BenQ GW2x50(HM) thread.

Have you checked to make sure your video card isn't throttled down for some reason? Is your CPU operating at the proper speed while in a 3D application? Just tossing a few ideas out there - a bogged down system could affect gameplay and mimic that. Swapping out another monitor would rule out that.
 
Working now, sort of. I used to be able to just change the AMA setting and see the result immediately. Now I have to change it, exit from the menu, then power cycle the monitor. Premium is once again showing minimal ghosting and a slight RTC overshoot (as expected). However, I'm going to treat this as an intermittent problem and begin warranty service anyway.

Jeffredo said:
Have you checked to make sure your video card isn't throttled down for some reason? Is your CPU operating at the proper speed while in a 3D application? Just tossing a few ideas out there - a bogged down system could affect gameplay and mimic that. Swapping out another monitor would rule out that.
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Monitor ghosting (mouse trails, PixPerAn) are not affected by these.
 
That's a strange problem.
I always buy from Amazon free shipping back and full money refund and no question ask.
 
Outbreaker said:
That's a strange problem.
I always buy from Amazon free send back and no question ask money return policy.
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It's been nearly 2 months since purchase. That's outside of Amazon's window. I'm within manufacturer warranty now.
 
In europe it's 2 years warranty for electronic products. Looks like the US has other customer rules for online shops.
 
Outbreaker said:
In europe it's 2 years warranty for electronic products. Looks like the US has other customer rules for online shops.
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In the US, there are no laws dictating the length of a retailer's "warranty." A retailer will have their own policies on returns and exchanges. Outside of that window, you are in the product warranty as set by the manufacturer (and some states). My monitor has a 3-year through BenQ, so I must go through them for warranty service.
 
First of all, I would like to thank everyone for contributing to this very helpful thread! It really helped me on my way to a new monitor :)

Right now I don't know what to think about the 24" version of this monitor, though. You guys are probably thinking in different categories than I am, so maybe you could help me out:

I've tried 4 different cheap TN-panels (<200 EUR). I was happy with the first one, a BenQ G2420HDBL. But it got strange dark spots after half a year, so I had to send it back. As it wasn't available anymore, my journey began:

1. Acer S242HLCBID - ridiculous ghosting. I'm no gamer, but the mouse cursor had a twin right behind it on every surface.
2. BenQ GL2450HM - text much too sharp, too dependant on viewing angle (bottom half of the screen had a totally different color than the upper half)
3. Iiyama Prolite B2475HDS - I just don't like the colors. It's like it's not vivid enough. Also, the left and right "column" of the screen are really reddish. Again: Viewing angle.


So you see, I'm not really spoiled as to image quality. I'm not expecting a Cinema Display, or some other expensive IPS-panel. I just want good bang for the <200 bucks and that's it.

90% of the time I'm using the monitor for programming, office, websurfing. The rest is videos / some gaming now and then.


Would you be able to give an opinion on this monitor, in relation to my profile above?
That would really help me out!
 
Jimboy said:
90% of the time I'm using the monitor for programming, office, websurfing. The rest is videos / some gaming now and then.


Would you be able to give an opinion on this monitor, in relation to my profile above?
That would really help me out!
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If it was me, I'd probably spend a bit more and just get the 24" Samsung 650 instead. Similar panel, but I have greater confidence in it than the BenQ, at least based off of user experiences here. If you happen to be in Canada, I think the Samsung is around the $220 range ($270ish for US people)

Or go for something like that semi-glossy 23" IPS Asus that just came out, at $280ish.
 
Thanks for the input. I'll keep thinking about going that far about my maximum (280 EUR over here for the Samsung 650). But until then, I'd be glad for further input on the BenQ.

Will it be an improvement compared to the experience I had with the listed monitors?
 
Jimboy said:
Thanks for the input. I'll keep thinking about going that far about my maximum (280 EUR over here for the Samsung 650). But until then, I'd be glad for further input on the BenQ.

Will it be an improvement compared to the experience I had with the listed monitors?
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280 eur for the 24" version? If so, that is too high really for that type of monitor.

