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Conclusion
It’s well established that price is the most talked about subject in our reader comments. No matter how much technology or innovation is packed into a display, there are users who feel it costs too much. And since the upgrade path for monitors is much longer, we’re talking about a purchase that happens infrequently. Most people, us included, want to get years out of a panel; as many as possible.
For the patient, there are brands like Nixeus. Three years ago, a 27" IPS screen with QHD resolution would set you back at least $700 or more. Prices have come down quite a bit since then, but a scan of popular online vendors shows mainstream brands still charging around $450 for something comparable to the PRO Vue 27P. So this monitor represents a value choice, but if you think you’ll be picking this screen up for $200, well, we’re not quite there yet.
Our tests show the PRO Vue 27P to be capable of adequate performance. Out-of-box color isn’t too bad, but some tweaking is necessary to improve the white point and more importantly, maximize output. Rather than traditional picture modes, it seems that Nixeus is depending on color temp presets to tailor the monitor’s image quality. And the default setting doesn’t exploit its full potential. If you aren’t possessed of the equipment to calibrate, we strongly recommend dialing in our recommended settings. Otherwise you’ll be wasting an opportunity to get the most from this display.
Our two main complaints center around contrast and the included stand. We understand the limitations of LCD panels when it comes to contrast, and IPS monitors all perform within a fairly small window. We’re not saying the PRO Vue 27P has poor performance in this area but our test results show it lags a bit behind the rest.
The stand is a place where smaller manufacturers often reduce costs. While it may seem insignificant next to the technology used, a well designed and built stand is not cheap to implement. In fairness to Nixeus, there are adjustable stands included with some of its other displays, but the PRO Vue 27P is something of a flagship and we think it deserves better. We’d also like to see a more efficiently designed OSD. Our setup and testing required an inordinate number of button presses to achieve results.
On the upside, this monitor is cheaper than its competition, if not by a lot; and it offers comparable color accuracy and a very clear picture courtesy of a very well made front screen layer. If your budget is stretched to the point where $50 will make a difference between TN or IPS (or FHD vs QHD), then the Nixeus PRO Vue 27P might just fill the bill.
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