ADI Microscan 5GT review

The ADi Microscan 5GT has sat in our Top 50 Best Buys section as the best monitor around since its review in May 1998, but here it's pitted against some new competition.

The 5GT came with disks, containing information (.Inf) files about the monitor's capabilities.

Installing these files will guarantee Windows recognises your monitor's Plug'n'Play name and configures it correctly. This could be useful if Windows needs a bit of help optimising the graphics performance (and it often does). However, the manual didn't explain how to install these .Inf files.

Out of the 17in models tested, the ADi's image quality once again excelled. The ADi is the only model in our test to employ an aperture grille tube, helping to produce stunningly sharp image quality across the whole screen at 1,024x768. Although all the other monitors managed decent colour reproduction, the ADi was best of all, injecting a real vibrancy into our test images. We were even able to get acceptable results at higher resolutions, from 1,280x1,024 up to 1,600x1,200 with refresh rates of 75Hz or higher. Although at 1,600x1,200 the image was still sharp, it becomes difficult to make out text this small, so running it at the advised 1,280x1,024 makes a very agreeable compromise.

The image isn't flawless, though. As with all aperture grille screens you have to live with two fine black lines that stretch horizontally across the top and bottom third of the screen. These are the shadows of tensioning wires used to support the grille. It's possible to disguise them by using darker background colours on your desktop, and also by turning the brightness up to full for a few seconds before turning it down again. It's a shame that the ADi manual doesn't mention these tips, however.

The ADi MicroScan 5GT is exemplary, but at £349 isn't the best value, with Iiyama's S702GT producing an image that is very nearly as good for £120 less. However, it still wins a very well-earned recommended award.

Author: - Keir Thomas