Unfortunately, when technology changes, you sometimes have to spend money to keep up with it. While I would not waste my money on the least expensive calibrators available, I do consider the money for an EyeOne well worth it. It's worth it in knowing that you're calibrated and your files are right. It's worth it in the savings you'll see in fewer rounds of prints to get a good one or proofs if that's your choice. Sure, you CAN use the old file on an LCD, but it really doesn't work very well. I hate to say it, but when you're in the imaging game at any level, you sometimes need to spend a few dollars (or a few thousand) in order to do things right.
Let's see...
Radius PressView $2500
Barco Ref V $4500
3 Sony Artisans @ $1500
Praxisoft Profiler $2000
ProfileMaker $3000
Spectrolino T $6000
DTP-92 Calibrator $ 600
In the last ten years just a few of the items purchased in the quest for better and more predictable color. Admittedly I am a professional, but it just illustrates what you can spend if you're so inclined. And notice that the best calibrator of years past - the DTP-92 - was over three times what a modern EyeOne goes for today. A couple hundred really isn't much.