I can't comment as how much an improvement the BenQ would be, as I have never been a TN fan, nor owned the BenQ. I expect it will be some improvement, but perhaps not as much as you hope for. And that is assuming it doesn't break, like Medion's did. There are some cheapo IPS screens nowadays too, if you are okay with IPS. AOC has that 23" IPS for <$200 (in the US)... supposedly not as grainy as most other IPS screens. It won't be in the same league as higher end monitors, but should be better (hopefully) than a TN -- unsure how it is for gaming though. If a risk taker, there are those 27" korean panels too (although that will be closer to $300).
 
It's even 280 EUR now and that's not from Amazon. It really like to order from then, so I don't have problems returning it, if there's a problem in the future. Also, the 23" AOC is out of stock, but you can get it for around 180 EUR.

I'm not sure about how I like IPS (glow etc.) as I've never seen one. All the shops around me only have a lot of bad TN-panels, so that's not easy.

Maybe someone who had cheaper TN panels can tell me something about the improvement I can expect. As I said, my first BenQ made me pretty happy so it's not too much I need ;)
 
I ordered a 27 from Newegg. I've got a 27 inch Planar TN, and it's just awful. I couldn't take the viewing angles anymore. I want to stay at 1080p for a variety of reasons, so it was either this or that 1080p LG IPS panel that'll be released at some unknown time in the future.

Newegg does have the restocking fee, but they're a good $40 cheaper than Amazon to begin with so...
 
soldierblue said:
I ordered a 27 from Newegg. I've got a 27 inch Planar TN, and it's just awful. I couldn't take the viewing angles anymore. I want to stay at 1080p for a variety of reasons, so it was either this or that 1080p LG IPS panel that'll be released at some unknown time in the future.

Newegg does have the restocking fee, but they're a good $40 cheaper than Amazon to begin with so...
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I'll be happy to hear your first thoughts when using your new monitor!
 
If you in a bright room then you can buy a IPS but if you in a dark room then i would not recommend an IPS.
 
Outbreaker said:
If you in a bright room then you can buy a IPS but if you in a dark room then i would not recommend an IPS.
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I don't darken the room it's in enough to disqualify an IPS panel. I was more off-put by the lack of a release window. All LG said was that it would be released at some point.
 
Adventures in BenQ customer support:

First, I called their tech support line. When I finally got through (3-4 minutes on hold, not bad), it sounded like I woke the guy up. Conversation goes like;

Him: Uh..(yawn/groan)..hello? BenQ?"
Me:Um, yea, I need help troubleshooting my monitor.

Him: Ok, did you register for warranty service on the monitor?
Me: No, tried, but when you hit save it just deletes the form entries.

Him: Ok, then we need the receipt. Where did you buy it from.
Me: I bought it from you guys, can give you the receipt or the order number, whichever is more convenient for you.

Him: No, no, we don't need the receipt, who told you that?
Me: You did...just now.

Him: Um, uh...
Me: <click> <redial>

The second guy barely spoke English, but genuinely wanted to help. However, I had to pay shipping both ways AND take a refurb. Sorry, not paying about $50 in shipping fees for a lottery ticket. If we're doing a refurb, you pay the shipping for your defective product. He wouldn't waive it (I was actually being polite, not the ass that I am acting now, btw). So, I thank him for his time and will try to return/exchange it through their sales department.

Now, I purchased it on June 8th, so this is a longshot. I call sales. I spend about 30 minutes on hold so I enter chat. I get a response in chat (still on hold on the phone), so I try to explain my issue. Another 10 minutes goes by, still on hold on the phone and no response in chat. I type, "Hello?" Another 5 minutes goes by (yes, I've be on the phone for more than 40 minutes at this point), so thinking that the call center may be outsourced, I change my question to, "Herro?" This gets a response...of "what may I help you with?" Thankfully, the phone picks up at the same time so I end chat. I quickly discover that I was chatting with the same guy that answered the phone. (/facepalm) He also sounds suspiciously like the first guy at tech support that I woke up. (/headesk)

He says he can't help me but refers me to "Sid" and gives me what looks like a private phone number. I call and get voicemail. Screw it, I'm done. I call my CC issuer and issue a charge back. I would not have done this if purchased elsewhere because I don't believe in punishing the retailer for a problem out of their hands. However, I purchased the monitor through BenQ direct, so if they won't properly honor the warranty, they can pay for it.

