for another few months, and now it has stopped working once more. Without the warranty this thing would have been a complete waste of money. As it is, it's just a poor excuse for a monitor, and unless you have a backup to use while you're sending it back for warranty service, STAY AWAY.