Viewsonic Omni VX2716 assessment: A good display for gamers on a tight budget

Best Prices Today: Viewsonic Omni VX2716

Gaming displays are costly. The greatest fashions, just like the Alienware AW3423DWF, routinely promote above $1,000, and even midrange favorites just like the Acer Nitro XV272 are sometimes round $300. The Viewsonic Omni VX2716 undercuts most rivals at $150 and presents a good gaming expertise regardless of cuts to construct high quality.

Further studying: See our roundup of the perfect gaming displays to find out about competing merchandise.

Viewsonic Omni VX2716 specs and options

The Viewsonic Omni VX2716 is a typical 27-inch 1080p budget monitor. It makes use of an IPS LCD display with an edge-lit LED backlight and presents few noteworthy options.

• Display measurement: 27-inch widescreen
• Native decision: 1920×1080
• Panel sort: IPS LCD
• Refresh price: 100Hz
• Adaptive-Sync: AMD FreeSync
• HDR: None
• Ports: 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x 3.5mm audio-out
• Stand adjustment: Tilt
• VESA mount: Yes, 100x100mm
• Speakers: Yes, 2x two-watt
• Price: $149.99 MSRP

Just one specification stands out: the refresh price, which may attain 100Hz. That’s not as excessive as different entry-level gaming displays, which extra typically goal 120Hz or 144Hz—however the VX2716 is inexpensive, with an MSRP just below $150.

Viewsonic Omni VX2716 design

The Viewsonic Omni VX2716’s tight budget is apparent the second it’s unboxed. The monitor’s design is bland, with cheap plastics throughout the display bezel and stand. It lacks any distinct design options, placing an unremarkable look that fails to face out. This, to be truthful, is widespread for budget displays, however I really feel rivals like Acer and Dell are inclined to look higher within the sub-$200 area.

The monitor additionally has a mild, cheap stand that tends to wobble. It’s simple to by accident tilt or tip the monitor when it’s bumped, and even when utilizing the on-screen menu. The stand additionally requires set up of two screws (that are offered) to maintain it secured. It’s a minor annoyance not widespread on costlier displays, which regularly snap into place.

The stand is brief, too, and lacks important ergonomic changes like peak and swivel, providing solely a restricted tilt operate. Taller customers might want to place the stand on a shelf, e book, or field for a comfy viewing angle. Viewsonic at the very least consists of a 100x100mm VESA mount, providing help for third-party monitor stands and arms.

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Viewsonic Omni VX2716 options and menus

The VX2716 has one HDMI 1.4 and one DisplayPort 1.2 video enter. That’s acceptable, although not excellent, connectivity for a monitor bought below $200. The monitor additionally has a 3.5mm audio output for audio connectivity with audio system or wired headphones. USB is totally missing, so the monitor received’t be helpful as a USB hub.

Monitor choices are managed utilizing an on-screen menu much like different Viewsonic shows, although the vary of choices is restricted. The monitor consists of a variety of obscure preset modes (akin to RTS and MOBA recreation modes). These are joined by a few extra exact changes, akin to coloration temperature and three-axis coloration adjustment. The monitor lacks gamma adjustment. Gamers achieve entry to a black stabilizer, which lifts shadows in darkish scenes to make enemies seen.

The menu depends on forward-facing buttons as an alternative of a joystick or rear-facing buttons. This makes the controls simple to find however proves a bit cumbersome, because the light-weight stand barely resets the pressure required to activate the buttons. I took to holding the monitor with my left hand whereas navigating the menus with my proper.

Viewsonic throws in a pair of two-watt audio system. They’re extraordinarily weak, nonetheless, and solely appropriate for primary Windows techniques sounds or perhaps a podcast. Games, music, and films are muddy and mashed, so exterior audio system or headphones are extremely beneficial. This, to be truthful, is true of all budget displays: No monitor on this value vary presents a satisfactory audio expertise.

Viewsonic Omni VX2716 SDR picture high quality

Image high quality is simply as essential for budget displays as costlier alternate options—maybe much more so, because the hole between the perfect and worst budget displays is giant. Fortunately, the Viewsonic Omni VX2716 presents robust SDR picture high quality for the worth.

Matt Smith/Foundry

Brightness is actually within the VX2716’s favor with a most brightness of 354 nits, the second-highest on this comparability and overwhelmed solely by the Dell G2723H, which is often $50 costlier. The VX2716 is usable in a broad number of conditions and holds up properly alongside vibrant sun-lit home windows and intense overhead lighting. You’ll be arduous pressed to seek out any monitor on this value bracket with considerably superior brightness.