I'm hoping for a few possible outcomes, in this order:
1. They dispute my dispute, they win and keep their money, but they come back to the table with a better offer, such as free cross shipping, a guarantee of a pre-tested monitor, and/or a new monitor as replacement. Any of those will satisfy me.

2. They lose the dispute but offer to swap it out if I repay them the monitor charge. I'm ok with that.

3. They lose the dispute, but now I have to pick out another monitor. Yay...

I genuinely love this monitor and just want it to go back to working (AMA finally died entirely). I did think about just ordering another from a retailer with a free return policy, and swapping them out, but my morals set in. I'm not punishing a third party for BenQ's actions.
 
Ugh... and I thought Dell was frustrating to deal with regarding customer service. Even though Dell may take several hours, and multiple 'tech' people to talk to, at least they paid for return shipping themselves.

I've read other bad things about BenQ customer service. One guy wanted to send his broken monitor back for a replacement, and was told that since he didn't have the original packaging in its entirety, they wouldn't take it back.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I've found NEC great regarding customer service. Eizo was also great (and I don't even have one of their monitors)... I just had several questions, and a head manager guy called me the next day.

Another option is to maybe send an email directly to a BenQ manager, throw out words like Better Business Bureau, etc. etc. -- and hope you get better results. A little moot now, with the chargeback, but it's possible a 'higher up' would handle things better (assuming you could even get in touch with one).
 
Outbreaker said:
NEVER buy something from a internet store without a GOOD return policy,
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It's past his return date. He is relying on the warranty. Even if he bought it from Amazon or locally, it wouldn't have mattered ... too much time has passed.
 
Outbreaker said:
NEVER buy something from a internet store without a GOOD return policy,
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Outbreaker, as I've told you before, 30-days is pretty much the limit on a store return policy. It's been nearly 60 days since I bought it. I don't fault the store return policy. It seems like even the UK Amazon page is limited to 30 days:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_502480_faq_ret?nodeId=1161002

So, I'd be shocked to be shown someone that does 60 days or more.
 
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Costco is the only retailer I am aware of that has a 90 day return policy. Everyone else is 30 days (that I know of). The problem with Costco is they typically don't carry decent monitors, and of course you'd have to be a member too.
 
There must be some better internet stores in the US with a better return policy.
I don't konw how it is in the US but how is the return policy if you buy it in a normal (offline) store?
 
Outbreaker said:
There must be some better internet stores in the US with a better return policy.
I don't konw how it is in the US but how is the return policy if you buy it in a normal (offline) store?
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Return polices usually don't go past 30 days, offline or online. Best Buy is 30 days, Microcenter is 15-30 days, Fry's is 30 days. As I mentioned above, Costco is the only place that is longer, but it'd be very doubtful they'd carry the BenQ.

And that is another problem. If by some rare chance you found some retailer that had a longer return policy, it's unlikely they'd carry the BenQ. Most big retailers carry cheapo TNs. Microcenter and Fry's may be the exception (never been in either, so can't say for certain).
 
Well I didn't catch it before it shipped. Guess we'll see. A 27A650D is definitely next on my list if this ends up not working.
 
Namelessme said:
I've found NEC great regarding customer service
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That's great. Returned my ASUS, was going to buy a GW2750HM from Newegg, but for some odd reason changed my mind and got an NEC EA273WM-BK from them instead. Yes, its a big, honkin', expensive TN panel, but I read two glowing reviews of it (PC World and Hot Hardware) plus Consumer Reports gave it a "best buy" rating. Newegg had the lowest regular price plus 10% off and free shipping on top of that. Came to $396...which is what the BenQ GW2750HM was at most US places a few weeks ago. Should be here Friday.

