Viewsonic Omni VX2716 review: 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 opponents at $150 and presents an excellent gaming expertise regardless of cuts to construct high quality.

Further studying: See our roundup of the best gaming monitors to study competing merchandise.

Viewsonic Omni VX2716 specs and options

The Viewsonic Omni VX2716 is a typical 27-inch 1080p finances monitor. It makes use of an IPS LCD show 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 usually goal 120Hz or 144Hz—however the VX2716 is cheaper, with an MSRP slightly below $150.

Viewsonic Omni VX2716 design

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

The monitor additionally has a lightweight, cheap stand that tends to wobble. It’s straightforward to unintentionally 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 supplied) 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 top and swivel, providing solely a restricted tilt perform. Taller customers might want to place the stand on a shelf, ebook, or field for a snug viewing angle. Viewsonic at the least features a 100x100mm VESA mount, providing assist for third-party monitor stands and arms.

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 beneath $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 gained’t be helpful as a USB hub.

Monitor choices are managed utilizing an on-screen menu just like different Viewsonic shows, although the vary of choices is proscribed. The monitor contains quite a lot of imprecise preset modes (akin to RTS and MOBA sport modes). These are joined by a couple of extra exact changes, akin to shade temperature and three-axis shade 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 a substitute of a joystick or rear-facing buttons. This makes the controls straightforward to find however proves a bit cumbersome, because the light-weight stand barely resets the power 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 fundamental Windows techniques sounds or perhaps a podcast. Games, music, and flicks are muddy and mashed, so exterior audio system or headphones are extremely really useful. This, to be honest, is true of all finances 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 vital for finances displays as costlier alternate options—maybe much more so, because the hole between the perfect and worst finances displays is giant. Fortunately, the Viewsonic Omni VX2716 presents sturdy SDR picture high quality for the value.

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 all kinds of conditions and holds up nicely alongside brilliant sun-lit home windows and intense overhead lighting. You’ll be onerous pressed to seek out any monitor on this value bracket with considerably superior brightness.

Matt Smith/Foundry

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

Matt Smith/Foundry

The VX2716 presents a shade gamut that spans 98 % of sRGB and 85 % of DCI-P3. That’s an excellent end result for the monitor’s value vary, matching or beating displays such because the BenQ GW2785TC and Acer K242HYL. However, the monitor’s shade could seem subdued when in comparison with alternate options in the direction of the costlier finish of the finances monitor market, such because the Dell G2723H.

Matt Smith/Foundry

Color accuracy is weak even when in comparison with different finances displays. The VX2716 doesn’t stand out as inaccurate or unrealistic when seen by itself, however there’s a slight shift in blue and yellow hues. Still, I believe that is a suitable end result for a finances 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 shade temperature of 7100Ok, which is noticeably off the specified goal of 6500Ok. This gives a cool, sterile, and medical look. It could be fastened by setting the monitor’s shade temperature to Warm, however this pushes the colour temperature to 6100Ok, 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 accessible on trendy displays, and it reveals. Small textual content can seem pixelated and vague. On the plus facet, nonetheless, the monitor makes use of a standard subpixel and doesn’t show a big hole between pixels, traits that benefit from the accessible pixel rely. The VX2716’s picture could look comfortable, however it will get the job achieved.

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

Viewsonic Omni VX2716 HDR picture high quality

The Viewsonic Omni VX2716 lacks assist for HDR. This isn’t a shock given the monitor’s most SDR brightness of 350 nits and modest distinction. While a couple of finances shows declare HDR assist, no show on this value vary can ship ample HDR efficiency. The Cooler Master Tempest GP27Q, priced at $530, is the naked minimal for good HDR—and actually nice HDR displays are normally $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 clean framing pacing with AMD video playing cards.

Motion readability is ample with some element preserved in fast-moving objects. It’s sufficient to make out the outlines of objects, however smaller particulars shall be obscured. Scrolling check pictures 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 tough to see.

The VX2716 delivers an total enchancment over a 60Hz productiveness or workplace monitor, however I might’ve appreciated the next refresh price. Alternatives with a 120Hz, 144Hz, or 165Hz refresh price are costlier however usually solely by $20 or $30.

Should you purchase the Viewsonic Omni VX2716?

Gamers seeking to choose up a monitor for round $150 ought to give the Viewsonic Omni VX2716 an opportunity. It delivers good picture high quality and first rate movement readability for the value. Achieving these outcomes on a good finances means sacrificing construct high quality, nonetheless, and the 100Hz refresh price is low for a gaming monitor.