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Contrast is first rate with a most distinction ratio of 900:1. That’s not an incredible consequence however, because the graph exhibits, it holds up properly when in comparison with equally priced displays. The VX2716 presents modest depth and dimensionality and holds up properly when considered in a vibrant room. Its distinction limitations change into apparent in darkish content material, because the display can look hazy and grey when it ought to seem darkish.

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The VX2716 presents a coloration gamut that spans 98 p.c of sRGB and 85 p.c of DCI-P3. That’s a good consequence for the monitor’s value vary, matching or beating displays such because the BenQ GW2785TC and Acer K242HYL. However, the monitor’s coloration could seem subdued when in comparison with alternate options in the direction of the costlier finish of the budget monitor market, such because the Dell G2723H.

Matt Smith/Foundry

Color accuracy is weak even when in comparison with different budget displays. The VX2716 doesn’t stand out as inaccurate or unrealistic when considered on its personal, however there’s a slight shift in blue and yellow hues. Still, I believe that is a suitable consequence for a budget monitor and it’s unlikely to face out when in comparison with equally priced shows.

The VX2716’s lackluster accuracy could also be linked to its default coloration temperature of 7100K, which is noticeably off the specified goal of 6500K. This offers a cool, sterile, and scientific look. It will be mounted by setting the monitor’s coloration temperature to Warm, however this pushes the colour temperature to 6100K, which is a bit too heat.

Matt Smith/Foundry

Sharpness is suitable. This is a 27-inch, 1080p monitor with a pixel density of roughly 81 pixels per inch. That’s in the direction of the low finish of what’s out there on trendy displays, and it exhibits. Small textual content can seem pixelated and vague. On the plus aspect, nonetheless, the monitor makes use of a standard subpixel and doesn’t display a giant hole between pixels, traits that benefit from the out there pixel depend. The VX2716’s picture might look mushy, however it will get the job accomplished.

The Viewsonic Omni VX2716’s is a robust budget monitor however has clear limitations. I don’t advocate this monitor to creators who want good coloration efficiency, and the dearth of pixel density may cause video games to look pixelated or mushy. These issues are offset by a suitable distinction ratio, excessive most brightness, and a coloration gamut that’s a bit wider than typical for the monitor’s value vary. The monitor’s SDR picture high quality isn’t superb however it’s good for the worth.

Viewsonic Omni VX2716 HDR picture high quality

The Viewsonic Omni VX2716 lacks help for HDR. This isn’t a shock given the monitor’s most SDR brightness of 350 nits and modest distinction. While a few budget shows declare HDR help, no display on this value vary can ship enough HDR efficiency. The Cooler Master Tempest GP27Q, priced at $530, is the naked minimal for good HDR—and actually nice HDR displays are often $1,000 or extra.

How does the Viewsonic Omni VX2716 Motion carry out?

Viewsonic advertises the Omni VX2716 as a gaming monitor and backs that up with a 100Hz refresh price. This is an unusual refresh price (120Hz or 144Hz is extra typical), and it’s a bit disappointing that Viewsonic was unable to spring for 144Hz. The monitor additionally helps AMD FreeSync for easy framing pacing with AMD video playing cards.

Motion readability is enough with some element preserved in fast-moving objects. It’s sufficient to make out the outlines of objects, however smaller particulars will likely be obscured. Scrolling check photos of League of Legends confirmed that character silhouettes, map particulars, and hitpoint bars have been seen, however character names and tick marks inside hitpoint bars have been unreadable in movement. Spell results and high quality map particulars, like the precise outlines of bushes or brush, can show troublesome to see.

The VX2716 delivers an total enchancment over a 60Hz productiveness or workplace monitor, however I’d’ve favored a larger refresh price. Alternatives with a 120Hz, 144Hz, or 165Hz refresh price are costlier however typically solely by $20 or $30.

Should you purchase the Viewsonic Omni VX2716?

Gamers trying to decide up a monitor for round $150 ought to give the Viewsonic Omni VX2716 a likelihood. It delivers good picture high quality and first rate movement readability for the worth. Achieving these outcomes on a tight budget means sacrificing construct high quality, nonetheless, and the 100Hz refresh price is low for a gaming monitor.