Sorry for the thread derail - I really came close to buying the BenQ once Newegg dropped the price to $290.
 
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Jeffredo said:
That's great. Returned my ASUS, was going to buy a GW2750HM from Newegg, but for some odd reason changed my mind and got an NEC EA273WM-BK from them instead. Yes, its a big, honkin', expensive TN panel, but I read two glowing reviews of it (PC World and Hot Hardware) plus Consumer Reports gave it a "best buy" rating. Newegg had the lowest regular price plus 10% off and free shipping on top of that. Came to $396...which is what the BenQ GW2750HM was at most US places a few weeks ago. Should be here Friday.

Sorry for the thread derail - I really came close to buying the BenQ once Newegg dropped the price to $290.
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I've always wondered about that NEC.
 
Outbreaker said:
WTF 5ms TN for 400$ lol did you go back in time? :D
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Nah. It was a hundred or so more than a cheapo 27" TN. That tilt/height/pivot/swivel stand is worth half that and the NEC build quality/panel quality/warranty is worth the rest. ;) I've read the panel is very uniform with no backlight bleeding or bad pixel issues and passed the DisplayMate color scales test perfectly out of the box (got PC Mag's Editor's Choice Award). Plus it seems to have better than average viewing angles for a TN. Of course what will tell the tale is when its sitting in front of me. But yeah, I was thinking I might be nuts when I pressed the order button. :eek: Hopefully that won't be the case - I'll report back when I get it.
 
Outbreaker said:
WTF 5ms TN for 400$ lol did you go back in time? :D
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TNs get slammed on this board but many of them are VERY high quality. They also still offer better real-world response, contrast, and black levels than IPS monitors. Lastly, I'm not a fan of those 2ms overdrive settings because the RTC overshoot is horrid. Usually the middle setting (equivalent to about 5ms) offers the best response times with little RTC overshoot.

Basically, on a 5ms TN, I use the fastest setting, whereas on a 2ms setting, I use the middle setting. They seem to be about the same.

Jeffredo said:
Nah. It was a hundred or so more than a cheapo 27" TN. That tilt/height/pivot/swivel stand is worth half that and the NEC build quality/panel quality/warranty is worth the rest. ;) I've read the panel is very uniform with no backlight bleeding or bad pixel issues and passed the DisplayMate color scales test perfectly out of the box (got PC Mag's Editor's Choice Award). Plus it seems to have better than average viewing angles for a TN. Of course what will tell the tale is when its sitting in front of me. But yeah, I was thinking I might be nuts when I pressed the order button. :eek: Hopefully that won't be the case - I'll report back when I get it.
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Let me know how this one works out for you. My primary complaint with cheaper TN panels is horrid backlight bleed. I'm looking at going back to a TN since there are no IPS panels available today that interest me (27" 1080p), and the only other VA panel I'd consider has ghosting issues and some backlight bleed reports. I'm looking at going back to the Samsung 550V series as the two I owened previously were outstanding except for their built-in DAC.
 
Well the UK seems to be in general ok regards atleast the first year of warranty where typically the seller will pick up faulty product at their expense. I have the 24" GW2450HM and I hope I dont have any AMA problems like Medion. Hope the situation resolves to his satisfaction. Experiences like his are enough to kill a brand. Like him I really love this monitor which has replaced my TV. Apart from brightness (25) I only adjusted the green both the main one (94) and also the black level ( 46 ). Strangely both these monitor hard ware settings are available under an advanced setting of the Intel gpu driver for my G41 motherboard - no need to use softMCCS mentioned by Kikou ( I confirmed that these settings were hardware by using softMCCS ) I did lower the saturation a bit, but this in the gpu driver only, for video display, not in the monitor.
 
mercalia said:
Well the UK seems to be in general ok regards atleast the first year of warranty where typically the seller will pick up faulty product at their expense. I have the 24" GW2450HM and I hope I dont have any AMA problems like Medion. Hope the situation resolves to his satisfaction. Experiences like his are enough to kill a brand. Like him I really love this monitor which has replaced my TV. Apart from brightness (25) I only adjusted the green both the main one (94) and also the black level ( 46 ). Strangely both these monitor hard ware settings are available under an advanced setting of the Intel gpu driver for my G41 motherboard - no need to use softMCCS mentioned by Kikou ( I confirmed that these settings were hardware by using softMCCS ) I did lower the saturation a bit, but this in the gpu driver only, for video display, not in the monitor.
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With regards to AMA failing, I've never heard of it happening. So, I'd be happy with a refurb replacement because I'd be willing to bet that if I had another issue, it would be a different issue. My complaint is the level of support from BenQ. Now, I'm not one who is shy about exercising my rights. By issuing a chargeback I've asserted my rights. If they "win" and still offer no support, all I have to do is pay a $40 fee to file in civil court here. I'd get a default judgement for $439 (more if I requested it based on missing work and mileage) because it would be cheaper for them to not even show up.

I'm an a-hole when I get screwed over. In my case it is SO much easier to just offer the minimum level of customer service. However, so many companies do this because the average consumer does not assert their rights. In this case, the $400-$440 they have to pay out to deal with me pales in comparison to the millions they save by offering no real customer service.

So, I still think the monitor is awesome, but I will definitely avoid BenQ in the future. If you cannot support your products then I cannot support you as a company.
 
I hat if companies outercourse there consumer support to call centers that also do to consumer support for 100+ other companies. If it's not to much work and only 40$ then you should for sure go to civil court that's the only way to punish them for outercoursing there consumer support.
 
Mine's coming tomorrow. I've never really owned a good monitor before. I'm trying to keep my expectation in check, but I do expect it to be better than what I have now.
 
NEC EA273WM-BK has terrible edge bleeding on the right hand side. So strong its visible during daylight portions of Skyrim (and dark scenes are ridiculous). Very good color after calibrating, but for a premium product that panel uniformity is pretty disappointing. Its going back. Think I'll pass on the BenQ too for now - I'm tired of ordering things and having to return them. Guess my old 1680x1050 is going to have to suffice with my GTX 670 for now. Seems a bit ridiculous, but at least it looks good.
 
That is unfortunate. I'd expect NEC quality to be better than that.

I had been a CRT person for many years, until semi-recently. I find it so strange how many problems there are with LCDs. And I don't mean the natural limitations of each type of panel -- I mean quality control. Bleeding, dead pixels, ghosting, or something being broken almost seems the norm, and one has to try several monitors just to find a good one.

I also realize that may be an exaggeration, as those with product problems tend to post more often than those who don't. But still... it seems like way too high a percentage of monitors have one problem or another. There is also the fact that half the specs manufacturers typically list (true contrast, response rates, etc) are inaccurate, deceptions or flat out lies... never understood how the monitor industry gets away with it or why don't they improve quality control.
 
Instant return. Awful. The display had a strong tint of half the screen and what looked like a foreign body between the backlight and the panel (not a dead or stuck pixel and not surface damage).
 
soldierblue said:
Instant return. Awful. The display had a strong tint of half the screen and what looked like a foreign body between the backlight and the panel (not a dead or stuck pixel and not surface damage).
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Yup, seems to be the norm. I'm apparently the only one that got a good monitor, but even that didn't last. I got roughly 45 days before it crapped out. And under their warranty terms I "get to" pay to get a refurb? No thanks.
 
I have never heard of any tech or PC related warranty service that required you to pay shipping both ways. Shipping to them? Yup. Refurbished? That's standard. But have to pay for them to send the replacement to you is ridiculous.
 
Jeffredo said:
Shipping to them? Yup. Refurbished? That's standard.
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Even both of those points is too much for me. One or the other, I'm good with. But both? Sorry, I'm not going to pay for another ticking time bomb every 1-2 months. Over the course of the warranty I would have paid more than just getting a $700 monitor.
 
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